Dynasty Trading Post: High-Leverage Running Backs

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

This week, we'll focus on the trade market for high-variance running backs Jonathon Brooks and Christian McCaffrey.

All trades are Superflex unless stated otherwise

RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina

Jonathon Brooks' debut in Week 12 was as quiet as a mouse, with a mere five snaps and no impact on Chuba Hubbard's lead role. Brooks is a fascinating case study of how the general fantasy and dynasty crowd acknowledged 2024 was likely a lost season for Brooks due to a significant knee injury late last season. However, as the weeks have dragged on without his return to play this season, Brooks' trade value has waned and now offers a buying opportunity. Throughout, Brooks was more of a 2025 proposition, and the new Chuba Hubbard contract offers pessimism to a clear starting role for Brooks. However, the reminder is that Hubbard's contract is not as optimistic as initially reported with guaranteed money (looks worse than Rhamondre Stevenson's recent contract as a point of comparison), and Brooks was a top-50 selection. This depth chart could easily flip by the end of the season or especially by Week 1.

• Brooks, 2nd for Terry McLaurin
• Brooks, Jaylen Wright for Courtland Sutton
• Brooks, Keon Coleman for Jayden Reed
• Brooks, 1st, 2nd for Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason

The first two deals are classic veteran wide receiver flips in-season when having a quality string of production for future assets and insulation. The highlight of the last trade for Christian McCaffrey is how possessing the primary backup (Jordan Mason in this case) can help grease the wheels and make a trade execution easier for a contender looking to add an older running back like McCaffrey. That likely clinched the trade or even made adding the 2nd round pick possible here.