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, whilst 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
As we head into the traditional fantasy semi-finals week, there is no room for error – teams get desperate to improve their rosters to maximum effect, creating opportunities for an increase in trade activity. With that in mind, due to the time context where there are fewer contenders and more teams playing for 2025 and beyond, you have to be creative and more selective with potential deals. Contending sides can find deals easiest with the eliminated playoff sides, where rebuilders could be at a stage where their roster is already set for the future.
Rebuilder Buy – Derek Carr, QB NO
Carr is a perennially underrated quarterback for fantasy, reliable and dependable, who consistently finishes in the low QB2 range. Currently he is the QB20 in fantasy points per game (FPPG), despite being without his key weapons Chris Olave (week nine) and Rashid Shaheed (week six) for the majority of the season. Contractually there are concerns about Carr’s existing deal in New Orleans, however this can be unpredictable to the standard human.
I prefer to focus on Carr’s talent, in my view he is one of the best 32 quarterbacks in the league and I expect him to be a starting quarterback in 2025 and beyond. The incoming rookie class is below average at quarterback. Carr is more secure than the market valuation, making him an appealing buy target for all teams, but in particular for rebuilders needing to upgrade quarterback as the rebuild moves into the contender stage of the cycle next year.
Pivot Up
Pivot Up – acquiring a higher-valued asset in exchange for multiple lower-valued assets
- Derek Carr = Marvin Mims and 2026 third-round pick
Mims has delivered a couple of notable splash plays in the last four games, with finishes as the WR13 and WR31. Still only 22 years old, Mims could still have appeal to managers fixated on his intriguing draft profile and opportunity. Mims is the type of pivot to make, as a roster-clogger, unlikely to be a consistent fantasy producer, where I’m happy to add a third-round pick for a secure asset at a premium position.
(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
- Derek Carr = 2025 early third-round pick
The straight-up acquisition of Carr for a nominal draft pick feels like a smash move, irrespective of where you are in the dynasty cycle. The draft pick has an extremely low probability of turning into a multi-year contributor and in an area of rookie drafts you have almost no chance of finding a starting quarterback.
Pivot Down
Pivot Down – acquiring multiple lower-valued assets in exchange for a higher-valued asset
- Derek Carr and 2025 early second-round pick = Matthew Stafford
Stafford has produced multiple standout performances in the last five weeks, with top-ten finishes on three occasions and in tough matchups. Make the trade-off of the recent Puka Nacua hype and the overall performance of the Rams – arguably the form team in the NFL right now. Carr has actually outproduced Stafford in FPPG, but availability is key, although Carr will need to be on a contender still in the playoffs to likely make this happen.
(Credit: DLF Dynasty Trade Analyzer).
Contender Buy – Adam Thielen, WR CAR
As a guy in my mid-30s, I have a soft spot for the veteran player, with Thielen continuing to produce solid fantasy output despite turning 34 years old in August. Thielen has been producing at a solid rate this year, currently as the WR38 in FPPG – above players such as Calvin Ridley, Marvin Harrison Jr and Xavier Worthy. Despite his age and limited long-term outlook, Thielen deserves to be in starting lineups heading into the fantasy semi-finals this week.
Thielen is an obvious target for contenders and an easy asset to acquire from a rebuilder, where the biggest factor on his dynasty value is immediate production for the next few weeks. Thielen is not just considered a player with a safe floor, his modest ceiling includes a WR6 finish in week 13 against the Bucs. Thielen’s age makes him a cheap option for championship caliber production and an appealing short-term asset, who is the key target in Carolina’s offense.
Pivot Up
Pivot Up – acquiring a higher-valued asset in exchange for multiple lower-valued assets
- Adam Thielen = Kayshon Boutte and 2025 early fourth-round pick
The excitement of promising rookie Drake Maye and the underperformance of Ja’Lynn Polk should work in Boutte’s favour, who has averaged over five targets during the last seven games. The early college profile was excellent and there has been flashed of potential in the NFL by the young wide receiver.
(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
- Adam Thielen = 2025 late third-round pick
The direct pivot is a low-risk move for a contender, with an upside to help win you the championship this season. Buying Thielen is essentially a two-game move, with potential to stick around next season. The production in the next couple of weeks and upside outweighs this low-probability draft pick.
Pivot Down
Pivot Down – acquiring multiple lower-valued assets in exchange for a higher-valued asset
- Adam Thielen and 2026 second-round pick = Xavier Legette
Legette has played solid in patches, with five games inside the top 40 at wide receiver and four touchdowns on the season. The quarterback situation has been inconsistent, however there are a number of factors that could be appealing to a rebuilder: the resurgence of Bryce Young, age factor as a rookie and clear pathway to opportunity.
(Credit: DLF Dynasty Trade Analyzer).
Summary
Dynasty trades in the fantasy playoffs are driven by the demand for fantasy production. Managers will focus on plugging lineups with cheap veterans like Thielen, so make sure you stay aggressive and continue to add quality, especially at an affordable price. Also, think about the dynasty landscape at quarterback, with a projected poor rookie class incoming, players like Carr are a high probability to be a starter during 2025. As always, the dynasty managers who play aggressive, make moves and stay engaged have the best chance to succeed.
He is a keen supporter of mental health projects, where dynasty content is his coping strategy to remain in an optimal mindset.
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