My favorite element of covering this great game is the engagement with readers and followers of my work. If you don’t see your question below, drop it below as a comment and I’ll be sure to give you an answer. If you’ve taken the time to ask, you deserve a response and I’ll make sure you get one!

As always, any referenced dynasty Trade Analyzer, player ranking or ADP data comes from DynastyLeagueFootball (DLF), the oldest and largest dynasty-centric site on the planet.

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Let’s get to it!

I’m in a 10-team dynasty league. We’ve been at it for 12 years. My mission right now is to decide whether or not to buy or tank. We have a couple of standout squads. I know I can compete for a playoff spot but I’m lacking RB depth, or assets to trade without blowing it up:

QB: Jalen Hurts, Desmond RidderWR: Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams, DK Metcalf, Mike Williams, Keenan AllenTE: Dallas Goedert, Pat FreiermuthRB: Tony Pollard, Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook, James Cook, Alvin Kamara, Raheem Mostert

Should I rebuild for another run, or give this squad another go? – Kyle E.

If you’re going to lack in one area, I’m fine with it being at running back, where each year there is so much uncertainty due to role, committee and injury. Pollard and Kamara are good enough to carry you, but Kamara’s looming legal issues could be a shot into your bow. I think you have enough to compete for one more year and, potentially, go deep into the playoffs. But, in doing so, if you come up short, you will likely come up shorter next year when age further erodes this nice lineup. If you are okay to start a rebuild, I recommend starting it now as long as you can get good return value for the assets.

Dynasty, 16 teams, 10 bench + 3 IR. My QBs entering the draft are Patrick Mahomes and Tyler Huntley. Since the league is so large and deep, the typical waiver wire QB will put up a 0 every week. I pick at 1.12 and 3.12 (44th). Do I need to be targeting Will Levis and/or Hendon Hooker in the first round? Should I try to move up for one of the top QBs? If not, who are the cheapest QBs who are likely to hold their job? — Keith H.

I’m not seeing an indication as to whether this is a SuperFlex format. If so, you need to prioritize quarterback at all cost. If it means it’s Levis at 1.12, so be it. I would even consider packaging to move up to ensure you get at least Levis. If this is a 1QB format, you’ve got time on your side with your team anchored by Mahomes. I wouldn’t force anything here, and 1.12 is almost certain to get you one of Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud.

ZeroRB strategy is the primary for every dynasty SuperFlex league, but a pass-catching “premier” RB is really the differentiator with championship teams. Yes, RBs get hurt, but the production drop off from a Top 5 RB vs. a Top 20 RB is drastically worse than WR. My question is, if everyone is going right, isn’t it time to go left? BTW, this is exactly what I did in my league to get CMC, Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, and Javonte Williams on my team. — Andrew W.

I don’t necessarily agree with the “ZeroRB” being the “primary” strategy for every SuperFlex league. I know many managers who still try to build around running backs. As I laid out in an earlier article, I think “RB light” is the way to go. Generally, I do agree with not following herd mentality but, to me, it comes down to the players available when you are on the clock. There’s nothing wrong with working your strategy and acquiring players you feel possess more value. In drafts, I usually allow ADP to be my guide, picking up players others don’t want due to herd mentality.

I have Saquon Barkley in my dynasty league and think it’s time to trade him. Do you think it’s too early to look to unload him and, if not, what kind of return should I target? — Scott H.

This is more a question about your own style and how competitive your team is. For myself, I much prefer to have production over unknown rookie picks unless I’m rebuilding. Barkley, if he remains healthy, is a top dynasty asset and should have at least another three years of serviceable production. As a running back, of course, injury and RBBC always loom. In rookie pick return value, looking at DLF’s Trade Analyzer, you’re looking at 1.02 in rookie selection value in 2023 and about the same level in 2024. I tend to agree with this valuation. Barkley no longer possesses multiple-first value unless the picks are later in the round. If you’re rebuilding, I’d be dealing him but, otherwise, I’m leaning into his production curve. If he retires off my roster, I’m fine with that.

Should I trade Ja’Marr Chase for Bijan Robinson? Chase is in his final keeper year, while Bijan can be tagged for the next three years. — Wayne A.

Always tough to trade away a top asset like Chase but if you aren’t going to be able to retain him, you have the green light from me to make that move.

General dynasty philosophy question. I’m a first-time dynasty manager and my rookie draft starts in a couple days. PPR league, and I’ve got some good players at RB, WR and TE, but no real “set em and forget em” studs. Does it make better sense to draft for immediate team needs, or draft into team strengths to keep ‘em strong? Thanks for the insight! — Glen S.

Great question, Glen. There’s no specific strategy you must follow as each draft offers up different stratification related to talent and depth. And, of course, your team will change year over year as well. I tend to focus more on talent level of players over drafted situation or team needs. That said, if I have a dire need at a position, I will look to fill it as long as I can do so without greatly sacrificing the quality of the player. For example, in the 2023 rookie draft, if I needed running back, I would prioritize Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs, but I would not force a selection of Devon Achane ahead of the top receivers next in my tier list, and maybe not even the top tight end. Focus on talent when you can. You can always move excess depth later.

Starting a dynasty league this year, so I really don’t want to mess this draft up. A part of me says just draft QBs and WRs since they tend to be most reliable and figure out other positions later. Is this a viable strategy? — Benjamin B.

Firstly, no one ever plans to “mess up” the draft. It usually happens due to a lack of preparation and getting lost in position runs when you feel you are losing out. For a new draft, the best thing for you to do is to ensure you understand the tiers of the players within each position, and cross them off as they are selected. Then, when overlayed with your build strategy, it will help you identify the quality left on the board when you are on the clock. Generally, I now build my teams through my receivers and I’m not afraid to overdraft my first quarterback ahead of more popular ADP. But, if a player tier is exhausted, I don’t force picks out of fear of missing out. I see each player as an equation of known and unknown variables and I allow my confidence of the “known” to be my guide.

Do you believe in New England’s offense and am I crazy to be targeting Mac Jones and other Patriots pieces in dynasty at rock bottom prices? — Jp G.

Crazy? No. But the question is more about how soon to “target” particular players. I’m a big believer in understanding schemes in the NFL and not forcing a draft selection if a combination of the player’s history and the scheme that he plays in suggests he’s a poor bet. One big mistake I see dynasty managers make is trying to be smarter than everyone else and being too bold in making predictive selections. The trend is your friend when it comes to player production and NFL scheme. When looking at New England, until proven otherwise, outside of Rhamondre Stevenson, the team is a fantasy wasteland and I’m not betting that any of the players are going to break out of that trend any time soon. It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be drafted, but they are players I’ll draft well after their current ADP.

I traded away Gerald Everett and I’m planning on going into my season with Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid, Mike Gesicki and Isaiah Likely as my tight ends in my dynasty league. Did I make a huge mistake? — Samuel H.

A huge mistake? Not in my book. Everett has held promise every year, and has not yet delivered in a meaningful way. It doesn’t mean 2023 isn’t his year but I’m not convinced this is his breakout season. The tight end position is one of the most difficult to project in the NFL and, every year, new players rise out of anonymity to be Top 8 players. Investing in this year’s rookies, from a tight end draft class that is arguably the best we’ve ever seen, is fine when the other options are pedestrian-level veteran producers.

How many years of alpha wideout status can we expect from Davante Adams? I was offered Adams and a 2024 (likely early-ish) first rounder for Chris Olave in my dynasty 1QB league. My roster is already super young — my other starting wideouts are Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tee Higgins, Jerry Jeudy, D.J. Moore and DeVonta Smith. Also worth noting, I already have draft capital (a first, two seconds, three thirds). — Xtian B.

With most top receivers, I start getting nervous at 31. Adams is so good, so crafty and relatively durable that I think he has at least three more years — basically until after his age-32 season. But know that a big factor in a receiver’s success is quarterback quality, and the Raiders don’t have it. That puts Adams in risk-on mode for me. I’m still trying to acquire him as a veteran production anchor as long as I can get him for a young player plus a second-round rookie selection or a late first. I happen to be very high on Olave so I don’t think I’d be making that deal.

I’m in a 16-team dynasty SuperFlex auction league. I have Dalvin Cook, whose been a keeper and workhorse for several years. He costs me about 11% of my budget. What do I do with him this season?! — Phillip T.

If you are competitive, I’m holding Cook and hoping he signs in Miami. If he signs with the Patriots or the Jets, I won’t be pleased. If you are not competitive, I’d be waiting for the chance to sell him high(er) if he does sign in Miami. His current value is at a career low and I won’t sell into the uncertainty. I’d take the gamble that he takes less money to go “home” and play in a high-octane offense, which will raise his value as soon as the news hits. Outside of Miami, you’re looking at a very late first or second round rookie selection in return value, and I’ve seen worse than that. I’d rather hold than move him for what amounts to a 25% chance at drafted success.

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