Dynasty posts documenting first-hand experiences are often the most instructive for quality dynasty owner takeaways and developing more strong owners. UTH Superfan Nathan has shared his recent dynasty auction journey, building a budding juggernaut from scratch. I have added some commentary along the way, here is Nathan’s story from the initial auction in August 2015:
12 teams, 20 roster spots (Essentially 18 in season position spots, 16 or 17 long term due to bye week drops)
Start: QB, 2RB, 3WR, TE, Flex, K, DST
Initial Roster
Budget $200
1.(1) T.J. Yeldon (Jax – RB) $35
2.(21) Todd Gurley (STL – RB) $60
3.(26) Randall Cobb (GB – WR) $32
4.(42) DeAndre Hopkins (Hou – WR) $32
5.(64)Tevin Coleman (Atl – RB) $6
6.(73) Isaiah Crowell (Cle – RB) $9
7.(97) David Johnson (Ari – RB) $3
8.(99) David Cobb (Ten – RB) $3
9.(109) Kevin White (Chi – WR) $7
10.(128) John Brown (Ari – WR) $2
11.(155) Josh Hill (NO – TE) $1
12.(164) Jay Cutler (Chi – QB) $1
13.(181) Charles Sims (TB – RB) $1
14.(185) Jerick McKinnon (Min – RB) $2
15.(189) Donte Moncrief (Ind – WR) $1
16.(197) Jaelen Strong (Hou – WR) $1
17.(205) Aaron Dobson (NE – WR) $1
18.(213) Ryan Mallett (Bal – QB) $1
19.(221) Baltimore (Bal – DEF) $1
20.(228) Phil Dawson (SF – K) $1
*Chad Note* The big perk of auctions is having more control over building a roster. There is no getting sniped like a draft if you are on the wrong side of a run or another owner jumps at one of your target players. Having quality budgeting in an auction allows an owner to rule the secondary market of target players. Nathan did just that with guys like Kevin White, Charles Sims, Jerick McKinnon, David Johnson, John Brown – the list goes on and on. Because Nathan was selective on the high-end of the player pool, he had the flexibility to go after his deeper targets with the capability to spend a few extra dollars if needed.
QB: Jay Cutler, Ryan Mallett
RB: T. Gurley, TJ Yeldon, David Johnson, T. Coleman, I. Crowell, D. Cobb, C. Sims, J. McKinnon
WR: D. Hopkins, R. Cobb, K. White, D. Moncrief, J. Brown J. Strong, A. Dobson
TE: J. Hill
*Chad Note* By being thrifty at quarterback and tight end, Nathan was able to load up at running back and wide receiver – more premium positions to have market value bumps quickly.
Errors – nominating a player I wanted, but a player I thought others might not have viewed as someone they wanted to spend money on first…. spending was hot and heavy. Could have paid much less later in the draft.
Errors – bidding up Gurley and getting stuck with him at too high of a price if I had bailed earlier a lot of my in season trades would have been unnecessary and I could have all the WRs I wanted and been much deeper.
*Chad Note* Self evaluation is an underutilized tool for a dynasty owner. Looking back, Nathan is spot on about Todd Gurley and the nomination process. In auctions I avoid nominating players I actually want for a LONG time to open. As the other owners were going ‘hot and heavy’, Nathan could have sat back and built an even better roster on the ‘secondary market’ as I call it.
Despite my errors…Looking at this “after draft” team now (early 2016) – if I stayed put I would have had 3 of the top 4 “building rankings” RBs – pretty stout but not the usual build around WRs way. My WRs would have turned out decent with Cobb being the only guy that seemed to take a step backward.
Most teams were around the same strength after the draft which fueled several other teams to be in a buying mood. I needed to bail on all the players that were going to bring extra wins to secure the best pick for my team next year.
This was about the time I had signed up for the Dynasty Trade Calculator and I used it on all my moves. Plugging in Rookie Pick 12 for most pick acquisitions and adjusting a bit as the playoff picture became more clear. Trades and dates at end of document.
Start-up Auction Draft
- T.J. Yeldon (Jax – RB) $35 watch the fireworks
- Melvin Gordon (SD – RB) $31 WOTA!!!
- C.J. Anderson (Den – RB) $33 Thundercats
- Demaryius Thomas (Den – WR) $60 Maximus
- Eddie Lacy (GB – RB) $53 Title Town
- Calvin Johnson (Det – WR) $43 TimB’s Team
- Jamaal Charles (KC – RB) $59 Thundercats
- Odell Beckham Jr. (NYG – WR) $56 The Battling Boogers
- Jimmy Graham (Sea – TE) $38 Maximus
- Frank Gore (Ind – RB) $25 Thundercats
- Marshawn Lynch (Sea – RB) $49 Thundercats
- Adrian Peterson (Min – RB) $53 Title Town
- Dez Bryant (Dal – WR) $54 ApoloJedi
- Antonio Brown (Pit – WR) $55 Maximus
- Rob Gronkowski (NE – TE) $49 Title Town
- A.J. Green (Cin – WR) $47 TimB’s Team
- Mike Evans (TB – WR) $44 Maroon Goons
- Arian Foster (Hou – RB) $29 disappointedRanger
- Le’Veon Bell (Pit – RB) $48 B-Cats
- Jordy Nelson (GB – WR) $39 The Battling Boogers
- Todd Gurley (StL – RB) $60 watch the fireworks
- Matt Forte (Chi – RB) $33 B-Cats
- Alshon Jeffery (Chi – WR) $37 Maroon Goons
- Davante Adams (GB – WR) $22 Title Town
- Julio Jones (Atl – WR) $52 TimB’s Team
- Randall Cobb (GB – WR) $32 watch the fireworks
- DeMarco Murray (Phi – RB) $30 disappointedRanger
- Jeremy Hill (Cin – RB) $39 KuriosKO
- Joseph Randle (Dal – RB) $18 TimB’s Team
- Aaron Rodgers (GB – QB) $52 KuriosKO
- Andrew Luck (Ind – QB) $54 ApoloJedi
- Travis Kelce (KC – TE) $11 disappointedRanger
- LeSean McCoy (Buf – RB) $35 disappointedRanger
- Russell Wilson (Sea – QB) $27 B-Cats
- T.Y. Hilton (Ind – WR) $30 disappointedRanger
- Justin Forsett (Bal – RB) $18 The Battling Boogers
- Carlos Hyde (SF – RB) $25 WOTA!!!
- Drew Brees (NO – QB) $23 WOTA!!!
- Peyton Manning (Den – QB) $19 disappointedRanger
- C.J. Spiller (NO – RB) $13 The Battling Boogers
- Brandon Marshall (NYJ – WR) $17 B-Cats
- DeAndre Hopkins (Hou – WR) $32 watch the fireworks
- Kelvin Benjamin (Car – WR) $26 Maroon Goons
- Jordan Matthews (Phi – WR) $13 B-Cats
- Amari Cooper (Oak – WR) $26 ApoloJedi
- Ben Roethlisberger (Pit – QB) $16 The Battling Boogers
- Julian Edelman (NE – WR) $16 disappointedRanger
- Mark Ingram (NO – RB) $16 disappointedRanger
- Latavius Murray (Oak – RB) $15 KuriosKO
- Tom Brady (NE – QB) $9 WOTA!!!
- Alfred Morris (Was – RB) $11 B-Cats
- Andre Ellington (Ari – RB) $8 Title Town
- Andre Johnson (Ind – WR) $11 KuriosKO
- Roddy White (Atl – WR) $7 The Battling Boogers
- Emmanuel Sanders (Den – WR) $14 Maximus
- Jarvis Landry (Mia – WR) $9 Maroon Goons
- Montee Ball (NE – RB) $3 Maximus
- Cam Newton (Car – QB) $10 Maximus
- Martellus Bennett (Chi – TE) $7 Maroon Goons
- Martavis Bryant (Pit – WR) $8 B-Cats
- Ryan Tannehill (Mia – QB) $6 Maroon Goons
- Jonathan Stewart (Car – RB) $4 WOTA!!!
- DeSean Jackson (Was – WR) $9 The Battling Boogers
- Tevin Coleman (Atl – RB) $6 watch the fireworks
- Tony Romo (Dal – QB) $7 Maroon Goons
- Jeremy Maclin (KC – WR) $6 WOTA!!!
- Sammy Watkins (Buf – WR) $29 KuriosKO
- Mike Wallace (Min – WR) $7 The Battling Boogers
- Lamar Miller (Mia – RB) $9 WOTA!!!
- Matt Ryan (Atl – QB) $5 Thundercats
- Pierre Garcon (Was – WR) $5 ApoloJedi
- Brandin Cooks (NO – WR) $30 KuriosKO
- Isaiah Crowell (Cle – RB) $9 watch the fireworks
- Matthew Stafford (Det – QB) $5 The Battling Boogers
- Kendall Wright (Ten – WR) $6 Thundercats
- Ameer Abdullah (Det – RB) $16 Maroon Goons
- Philip Rivers (SD – QB) $3 WOTA!!!
- Greg Olsen (Car – TE) $15 WOTA!!!
- Giovani Bernard (Cin – RB) $12 ApoloJedi
- Nelson Agholor (Phi – WR) $5 TimB’s Team
- Jameis Winston (TB – QB) $2 The Battling Boogers
- Torrey Smith (SF – WR) $4 The Battling Boogers
- Golden Tate (Det – WR) $9 WOTA!!!
- Keenan Allen (SD – WR) $15 ApoloJedi
- Vincent Jackson (TB – WR) $5 B-Cats
- Ryan Mathews (Phi – RB) $7 ApoloJedi
- Jordan Cameron (Mia – TE) $3 Maroon Goons
- Doug Martin (TB – RB) $8 TimB’s Team
- Eli Manning (NYG – QB) $3 WOTA!!!
- Julius Thomas (Jax – TE) $8 TimB’s Team
- Allen Robinson (Jax – WR) $13 ApoloJedi
- Christine Michael (Sea – RB) $4 Maroon Goons
- Seattle (Sea – DEF) $7 WOTA!!!
- Houston (Hou – DEF) $3 Maroon Goons
- Jason Witten (Dal – TE) $7 WOTA!!!
- Steve Smith Sr. (Bal – WR) $2 B-Cats
- David Johnson (Ari – RB) $3 watch the fireworks
- Alfred Blue (Hou – RB) $5 Maroon Goons
- David Cobb (Ten – RB) $3 watch the fireworks
- Eric Ebron (Det – TE) $2 Thundercats
- Rueben Randle (NYG – WR) $1 WOTA!!!
- Connor Barth (TB – K) $2 WOTA!!!
- Eric Decker (NYJ – WR) $4 Thundercats
- Devonta Freeman (Atl – RB) $4 The Battling Boogers
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TB – TE) $3 The Battling Boogers
- Michael Floyd (Ari – WR) $3 Thundercats
- Vernon Davis (Den – TE) $3 B-Cats
- Larry Fitzgerald (Ari – WR) $4 Thundercats
- Kevin White (Chi – WR) $7 watch the fireworks
- Bishop Sankey (Ten – RB) $6 Maroon Goons
- Joe Flacco (Bal – QB) $1 KuriosKO
- Dorial Green-Beckham (Ten – WR) $4 TimB’s Team
- Brandon LaFell (NE – WR) $3 WOTA!!!
- Zach Ertz (Phi – TE) $3 The Battling Boogers
- Buffalo (Buf – DEF) $2 The Battling Boogers
- Shane Vereen (NYG – RB) $4 WOTA!!!
- Breshad Perriman (Bal – WR) $4 The Battling Boogers
- Victor Cruz (NYG – WR) $3 WOTA!!!
- Sam Bradford (Phi – QB) $1 B-Cats
- Carson Palmer (Ari – QB) $1 Title Town
- Teddy Bridgewater (Min – QB) $2 WOTA!!!
- Cody Latimer (Den – WR) $1 Maroon Goons
- Dallas (Dal – DEF) $2 disappointedRanger
- DeVante Parker (Mia – WR) $4 Maroon Goons
- LeGarrette Blount (NE – RB) $3 WOTA!!!
- Dan Bailey (Dal – K) $2 disappointedRanger
- Brian Quick (StL – WR) $2 KuriosKO
- John Brown (Ari – WR) $2 watch the fireworks
- Michael Crabtree (Oak – WR) $2 Maroon Goons
- Charles Johnson (Min – WR) $6 KuriosKO
- Adam Vinatieri (Ind – K) $3 B-Cats
- Percy Harvin (Buf – WR) $2 B-Cats
- Derek Carr (Oak – QB)v$2 Maroon Goons
- Chris Ivory (NYJ – RB) $3 Maroon Goons
- Mason Crosby (GB – K) $2 B-Cats
- Phillip Dorsett (Ind – WR) $3 TimB’s Team
- Stephen Gostkowski (NE – K) $2 Maroon Goons
- Anquan Boldin (SF – WR) $1 disappointedRanger
- Tre Mason (StL – RB) $4 B-Cats
- Darren Sproles (Phi – RB) $2 B-Cats
- Kenny Stills (Mia – WR) $1 Thundercats
- Arizona (Ari – DEF) $1 B-Cats
- Marques Colston (NO – WR) $2 B-Cats
- Tyler Eifert (Cin – TE) $3 Maximus
- Duke Johnson Jr. (Cle – RB) $3 Maroon Goons
- Green Bay (GB – DEF) $1 KuriosKO
- Matt Jones (Was – RB) $1 TimB’s Team
- Matt Bryant (Atl – K) $1 The Battling Boogers
- Malcom Floyd (SD – WR) $1 disappointedRanger
- Robert Griffin III (Was – QB) $1 ApoloJedi
- Marcus Mariota (Ten – QB) $4 Maximus
- Terrance Williams (Dal – WR) $1 Thundercats
- Owen Daniels (Den – TE) $1 B-Cats
- Stevie Johnson (SD – WR) $1 Title Town
- Josh Hill (NO – TE) $1 watch the fireworks
- Greg Zuerlein (StL – K) $1 KuriosKO
- Rashad Jennings (NYG – RB) $1 TimB’s Team
- Dwayne Bowe (Cle – WR) $1 The Battling Boogers
- Joique Bell (Det – RB) $2 The Battling Boogers
- Kyle Rudolph (Min – TE) $3 ApoloJedi
- Danny Woodhead (SD – RB) $1 Maximus
- Markus Wheaton (Pit – WR) $2 B-Cats
- Marvin Jones (Cin – WR) $1 Title Town
- Jay Cutler (Chi – QB) $1 watch the fireworks
- Larry Donnell (NYG – TE) $1 KuriosKO
- Andy Dalton (Cin – QB) $1 TimB’s Team
- Ray Rice (Bal – RB) $4 The Battling Boogers
- Colin Kaepernick (SF – QB) $1 disappointedRanger
- Robert Turbin (Dal – RB) $1 ApoloJedi
- Denver (Den – DEF) $1 Maximus
- Philadelphia (Phi – DEF) $1 Thundercats
- St. Louis (StL – DEF) $1 Title Town
- Devin Funchess (Car – WR) $3 KuriosKO
- Ladarius Green (SD – TE) $1 KuriosKO
- Darren McFadden (Dal – RB) $1 TimB’s Team
- Delanie Walker (Ten – TE) $1 disappointedRanger
- Jonas Gray (Jax – RB) $1 ApoloJedi
- Jay Ajayi (Mia – RB) $1 Maximus
- Dan Carpenter (Buf – K) $1 Thundercats
- Steven Hauschka (Sea – K) $1 Title Town
- Charles Sims (TB – RB) $1 watch the fireworks
- Knile Davis (KC – RB) $2 KuriosKO
- Andre Williams (NYG – RB) $2 Maximus
- Reggie Bush (SF – RB) $2 TimB’s Team
- Jerick McKinnon (Min – RB) $2 watch the fireworks
- Brock Osweiler (Den – QB) $1 Maximus
- Dwayne Allen (Ind – TE) $1 Thundercats
- Jordan Reed (Was – TE) $1 Title Town
- Donte Moncrief (Ind – WR) $1 watch the fireworks
- Chris Polk (Hou – RB) $1 KuriosKO
- Branden Oliver (SD – RB) $1 TimB’s Team
- Eddie Royal (Chi – WR) $1 disappointedRanger
- Daniel Herron (Ind – RB) $1 ApoloJedi
- Miami (Mia – DEF) $1 Maximus
- Roy Helu Jr. (Oak – RB) $1 Thundercats
- Antonio Gates (SD – TE) $1 Title Town
- Jaelen Strong (Hou – WR) $1 watch the fireworks
- Denard Robinson (Jax – RB) $1 KuriosKO
- Tavon Austin (StL – WR) $1 TimB’s Team
- Doug Baldwin (Sea – WR) $1 disappointedRanger
- Kenny Britt (StL – WR) $1 ApoloJedi
- Chris Matthews (Bal – WR) $2 KuriosKO
- DeAngelo Williams (Pit – RB) $1 Thundercats
- Cordarrelle Patterson (Min – WR) $1 Title Town
- Aaron Dobson (NE – WR) $1 watch the fireworks
- Cole Beasley (Dal – WR) $1 KuriosKO
- Blake Bortles (Jax – QB) $1 TimB’s Team
- Travaris Cadet (NO – RB) $1 disappointedRanger
- Josh Gordon (Cle – WR) $1 ApoloJedi
- Justin Hunter (Ten – WR) $1 Maximus
- Alex Smith (KC – QB) $1 Thundercats
- Greg Jennings (Mia – WR) $1 Title Town
- Ryan Mallett (Bal – QB) $1 watch the fireworks
- Jeff Janis (GB – WR) $1 KuriosKO
- Robert Woods (Buf – WR) $1 TimB’s Team
- Fred Jackson (Sea – RB) $1 disappointedRanger
- Jeremy Langford (Chi – RB) $1 ApoloJedi
- De’Anthony Thomas (KC – WR,RB) $1 Maximus
- New England (NE – DEF) $1 Thundercats
- Nick Foles (StL – QB) $1 Title Town
- Baltimore (Bal – DEF) $1 watch the fireworks
- New York (NYJ – DEF) $1 TimB’s Team
- Kansas City (KC – DEF) $1 disappointedRanger
- Cincinnati (Cin – DEF) $1 ApoloJedi
- Justin Tucker (Bal – K) $1 Maximus
- Matt Prater (Det – K) $1 Thundercats
- Coby Fleener (Ind – TE) $1 Title Town
- Phil Dawson (SF – K) $1 watch the fireworks
- Blair Walsh (Min – K) $1 TimB’s Team
- Cody Parkey (Phi – K) $1 disappointedRanger
- James Starks (GB – RB) $1 ApoloJedi
- Zac Stacy (NYJ – RB) $1 Maximus
- Danny Amendola (NE – WR) $1 Title Town
- Bryce Brown (Sea – RB) $1 ApoloJedi
- Jace Amaro (NYJ – TE) $1 Maximus
- Ahmad Bradshaw (Ind – RB) $1 Title Town
- Lorenzo Taliaferro (Bal – RB) $1 ApoloJedi
- Caleb Sturgis (Phi – K) $1 Maximus
- Riley Cooper (Phi – WR) $1 Title Town
- Matt Asiata (Min – RB) $1 Title Town
*Chad Note* Notice the values available late in the auction. Teams’ budgets are plainly running on fumes and patient owners can dominate the late upside zone.
Trades & Significant Waiver Moves
August
Gave Todd Gurley, DeAndre Hopkins
Received Amari Cooper, Allen Robinson, Round 1
*Chad Note* These are the moves I love – getting similar type talents and getting rookie picks added on the back-end.
——-
Gave Jerick McKinnon
Received Devin Funchess
——-
Gave Tevin Coleman
Received Round 1
*Chad Note* Always look to package secondary rookies like this for higher-probability play rookie picks.
——-
Gave Devin Funchess
Received Round 2
——-
Picked up Chris Conley, Sammie Coates
——-
Gave John Brown
Received Round 1
——-
Picked up Javorius Allen
——-
Gave Isaiah Crowell
Received Round 2
*Chad Note* Browns drafted Duke Johnson on Day 2, great timing by Nathan to exit before the season.
——-
Picked up Mike Davis
Picked up Christine Michael (Dropped Mike Davis)
September
Picked up Blake Bortles (Dropped Jay Cutler)
October
Gave Christine Michael
Received Kenny Britt, Round 2
*Chad Note* Nathan was proactive getting Michael off the waiver wire scrap heap and turned him into a tangible rookie pick weeks later. Well done.
——-
Picked up Stefon Diggs (Dropped Josh Huff)
——-
Gave Jaelen Strong
Received Eric Ebron
November
Gave Randall Cobb
Received Keenan Allen, Robert Turbin, Round 1
*Chad Note* Buying injured players is a tried and true strategy to build a deeper, more talented roster. Getting the rookie pick clinched the windfall deal.
December
Picked up Jaelen Strong
End of Season Roster
QB: B. Bortles
RB: David Johnson, TJ Yeldon, C. Sims, J. Allen, Z. Zenner (IR), R. Turbin
WR: A. Cooper, A. Robinson, K. White, K. Allen (IR), S. Diggs, D. Moncrief, C. Conley, S. Coates, D. Smelter, J. Strong, D. Smith
TE: E. Ebron, Z. Ertz
2016 Draft Picks (3 rounds): 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 16, 20, 24, 26
After season thoughts – Recovered decently from draft errors. Was able to shed non-core players and pick up future picks. Picked up a QB and TE with dynasty upside after not paying the price during the draft. All draft picks were unknown positions at time of acquisition – this broke very well. With a short bench – Do need to make moves to clear space for picks and move picks I won’t have roster space for.
*Chad Note* While most owners were letting the paint dry on their rosters in the opening months of the league’s existence, Nathan was out making moves. In addition to developing his own drafted talent, he acquired rookie picks and shifted to other target players in the trade market. Also, his acquisition of rookie picks paid off with now five selections in the top-6, plus later capital. In my view, the league is essentially over in terms of the power rankings as Nathan has a dominant roster and the flexibility with his rookie picks to select target players AND trade for 2017 selections to keep control of every first round from 2016 on. Outstanding job, Nathan and keep your churn on by acquiring more and more blue chip prospects on the back-end of your roster, packaging up ancillary pieces (as you did during the 2015 season) and keep building your dynasty.
