This is a dynasty trade I executed in a 12-team dynasty league with PPR scoring. There are 26 man rosters with 1QB, 1RB, 3WR, 2Flex, 1K and 1DST starting lineup requirements. My team is contending, with a need of more running back production.
The Approach
The trade started by looking around for a deal to secure some running back depth. I targeted the Carlos Hyde owner specifically for three reasons. One, I expect Kyle Shanahan to be the next coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Shanahan has shown an ability in Atlanta to maximize his offensive talent. He has done this with scheme adjustments beyond what I expected he was willing or capable of adjusting.
Two, Hyde produced 16 PPG in 2016, which was good for low-end RB1 production. While Hyde missed three games, he was productive in a bad San Francisco offense this season. Health concerns are real, but Hyde’s upside is consistent RB1 production in 2017.
Third, the owner had multiple assets that I saw as underpriced. She owned both Davante Adams and Tyler Eifert, players that are undervalued in ADP. In 2016, Adams was a third-year breakout with a great metric profile. He will be 25 in August and locked into his contract through 2018. With Jordy Nelson turning 32 in May and Randall Cobb’s diminishing effectiveness, Adams looks to be no worse than a 1B WR in Green Bay. With Aaron Rodgers at QB, Adams can be a consistent WR1 in Green Bay.
The Trade
Gave Rob Gronkowski, Donte Moncrief
Received Tyler Eifert, Carlos Hyde, Davante Adams
This trade broke down easily into two parts. Davante Adams over Donte Moncrief was a clear win. Moncrief’s ADP is currently higher, but that means little. Adams is the better player, with better metrics, production and draft capital. While Moncrief is 6 months younger than Adams, that does not warrant a round higher in ADP that he currently has.
The second part was receiving Eifert and Hyde for Gronkowski. In 2016, Eifert outscored Gronkowski in the same amount of games. Both players had offseason surgeries on discs in their back. While both have injury history, Eifert is a year and a half younger. While Gronkowski and Eifert both have risk acquiring Hyde in the process made a nice profit.
Roster
Aaron Rodgers, Blake Bortles, Paxton Lynch
Lamar Miller, Carlos Hyde, Spencer Ware, Ameer Abdullah, Duke Johnson, Wendell Smallwood, Peyton Barber, Justin Forsett
Amari Cooper, Sammy Watkins, Brandin Cooks, DeAndre Hopkins, Davante Adams, Leonte Carroo, Devin Funchess, Rishard Matthews, Rishard Higgins, Anquan Boldin
Tyler Eifert, Jason Witten
Picks
1.08, 2.06, 3.09, 4.08
The Takeaway
Certain players are difficult to move in trades. Gronkowski qualifies. With his injury history combined with elite production, extracting fair value is difficult. This trade is a good example of how to trade someone like Gronkowski. Find an owner with multiple pieces you like, particularly ones who you feel are undervalued. If you can acquire multiple undervalued players, you can get a good return on a player like Gronkowski.
