Roundtable: Dynasty Trade Strategies

A high-leverage method to strengthen your roster is to make trades. But that can be a double-edged sword - especially in a dynasty context. The potential reward: a higher probability of bringing home a championship trophy. The risk: you'll alienate your leaguemates to the point where they'll refuse to deal with you in the future.

Check out these insights from the Footballguys staff on what to do - and not do - when engaging in dynasty trade talks.

Initiating Trades

How do you identify potential trade partners? What method of contacting them nets the best/worst results? What are the most important factors you consider when constructing a dynasty league trade offer?

Jason Wood - I start by figuring out which managers have a need I can fill or a player I want. I scan rosters, look at standings, and see who is deep at a position where I am light. A quick DM with a personal note gets the best results. Just tossing out a cold offer without context usually goes nowhere. When I create an offer, I want it to feel fair and solve a problem for both parties. If it is a big need for me, I don't mind slightly overpaying to get it done.

Josh Fahlsing - I look for a team whose weaknesses match up to my strengths and whose strengths match up with my weaknesses. Sometimes I'll send a quick text message, but usually I just formulate the offer and send it. If it's a good, well-thought-out offer, it shouldn't need any explanation. Honestly, one of the fastest ways to get me to click "reject" is to offer me a lengthy explanation of all the reasons I should accept your offer. Trust that the other manager knows his or her team and understands the dynamics of your specific league and dynasty theory in general. If the offer needs further explanation, it probably wasn't a great offer ... and the other manager will let you know.

Meng Song - The best way to get a trade done is to look at your potential trade partner's roster from his or her point of view. What are the team's needs? If that team has Saquon Barkley, De'Von Achane, Chase Brown, Puka Nacua, and no other good wide receivers, it doesn't make any sense to offer Jahmyr Gibbs for Nacua. However, it might be perfect to offer Nico Collins for Achane. A good rule of thumb in fantasy trades, and for life in general, is to understand the needs of others.

David Zacharias - Seek win-win deals; lopsided offers (and clearly uneven deals) sour the league vibe. Look for active trade partners who have strength/depth where you are weak/shorthanded - and vice versa. Start by identifying who has posted trade bait, as those franchises are overtly interested in making a deal. If a clear win-win match is evident, make your trade offer straight away. Send a private message to those who haven't posted trade bait, inquiring about their potential interest in a trade, before spending energy on concocting an offer.

Jeff Haseley - I will look for an area of weakness and try to upgrade or improve in that area. Generally, I will target a team I have traded with in the past. It's always good to go back to the well, plus you can at least expect a reply in most cases, and that reply could lead to a counteroffer.

Jeff Blaylock - There is only one correct answer to the question, "Who won this trade?" It's both trading partners. The goal should not be winning a lopsided trade, but rather improving your roster while making your trade partner happy. Before initiating a trade, I review every other roster to see where I can help them and where they can help me. I begin trade negotiations by DM-ing my potential partner to ask what they think about a trade that I believe benefits them. If they're interested, we proceed from there, building the trade together.

Maurile Tremblay - I start by mapping every roster and timeline (contender/retool/rebuild) to find managers whose needs match my surplus, then send a quick DM to confirm goals and fire a fair, near-final offer that actually solves their problem, often using a pick to smooth value. I skip cold lowballs and league-wide "trade bait" posts, keep explanations tight, and give space to reply. Steady, respectful dealing builds a reputation that makes future swaps easier.

Responding to Offers