This is dynasty trade of Amari Cooper that I executed on March 19, 2017.
The trade was made in a 12 team league with PPR scoring. There are 26 roster spots, and starting requirements of 1QB, 1RB, 3WR, 1TE, 2Flex, 1K and 1DST. My team was a contender with a roster value in the mid 300s.
The Approach
The negotiations began with the thought Amari Cooper was a good sell opportunity.
Cooper has been a productive WR2 in both dynasty and the Raiders offense. Somewhat surprisingly, he has yet to lead Oakland in targets. This has not hurt his status as he is a solid round one start-up pick in the conversation for WR3 behind Odell Beckham Jr. and Mike Evans.
Cooper has a very secure floor with Derek Carr at quarterback. However, in the mid-first round of start-up picks, he is unlikely to pass Beckham or Evans in ADP. His production could rise, but it is hard to envision his trade value going higher. Cooper has been productive through two seasons yet failed to produce WR1 stats. When a player is priced at his projected but unreached ceiling, it is a good time to sell him.
The Trade
Give: Amari Cooper, Giovani Bernard
Received: Sammy Watkins, Phillip Dorsett, 1.03
Negotiations went on for a full two months. I saw Watkins as a possible buy low from an owner concerned by his injury history.
The offer started as Cooper for Sammy Watkins and 1.03. The other owner wanted to do the deal, but was unable to part with 1.03 because he needed a running back. We stayed in touch as he made multiple smaller deals to address his running back situation.
He finally came back with an offer of Sammy Watkins and 1.03 for Cooper and Giovani Bernard.
I was looking for a little juice on the deal so I countered to move up from the third round to the second round of the rookie draft which he rejected.
In turn, I looked toward Phillip Dorsett. While unproductive through two seasons, Dorsett has 1st round pedigree. Donte Moncrief has a growing injury history and Indy’s exploration of the free agent wide receiver market reflects that concern. Partnered with Andrew Luck, Phillip Dorsett presents a good upside stash to add onto the back end of a trade.
I offered Cooper and Bernard for Watkins, Dorsett and 1.03 and the opposing owner accepted a few minutes later.
Roster
Andrew Luck, Jared Goff
Isaiah Crowell, Ty Montgomery, Rex Burkhead, Daniel Lasco, Dwayne Washington, Bishop Sankey
Sammy Watkins, Allen Robinson, Davante Adams, Brandin Cooks, Corey Coleman, Leonte Carroo, Phillip Dorsett, Pharoah Cooper, Sammy Coates
Eric Ebron, Charles Clay, Austin Hooper, Clive Walford
1.02, 1.03, 1.07, 1.12, 2.02, 2.06, 2.12, 3.04, 4.02
Going Forward
This roster is in a good position to contend in 2017. With some depth players but little high-end talent at the running back position, the draft figures to be a prime opportunity to add multiple backs. With 7 picks in the first two rounds, I have such an opportunity. At the 1.02 and 1.03 spots, I figure to be in prime position for either Corey Davis or Leonard Fournette. If Corey Davis falls past 1.01, he is likely a target with one of the two picks, and there are several running backs in the conversation.
A perfect scenario would be Dalvin Cook or Joe Mixon landing in a great position in the NFL draft and going off the board at 1.01 allowing both Davis and Fournette to fall to me at 1.02 and 1.03. Either way, the multiple picks allows me to be active in the trade market and take multiple shots on draft day at adding long term pieces to my roster.
