Dynasty Fantasy Football: Targets Acquired
Standing still is the fastest way of moving backwards in a rapidly changing dynasty landscape. The best dynasty teams are the most active in looking for ways to add value to their dynasty rosters, as part of a continuous process.
The Dynasty Targets Acquired series focuses on making dynasty buys to improve your roster, heading towards one of two key destinations – contending to win a dynasty title in 2024 or rebuilding for a dynasty title challenge in 2025. Each article in the series will highlight a dynasty buy for both contenders and rebuilders – with three trade ideas based on the DLF Trade Analyzer: Pivot Up, Same Tier or Pivot Down.
Buying as a contender is all about winning the title now, while leaving the window open to compete again year upon year. Buying as a rebuilder is all about making the right trades to maximize roster value next season and become a contender for a dynasty championship.
Time Context And Strategy
We are nearly a quarter of the way through the dynasty season, with logic determining we will become more accurate in our projections as we obtain more information. Many dynasty managers will be looking to slowly build into the season, reconvene at the midpoint and make a decision on their dynasty objective for 2024. In my view, this is far too late to be making moves, the time to act is now – when you have the most possible trade suitors and the ability to set the trade value market in your league.
Contender Buy – De’Von Achane, RB MIA
I play dynasty to win, making aggressive moves in any roster build or stage in the dynasty cycle, giving me the potential for huge value swings in my portfolio. Achane has the ability to change the landscape for your contending side, giving you RB1 overall ceiling on a weekly and yearly basis, where he has finished as a top-three option in the first two weeks of the season. Making a move for a running back is always a leap of faith due to the brutal nature of the position, however as a true contender, the number one goal is to finish in the top two, gain the playoff bye and one less coin-flip towards a dynasty title. Acquiring Achane is a bold move, but a potential catalyst to add a huge ceiling to your dynasty squad.
Pivot Up
Pivot Up – acquiring a higher-valued asset in exchange for multiple lower-valued assets
- De’Von Achane = Travis Etienne and 2025 mid third round pick
By making this move to acquire Achane you extend your dynasty contention window by gaining three additional years in age and also jump up a tier in rankings by only giving up an additional 2025 third round rookie pick. Etienne is a player approaching a value cliff in dynasty due mainly to age factors but also worth noting the exciting incoming 2024 rookie running back class, which has more chance to negatively affect Etienne than Achane.
Achane and Etienne have held similar value for the last nine months, however Achane is trending positively with age on his side, and appears an attractive pivot move for Etienne owners (Credit: DLF ADP Over Time App)
Same Tier
Same Tier – acquiring an asset in the Same Tier of valuation, in a straight-up swap deal
- De’Von Achane = Jonathan Taylor
I truly believe both of these assets deserve to be in the same tier, the market valuation is pretty accurate and aligns with my view, however I prefer Achane for the pure game-breaking upside and younger asset. Whilst we do tend to overvalue age as a whole in dynasty, it is noteworthy at running back due to the short life cycle and market application to age. Due to these factors, Achane is a more liquid (flexible) asset as an appealing young running back with more teams who would still be interested if contention takes longer than initially expected.
Pivot Down
Pivot Down – acquiring multiple lower-valued assets in exchange for a higher-valued asset
- De’Von Achane, 2025 mid-second round pick and 2025 mid-third-round pick = Jahmyr Gibbs
Small parts of the dynasty community have this as a coin flip, hence gaining additional draft capital is useful to reinvest later during the season or next year. Contenders should not be scared of the pivot down and if done correctly will make the squad stronger whilst adding longevity to the championship window. Gibbs still has concerns regarding David Montgomery’s touchdown siphoning and the overall lack of pass usage, an area Achane has impressed early on in the 2024 season.
Achane and Gibbs could be considered in the same tier by certain managers, so if you can gain additional flexible assets this move is a simple win in dynasty (Credit: DLF Dynasty Trade Analyzer)
Rebuilder Buy – Rome Odunze, WR CHI
Buying any player after their true breakout or any big week, in general, is a difficult task. Week three was the coming out party for Odunze as he finished as the WR7. Many pockets of the dynasty community suggested Odunze’s rookie season would be akin to Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s 2023 rookie season – an underperforming season facing strong target competition but with flashes of potential and excellent talent still within his profile. Odunze has already outperformed Smith-Njigba’s best rookie week and based on draft capital is considered a more highly-talented prospect. Whilst Odunze could be difficult to obtain as a young, potentially elite wide receiver, he’s an excellent buy as a player with value insulation and room to grow between now and 2025.
Pivot Up
Pivot Up – acquiring a higher-valued asset in exchange for multiple lower-valued assets
- Rome Odunze = Tank Dell and 2025 mid-second-round pick
I’ll make you a bet right now, Dell is worth less in dynasty value heading into the 2025 season than he is now. Nico Collins has been outstanding to begin the year and Stefon Diggs has shown the talent is still there and I expect him to be a Texans player beyond a one-year rental. Odunze is on the rise, with an excellent upcoming schedule and the recent breakout, I’d be comfortable paying a premium to acquire him, even in a rebuild, as the pathway to a dynasty WR1 is clear heading into 2025, with the strong likelihood of no Keenan Allen and the possibility of positive coaching changes.
Odunze and Dell have been consistent in their respective values over the last six months, however now we’re in points scoring season the expectation is Dell’s value is less insulated and likely to fall than Odunze’s value, making a pivot up appealing (Credit: DLF ADP Over Time App)
Same Tier
Same Tier – acquiring an asset in the Same Tier of valuation, in a straight-up swap deal
- Rome Odunze = Jaylen Waddle
Currently both Odunze and Waddle are ancillary options behind their team’s primary option, albeit Odunze has a clearer pathway to the key role in the short term. I’m making this move ahead of the true Odunze breakout as the Bears’ primary option, which could be as soon as this season. Waddle is a good asset in dynasty, with excellent potential with a Tyreek Hill injury, but view him more of a WR2 in the current landscape. This move is one that can spike positively short term whilst also gaining a younger asset by three years, giving greater long-term upside and roster flexibility.
Pivot Down
Pivot Down – acquiring multiple lower-valued assets in exchange for a higher-valued asset
- Rome Odunze and 2025 mid-second round pick = Drake London
I’d be using the recent strong fantasy output from London to pivot in Odunze’s direction, with a bonus of additional draft capital. London is a compiler, who struggles to gain separation and lacks explosiveness after the catch – making him a volume and touchdown-dependent asset. This would be a deal I’m comfortable doing straight up, so the bonus of an additional second-round draft pick is the cherry on top of the cake. I can envision a scenario where Odunze is valued above London by late 2024 or early in 2025.
Take advantage of London’s recent fantasy output to pivot to a highly-rated college prospect in Odunze, a chance to roll again and gain additional liquidity (Credit: DLF Dynasty Trade Analyzer)
Summary
Week three and four should be the busiest period of the dynasty year for trading, making moves to push you into true contention or a committed rebuild. Achane and Odunze are young targets, where you could be forced to pay a premium, however with knowledge they hold value insulation and excellent ceiling-floor combinations. Target Achane as the driver towards a playoff bye with championship aspirations and Odunze for outstanding flexibility and long-term potential to be a cornerstone asset on your rebuilding roster.
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