Two weeks into the season is far too short a sample size to pull the rip cord on the season. However, some may already be looking toward 2026. The next few weeks are critical for poking and prodding the bottom teams in your dynasty league for trading opportunities and letting them know you are active and open to trading when the time comes on their end. Here are tips and tricks, starting now and continuing through the gauntlet of teams deciding if they are in or out on the season to contend and navigate the dynasty trade market:
Contend Until Eliminated
It is easy to throw in the towel early in the season, at 0-2, 0-3, or 0-4, and shift your focus to other contending dynasty teams. However, I have numerous personal examples of making the playoffs after a disappointing September, as well as countless stories from subscribers and listeners. Like with NFL teams, this includes where you need two wins to close the regular season, and also requires help from teams that are losing but still in the hunt.
The Power of Time and Attrition
You may have been stung with early-season injuries and missed games like Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, Joe Burrow, Brian Thomas Jr., A.J. Brown, Mark Andrews, and others. However, being in the volume running back business (and backup quarterbacks in Superflex) means time is your friend. If any starter from a leaguemate's roster at running back or quarterback is out, you stand to benefit (most likely) in at least one of your leagues. Like an interception adding to your defense's fantasy tally and hurting your opponent's quarterback score, there is a dual benefit to you in these injury situations.
The skill is being patient to allow time and attrition to benefit you. We have not yet been hammered by running back injuries. Aaron Jones Sr. was the 1B in Minnesota, and Joe Mixon was hurt, with an ominous forecast back in August. In a typical year, more than 50 quarterbacks start an NFL game, and Week 2 pummeled the position with Joe Burrow, J.J. McCarthy, and Justin Fields adding to Brock Purdy already on the shelf. The time value of being patient benefits those who are piling up primary backup (and sometimes tertiary) options while waiting for the injury attrition. Week 3 is still early to truly reap the dual benefits of subtraction from their lineups and addition to yours.
Attack Bottom-Dwelling Teams
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