When should the trade deadline be in dynasty football leagues?
It’s an interesting proposition as we see rolling deadlines across leagues, pointing to different preferences. Some prefer promoting activity when more teams are likely to be in it. Others would say more activity occurs once teams know if they’re buyers or sellers.
Either way, the goal is for leagues to make more moves. Trades are fun, and we should consider that objective of the highest value when determining the rules for our leagues.
If your league is pushing their deadline to the playoffs and allowing teams to load up right before it matters most, that can generate some serious activity. And for sellers, that means there’s some real opportunity.
Managers can’t help but push their chips in if they feel their team is one piece away and about to start the playoffs. And backup running backs are of the lowest value for a championship run.
If they can understand that, then it’s time for you to load up for next year.
Three Running Backs to Stash for 2024 and Beyond
Tyjae Spears, TEN
While I might just be stating the obvious at this point, I can’t in good faith not mention the golden situation facing Tyjae Spears. Derrick Henry is a free agent after this season and will turn 30 in January.
While his metrics are still fantastic and Henry is clearly a special athlete, one look at how Dalvin Cook’s free agency has gone should give you pause in how to treat Henry moving forward.
It will certainly be giving Tennessee pause as they decide what to do in what looks to be a very uncertain future. While Will Levis has been flashy, his metrics have been less than stellar. He holds a near bottom-of-the-league 34.4 QBR (slightly higher than Ryan Tannehill). His PFF grade is a paltry 53.2.
Regardless, a new quarterback next year and potentially offensive play caller as well represents hope. If the Titans can turn it around next year, Tyjae Spears stands to benefit in a big way.
His usage has proven that the Titans have plans for him in the future. His explosiveness has been on display, ranking fourth in yards after contact per attempt among running backs with 20+ rushing attempts this year. As a more than capable pass blocker, he may be a three-down starter next year. Buy now.
Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN
Speaking of explosiveness, ranking third on that list of yards after contact per attempt among running backs with 20+ rushing attempts this year? I know, it’s a mouthful.
But it’s Jaleel McLaughlin, as the heading of this section made as obvious as Spears is tops among running backs to stash. While the undrafted free agent has little to speak of from his days as a Youngstown State Penguin, his NFL career is much louder.
At 44 attempts, just four less than Spears on the season, McLaughlin has racked up an 82.2 PFF grade. That’s on the strength of both rushing and receiving with 6.1 yards per attempt on the ground and 22 targets through the air.
By contrast, Javonte Williams has a 66.3 PFF grade. Williams is averaging 3.9 yards per attempt on the ground. He ranks 27th in *deep breath* yards after contact per attempt among running backs with 20+ rushing attempts.
Williams has seen 26 targets through the air but with a significantly higher snap share. His dead cap is minimal next year and he is a free agent in 2025. I’d pick up some McLaughlin stocks if you’re looking for running backs to stash.
Tyler Allgeier, ATL
Even as fantasy managers complain about the lack of touches for Bijan Robinson, as far as production goes, Tyler Allgeier has been lying in his dust.
Still, surprisingly, Allgeier hasn’t seen a volume decrease from his 1,000-yard season in 2022. He’s certainly received more dud usage. Allgeier had only three games last season with less than 10 rushing attempts. This year he has four.
But as a whole, Allgeier’s set for 200 attempts in 16 games vs. 210 last year. He also has as many targets this year as he did in 2022.
What is wildly different is his efficiency. From averaging 4.9 yards per attempt his rookie season, Allegier now runs at a 3.2 per attempt clip. One look at the film in Atlanta shows mercilessly stacked boxes play after play. Teams bet on Desmond Ridder or Taylor Heinecke to throw the ball up for grabs.
If these splits continue, there is better production ahead for Allgeier if the Falcons get a real quarterback.
And if Robinson were to miss any time? Well, just like before his initial breakout, Allgeier will pay out as one of the sneakier running backs to stash.
Also check out our Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty