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Crafting Your Dynasty: Long-Term Success Starts Here
We’ve been competing in Dynasty leagues since 1999, the year Draft Sharks was founded. And yes, Dynasty feels like stepping into a year-round and years-long battle …
You're not just drafting for 2024. You're crafting a team that needs to compete and evolve over many years (if not decades).
The problem? The Dynasty landscape is ever-changing. And ever challenging ...
Injuries, player development, and NFL draft picks can turn today's powerhouse into tomorrow's rebuilding project.
This article unveils 8 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Strategies that we’ve learned over the decades.
From understanding the true value of rookie picks to mastering the art of trading, these strategies will guide you toward building a championship-caliber team for years to come.
Dive in and transform your approach to Dynasty drafting.
1. Embrace the Mindset of a Dynasty GM
Let’s start at the beginning.
Let’s check why you play this unique format … and why you’re looking for the best Dynasty draft strategy.
- It’s the most challenging format in fantasy football. That’s because it takes visionary, long-term thinking to be successful. The payoff: You can see your strategic decisions play out over time, much like a real NFL general manager.
- There’s a more complex strategic layer. Decisions about drafting, trading, and roster management require a forward-thinking mindset and an understanding of player development and aging curves.
- Dynasty rewards your player knowledge and research. Success in Dynasty is typically the result of thorough research and a keen eye for talent – especially in identifying breakout candidates and rookie prospects before they become household names.
- It’s a year-round gig. It’s ideal for the fantasy GM who wants to think about fantasy football all year round. And who doesn’t wanna think about fantasy football all year?!?
Are those the fundamentals of what drives you to play Dynasty?
If you’re nodding your head, it’s time to take a dive into the remaining best dynasty draft strategies that will get it done for you ...
Key Insights
Embracing the mindset of a Dynasty GM involves visionary, long-term strategic thinking akin to a real NFL GM. It starts with understanding player development and aging. Then hinges on thorough research and a keen eye for identifying emerging talents and breakout candidates.
How to Execute This Strategy
The way to embrace being a Dynasty GM revolves around your year-round love of the fantasy football hobby, as well as your passion for NFL football. Get rookie scouting reports, track free agent moves and analysis, work trades in the offseason. Basically, do what an NFL GM does.
2. Go 'Best Player Available' in Your Startup Draft
Year 1 and your team is an empty roster. What’s your plan for draft day?
Your safest and most rewarding plan should be simple: Scoop value when you see it.
Yeah, you can go into the draft with a “Zero-RB” strategy. Or maybe you favor the “Hero-RB” approach.
But remember what Mike Tyson said about plans:
“Everyone has a plan 'til they get punched in the mouth.”
How many times have you been “punched in the mouth” by others in a draft? Countless, right?
That’s why you have to keep your cool and adapt to the ultimate plan:
Draft for value. Always.
Value is crucial across all drafting formats. But trying to figure out a player’s true value can be complicated. Should you just grab the guy who’s projected to score the most points? Or maybe the player who is at the top of a tier in the middle rounds (we’re getting warmer …) Or maybe it takes a combination of factors – each factor weighted differently – to determine value.
Key Insights
Being flexible in your draft allows you to capitalize on value that falls unexpectedly. This is the only true way to build a long-term contender.
How to Execute This Strategy
Prepare by using mock drafts and draft software that allow for dynasty formats. Use one with a live draft sync that uses some version of VBD and gives you player values in real-time.
3. Trade Away Your Rookie Picks
Your excitement for rookie picks is completely understandable. The NFL Combine starts the buzz. The NFL Draft makes it louder. And by the time you're ready for your Dynasty draft, you’ve been seduced into believing the promise of young talent.
Our advice? Lay off the hype. Instead, consider trading away your rookie picks for established players. Here’s why:
Choose Reliability Over Potential: Rookies come wrapped in the promise of what could be, but transitioning from college to the NFL is packed with uncertainty. Not all top prospects turn into fantasy football starters. When you trade your rookie picks, you're choosing proven performance over potential. Established players give you a solid idea of what to expect, bringing stability to your roster.
Use Rookie Hype to Your Advantage: The excitement around rookies can inflate their value, creating an opportunity for you. By trading away these picks, you can tap into this inflated value to secure veteran players whose successes are a known factor, not just a hopeful guess.
Here is some data to back up this strategy:
The chart tracks the change in dynasty startup ADP for each Round 1 pick in a rookie draft from rookie year to sophomore year. We are looking at all first-round rookie picks from 2014 to 2022.
So, looking vertically at pick 1.01, the worst drop in one player's second-year ADP was -15. The biggest boost in one player's ADP was 18. You can see the numbers in between.
Seven of those nine picks between 2014 and 2022 at 1.01 actually saw an increase in ADP in their second year.
The bottom of the chart is the average change in ADP for the picks 1.01-1.03, 1.04-1.06, 1.07-1.09, and 1.10-1.12, as well as the standard deviation of all the outcomes.
What This Chart Means For You: Based on the data from the last nine years, picks 1.01-1.03 are a safe bet. But picks beyond that, on average, depreciate from Year 1 to Year 2.
We see the same trend in second-round rookie picks … but even more exaggerated ...
Be open to trading away your first- and second-round rookie picks. Rookies do not always hit. (Looking at you, Clyde Edwards-Helaire.)
Find Fantasy Studs In Later Rounds: Let’s say you’ve traded away your first- and second-round picks. Those third-to-fifth-rounders? They’re often overlooked and undervalued. If you've done your research, you can score players who will get you points early in their careers. Here’s a short list:
Puka Nacua
C.J. Stroud
Tank Dell
Kyren Williams
Isiah Pacheco
Romeo Doubs
Rhamondre Stevenson
Nico Collins
Terry McLaurin
Scooping quality players in the later rounds gives you a huge advantage. They allow you to fill crucial team gaps, enabling the trade of your first- and second-round picks for players who make an impact right now.
Key Insight
Trading away rookie picks for established players lets you bet on the predictability and proven track records of veterans … over the uncertain potential of rookies. This unique Dynasty draft strategy leverages the high market value of rookies due to hype, emphasizing the importance of adding reliable veteran point-scorers to your team.
How to Execute This Strategy
Prioritize trades that make sense and offer immediate impact and long-term value. In other words, don’t trade away your picks for the sake of trading. It has to make sense for your team. It would help you to use a Dynasty Trade Value Chart as well as a Dynasty Trade Calculator -- two powerful tools to guide you in any Dynasty trade.
4. Understand the Career Arc of Each Position
This one’s a big deal in Dynasty more so than any other format. Understanding how different positions age and when they peak will be the difference between winning and losing. Here's your quick tutorial to navigate the career arcs of RBs, WRs, and QBs for dynasty dominance.
- Dive In Early on RBs: The demanding nature of the RB position – facing frequent and hard hits – makes them more valuable early in their careers. They have shorter prime windows, hitting their production peak quickly – typically by Year 3. The great ones break out in their rookie or second year. This means you should invest early in young talent and consider selling before they hit their decline.
- Be Patient with WRs: These are the late bloomers of the bunch. Most rookie WRs don’t explode onto the scene like Justin Jefferson or Ja'Marr Chase. Most require patience. Historical data suggests ignoring rookie-year production could be a mistake … but overreacting to it can lead to missed opportunities. WRs generally build up to their prime production in Year 5, unlike RBs who peak earlier. This longer runway means you might want to hold onto or even buy low on WRs who show signs they’re ramping up.
- The Cornerstone of Your Dynasty – QBs: Here’s the good news about QBs: They maintain performance levels closer to their peak for longer periods than RBs and WRs. This makes finding a long-term QB solution a crucial strategy for your team. You want to get a plug-and-play guy who lasts for five or more years. Getting a serviceable QB takes on added importance because you can’t typically stream your QB in Dynasty leagues.
Key Insights
By tailoring your approach to each position's unique aging curve and production timeline, you can craft a dynasty roster that's built to last. Keep these strategies in mind, and you'll be well on your way to creating a championship-caliber dynasty team.
How to Execute This Strategy
- RB Strategy: Get in early and get out before the decline. Consider selling after any huge early season – but evaluate each situation carefully.
- WR Strategy: Be patient with rookie WRs and look for signs of improvement. Remember, their peak often comes later, making them valuable long-term assets.
- QB Strategy: Given the lack of streaming options, prioritize securing a top-tier QB a bit earlier in your draft. A strong QB can anchor your team for years.
5. Misunderstanding NFL Draft Capital Could Be Your Blind Spot
"NFL draft capital" refers to the value or assets that NFL teams hold in the form of draft picks during the NFL Draft. Once they actually take a player, that “draft capital” is attached to that player.
Make sure you know how to interpret draft capital so you don’t get blindsided:
- Unlock Team Insights: Dive deep into the strategic minds of NFL teams. The draft position is a window into a team's future plans, showcasing the belief in a player’s ability to shine. So selecting a WR in the mid-first round isn't just a pick. It's a declaration of expected stardom, signaling confidence in his potential to become a franchise cornerstone.
- Refine Your Player Rankings: Post-draft, it's crucial to recalibrate your Dynasty rankings. Draft capital is a vital clue to a player's real-world and fantasy value. If you loved a player as a potential first-rounder but he dropped to the fourth round, NFL scouts are giving you information. He might not be as good as you thought. It's time to pivot your strategy, reshuffling your rookie draft board to align with the new landscape. That doesn’t mean you don’t draft him. (Remember the tip about getting guys in Rounds 3-5 of your rookie draft???). It just means you don’t reach for him.
- Value Draft Capital Appropriately: Draft capital sticks with a player beyond his rookie season. If a guy was picked in the first or second round, an NFL GM is likely to give that player far more opportunities to produce than, say, a fifth-round pick. Early picks warrant patience and could present trade opportunities if guys in your league are quick to unload a talented player based on a slow start.
- Talent Over Context: Talent is the constant in evaluating fantasy value, often outliving fleeting team situations. Case In Point: The tale of Jonathan Taylor and Clyde Edwards-Helaire teaches us to bet on talent over a player who seems to be in an ideal situation. Edwards-Helaire was drafted higher than Taylor – even though scouts generally rated Taylor as the better RB. Situations change. Talent endures.
Key Insights
Draft capital in the NFL is a critical lens through which teams' valuations of players are revealed. It's not just about the round a player is picked. It's ultimately a reflection of a team's belief in a player's potential. Understanding this reality can dramatically shape your fantasy football strategy. It gives you a nuanced perspective on a player's Dynasty value and potential impact.
How to Execute This Strategy
To leverage this insight, closely monitor the NFL Draft's outcomes and adjust your fantasy rankings accordingly. High draft capital indicates high team faith and potential opportunity, necessitating a rise in your rankings. Conversely, adjust expectations for lower picks. Beyond draft day, use this as a guide for trades and waiver pickups, staying agile to capitalize on the evolving value of players as their careers unfold.
6. Expert Insights on How to Negotiate a Trade
It seems like all fantasy trade strategy revolves around the same obvious advice: Buy low, sell high. What’s lacking are some strategies to help you negotiate a trade.
Here’s our spin …
Negotiating a trade requires a blend of strategy, psychology, and foresight.
We’ve brainstormed some of our best tips and tricks to help you navigate trade negotiations successfully:
- Scout Your Fellow Owners: Understand the preferences, tendencies, and past trading behaviors of your fellow league members. Some may value draft picks more, while others prioritize certain positions or player ages. Having an idea of what they value – or don’t value – will help you craft a tasty trade offer.
- Bait The Trap: Part of the fun of fantasy football is talking about your team with other owners. That includes talking about player evaluations, team needs, etc. Use these opportunities to offer friendly hints at guys you’d be willing to unload for the right price. You might spark interest and induce an offer that comes with a “trade tax” in your favor. (More about the trade tax later).
- Highlight Immediate Benefits … for Your Trade Partner: While dynasty leagues focus on long-term value, emphasizing how a trade can immediately benefit your trading partner's team can be persuasive.
- Start With A Reasonable Low-Ball Offer: Almost all trade advice we’ve seen suggests that you “make a fair offer.” That’s really bad advice. You should make an offer that clearly favors you – but not crazily so. You want your first offer to be the “anchor” in your negotiation. So that if a counter-offer comes, it will be closer to your anchor than if you had led with a “fair offer.” The trick here is to really sell the offer as good for your trade partner. Study his team. Make a reasonable pitch before he counters.
- Don’t Negotiate Against Yourself: You text a guy an offer. He reads the text but after a day, he’s ghosting you. Don’t send him another text enhancing your original offer. Give him time to reply. But don’t wait on him to reply before seeking out other potential trade partners.
- Use Multi-Player Deals And/Or Multiple Teams: A bit of practical advice to close a deal … (Think the kind of trades they pull at the NBA trade deadline…) Sometimes, balancing a trade can be easier when multiple players are involved. Or even multiple teams if you’re creative. This can help address needs for both (or all) teams more effectively than two teams swapping single players.
- Include Draft Picks: We covered this at length, but it’s worth repeating. In Dynasty leagues, draft picks are (perceived as) valuable assets. Trading yours away can sweeten the deal and help lock up a player who can really help you immediately.
- Leverage the "Trade Tax": The "trade tax" refers to the additional value one trade partner might need to add to their offer to get a trade done. Often because the other party knows you’re eager to get a deal done. Here's how to leverage it in your favor:
- Be subtle about your targets. If you're too overt about wanting a specific player, you might end up paying a higher trade tax. Play it cool and express interest in multiple players to keep the other manager guessing.
- Flip the tax to your advantage. If you sense another manager is particularly keen on one of your players, don't be afraid to ask for a slightly higher return. This is your opportunity to apply a trade tax of your own.
- Use it to balance uneven trades. Sometimes, acknowledging the trade tax openly can help balance a trade that's close but not quite there. Offering or asking for a small extra piece, like a late draft pick, can smooth over these minor differences and get the trade across the finish line.
- Be Willing to Walk Away: Not every trade proposal will or should go through. If a trade doesn't feel right or doesn't meet your strategic goals, be prepared to walk away and revisit trade discussions later. Or find a different partner.
Key Insights
Mastering trade negotiations in Dynasty leagues transcends the "buy low, sell high" mantra. It’s about deep league knowledge, psychological savvy, and utilizing the "trade tax." This sophisticated approach not only enhances your negotiation skills but also solidifies your status as a strategic thinker.
How to Execute this Strategy
It’s not about making “fair” offers. And effective trade negotiation in your Dynasty league isn't just about getting the best player. It's about making moves that benefit your team's long-term prospects. It’s also crucial to use a Dynasty Trade Calculator to determine whether and how a trade benefits you.
Trade Navigator Will Change the Way You Deal
7. Elevate Your Game with Cutting-Edge Tech
By incorporating Live Draft Sync and the Value-Based Drafting (VBD) tools into your Dynasty draft strategy, you'll gain insight into how each pick boosts your team's competitive edge. You get two significant advantages over your competitors:
First, the Live Draft Sync keeps your draft board updated in real-time. Second, the integrated VBD tool dynamically re-ranks your players based on updated value.
Here’s how our Live Draft Sync and VBD drafting tool can provide you with a competitive edge in your Dynasty draft:
Live Draft Sync (Draft Sharks): Dynasty Difference Maker
- Easy Setup: You're just a few clicks away from getting the Draft Sharks Live Draft Sync tool to align perfectly with your league's Dynasty settings. There’s no hassle of juggling multiple accounts across different platforms. And yes, it seamlessly integrates with your favorite platforms, including Yahoo, ESPN, CBS Sports, Sleeper, and NFL.com, just to name a few.
- Real-Time Draft Board Updates: You’ll get the advantage of "live updates." As players are picked, your draft board refreshes instantly. You'll never overlook a player pick again. What's more, our live draft sync re-ranks your players after each selection, thanks to the embedded Value-Based Draft algorithm (Our Draft War Room).
- Unrivaled Reliability: Built for stability, you won't face any glitches or interruptions during your draft. No outages. No frustrating time lag in updating. The beauty is – it just works.
Hit it right here to see how our Dynasty Live Draft Sync can be your personal Dynasty draft assistant.
Why Draft Sharks Live-Draft Sync Gives You Better Dynasty Rankings
This is where the Draft Sharks Live-Draft Sync separates itself from any other draft sync … The Draft Sharks live-draft sync gives you dynamic player picks in real-time.
Yes, it actually re-ranks your player suggestions after each pick in the draft – all based on your Dynasty league’s unique setup and scoring rules.
- Here’s How It Works: Our fantasy football league synchronization feature is powered by the "Draft War Room" (DWR). This innovative tool is designed to dynamically update your draft board, adjusting player rankings in real time based on a comprehensive set of factors. These include positional scarcity, team needs, potential for breakout performances, and the risk of underperforming. The DWR calculates 17 different draft-value indicators to offer tailored player suggestions.
- Upside Mode Highlights Breakout Players: The DWR includes a specialized feature focused on identifying potential breakout players. This functionality highlights players who have the potential to finish the year near their predicted “ceiling.” Drafting these players in the late rounds gives you a huge competitive edge.
- Exclusive Injury Predictor: Embedded within the DWR, this algorithm predicts the likelihood of injuries among fantasy players. By assigning a risk rating to each player, it gives you a way to assign injury risk to each player.
- Customized Player Recommendations: When it's your turn to draft, the Draft Sharks Live Draft Sync provides personalized player recommendations. These suggestions are specifically aligned with your team's needs and the unique scoring rules of your Dynasty league. That means your draft decisions are both strategic and data-driven.
Dynasty Trade Calculators and Dynasty Rankings
- Why They're Important: Trade Calculators and Dynasty Rankings provide a scientific framework for evaluating player value across multiple seasons. These tools analyze players' current performances, future potential, and overall impact on your dynasty team.
- Draft Strategy Application: Consider a scenario in which you're weighing a trade offer that would swap a veteran RB for a promising rookie WR. Trade analyzers can quantify this deal's impact based on dynasty rankings, helping you figure out if the trade aligns with your team's long-term vision.
- Expert Tip: Regularly consult dynasty rankings for updates on player stock, especially during the offseason and after significant events like the NFL Draft or free agency. This ensures your trade evaluations are based on the latest data and trends.
Mock Draft Simulator
- Why It’s Important: Mock Draft Simulators let you experiment with various draft strategies in a risk-free environment, adapting to different draft positions and scenarios. This preparation is crucial for understanding how different approaches affect your team composition and for identifying sleeper picks and value selections.
- Draft Strategy Application: If you’re considering a Zero-RB strategy, mock drafts can simulate how your team might look by prioritizing WRs, QBs, and TEs in early rounds. This could reveal the viability of targeting breakout RB candidates in later rounds or via waivers.
- Expert Tip: Engage in mock drafts from various positions to gain insights into potential draft trends and player availability. Adjust settings to reflect your league's format (in this case, Dynasty) for the most accurate simulation experience. Use these simulations to refine your draft-day strategy, identifying which rounds and positions offer the best value.
Key Insights
The Draft Sharks Live Draft Sync gives you a unique competitive advantage. It serves up real-time, dynamic player recommendations tailored to your league's unique settings and scoring rules. Powered by the "Draft War Room," it accounts for various factors like positional scarcity, breakout potential, injury risk, and a 14 other draft-value indicators.
Draft Sharks also gives you tools such as Dynasty Trade Calculators and Mock Draft Simulators. The first offers a scientific approach to evaluating player value. Mock drafts allow you to test draft strategies in a risk-free environment.
How To Execute This Strategy
Take advantage of the Draft Sharks “money-back guarantee” to try all the tools you just read about. See the value for yourself – then decide the value for your Dynasty draft and season-long success.
8. Advanced Strategies for Superflex Dynasty
In the Superflex format, where a second QB can play in the flex spot, the value of QBs undeniably increases. Sometimes that can cause an overreaction to drafting QBs early. This is particularly evident in the context of Dynasty leagues where long-term value plays a significant role.
Here are our specific suggestions for Superflex Dynasty draft strategies:
- Secure a Top QB Early – But Be Strategic Afterward: It's a good idea to secure a top-tier QB early to anchor your team. Drafting a QB like Jalen Hurts or Josh Allen gives you a solid foundation. But don’t be in a hurry to grab your second QB the next round.
- Utilize the Depth of the QB Position: Even in leagues with more than 12 teams, there's often enough QB depth to give you options. Rather than reaching for a second QB immediately, you can find value in later rounds. QBs such as Trevor Lawrence or Jared Goff offer solid fantasy points and can be viable QB2s, allowing you to focus on bolstering other positions first.
- Leverage QB Runs in Your Draft: The rush by other team owners to draft QBs can create value for you at other positions. Take advantage of this by selecting high-end talent at other positions. For example, while others might reach for a second QB right away, you could draft a top receiver such as Ja’Marr Chase or RB such as Breece Hall – significantly strengthening your lineup.
- Build QB Depth Through the Rookie Draft: Yeah, we do suggest trading your rookie picks in most instances. But if you have a top 3 pick in your rookie draft, you might take the opportunity to add QB talent for the long term. Identifying and drafting rookie QBs who may not start immediately but have potential value even in the short term gives you a winning strategy. Some of those rookie QBs might even find themselves in a starting role at some point in Year 1 – an added bonus for you.
Key Insights
Securing a top QB early helps in Superflex Dynasty leagues, but there’s strategic value in not over-prioritizing a second QB too soon. This Superflex Dynasty Draft Strategy will give you a more balanced team – with the ability to capitalize on value at other positions. Annual rookie drafts can also give you the chance to address long-term QB needs.
How to Execute This Strategy
In Superflex Dynasty leagues, prioritize drafting a top QB early to establish a strong foundation for your team. However, resist the urge to immediately secure a second QB. This could lead you to miss out on valuable players at other positions. Use the early rush on QBs to your advantage by selecting high-end talent in other roles, enhancing your roster's strength. Additionally, consider using top picks in rookie drafts to acquire promising QB talents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dynasty Draft Strategy
What is the best way to draft in a dynasty league?
The best way to draft in a Dynasty league is for value. That means you don’t focus on any specific position. Instead, you use your league rules and setup to understand positional scarcity and how that impacts your player rankings.
Should you draft QB first in Dynasty?
Drafting a QB first in Dynasty is sometimes a good strategy. It really depends on your league scoring rules and setup. Value will always determine if you should draft a QB first in Dynasty, or any format.
How many QBs should you draft in Dynasty?
How many QBs you should draft in Dynasty depends on the value of each position in your Dynasty league. And it also depends on what players drop to you in the draft. You might love a second QB in the fourth round. But taking a breakout WR might be the smarter strategy.
When should I draft a kicker in Dynasty?
You should draft a kicker in Dynasty with your last pick – if ever. Chances are you’ll be able to find a serviceable kicker on your league’s waiver wire. You might even want to stream kickers as a strategy.
What position should I draft first in dynasty fantasy football?
The position you draft first in dynasty fantasy football depends a lot on your scoring rules and league setup. If you're in a superflex dynasty league, it would make sense to go after a young QB. If you're in a PPR league, grabbing a stud rookie WR might make the most sense. Still other rules would lead you to draft a RB first.
How do you get good at dynasty fantasy football?
Adopting a flexible draft strategy is how you get good at dynasty fantasy football. The key is to know when you should draft to "win now" or when your dynasty strategy should take a more long-term approach. In other words, ask yourself "how many players am I away from winning a championship with my dynasty team?"
