There’s a lot of theoretical dynasty trade advice out there today, but here at Fantasy Points, we like to practice what we preach. There is arguably no better time to make dynasty trades than during the window surrounding your rookie draft, including both the buildup and the aftermath. The only other time that comes close is right around your league’s trade deadline.
Every year, this is one of my most active periods for trading. And this year in particular? Business was booming. I completed several trades and took calculated risks along the way. Some were made with an eye toward the future, others were to cash out on players I believe are at their peak dynasty value, and a few were “push-the-chips-in” moves for teams where I’m going all in this season.
Acquiring a Veteran WR and Attempting to Three-Peat
$1250 Entry, Single QB, PPR, TE Premium
Sent: WR Jack Bech, 2.12
Received: WR Terry McLaurin
I won this league in back-to-back years, but had to thread the needle at wide receiver. My roster was strong, with firepower at running back (Jahmyr Gibbs, James Cook/Ray Davis, Saquon Barkley) and tight end (Sam LaPorta, David Njoku). A midseason trade for Jerry Jeudy bailed me out last year, and I had just enough at the position to make a second consecutive title run. However, the lack of depth at wide receiver was an untenable situation that was bound to catch up with me.
A few weeks before the draft, I traded the 1.12 for the 2.09, a 2026 2nd, and Deebo Samuel. Samuel is a player I’ve been making small bets on this offseason, trying to acquire a few shares. There is some downside risk — his production dipped last season — but also the chance for a Jayden Daniels bailout. I didn’t have a first-round pick due to an earlier 2024 offseason trade for Cook, and the additional 2nds gave me more picks and flexibility. That would turn out to be fortuitous.
At 2.09, I selected Bech. Shortly after, on the league message board, a well-known high-volume FFPC manager — someone I’m in several leagues with — put Terry McLaurin on the trade block. I quickly offered the 2.12 and a 2026 2nd. He countered with a request for Bech and the 2.12. I wasn’t thrilled about giving up Bech, but the price was right for another title push. McLaurin becomes an instant starter with upside. I still have two 2026 2nds and my 2026 1st to work with in future deals.
Trying to save a Dynasty Orphan
$1250 Entry, Superflex, PPR, TE Premium, Start 10
One of the best ways to gain entry into some of the higher-stakes FFPC leagues is by taking the risk on an orphan team. I was able to purchase this one at a significant discount — and for good reason. The team had some strong pieces — WRs Brian Thomas Jr. and Xavier Worthy — as well as some movable veterans. It also had draft capital, including three first-round picks (1.06, 1.07, and 1.11) and two second-rounders (2.06, 2.07).
The downside? The team had no quarterbacks whatsoever — a significant issue in the Triflex Superflex format.
I love taking on challenges in dynasty, and this one was going to be a fun rebuild.
The first moves I made came during the pre-rookie draft process.
Sent: WR Brandon Aiyuk
Received: 2026 2nd
Sent: 1.11, 2026 2nd
Received: QB JJ McCarthy
Moving Aiyuk for a slight underpay was a calculated risk. My primary goal was to acquire a future second-round pick to increase my trade flexibility. The gamble paid off in a major way, as I was able to use that pick — along with the 1.11 — to acquire McCarthy. I value McCarthy more than any quarterback in the 2025 class, including Cam Ward. He instantly becomes my QB1 and a foundational piece of my roster.
These trades were only a harbinger of things to come, with the rookie draft presenting an opportunity to shape the rest of my team in a major way.
Sent: 1.06
Received: 1.10, 2.10, 2.12
A high-volume, successful FFPC manager whom I compete against in multiple leagues made several offers to move up to the 1.06. I knew he was targeting TreVeyon Henderson — a player I’m high on, but not necessarily for a rebuild like this one. I was able to extract two late second-rounders to move down four spots to the 1.10.
Sent: 1.10, 2.12
Received: 2.02, 2.04
Additional running backs and TE Tyler Warren were on the board at the 1.10. There were several players I was bullish on (including Luther Burden) that I knew would be there a few picks later. I made a slight value win to pivot from 1.10 to 2.02 while also moving up from the 2.12 to the 2.04.
Sent: WR Chris Godwin, RB Najee Harris
Received: 3.07, 2026 2nd, 2026 3rd
My final move was to clear out two more veterans off my roster for 2026 picks, as well as the 3.07. The manager has a contending roster, and had made several overtures for Godwin. We could not reach a deal, but eventually came to an agreement when I agreed to include Harris.
After the whirlwind of trades and moves, this was my final haul, resulting in seven rookies that will become a significant portion of my dynasty roster.
Players Selected
1.07 TE Colston Loveland
2.02 WR Luther Burden
2.04 WR Jayden Higgins
2.06 WR Tre Harris
2.07 RB Bhayshul Tuten
2.10 WR Jack Bech
3.07 TE Harold Fannin Jr.
This team still has several issues, and there will likely be several rocky weeks in 2025. However, adding this group of rookies to BTJ, Worthy, and McCarthy is going to be a lot of fun heading into 2026. The WR and TE rooms could be very strong a year from now and have some juice for 2025 as well. Now if I could only find a QB2…..
Improving my QB room on a Championship Winning Roster
$750 Entry, Superflex, PPR, TE Premium, Start 10
Sent: 2026 1st
Received: QB Jared Goff
Sometimes, dynasty trades are as cut-and-dry as it gets. The Triflex league is a buzzsaw, featuring multiple managers who have won overall FFPC contests, as well as several high-volume dynasty players competing across multiple FFPC leagues. This offseason, a new manager entered the fold by purchasing an orphan team and quickly reshaped the roster by trading Jalen Hurts as part of a package deal.
That Hurts trade created an opportunity for me: the manager who acquired him now had Jared Goff as their QB3.
My team has a great deal of firepower and balance, with Brock Bowers at tight end and Ja’Marr Chase at wide receiver — arguably the two top non-QB assets in FFPC dynasty leagues. I also have substantial WR depth and veteran running backs in Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor. Last season, I was able to win the league after two previous playoff disappointments.
While this team has a lot of strengths, it also had some questions at quarterback. Last year, I got by with Kyler Murray and Sam Darnold. Improving both the quality and depth at the position was a priority this offseason, but I hadn’t been able to pull off a deal — until Goff became available.
Goff is worth slightly more than a random first-round pick in this format, but the manager who made the Hurts deal is an active trader, and acquiring that additional first gives them flexibility to make another move for a skill-position player. For my team, Goff slots into a starting QB role alongside Murray, with Darnold now moving to the QB3 spot. Goff has finished as a QB1 in points per game in back-to-back seasons, and despite Detroit changing offensive coordinators this offseason, he should continue to post strong numbers.
Not all dynasty trades need to be complicated.
A Rookie Pick Pivot off of a veteran RB I Like
$500 Entry, Superflex, PPR, TE Premium, Start 10
Selected: RB RJ Harvey at the 1.10
Sent: RB Kenneth Walker, 2024 4th, 3.10
Received: WR DK Metcalf, 3.02
Selected: TE Terrance Ferguson at the 3.02
This Triflex format (Superflex with two additional flex spots and three WR starters) team has been a contender for several seasons, winning the league in 2022 and 2023 and finishing a disappointing third last season. I have considerable running back depth and deliberated at the 1.10, weighing multiple pivots and trade offers before ultimately selecting Harvey — a player I’m high on and someone we’ve been ahead of consensus on at Fantasy Points for months. The selection gave me the flexibility to make another move to improve the balance of my roster.
Walker has been a trade target for me in other leagues, and I accumulated two additional shares in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft. Being overweight on a player — even one I’m high on — gave me the flexibility to move a share. Metcalf is a player I’ve been looking to acquire more of, and he gives me an additional WR1, which will be a valuable asset in this format. On top of Metcalf, I was able to add Ferguson — another player I’m very high on.
By pulling off this deal, I added two potential 2026 starters and made my roster more balanced heading into 2025. If the loss of Walker burns me, at least I will get to enjoy his fantasy scoring across several other teams. A Metcalf resurgence and Ferguson breakout give me two bets I am willing to make.
Tiering up in a Dynasty Rookie Draft and Improving WR Depth and Quality
$500 Entry, Single QB, PPR, TE Premium
Selected: WR Matthew Golden at the 1.12
Sent: 2.12 & a 2026 2nd
Received: 2.01 (selected Luther Burden)
This is a competitive league, and I have clawed my way to a very strong roster. Last season, I was able to win the league despite losing CeeDee Lamb for the playoff run. Heading into the rookie draft, I knew there would be a group of appealing players available at the 1.12, but there would be a significant tier drop by the time I picked again at 2.12.
Adding wide receiver depth and additional firepower was a priority to extend my championship window — not just for 2025, but also into the 2026 season. Both Burden and Golden were available at 1.12, so I made an aggressive trade offer. I sent the 2.12 and a 2026 2nd to the manager holding the 2.01. He accepted, giving me back-to-back picks, and I added both wide receivers.
I fully expect that 2026 pick to be a late one. Sometimes in dynasty, the tier drops are more impactful than the perceived “loss” on a trade.
Pivoting at the RB Position and Getting Younger at the Position with a Championship Roster.
$500 Entry, Single QB, PPR, TE Premium
Sent: RB James Cook, RB Ray Davis & a 2026 2nd
Received: RB TreVeyon Henderson & the 2.05 (selected Bhayshul Tuten)
I had a strong run in FFPC $500 entry leagues last season. It doesn’t always work out this way, but some seasons you just run pure. This was another championship roster — one with a significant amount of firepower. My WR room is beyond loaded, and I have Trey McBride at tight end and Josh Allen at quarterback. The running back room, however, could use a long-term asset to complement De’Von Achane and short-term pieces like Aaron Jones.
James Cook is a player I've a great deal of exposure to, but I’ve been willing to pivot away from him in some spots this offseason. Moving from Cook to Henderson not only makes my team younger but also potentially extends my championship window. Henderson was a trade target of mine across multiple dynasty leagues during rookie draft season, and I was able to acquire several shares. I view him as a dynamic player with strong pass-catching upside.
Cook and Davis for Henderson was a fairly straightforward bet, but with this deal, I was also able to pivot from a 2026 2nd (hopefully the 2.12!) and acquire the 2.05 — giving me the chance to add Tuten. With Tuten, I added another strong bet for weekly RB utility, albeit one with more risk due to his fourth-round NFL Draft capital.
Later on during the rookie draft, I acquired Mason and a 2026 3rd in exchange for Ferguson. I like Ferguson a lot, but he’s a player I have a great deal of exposure to. With Jones already rostered, Mason gives me depth and a potential hedge in case Jones breaks down at any point this season.
Pushing the Chips In
$250 Entry, Single QB, PPR, TE Premium
PRE ROOKIE DRAFT
Sent: TE Evan Engram, WR Brandon Aiyuk
Received: TE George Kittle
POST ROOKIE DRAFT
Sent: RB Quinshon Judkins, WR Jordan Addison
Received: RB De’Von Achane
Depth is fantastic to have in dynasty, but being able to consolidate depth for premium assets can be beneficial. With this team, both trades made sense for my championship hopes in 2025. I won this league a few years back, before a soft rebuild this season and an accumulation of draft picks. I had outstanding quality and depth at wide receiver to complement Jalen Hurts at QB and TJ Hockenson and Engram at tight end. Bucky Irving broke out for me last season, and with the 1.01, 1.06, and 2.01 I had draft pick equity — and an Ashton Jeanty pick along the way. This team could become a title contender overnight.
Before the draft, I sent Aiyuk and Engram for Kittle — a move netting me a potential TE1 overall finisher. I like Engram a lot, but he is a significant downgrade from Kittle. Aiyuk was a superfluous asset for this team and even if healthy, a probable backup. This was an easy trade to say yes to, but the Achane deal was a lot harder to stomach.
Don’t get me wrong — I love Achane. He’s one of my favorite running backs in the NFL and a clear fantasy football difference-maker. I acquired the best asset in this deal, but it’s still one that gives me pause and could lead to some regrets down the line.
I used the 1.06 on Judkins and have a lot of enthusiasm for him as a long-term asset. He’s tailor-made to deliver strong fantasy production across multiple seasons. A mega-productive college back with strong athletic testing and solid draft capital to back it up, he could conceivably surpass Achane in our dynasty rankings in the near future. But this season won’t be without challenges — especially with Cleveland’s murky quarterback situation.
Addison is another player I hated to lose, but team context made it an easier pill to swallow. He’s also someone I have a great deal of exposure to across multiple FFPC leagues. My selection of Luther Burden at the 2.01 gave me another young wide receiver with upside, which helped solidify my confidence in making this move.
Sometimes in dynasty, you have to push the chips in and consolidate. Acquiring a back of Achane’s caliber and pedigree comes at a cost, and I certainly paid the price here.
Even still, these moves - along with my pick of Ashton Jeanty - have now put my team in a great spot to challenge for the league title.
Pre Rookie Draft Starting Lineup
QB Jalen Hurts
RB Bucky Irving
RB Jaylen Warren
TE Evan Engram/TJ Hockenson
WR Ja’Marr Chase
WR Garrett Wilson
Flex Amon-Ra St.Brown
Flex Xavier Worthy
Post Rookie Draft & Trades Starting Lineup
QB Jalen Hurts
RB Ashton Jeanty
RB De’Von Achane
TE George Kittle
WR Ja’Marr Chase
WR Garrett Wilson
Flex Amon-Ra St.Brown
Flex Bucky Irving
Bonus: An early June Trade. Catching up on Rashee Rice
$500 Entry, Single QB, PPR, TE Premium, Start 10
Sent: RB Cam Skattebo, RB Tyrone Tracy, WR Jerry Jeudy, 2026 1st
Received: WR Rashee Rice, RB Jaylen Warren, 2026 3rd, 2026 4th
Early June is the quiet period in many leagues. The Rookie draft is in the books, and managers sometimes take a step back. But not in this league. An opposing manager put Rashee Rice on the message board as a player they would be willing to move. Rice is a player I have limited exposure to in dynasty, and one who could burn me if he returns to the same role he had to start the 2024 season.
I won this league last year, and have been active this offseason in reshaping my roster for a repeat run. Earlier this offseason, I wrote about another deal I made in this league, sending Marvin Harrison Jr. for two 1sts and Jaylen Waddle.
During the rookie draft, I used one of those 1st-round picks to select Kaleb Johnson. I then followed up with an additional early 2nd-round selection of Skattebo, combining him with Tracy, whom I had on the roster since the 2024 rookie draft. Jeudy is a player I am extremely high on (see below), but one who is tiers below Rice in dynasty.
The extra 1st was difficult for me to move, but it should be a later one. If Rice can return to form (17.3 PPG or more with dominant usage in three fully healthy games last season), he should be worth considerably more than this current deal next season. He has the potential for a peak Amon-Ra St.Brown type season.
Warren was a throw-in piece, but with Johnson already in tow, he offers me value as a handcuff. I essentially traded the Giants' backfield for the Steelers' backfield. On paper, this deal was a loss, but it ultimately strengthened my roster. With a WR room of Rice, CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins, and Waddle — plus a loaded set of RBs — this team is ready to run.
This trade is a classic example of a trade calculator overpay that can work.
That about wraps up my trades. Look for the next Dynasty Market Report to drop soon. I will examine a few players who are priced well for a dynasty trade, as well as a few players with positive news coming out of OTAs.
And make sure and check out our new and updated dynasty rankings right here at Fantasy Points — they will help you crush your dynasty startup drafts this offseason.
