This dynasty trade was made during a startup draft while I was on the clock in a 12-team PPR league starting 1-2-3-1-3Flex with 25-man rosters. The startup began the week after the NFL draft concluded. This league consists of a group of friends who have played shallow keeper leagues for over a decade, finally making the plunge into dynasty.
The Approach
When I was unable to trade back from my 1st round pick, I aggressively shopped the 2.03. My goal was to pick up additional mid-round startup and future rookie draft capital. While discussions were started with most owners in the late 2nd round, only one owner expressed much interest. With this history, I am expecting young talent to slide a bit further than a typical dynasty draft.
The Trade
Executed May 6th, 2017
Gave 2.03, 12.03, 13.08, 2018 3rd
Received 2.12, 8.12, 9.01, 2018 1st
Notable players available at 2.03 included Michael Thomas, Corey Davis, Sammy Watkins, Todd Gurley, Dez Bryant, and Keenan Allen. Feet to the fire, my selection would have been Corey Davis. In a league starting up to six wide receivers, Davis never has to return a top five finish at the position to be an elite asset. My initial offer was 2.03 for 2.12, 5.01 and his 2018 1st, but we quickly were able to arrive at an agreement. Picking up 2 additional top-100 picks in the startup will add needed depth in a league with deep lineups. When negotiating, my hope was to land a top-3 rookie or a player like Davante Adams at the 2.12.
Takeaways
Sliding back a few picks in the early rounds of a startup is the best place to add significant value to your team. While this trade may not appear heavily slanted in my favor, I took a risk that paid off. If I had been unable to find a trade partner, I would have reached for Corey Davis at 2.03. When LeSean McCoy, Devonta Freeman, Jordan Howard and Jay Ajayi went in Round 2, Corey Davis fell to me at 2.12. At this point, the rest of the capital added is just frosting.
If feeling you are reaching for a player in a draft, always explore trading back a few spots. When you do so, make sure you are comfortable losing your target player. That way the deal can only get better. While I was hoping Davis would fall to me, I would have been fine taking one of my other target players with the pick. The end result of this deal was getting my target player, plus two additional top 100 players and a 2018 1st for free.
