The DLF Mailbag

Eric Hardter

dlfmailbag

Welcome to the latest edition of the weekly mailbag.

Send me your questions using the DLF Mailbag Form and I’ll include the best in future articles.  Remember the guidelines to have the best chance at seeing your question get posted:

1.) Dynasty questions only, no start/sit questions

2.) Help me help you by providing sufficient information about your league (e.g. line-up requirements/PPR or non-PPR/etc.), and include your first name and where you’re from.

3.) Your chance of getting your question answered is inversely proportional to the length of the question.

Let’s get to it!

*Editor’s Note – For total team evaluations, please be sure to use the DLF Newsletter Team Advice Form!*

  1. In my 8-team, 2QB keeper league I’m considering a trade of (from my team) Andrew Luck, Frank Gore, Theo Riddick and Adam Vinatieri for Todd Gurley and Jameis Winston. I could potentially trade Julio Jones for Gurley instead, but he seems more valuable. Does that seem like a reasonable deal?James in CA

Typically the 2QB element would give me pause, but given the size of your league this truthfully isn’t different than owning signal callers in a 16-squad setting. Yes, this makes them more valuable, but still not game changers in my opinion. Rams rookie rusher Todd Gurley, on the other hand, has proven to be just that in only his first year, and has the looks of a cornerstone ball carrier. The other pieces you’re giving up, apart from Andrew Luck, don’t possess nearly that upside, effectively rendering this as a “smaller” deal than the totality of the pieces suggest – if you can swing it, I love the deal for you.

  1. Three years ago when we started our league, we had 12 guys set up for it. On draft night, one guy dropped out, so we replaced him with a league mate’s younger brother. Three years later, we’re ready for him to be out of the league due to a combination of bad decisions (mostly with his brother) and the fact that there’s a five-year age difference from us. What’s the advice for “kicking” a guy out (we have a replacement)? He also has traded away his first round pick for the rookie draft which makes this situation even more dicey.Kyle in MN

[inlinead]I don’t think there are any sort of official guidelines for this type of situation. I suppose my first instinct is that I understand where you’re coming from – you had to make a last-minute decision to preserve your league’s inception, and it unfortunately landed you in a situation where you have an undesirable league-mate. With that said though, it doesn’t sound like he’s a bad guy – maybe he’s not the best at dynasty, and in a different “age class,” but I don’t get the impression he’s delinquent in his duties as an owner. Unless you can prove outright collusion with his brother, it’s a hard sell to see booting him for superficial reasons.

Because despite his decisions, or the age gap, if he’s having fun I’d hate to see that taken away from him. If it’s more of a casual interest for him it becomes more palatable, but again, I didn’t get that impression from your query.

I guess ultimately I’d see if his brother is willing to take him on as a co-owner. This would ensure you can get your new buddy into the league, while also providing a logical “out” for the youngster. Again, there’s no rule book on this one, but hopefully this can serve all concerned parties with a best-case scenario.

  1. Through a trade I have traded for what looks like the first or second overall pick next year.  My team is a contender with no glaring needs (perhaps an upgrade on Donte Moncrief at WR3 or younger running back), and a team in my league is pushing hard for my draft pick.  Would it be worth it to trade that pick for Stefon Diggs, Karlos Williams, and his first rounder (anywhere between 1.04 and 1.09 as we have six teams tied at 5-4 right now)?BMcG in NJ

I’d rather stand pat. I’m a fan of both Stefon Diggs and Karlos Williams, and believe the former is now worth a late first rounder, and the latter slightly less. However, pick 1.01 (or 1.02) will, in just a few short months, become one of the most desirable assets in a dynasty setting – at that point, I think you can set your sights even higher. As you don’t have any glaring needs at the current moment in time, I don’t see any reason to pull the trigger on the proposed deal.

  1. I need advice on this potential trade for my 3-6 squad in my 16-team league. I’d get DeSean Jackson, James White, and first round picks in 2016 (likely late) and 2017, and I’d give up Marshawn Lynch and Jamaal Charles. Thoughts?Josh in TX

I’m not a huge fan. I like DeSean Jackson quite a bit, and I’m not worried that he could be on the chopping block come 2016 – the fact is he’s now produced above expected production for multiple teams, and I think he still has quite a bit of gas left in the tank. He’ll always be a little boom or bust due to the nature of his skill set, but he’s a fine dynasty asset in my estimation.

Unfortunately, he’s the only proven entity on your prospective end of the bargain. The first round picks are nice, but they’ll take time to accrue value (in terms of fantasy points scored), and late first round picks in a 16-team setting are already approaching “informed lottery” status. James White doesn’t move the needed even remotely.

Sure, perhaps this is the last year in the league for Marshawn Lynch, and for a non-contender I agree it’s a great time to sell “high.” But I have no doubt Jamaal Charles will be back and as good as ever next year. I’d much rather see you pursue a deal for Lynch and Lynch only – perhaps for D-Jax and one of those first round picks? It should help you both out, and ensure you increase your overall rebuilding value pool.

  1. I was offered Alshon Jeffery for Sammy Watkins and Melvin Gordon. My best running back options are Isaiah Crowell and Jeremy Langford, but we’re only required to start one running back. Thoughts?Drew in IL

I’d do it – I’ve been outspoken about my belief that Melvin Gordon will eventually turn it around, but if you only need to start one running back his upside is effectively neutralized. And while I’m also a big fan of Sammy Watkins, I think Bears pass catcher Alshon Jeffery is approaching “untouchable” status in a dynasty setting. On the surface it seems like a lot, but you’re getting the best player in the deal, and not destroying your starting lineup to do so. If you can swing another deal for a cheap running back prospect (think Jonathan Stewart, Chris Ivory, Doug Martin or Justin Forsett), I don’t think you’ll miss a beat.

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eric hardter