Week 11 Dynasty Notebook: Strategizing Draft Pick Trading for the Rest of the Season

We've reached the part of the fantasy football season where dynasty managers need to take a good look at their rosters and make an honest assessment about where they are at. If you're looking to lock up a first-round bye or if you're already looking to next season, there are pertinent moves you can and should be making regarding your future draft picks.

Guide To Draft Pick Trading In Dynasty Leagues

Your team is in 9th-12th

It's looking pretty unlikely that you're going to make the playoffs this season, unless you're near the upper end of this tier and have some easier matchups coming up. Either way, let's assume this team is not playoff-bound.

With that in mind, there are a few things you can do:

First, if your team has a young, solid core and you have had more than a few matchups not go your way, it's okay to not make many/any moves regarding your future picks. This also applies if you dealt with injuries to players like Malik Nabers or Omarion Hampton. If the "bones" of your team are solid, there's no reason to tear it down or make drastic changes.

Second, if your team is aging and your championship window is likely closed, it's time to start identifying any pieces of your team that do have value. Your goal is to sell those assets to playoff-bound teams who are looking to shore up their rosters. It's okay to wait a few weeks until your league has a trade deadline or even later if your league doesn't have one. Start looking to accumulate future picks.

Your team is in 5th-8th

This is arguably the worst spot to be in because your team likely has the pieces to sneak into the playoffs, but you aren't one of the premier squads in your league. Despite your somewhat disadvantageous position, there are prudent moves to consider:

First, if your "points scored" number is strong, meaning you're near the top of your league in terms of total points scored on the season, consider selling off a future pick to bolster the backend of your team. I'm thinking of someone like Tee Higgins, who is clearly the WR2 on his own team but has week-winning upside.

Second, if you've ridden a string of good fortune to a fringe-playoff spot, it might be time to thank your lucky stars and just ride out the season. You have a decent team, but have had more than a few matchups go your way. If you make the playoffs, great! Anything can happen once you're there. However, if you don't, that's fine. We can revisit your team in the offseason and go from there.

Your team is in 3rd-4th

Opportunities like this don't come around as often as we'd like, so let's make the most of them. Even so, it's important to not go overboard when gearing up for a playoff run. Let's dive in:

First, if you are in the top four in terms of points scored, stay the course. Your record and league standing are in line with the true nature of your team. Don't hesitate to swap future picks for that missing piece. This could include the aforementioned Higgins or someone like Chris Olave.

Second, if you've ridden a string of good fortune to this spot, it might be time to thank your lucky stars and ride out the season. You have a good team, but may have had more than a few matchups go your way. Anything can happen once you're in the playoffs.

Your team is in 1st-2nd

This is where we start to push the chips toward the middle of the table. You're looking to lock up a first-round bye, which is so crucially important in fantasy football. Since it's a weekly game, you want to avoid as much variance as possible, and removing one game altogether does just that.

Start looking at securing the handcuffs for your top RBs and grabbing another viable TE for added depth, just in case. Your roster has probably experienced excellent health thus far, but let's not tempt the powers that be any longer than needed. Look for players like Davante Adams who can absolutely win you a title this year but won't cost you a ton because of their age.

Those are the types of moves you should be making to win a fantasy football title this season.