This time of the season is different because the forces and inequities between trading partners are at their highest. In the regular season, teams have a variety of trading partners. This creates a competitive trading market that can foster a diversity of trade offers.
However, in the playoffs, the forces are different. In leagues with trading still open, teams out of the playoffs can have huge leverage on teams still contending.
Dealing With the Justin Herbert Injury
No bigger example in recent memory exists than Justin Herbert. Herbert broke his finger in week 14 and will miss the remainder of the season. Herbert has averaged 17.9 points per game and has been QB12 in points per game on the season. He has disappointed his expectations on the season, he was a contending player on contending Superflex teams likely in the playoffs.
His injury creates a major hole for playoff teams losing Herbert. Half of the teams in a 12-team league will have no incentive to trade a quarterback to the Herbert team. This creates a strong opportunity to sell to the Herbert team. If you combine a lesser quarterback with some non-long-term non-quarterbacks, you may be able to create an offer before week 15 that would never have been accepted in the first three months of the season.
When looking to make these trades, focus on trading present production for the long-term high-priced asset of Herbert.
To get a sense of the market, here are some recent actual trades from MyFantasyLeague.com leagues. Every league is different of course, but these trades in existing real leagues can give you a pretty good feel for the cost and type of trade packages in the market.
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In a Superflex league:
- Trade Away: Justin Fields
- Trade For: Justin Herbert and a 2024 3rd-round rookie pick
In a Superflex league:
- Trade Away: Jordan Love and Austin Ekeler
- Trade For: Justin Herbert
In a Superflex league:
- Trade Away: Brock Purdy in a 2024 3rd-round rookie pick
- Trade For: Justin Herbert
These trades are strong pivots to a high-end, long-term dynasty asset for shorter-term assets.
If you are trading Justin Herbert, try to stay in the same asset class by adding to Herbert in a trade offer.
In a Superflex league:
- Trade Away: Justin Herbert and Michael Mayer
- Trade For: Jalen Hurts and Antonio Gibson
In a Superflex league:
- Trade Away: Justin Herbert, 2025 1st and 2025 3rd round rookie picks
- Trade For: Patrick Mahomes II
Both trades give up Herbert but add to him to stay among the elites at the quarterback position. If you are a contender, refrain from giving up Herbert for shorter-term plays. Your long-term odds will take a hit bigger than the trade will improve your dynasty team.