This dynasty trade was made in a 12-team super flex league with two rounds of devy each year. The league starts 1-1-1-1-4Flex-1SFlex and has a shallow two-man taxi squad for devy players. Any devy owned over the two-man taxi squad would occupy a roster spot.
The Approach
Understanding the owners in your league can give you an edge in the trade market. The owner I was working with on this deal is building a team with a likely 2018 or 2019 arrival date. A previous deal with this owner involved sending Juju Smith Schuster for Kelvin Benjamin, Christine Michael, and a Devy 2nd. This deal looks even more lopsided with the emergence of Michael. Because of this trade, I knew this owner was likely to place a high premium on high-end devy players.
The owner had expressed interest in buying Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk. The 2018 eligible wide receiver is on track to be one of the top 3 receivers in his draft class pending underclassmen returning to school this offseason. This being said he is a long way from the NFL draft and from scoring fantasy points for my dynasty team.
The Trade
Gave Derrick Henry, Christian Kirk, Clive Walford
Received Corey Coleman, Hunter Henry, 2017 Devy 2
Having just acquired Derrick Henry in a deal days before, I was not expecting to trade him this quickly. While Derrick Henry has significant upside, I will break ties against running backs every time. Before his injury, Coleman was making his case for the top receiver in this year’s draft class. Likewise, Hunter Henry is producing at a historic pace for a rookie tight end. This is the difference in the trade; Coleman and Hunter Henry have shown flashes in the NFL and Derrick Henry and Christian Kirk have not.
Post-Trade Roster Highlights
Jameis Winston, Russell Wilson, Mathew Stafford
Isaiah Crowell, Christine Michael, Jonathan Williams, Ka’Deem Carey, Dwayne Washington
Amari Cooper, Jordan Matthews, Josh Doctson, Will Fuller, Corey Coleman, Tavon Austin, Davante Adams, Mike Wallace
Jack Doyle, Vernon Davis, Hunter Henry
2017 Devy 1,2,2,2
2017 Rookie 1,1,1,3
*Derrius Guice, *Courtland Sutton, *Royce Freeman, *Samaje Perine, *Wayne Gallman, *Mike Weber
Takeaways
UTH values youth and potential. When a devy component is added to a league it is easy to incorrectly assume the best strategy is to acquire all devy players. Rookies are at a unique time in a career arch. They are still unproven talents in the NFL, but they have gone through the draft process. We have an understanding of what the NFL thinks of their potential and we know what offense they landed on. The draft process is strenuous and so often players drop down draft boards as a result of their last year of college production or combine results.
One philosophy mentioned on UTH constantly is resetting the clock. An example would be trading Antonio Brown for Amari Cooper. In the devy setting, my philosophy is accelerating production. This is moving a devy player for a young NFL player. I would not advocate selling a top devy for a depreciating asset, but making a move for a player who is on the upswing of their career helps align your team for a dominant run.
