The Gut Check No.608: Waldman's Dynasty Check-In

Photo: Rhona Wise, USA Today Sports

How This Is Gonna Go . . .

This feature will provide links to my leagues and thoughts about each as a reference point for my recommendations on players to buy, sell, and hold in dynasty formats. You can see them at the end of the feature.

I'm in six fantasy leagues this year — all but one is a dynasty format. The one that isn't a dynasty league is a keeper league.

I love dynasty leagues, especially IDP formats. I loved them even more for the past two years because most rookie drafts take place in the spring, which was the only time I've had to devote to drafts.

Mrs. RSP was in law school for the past two years, and for the past two summers, we had to travel to Ithaca, New York — once for a mandatory immersion week and once for her graduation. With what I had to balance work-wise, there was no way I could do any re-draft leagues.

To underscore this point, I made mistakes in my keeper-league draft because my schedule was so wild this summer. You'll see I made a fortunate recovery, but I was consistently in a hurry to make my pick deadline.

If it weren't an industry league comprised of patient and understanding GMs who've been there before with crazy work-life balance during fantasy football season, I would have dropped out of the league knowing my scheduling challenges.

By the way, if you're ever in Ithaca, I highly recommend Ithaca Bakery.

This is by no means a definitive list. Mostly, these are players that come to mind easily for me as Buy-Sell-Hold.

Let's go.

Buy

Tyjae Spears: His well-rounded skills were on display as early as the opener. While the Titans' QB situation is bad today, it may not be next year. Even if it is, Spears could become a high-volume check-down option and lead option as a runner.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba: He's the perfect example of a "dented can" that Adam Harstad describes as valuable players getting sold off or passed over due to present circumstances. With both tackles injured in Week 1, the Seahawks could not employ 11 personnel (three receivers) as its base alignment. Next year (at the latest) will be different. I've seen nothing that indicates Smith-Njigba's skills and athletic ability are an issue.

Brandon Aiyuk: You will have to pay top dollar to get him from another team, but if you're in a start-up, he's a priority WR1 to build around and worth paying top dollar based on his age, offense, and rapport with Brock Purdy.

Sam LaPorta: He's another top-dollar buy or young anchor to build around. Jared Goff is likely the Lions' mid-term, if not long-term, solution for the next 3-4 years, and LaPorta will benefit from surrounding talent that stretches the field. He's not as athletic as Travis Kelce, but he may be the closest thing to Kelce regarding how he reads zone coverage and wins in the intermediate game.

Kyle Pitts: Absolutely buy if he's a "dented can" in value. It's unlikely Desmond Ridder will remain the Falcons' starter in 2024. Despite Jonnu Smith's production, a healthy Pitts with a better quarterback can be the 1-A/1-B complement to Drake London in Atlanta. If you can get either Pitts or London at a value, go for it because a better quarterback elevates this offense to a top-tier unit.

Dalton Kincaid: Not every league will have wise GMs who hold onto Kincaid. Considering last week, Kincaid was a top-six performer at the position while still targeted in a role that limits his potential. You need to know he has top-three upside once Josh Allen and Co. acclimate to what Kincaid can do.

Ja'Marr Chase: I love Justin Jefferson and Stefon Diggs, but Chase is right there with them, and if you're going to pay (or draft) premium players with long-term elite points potential, Chase is worth it.

Chris Olave: If you can get him at a dented-can price (anything below his 2022 fantasy value), do it. The issue with Olave's production isn't Olave.

Garrett Wilson: See Chris Olave. You probably won't get a taker, but it's worth checking.

Trey Lance: This is probably the period where Lance's value will be lowest. The Cowboys have a history of rebuilding their offensive lines, and there's a scenario where Lance could inherit this job with a good enough crew for him to thrive. I still believe in his potential value.

Justin Fields: If he survives this season, he'll remain a low-end QB1, at worst, in this system. If he doesn't, I'm betting he'll be in Atlanta, Arizona, or with another team that loses the Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, and Michael Penix derby in 2024. Fields in Atlanta would be an excellent fit.