The Dynasty Trading Post: Newly Signed Running Backs

Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn, USA Today Sports

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Welcome to the dynasty trading post, where optimizing strategy, roster construction, format, and player value oscillations are examined weekly in example and completed dynasty trades.

This week, we'll focus on adding a couple of low-cost veterans to our Dynasty rosters.

*All trades are Superflex unless stated otherwise*

Dalvin Cook, New York Jets

Theme of the Week: Leverage News

Dalvin Cook was signed by the Jets in their build-around-Aaron-Rodgers mindset. Breece Hall is trending back, and the projection is Hall will be ready for Week 1. Cook's contract is in line with plenty of starters in the NFL, and a 28-year-old with his profile and guaranteed money will start. However, Cook is amidst a two-year slide from his career peak and especially slumped in the passing game. Breece Hall excels as a two-way playmaker and was superior to Cook in almost every area last season. This is Cook's last opportunity to extract a strong return out of the dynasty trade market. This does not mean he must be sold, but exploring the market off of news is vital in Dynasty. Cook's market value will be around RB30 generally, but some see a lead role and Hall taking a backseat for more than a week or two.

Dalvin Cook's addition clouds the Jets' young running backs fighting for depth chart spots, as I outline in my weekly running back feature here at Footballguys.com.

Key trade idea: Dalvin Cook, 2024 2nd, 2024 3rd for Khalil Herbert, 24 1st

This is a classic two-way and consolidation dynasty trade construction. Herbert is the clear starter in Chicago with probabilities to outproduce Cook this year straight up. Then, on the back end, upgrading from a second and third to a 2024 Round 1 pick (in Superflex) is huge. That first-round pick can easily be the best piece in the entire deal by next offseason. Even if wrong initially and Cook is lapping Herbert in production, the Round 1 pick can level the deal or still win the deal. Even if Herbert is a known backup, but a clarified RB2 for 2023, in a deal like this, consider selling Cook now. The downside is Breece Hall forms a committee, takes over quickly, or Cook sustains an injury to make holding Cook into 2024 a dicey bet.