The following dynasty retooling story is told by Michael Leggett, a passionate UTH fan who has been active in changing the outlook for his dynasty team. Michael is a 16-year fantasy football veteran, expanding to dynasty leagues over the past two seasons. Here is his story:
My League is a 12-team Hyperactive format. What made the decision to rebuild a difficult one was that I actually had what many to consider a very competitive team that lost in the championship game last year. But, the warning signs were all over the place – my squad was getting old fast. After looking at how some other rosters were shaping up, I finally admitted to myself unless everything went perfect for me in 2015, the chances of returning to the title game were somewhat slim. So, I embraced this as an opportunity to go all in with UTH to build a perennial contender, with the goal of being back up top in the next two years.
August 1 Roster Highlights
Andrew Luck, Ben Roethlisberger
Lamer Miller, Joseph Randle, Jonathan Stewart
Calvin Johnson, Jarvis Landry, Andre Johnson, Tyler Lockett, Pierre Garcon, Marques Colston, Percy Harvin, Rueben Randle, Kenny Stills
Jimmy Graham, Richard Rodgers, Coby Fleener
2016 Picks: RD1, RD1, RD1, RD3, RD4
Acquired Future Picks By:
2016 1st (Traded Cordarrelle Patterson last year while the ship was sinking)
2016 1st (Traded an early 2015 Round 2 during rookie draft)
August 5 Trade
Give Joseph Randle, Rueben Randle
Receive Breshad Perriman, Cameron Artis-Payne
I had tried to get Perriman since the draft – he was a crush of mine, and I loved the thought of him immediately taking off in Baltimore. Luckily, the J. Randle hype train was full steam ahead so I cashed out while also picking up my J. Stewart handcuff. I was really excited to get my guy before the price got too expensive. Perriman’s injury through training camp probably didn’t hurt either.
August 20 Trade
Give Victor Cruz
Receive Kelvin Benjamin
Sometimes guys just fall into your lap. In this instance I reached out to the KB owner the day he tore his ACL. I saw a good opportunity to buy low if the offer was right. He must have been panicking and sent this to me a few minutes after I reached out. I couldn’t click accept quick enough. Even if KB regresses I’d take him all day, every day over Cruz.
September 7 Trade
Give Calvin Johnson, Ben Roethlisberger
Receive Kevin White, Eric Ebron, Christine Michael, Joe Flacco, 16 1st
I targeted the contending teams when shopping Megatron. I just happened to get lucky and also have a team in win now mode that needed QB help. I feel like this is definitely good return for Johnson, as he may only have a couple good years left due to the wear and tear on his big frame. This was one of those win-win trades where both sides got what they were after.
September 7 Trade
Give Andre Johnson, Marques Colston, 16 4th
Receive Giovani Bernard, Terrance Williams
Again, targeting a team that was actively shopping for a couple vet WRs to help push him over the top for this year. AJ was getting a lot of off-season love for his move to Indy, and Colston was being talked up as a potential bounce-back since Jimmy G. was shipped out and TDs had to go to someone. I like Gio for this PPR format, and the upside that comes with him in the Cincy offense. I specifically targeted T. Williams because I knew a league mate was a huge supporter of his as evidenced by being in a different league with him.
September 8 Trade
Give Terrance Williams
Receive 16 2nd, 16 2nd
This was even before the Dez injury, so sometimes it just pays to know your league mates. I got the quick flip on Williams that I was after. The only disappointment was I tried to get Matt Jones instead of the picks, but he was a big Jones fan and didn’t want to let him go.
September 8 Trade
Give Pierre Garcon
Receive Jerick McKinnon, 16 3rd
By now the other owners had definitely figured out my approach to the season, so another contender who felt like Garcon might have a bounce back year offered this one to me. Stockpile youth/upside and picks…I’ll take it.
September 24 Trade
Give Jimmy Graham, Percy Harvin, 16 3rd, 16 3rd
Receive Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Justin Hardy, 16 1st, 16 4th
Jimmy Graham was my last big piece I’ve been shopping around, and I zeroed in on the ASJ owner; another “contender”. Perfect timing due to the ASJ shoulder injury…again, no better time to pounce than when someone’s value takes a hit. I actually still like J. Graham more than most, so it was a little difficult to say goodbye. But, in true UTH fashion I wanted to cash out and maximize value. So I did. Sorry Jimmy – it’s not you, it’s me.
Current Roster
Andrew Luck, Joe Flacco
Lamar Miller, Giovani Bernard, Jerick McKinnon, Cameron Artis-Payne, Jonathan Stewart
Kevin White, Breshad Perriman, Kelvin Benjamin, Jarvis Landry, Tyler Lockett
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Eric Ebron, Richard Rodgers, Coby Fleener
2016 Picks: RD1, RD1, RD1, RD1, RD1, RD2, RD2, RD4
