This dynasty trade was made in mid-July in a 14-team, 0.5 PPR superflex league with unique settings. Starting lineups are 1-2-2-1-2Flex-1SFlex-3IDP-1K. Some highlights of the scoring include 0.1 points per return yard, big-play and big-game bonuses as well as boosted passer scoring across the board.
The Approach
After trades this offseason landed Mike Evans and Russell Wilson, this team is looking likely to push for a repeat championship in 2016. With a strong core of wide receivers in Evans, Brandin Cooks, Keenan Allen and Donte Moncrief, A.J. Green was a luxury. My strategy for selling a stud like Green is to target a few players that you want as core pieces in a package. After sending several offers to different teams targeting players like Amari Cooper and Sammy Watkins, I was able to make a deal.
The Trade
Gave A.J. Green, Michael Floyd, Gary Barnidge
Received Kevin White, Jordan Matthews, Eric Ebron
Kevin White is the core piece I was looking to acquire in return. I am going all-in on White for 2016. Read Tim Torch’s Dynasty Challenge for several reasons to like White.
Jordan Matthews is a player the dynasty community is down on. Moving from a Chip Kelly offense to a Doug Peterson offense will impact volume, but Matthews’ numbers have been historically good in his first two seasons. There have only been eight seasons where a first or second-year receiver has had eight touchdowns, 60 receptions, and a 65% catch percentage. Jordan Matthews is the only receiver to have done this in both of his first two years.
I consider Eric Ebron to be primed for a huge breakout this year, even with the Anquan Boldin signing in Detroit. As Chad has highlighted several times, “first-round tight ends don’t miss.” Ebron was drafted as the no.10 pick in the 2014 Draft, ahead of players like Odell Beckham and Brandin Cooks. Yes, it is possible Ebron will bust, but the odds are in his favor to become a solid fantasy contributor.
With the depth of my roster, Michael Floyd and Gary Barnidge are little more than throw-ins. Yes, Floyd could be a late career breakout, but the odds of this are low and my wide receiver depth makes it hard to imagine him breaking into my starting lineup.
My Post-Trade Roster
Cam Newton, Drew Brees, Russell Wilson
Todd Gurley, Carlos Hyde, Charles Sims, Jonathan Stewart, Dwayne Washington
Mike Evans, Brandin Cooks, Keenan Allen, Kevin White, Jordan Matthews, Donte Moncrief, Sammie Coates, Davante Adams, Josh Gordon
Zach Ertz, Eric Ebron, Jimmy Graham, Maxx Williams, Vance McDonald
Luke Kuechley, Ryan Shazier, Malcolm Brown, Derron Lee
2017 1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5
Takeaways
In terms of “market value,” most people would think I lost this trade. In fact, Twitter was heavily on the A.J. Green side. Once you have built depth in your roster by following the UTH Way, you have the ability to use your player and draft capital to go get the players you want. This is a trade I made because I believe the players I acquired will take the next steps in their careers and I have the capital to weather being wrong. If Kevin White busts and Jordan Matthews becomes a low volume role player, I will have lost the trade, but I still have the depth to be a contender. If I hit on these players, my team goes from contender to juggernaut.
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