Offseason Mailbag: Dynasty Edition (Fantasy Football)
Welcome to the Offseason Mailbag: Dynasty Edition!
The NFL season might be on pause, but for dynasty managers, there’s no such thing as an offseason. While redraft folks are taking a breather, dynasty diehards are grinding tape, evaluating rookies, and trading players and picks in hopes of landing the next big thing. With so much uncertainty and so many moving parts in dynasty, I thought- what better way to help the FootClan than to open myself up to The Fantasy Footballers’ Discord? I put out a call, and boy, did the FootClan deliver. From stashes to strategy, I’ve gathered your questions, and I’m diving into them one by one. Let’s crack this thing open and see what kind of dynasty chaos we can stir up.
Question #1 – League Format and Value
How does the league format change how we value players? – Mando Manderson
Answer: League format might be the most important part of valuing dynasty players. We all know the big ones: SuperFlex vs. 1QB, Full PPR vs. Half, and TE Premium – each one shifts positional value in obvious ways. QBs skyrocket in SuperFlex, pass-catching backs and high-volume WRs thrive in Full PPR, and TEs actually matter in TE Premium. But the impact goes way deeper than just scoring tweaks.
How many WRs and Flex spots do you have to start each week? How deep are the benches? That stuff matters. In shallow leagues, it’s all about chasing weekly difference-makers and consolidating talent into your starting lineup. In deeper leagues, you want bench stashes, rookie dart throws, and long-term upside. You can gamble on guys who might not pop today but could pay off big later. And if you’re playing Best Ball? Give me the boom/bust guys with spike-week potential all day.
You can, however, take it to the extreme and overvalue a position just because of the format. In SuperFlex, yes, QBs matter more because you can start two of them. But that doesn’t mean every QB deserves a premium pick. Managers get QB-hungry and start reaching for mid-tier guys way too early. But here’s the thing: if QB12 and QB22 are only separated by two fantasy points per game, why burn a 5th-round pick when you can get a similar stat line four rounds later?
The same logic applies to TE Premium. Don’t inflate a mid-range TE2 just because it’s 1.5 PPR. If they’re not earning volume or red zone targets, the scoring bump isn’t magically turning them into a difference-maker.
Know your format. But more importantly, know your player’s role and ceiling within that format.
Question #2 – When To Go All-In
At what point do you push all in? Preseason, if you are a top-3 according to dynasty-daddy? Mid-season? At the deadline? How hard is the all-in push? Are you willing to trade any/all picks two years out? – I’M OUTTA HERE THE LEAGUE
Answer: Personally, if I’m projected to be a contender, I’m not waiting around. I’ll move draft capital early to shore things up – lock in a handcuff, upgrade a flex, and smooth out the depth. Why wait for the deadline when you could gain an edge now? Dynasty is a long game, sure – but that doesn’t mean you should drag your feet when you have a clear window.
Mid-season? That’s when I circle the struggling teams like a vulture and start tossing offers for their aging vets before the feeding frenzy kicks off. Contenders tend to play chicken with each other around the trade deadline, waiting to see who flinches first. Be the one who moves early, gets the deal done, and reaps the benefits for weeks instead of just the playoffs.
And at the deadline? If I’m built to win now, I have zero hesitation moving any and all picks two years out. The goal is to win. Two years isn’t forever in dynasty. You’ll get another shot at those picks next offseason from a manager trying to hit the reset button. Don’t let fear of the future cost you the present.
And let’s be real- those 2nd and 3rd round picks? They’re fun to dream about, sure. But they rarely hit in a way that actually moves the needle for your squad. If you can flip two dart throws for a real contributor, do it. Use them to invest in known assets that can help get you over the hump now.
The key here is to always be looking to trade. It doesn’t matter if it’s Week 2 or Week 12. If you see a way to improve your roster, go for it. Stay active, stay aggressive. Dynasty favors the manager who never stops working the board.
Push the chips in. Win. And guess what? Sometimes, making that championship push sets you up to repeat. Champ… Champ? Has a nice ring to it.
Question #3 – BTJ and Hunter Dynasty Value
How worried are you about BTJ’s long-term dynasty value with Hunter there? – Jason’s Black Polo
Answer: Nope. The Jaguars had zero depth behind Brian Thomas Jr. After trading Christian Kirk to the Texans and releasing both Gabe Davis and Evan Engram, this offense was gutted. Over in the Dynasty Pass, the Team Opportunity page breaks down each team’s vacated target percentages. It’s one of my favorite tools to see what specific target opportunities have opened up in an offense. If you look at the Jaguars:
- 21% of their WR target share is vacated.
- That jumps to 38% if you include TEs.
They had to make a move in the draft. Signing Dyami Brown before the draft helped, but even with him in the mix, there’s still a ton of opportunity available. Honestly, Hunter might just help clear out space for BTJ to feast even more. If I were to have any pause for BTJ dynasty value, it would be due to Trevor Lawrence being his QB. From Weeks 1–11 with Trevor Lawrence, BTJ averaged 14.4 fantasy points per game. With Mac Jones? He averaged 19.5. That’s silly. Let’s hope new Head Coach, former Bucc’s OC Liam Coen, can get TLaw on the right track.
Question #4 – Tahj Brooks’ Value to the Brown Owner
If Tahj Brooks were to go undrafted in the rookie draft, what % of Waiver $ should the Chase Brown owner bid on him for a competing team? – ER0CK5
Answer: Throw it all at Tahj Brooks. Yeah, he’s a 6th-round pick – so what? Chase Brown was a 5th. This RB class was stacked, and plenty of guys who would’ve been Day 2 picks in other years got pushed to Day 3. That’s exactly what happened with Brooks.
At Texas Tech, he posted back-to-back 1,500+ yard rushing seasons and racked up 95+ yards in 22 straight games. That’s not just production, that’s consistency. The dude is a grinder.
The Bengals had to address the defense with their earlier picks, but don’t let Brooks falling to the 6th deter you from thinking he won’t get opportunities this year. This Cincy backfield is wide open. Zack Moss is coming off a neck injury, and let’s be honest, Samaje Perine isn’t exactly standing in anyone’s way.
Brooks doesn’t need a Chase Brown injury to see the field. Throw all your FAAB at him and feel good about having the handcuff to Brown on an offense that’s going to score a ton of fantasy points.
Leader in Missed Tackles Forced Last Season:
⭐️ Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech: 96 pic.twitter.com/Fw7GBodNnu
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 20, 2024
Question 5 – Zach Wilson Playing in Miami Odds
How soon into the season do we expect to see Zach Wilson become Miami’s starter? – BurritoBill
Answer: “Starter” is too generous a label for Zach Wilson. Let’s be honest, the only path to playing time in Miami is if Tua gets hurt. And unfortunately, that’s not exactly far-fetched. Since entering the league, Tua hasn’t made it through a full season healthy. It’s not just the concussions – he’s dealt with a thumb sprain in 2020, rib and finger fractures in 2021, and a hip injury in 2023. The guy takes hits, and the hits often stick.
We’ve seen QBs leave the Jets and thrive before, à la Geno Smith and Sam Darnold. Wilson looked better in the preseason last year with Denver, showing more poise and comfort in the pocket, but he never saw the field when it counted. He’s a long shot to be relevant, but in SuperFlex formats, it’s not crazy to stash him. You’re not betting on talent, you’re betting on Tua’s injury history. All Wilson needs is an opportunity to play.
Question 6 – Best Parts of the Offseason
Rank your favorite parts of the off-season (otherwise known as the non-point-scoring season) for us dynasty degenerates. – Noggin
- Before the NFL Draft
- After the NFL Draft / Countdown to your league’s rookie draft
- After your league rookie draft, but before the “best shape of his life” season
- Actual Preseason
Answer: This is such a tough question. I thought I had my ranking locked in, but as I started explaining each phase, I kept thinking, Man, I just really love ALL aspects of football year-round. That’s why I do what I do now. Any way I could immerse myself in football full-time was going to fulfill me. But after some internal debate, I narrowed it down to this:
1. Actual Preseason
This has to be first because it means real football is right around the corner. We’re seeing the rookies in a game environment for the first time (even if it’s just a quarter or two). Preseason also means redraft league drafts are in full swing, which is always fun. For dynasty, it’s time to look at those lineups, make roster cuts, and set taxi squads. This is living.
2. After the NFL Draft
Once rookies have landing spots, you get to dive into all the implications, not just for them, but for the veterans around them, too. It’s always fun to see who fell way further than expected and who got drafted way earlier than anticipated (Shedeur and TeSlaa, cough, cough, we’re looking at you). You start counting down to your rookie draft, figuring out pick values, and deciding who you might land. And trade season opens up, which is the best part of dynasty.
3. Before the NFL Draft
This is when we grind tape and dig into the incoming class. I’ll admit, I’m not a huge college football watcher during the season, so a lot of my rookie scouting starts once fantasy ends. I start watching interviews, Senior Bowl practices, the Combine, college film – you name it. It’s exciting to see who’s next and what they might bring to the league we love.
4. After your rookie draft but before the “best shape of his life” season
The rookie draft hype has worn off. Coach speak is at an all-time high. No one knows what to believe. No one wants to trade because they “addressed their needs” during the rookie draft. Injuries have started popping up in off-season programs. And now your shiny new rookie RB just fumbled at OTAs. What’s to love?
That’s a wrap for this Offseason Mailbag: Dynasty Edition! Thanks to the FootClan for bringing the heat with your questions. Dynasty never sleeps, and whether you’re plotting trades, scouring the waiver wire, or dreaming about next year’s rookie draft, the grind is what makes this game so addicting. Keep those questions coming on The Fantasy Footballers’ Discord, and let’s keep the dynasty chaos alive all offseason long!
Comments
Upvoting BurritoBill’s question!
Zach Wilson Did Nothing Wrong!
Love the work Fox…. always top notch!
Ty for the great read!
Dope article as usual!! Keep up the great work Fox!!