Fantasy 101 - Dynasty Breakdown
Knowing when to Compete vs Rebuild
Dynasty leagues are all about knowing where you currently sit compared to other members in your league. You should always have a solid understanding on whether or not you have a team that can win it all this year. In Dynasty, the worst situation to be in is a middle of the pact team. Someone who doesn't have what it takes to win it all, but is not in rebuild mode either. Let's talk about knowing when you should go all-in to win the championship, and when you should sell it all to start over.
COMPETING - WIN NOW MODE:
If you are managing a team that has what it takes to win it all, then you should not be afraid to trade future assets for players that help you win now. In Dynasty, it is tough to trade future 1st round picks or young talent as you are always thinking about the future. That being said, the purpose of fantasy football is to WIN. We are firm believers in buying up aging talent that have depreciated in long-term value, but still have juice in the tank for the upcoming season. They are excellent additions to a win-now dynasty team. Also, there are times where it may make sense to spend a little more than desired for a player with a short fantasy life span, if it means they will help you bring home a title this year. Don't be afraid to but that 28 year old RB or that 32 year old WR, if it means they can add depth and value to a team competing for the championship. If you have a team that can win now, do whatever it takes to win it.
REBUILDING - FINDING THE YOUTH:
The other side of the coin is understanding when your team has reached it's capacity, and you need to begin thinking about the future. Knowing that it is time to depart with that aging RB or WR is a tough thing to do, especially if they have a few years left. But in Dynasty, one of the worst things to do is to be left holding the bag on an aging asset, and not cashing out when you can. For example: imagine if you had the forethought to see the downhill trajectory of Todd Gurley or David Johnson? Each of this running backs were tier 1 elite assets, then over night, they fell off the wagon completely. Cashing in on these 2 players before their peak hit could have set you up for future success for years to come.
One of the best ways to rebuild your team is identifying those teams that are in win now mode. Take advantage of the fact that they should be willing to pay up for an asset that has a short life span, and cash in. When in rebuild mode, your goal is to grab future picks and young assets that may take some time to build. This is sometimes a tough pill to swallow, because as competitors, our goal is to win. But rebuilding is focused on the long game, and not the immediate future.
DON'T BE IN THE MIDDLE:
The worst position in Dynasty to be in is that middle of the pack team. A team that has solid assets, but not enough to win it all, but also too good to be in rebuild mode. Floating around in the 5-7 range means you will probably be there for years to come if you don't either go all in, or start to tear the walls down.
Competing vs Rebuilding is the foundation to a Dynasty league. Understanding your place amongst your league mates is crucial when determining your fate. Everyone wants to be on the competing side of the league, however, rebuilding your team is one of the more excited, yet sometimes frustrating aspects of a Dynasty league.