The New Reality No. 262: Dynasty Trade Deadline

The dynasty trade deadline begins in some leagues as early as the Week 11 kickoff, less than two weeks away. The key window is upon dynasty teams to explore team direction-specific trades, whether in or out for the 2026 season. Reference New Reality 238, which breaks down how to assess your team strength beyond a win-loss record. Also, hedge on the side of contending. With five weeks to go in the regular season for most dynasty leagues, even being out of the sixth spot (typical playoff cut-off) by two games offers a legitimate chance to make a run. Be realistic but optimistic. A 3-6 record this week is where the odds are historically dismal and require a couple of wins in a row to get back to a dart-throw shot.

Additionally, something Jordan McNamara and I have frequently discussed on the Footballguys Dynasty Show in the past (and currently on the Dynasty Think Tank Show) is the significant difference between not contending this season and still maintaining a focus on contending the following season. Making a trade tilted for the future beyond the current season is different from gutting a team and creating a steeper uphill climb to compete the following year.

Here are suggested target players, at each position, by team direction, with their likely cost:

Contending Teams

The biggest pieces of advice for contending team trades are:

Make a dynasty trade. Carefully select player profiles that are durable beyond 2026, ideally aiding your title journey for multiple seasons. Generally, older, productive players are the ideal subset, as their price is a fraction of that of their younger peers who are similarly productive due to age erosion in the trade market.

Older running backs are typically some of the more treacherous acquisitions if paying a premium, which is why the suggested roster-building methodology includes strongly utilizing the waiver wire, as well as drafting them in rookie drafts, thereby preventing the need to trade for the position.

If trading away a future pick (as a contender), include 2027 picks instead of 2028. The phrase that applies here is "control the controllable." The known is that you are a contender this year - the biggest factor in where those 2027 picks reside within the round. The 2028 picks are unknown, especially relative to the data points known for 2027 picks. Being nine weeks into this season is a significant advantage to projecting pick ranges compared to a null set of data, yet known from the 2027 season.

QB Aaron Rodgers, Steelers

When combining remaining schedule, dynasty cost, and job security this season, Rodgers offers plenty of efficiency. The schedule, whether the rest of the regular season (bye week already behind them), or in the postseason, is optimistic with no clear avoid matchups. Baltimore (could be out of it by then) in Week 15, Carolina in Week 16, and Tennessee in Week 17 are a quality sequence in the playoffs. The trade market ranges from a future 2nd all the way to a future 4th. Start with offering a 3rd or a 3rd plus 4th is a middle-ground proposal. If Rodgers ends up playing in 2027, it will be a windfall dynasty trade return.

RB Josh Jacobs, Packers

Jacobs is a luxury add for a contender as he may miss a few weeks with a finger injury (and surgery) in the near term. However, he was the only Packers running back to produce fantasy-wise in spite of a rough offensive line. Jacobs is an auto-start option, and the expectation would be that he is back by the fantasy playoffs, at a minimum, and potentially earlier. While Jacobs' contract allegiance is finished with Green Bay after this season, at 28 years old, his viability as a starting running back will continue. At RB25 in dynasty value, he is already on the low end of starters. Jacobs for Jordan Mason, 27 2nd and Jacobs for 28 2nd, 3rd are example deals to scoop up more Jacobs shares.

WR DK Metcalf, Steelers

Metcalf is cheap within the scope of dynasty wide receivers. The schedule is ideal, with only Denver in Week 12 as an avoid matchup remaining and four glaring ideal matchups (CIN W10, HOU W13, JAX W14, and TEN W17). At WR49, Metcalf is coming off a bye week and two down games in a row previously, making him an ideal acquisition before the trade deadline by a contender. Metcalf is averaging eight targets per game, and the trade market is between a 2nd and a 3rd+ in terms of price.

TE George Kittle, 49ers

Death, taxes, and George Kittle being underrated in dynasty. An older tight end with a historic profile can come at a discount if their dynasty team falls out of the playoff race. Kittle enjoys a current 49ers passing game without Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr. Brock Purdy is as elite as any quarterback this season for fantasy attachment. Kittle at TE9 in the dynasty market offers a discount as one of the few tight ends who can challenge or neutralize a playoff opponent with Trey McBride or Brock Bowers in a one- or two-game sample. 

Non-Contending Teams