The Dynasty Trading Post: Week 3

Photo: USA Today Sports

Welcome to the dynasty trading post, where optimizing strategy, roster construction, format, and player value oscillations are examined weekly in example and completed dynasty trades.

QUARTERBACKS

Theme of the Week: Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Rush, Jared Goff

Jimmy Garoppolo takes over the 49ers after Trey Lance's season-ending ankle injury in Week 2. Once under center, Garoppolo fostered a high-floor outcome to the 49ers passing game and reasons for optimism in future weeks. Garoppolo was already undervalued in dynasty as a quarterback with an extended profile of NFL starts and being in a backup role at present. Now, being thrust back into the 2022 starting role, Garoppolo offers a rest-of-season outlook for QB2 production with QB1 moments for premium format teams in need of a boost or depth.

Cooper Rush fell flat in his Week 1 relief appearance when Dallas overall was overwhelmed by a dominant (two weekly data points now) Tampa Bay defense. Rush is a possible buy or sell candidate depending on individual league market dynamics with starts in front of him (TBD on Dak Prescott's recovery and arrival date back under center) and Michael Gallup likely back in the lineup soon. The emergence of Noah Brown in Week 2 does not hurt either.

Jared Goff and the Lions' passing game (and offense overall) have been sneaky strong through two weeks. Goff is fourth in the NFL in passing touchdowns and has navigated pressure well. D.J. Chark has untapped upside beyond Amon-Ra St.Brown's torrid season start, and T.J. Hockenson has yet to produce much. Goff, like Carson Wentz, was largely left for dynasty dead this past offseason, and both are producing within friendly offensive confines early in the season.

• Key trade idea: Treylon Burks for Garoppolo

If selling Garoppolo to a team who just lost Trey Lance or is otherwise light at quarterback, aim high and seek slow-starting profiles. If a May 2022 trade, this is Garoppolo for a mid-1st. Even in August or September, this is Garoppolo for a shade-later 1st. Bolster wide receiver, or a receiver plus a pick, with trading Garoppolo to a team in need.

• Key trade idea: 23 2nd for Rush

This is the max to expect from the market if selling Rush. The negative with Rush compared to say Jimmy Garoppolo or Jacoby Brissett is Rush's expected starts are significantly lower. The typical buy-sell line is more of a 23 3rd than a 2nd. If a buyer, explore a tempered veteran or Garoppolo for a 2nd or less rather than Rush for a similar or slightly cheaper price.

• Key trade idea: Cordarrelle Patterson, 23 2nd for Goff

RUNNING BACKS

Theme of the Week: Darrell Henderson, Leonard Fournette

Darrell Henderson is an exploration sell this week as Cam Akers, even without a big boxscore, encrouched on Henderson's clear Week 1 starting role in Week 2. Also, the Rams are anemic in HLO score, which severely limits running back upside. If Akers continues to eat into Henderson's touches in Week 3, the sell window for Henderson will largely be gone and he is just another committee (or primary backup) running back.