Dynasty Fantasy Football: Targets Acquired
Standing still is the fastest way of moving backward 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, whilst leaving the window open to compete again year after 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
As we get to Week 11, I can only hope you have heeded the advice and already planted your foot down and heading in the direction of contending or rebuilding. The first wave of picks or injured players for points now has probably already happened and the truly valuable trades are littered across your Transactions report. But all is not lost because this game gives us opportunities each week to capitalize on the week prior.
So let’s take that next step and hone in on the players that will either win you a title now or kickstart that rebuild you so desperately need.
Rebuilder Buy – Ben Sinnott, TE Commanders
When looking to rebuild, I have a few criteria that I care about and Ben Sinnott hits all of them. The first is being on a good offense and Washington has risen to that level with Jayden Daniels under center in a huge way. The second is competition above being either non-existent or older and, let’s be honest, Zach Ertz certainly qualifies as older (for football, not for life) as he just celebrated his 34th birthday. The third is talent where Sinnott had enough to convince the Commanders to use a second round pick on him last year. So with all these check boxes, why is he so available? My guy has three catches for eighteen yards on the season and is buried behind the veteran right now. A similar stat line to late-season darling Tucker Kraft last year. Tight end is one of the most difficult positions to play for a rookie and they take time. Use this slow start to your advantage and get on board the train before it leaves the station.
Pivot Up:
Pivot Up – acquiring a higher-valued asset in exchange for multiple lower-valued assets
- Mike Gesicki and a 2025 4th for Ben Sinnott
The 29-year-old Gesicki flashed a bit with the injury to Tee Higgins but we have seen this movie before and know how it ends. Higgins is back (for this week at least) and Gesicki saw his red zone targets head Tanner Hudson’s way last week, so let’s trade a never-was and a throwaway draft pick for an upside play before it’s too late.
Same Tier
Same Tier – acquiring an asset in the Same Tier of valuation in a straight-up swap deal
- Devin Singletary = Ben Sinnott
This one kills me as I was all in on the Giants’ veteran RB and subsequently missed out on the exciting rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. But this advice is not just because Tracy looks good, but more a referendum on all mid to low-tier running backs with a rookie class coming in that is as deep as it is talented. Moving players like Singletary now will save you from straight dropping them in a few months.
Pivot Down
Pivot Down – acquiring multiple lower-valued assets in exchange for a higher-valued asset
- Amari Cooper = Ben Sinnott and an early 2025 2nd
There are a few reasons why I love this trade. The first and most obvious is that no rebuilder should want Amari Cooper anywhere near their roster. His stock is falling faster than Enron and the move to Buffalo has proven to be anything less than a boost. But even more important is the 2nd which, as mentioned above, could quickly turn into a timeshare running back as early as week 1. That’s two lottery tickets for essentially free if you can convince a league mate that it has been injuries holding Cooper back.
Contender Buy – Chuba Hubbard, RB Panthers
News of the Hubbard extension sent shockwaves through the dynasty community as the cries of Jonathon Brooks drafters can still be heard each night as they try to fall asleep haunted by the fact that they could’ve had Brian Thomas Jr instead. But we are resilient and know how to react to news quickly and decisively and this is a great opportunity to buy into a weak playoff schedule. Week 14 will be a challenge as the Panthers go up against the Eagles who are 2nd in stopping opposing RBs but then it is the Cowboys and Cardinals who are 29th and 23rd respectively. So if you have a bye or a cakewalk opponent coming up, strike now, and let’s win the league.
Pivot Up:
Pivot Up – acquiring a higher-valued asset in exchange for multiple lower-valued assets
- MarShawn Lloyd and a 2025 3rd for Chuba Hubbard
The promising Packers rookie was dealt yet another blow with his appendicitis diagnosis this week. While the team is trying to find a way to get him on the field, it won’t be in time or with enough volume to help you this year, so let’s move him now for an asset we can use now. While the calculator says this is even, I would happily bump to a 2026 2nd if needed to get the job done.
Same Tier
Same Tier – acquiring an asset in the Same Tier of valuation in a straight-up swap deal
- Zach Charbonnet = Chuba Hubbard
Charbonnet has looked good when he gets a chance but the new coaching regime has him firmly buried behind Ken Walker Jr for the foreseeable future. So by the time Charbonnet gets a chance to truly become a difference maker, you will be on to bigger and better players or rebuilding after your title run. So let’s get this move done now for a piece that won’t put you over the top any time soon.
Pivot Down
Pivot Down – acquiring multiple lower-valued assets in exchange for a higher-valued asset
- Travis Etienne and a late 2025 1st for Chuba Hubbard and a late 2025 3rd
I feel like every pivot down I write would be either Travis Etienne or Michael Pittman based on their current values, so this time I will stay within the position and try to pivot off of one of the most inefficient runners in the NFL before the value freefalls. Etienne has a big name and a large amount of points last year going for him and that is about it. He is frequently getting outplayed by both of his backfield counterparts and shows little to no burst. His snapshare is only saved due to incompetent coaching that will surely be on the unemployment line by the end of the season if not sooner. So let’s steal a 1st (or even an early 2nd if needed) and upgrade at the same time.
Summary
Depending on your league, name value can fluctuate greatly but knowing which league mates value a player is the key to getting business done. So let’s build a team that might not impress your friends or social media following but will result in a title you can hang over your friends’ heads in trash talk for the entire calendar year.
- Dynasty Fantasy Football: Targets Acquired - December 26, 2024
- Four Disappointing Players to Buy Now - December 10, 2024
- Dynasty Fantasy Football: Targets Acquired - November 15, 2024
