Building a Dynasty Fantasy Football team is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires a nuanced approach that blends immediate competitiveness with long-term planning. This is not just about winning this year but about constructing a roster that can sustain success over many seasons.
To achieve this, one must master the art of drafting, trading, and managing a roster with an eye on both current performance and future potential. Below is a strategic blueprint for building a Dynasty Fantasy Football team that can dominate for years. There are so many different factors and variables that go into creating the perfect fantasy team over a long-term period, however, I did my best to cover many of the key things that one should consider.
Basic Strategy for Building a Winning Dynasty Football Team
Prioritize Youth with Upside
The initial draft in a dynasty league sets the tone for your team’s future, making it arguably the most critical component of your strategy. The draft should be approached with the mindset of building a team that can compete immediately while also having a core that can grow and develop over time. While drafting established veterans might give you an edge in the first season or two, prioritizing young players who possess high upside ensures that your team remains competitive for the long haul.
When considering youth, it’s essential to assess not only the player’s talent but also their situation. For example, a rookie wide receiver drafted by a team with a high-powered offense and a solid quarterback (like Ja’Marr Chase joining Joe Burrow in Cincinnati) is more likely to succeed early in their career and provide long-term value. The key is identifying these young talents before they explode into stardom securing them as foundational pieces for your team.
However, it’s crucial not to overlook the value of drafting a few proven veterans who are still in their prime. These players can stabilize your team and provide leadership, both on the field and within your fantasy lineup. A player like Davante Adams, who consistently produces at a high level, can be the anchor your team needs while younger players develop. Balancing these veterans with high-upside young players creates a well-rounded roster capable of competing immediately and in the future.
Moreover, don’t ignore the importance of depth. Injuries and bye weeks are inevitable, and having young, high-upside players stashed on your bench can be the difference between a championship run and an early exit. Players like Kyren Williams, who was a valuable backup before breaking out, can be league-winners when given the opportunity.
Balance Win-Now with Future Potential
A successful dynasty team doesn’t just focus on one aspect of the game but rather blends immediate competitiveness with long-term potential. This delicate balance is where many dynasty managers falter, either by focusing too heavily on winning now and mortgaging their future or by accumulating too many young, unproven players and failing to compete in the present.
To find this balance, consider dividing your roster into tiers. Your first tier should consist of players who are either in their prime or approaching it—players who can deliver elite performances right now. Think of players like Christian McCaffrey, who, despite his injury history, remains a top fantasy asset when healthy. These players are your win-now pieces and should form the backbone of your current lineup.
The second tier should consist of younger players who have shown potential but may not yet be consistent fantasy producers. These are players who might not carry your team this year but could become stars in the next year or two. For example, a player like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who enters the league with a high pedigree but may need time to develop, fits perfectly into this category. By having a mix of established stars and budding talents, you ensure that your team remains competitive while also preparing for the future.
Trades are a vital tool in maintaining this balance. In a scenario where your team starts strong, trading future draft picks for established veterans can give you the edge needed to secure a championship. Conversely, if your team is struggling and it’s clear that a championship run is unlikely, trading aging stars for young players or future draft picks can set you up for success in future seasons. The key is to be flexible and willing to adapt your strategy based on how the season unfolds.
Moreover, the concept of “windows” is crucial in dynasty leagues. Your team’s window to compete for a championship might be two to three years, depending on your roster’s construction. Understanding when your window is open and making moves to maximize that opportunity is essential. Conversely, knowing when your window is closing and beginning a rebuild by acquiring young assets and draft capital can prevent your team from falling into mediocrity.
Emphasize Positional Value and Roster Construction
In dynasty football, positional value is a critical consideration that significantly impacts roster construction. Each position has its own lifespan and value curve, which must be understood and exploited to build a successful dynasty team. While redraft leagues often see managers chase the immediate upside, dynasty leagues require a more calculated approach, especially when it comes to the longevity of players at different positions.
Running backs, for example, are often the most valuable position in the short term due to their ability to produce elite fantasy points, but they also have the shortest shelf life. The physical demands of the position lead to a quicker decline, which is why it’s crucial to approach the running back position with both caution and aggression. Drafting a young, high-upside running back like Bijan Robinson early in his career can pay dividends, but you must also be aware that his peak years may only last for four to five seasons.
In contrast, wide receivers tend to have longer careers and a more gradual decline, making them excellent cornerstone pieces for a dynasty team. Players like Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb, who have already established themselves as top fantasy assets at a young age, are the types of players you can build your team around for years. Investing in wide receivers during your initial draft and rookie drafts ensures you have a stable core that can sustain your team’s competitiveness over time.
Quarterbacks are another key position in dynasty leagues, especially in Superflex formats, where you can start two quarterbacks. The longevity of elite quarterbacks makes them invaluable assets. Players like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, who are likely to remain top fantasy performers for a decade or more, should be prioritized. Even in standard one-quarterback leagues, having a young, elite quarterback like Joe Burrow or C.J. Stroud can provide consistency and stability for years, allowing you to focus on building depth at other positions.
Tight ends present a unique challenge in dynasty leagues due to the scarcity of elite options. Players like Travis Kelce have been dominant for years, but his age is a factor to consider in dynasty formats. Investing in young tight ends with the potential to become elite, such as Kyle Pitts, who entered the league with unprecedented expectations, can provide a significant advantage. However, tight ends typically take longer to develop, so patience is required when investing in this position.
In summary, a balanced roster construction that takes into account the longevity and value curve of each position is essential in dynasty leagues. While running backs can provide immediate value, wide receivers, quarterbacks, and tight ends often offer longer-term stability. Understanding these nuances and drafting accordingly will help you build a team that is not only competitive today but also in the years to come.
Leverage Rookie Drafts and the Waiver Wire
The rookie draft is an annual opportunity to infuse your dynasty team with new talent, and it’s one of the most exciting aspects of dynasty leagues. Success in the rookie draft can set your team up for years while missing on picks can leave you scrambling to catch up. Therefore, it’s crucial to approach the rookie draft with a well-researched strategy that balances immediate needs with long-term potential.
One of the most important factors in rookie drafts is understanding draft capital. Players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft generally have a higher likelihood of success due to the investment their teams have made in them. For instance, a first-round running back like Jahmyr Gibbs, who enters the league with a high draft pedigree, should be prioritized over later-round picks. However, it’s also essential to look beyond just draft capital and consider the player’s landing spot, the team’s offensive scheme, and the opportunity for playing time.
In addition to the rookie draft, the waiver wire is a valuable resource in dynasty leagues, though it operates differently than in redraft leagues. Instead of focusing on weekly plug-and-play options, the dynasty waiver wire is about identifying long-term assets that may develop into valuable contributors. This requires a deep understanding of NFL rosters and depth charts, as well as the ability to project future opportunities for young players.
For example, in 2023, players like Puka Nacua and De’Von Achane, who were relatively unknown heading into the season, emerged as valuable assets thanks to increased opportunities and strong performances. Managers who were quick to identify and add these players from the waiver wire gained significant value, often at little to no cost. In dynasty leagues, it’s essential to stay active on the waiver wire, even during the offseason, as players’ values can change rapidly based on injuries, trades, or coaching changes.
Moreover, trading for future draft picks is a common strategy in dynasty leagues, especially if your team is in the middle of a rebuild or retooling. Accumulating first and second-round picks can give you the flexibility to move up in the draft or secure multiple young, high-upside players. However, it’s important to strike a balance between accumulating picks and building a competitive roster. Draft picks are valuable, but they are not guaranteed to hit, so pairing them with established players or using them to move up in the draft for a target player can maximize their value.
Continue to Evaluate and Adapt
In dynasty leagues, the landscape is constantly evolving, and successful managers are those who can adapt to these changes. Continuous evaluation of your roster, as well as the rosters of your league-mates, is crucial in maintaining a competitive edge. This involves not only assessing the current performance of your players but also projecting their future value based on factors such as age, injury history, and changes in their team’s situation.
What are your key strategies for building a winning dynasty football team? Drop some knowledge in the comments below and then make sure to check out our 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit for more great rankings and analysis.