Grade the Trade

Photo: Mitchell Layton, USA Today Sports

Welcome back to Grade the Trade, where our Footballguys staffers discuss dynasty trades that they have been making. In this article, we have one trade with two very interesting pieces of analysis on it.

The Trade

League Format: 12-team SF PPR

• Sent: 2.06, 3.06
• Received: WR Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers

Diontae Johnson has recently found a new home in Carolina. I predict that he will be a volume monster for Bryce Young! I like the deal because I was able to trade for a player I think has a really good chance at producing with two assets that are both dart throws to have any high levels of production.

I initially offered a second, and the Johnson manager declined it. I am always willing to throw in an extra third or fourth-round rookie pick to get a deal done, so I tried that and the other manager accepted it. Those picks hold such low odds of actually hitting that it's worth it to me to get a deal done that I want.

Comments

Leo Paciga's Grade: A

I love this deal if we apply a lens to the values of this specific trade. I also love it if we look at it as a strategy.

One of the best aspects of the dynasty format is being draft-active, having draft capital to invest into a rookie class, OR having the capital to take advantage of the trade window that gets thrust open in every league during the weeks leading up to the NFL draft. Even in a deep class, a mid-2nd/mid-3rd combo has a fairly high miss rate in rookie drafts, even for experienced dynasty players. Rebuilding or title-chasing, I'll take the 27-year-old WR with 3 seasons of 80+ receptions under his belt over those 2 picks. If adding the 3.06 was the piece that pushed this deal over the top, then take note because adding a third may be the key to completing future deals with that specific manager.

This deal is a great example of maximizing the intersection of trade window and pick value.