This is a dynasty trade where I focused on upgrading at quarterback with a trade for Russell Wilson. There are roster limits of 25 players and starting requirements of 1-1-3-1, 2 Flex, Kicker, and Defense.
The Approach
I recently wrote a season review about this team, and identified a key goal of adding a quarterback in the offseason. When trade season opened, I identified Russell Wilson as a top target for a number of reasons. His owner also had Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota so was in a position to make a trade. I also knew he was a Redskins fan, so Cousins would not come cheap.
First, his owner also had Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota so he had the depth to make a trade. I also knew he was a Redskins fan, so Cousins would not come cheap.
Second, I like Cousins quite a bit, but knew he was a Redskins fan, so Cousins was at a sky-high price.
Third, Wilson appears primed for a bounce back. Wilson was hurt for the better part of 2016. He also set career lows in yards per attempt, touchdown percentage, and rushing yards. At the same time, Wilson increased his career high in passing attempts and yardage. With improved health and efficiency, Wilson should turn his increased share of the offense into improved stats in 2017, particularly with improved offensive line play and Lockett and Prosise returning to full health.
The Trade
Trade Executed: 1.15.17
Gave 1.01
Received 1.03, Russell Wilson
Negotiations on this deal went on for weeks. He wanted to package up Wilson to acquire Evans which I was not willing to do. I countered with Jordan Matthews straight up which he declined. He then made a number of offers for 1.01. His package included Will Fuller and an early 2017 2nd, but nothing made sense for my roster.
I eventually made the decision to walk away from the negotiating table. Walking away can be effective to put pressure on an owner who wants to get a deal done. If the opposing owner wants to get a deal done, walking away can reset the negotiations on better terms for you.
Walking away was important at the time because we were talking past each other.
After about a week, I looked back at his assets. I noticed he had 1.03, which he never included in prior offers, and without numbers attached in MFL at this point, did not stick out to me.
I made the offer to move back from 1.01 to 1.03 for Wilson. With the knowledge he craved 1.01, and with 1.02 in my pocket, I would be moving down one spot in the draft to acquire Wilson. With a roster in need of a quarterback and in a position to take a leap forward in 2017, moving down 1 pick was a no-brainer to acquire a franchise quarterback.
Roster
Russell Wilson, Alex Smith, Teddy Bridgewater, Jared Goff
T.J. Yeldon, C.J. Prosise, Wendell Smallwood, Dwayne Washington, Tim Hightower, Darren Sproles
Mike Evans, Brandin Cooks, Corey Coleman, Jordan Matthews, Michael Floyd, Tyler Lockett, Cameron Meredith, Breshad Perriman, Sammie Coates, Leonte Carroo, Bruce Ellington, Brian Quick
Tyler Eifert, Eric Ebron
1.02, 1.03, 2.02, 2.04, 3.02, 4.02
Conclusion
One major offseason objective was accomplished by acquiring Russell Wilson. With 1.02 I am primed to get either Leonard Fournette or Dalvin Cook, and I like the options of Mike Williams or Corey Davis at 1.03. I also may turn and shop 1.03 with the objective of moving down into the mid first to target my second tier of running backs in Samaje Perine and Alvin Kamara. Finding a way to add Perrine and Kamara in the mid to late first round, on top of Cook or Fournette is the ultimate goal.
