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

This week, we'll focus on the trade market of Nick Chubb, Travis Etienne Jr., and Jaylen Waddle. All three have provided almost no lineup utility this season. Yet, their macro profiles are of productive and vibrant pedigree. These 'ugly' profiles offer value when betting on a future bounce-back opportunity.

All trades are Superflex unless stated otherwise

RB Nick Chubb, Cleveland

Nick Chubb was generally viewed as a 2025 proposition after his significant 2023 knee injury. Yet, the optics of Chubb being a shell of himself and the Browns floundering overall this season are difficult not to affect his market value. Chubb is an injured older running back entering a free agent offseason and projected to be coming off a lost season. That combination alone fosters minimal appeal for dynasty startup drafts and trading during the calendar span where rookie picks, breakout optimism, and the next big thing are forefront ideas. Chubb has been one of the best running backs during his career span, however, and the reminder is that 2024 would be a lost season. Here are recent Nick Chubb trades to buy the profile whether a contender or non-contender team.

• Chubb for 25 2nd
• Chubb for Rashod Bateman
• Chubb, David Njoku for Deebo Samuel Sr. (0.5 TE Premium)
• Chubb, Christian Kirk for Rhamondre Stevenson

The key for acquiring Chubb as a contender would be using a non-round 1 selection. For non-contenders, using shorter-term assets like Rhamondre Stevenson or Deebo Samuel Sr. for Chubb+ are perfect compositions. 

RB Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville

Travis Etienne Jr. is RB39 in PPG on the season with a high-water mark of 14.8 points back in Week 2. Etienne has yet to hit 70 rushing yards in a game and the receiving element has been tepid as well with one game of more than 20 yards. In short, this has been a lost year for the former Round 1 pick. That said, the macro view is Etienne is locked in with Jacksonville on his fifth-year option for 2025 and has the pedigree (production and draft position) to be the RB1 over Tank Bigsby. Etienne's lack of production, the bleak outlook for Jacksonville overall for the rest of the season, and Etienne turning 26 in the offseason are all supporting evidence for Etienne to garner a discount in the trade market.

• Etienne for 25 2nd
• Etienne, Nick Chubb for J.K. Dobbins
• Etienne, 25 1st for James Cook, 25 2nd

The James Cook trade is outstanding for a non-contending to acquire a future 1st as well. J.K. Dobbins is an upcoming free agent and the pivot to proven profiles of Etienne and Chubb offer two opportunities to easily win the trade.

WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami

Waddle is the Travis Etienne Jr. version of the wide receiver position. Waddle has not missed a trove of games but is WR70 in PPG. Despite his speed and productive profile, Waddle has not produced 10+ points since Week 1. Tyreek Hill has also had a disappointing season, but not to the level of Waddle. Miami's overall offense has lost its explosive plays, even with Tua Tagovailoa active for roughly half of the games. Waddle is old enough and unproductive enough this season to garner a hearty discount if you are willing to buy for the long haul.

• Waddle for Austin Ekeler, Amari Cooper
• Waddle, 26 1st for Baker Mayfield
• Waddle, Stefon Diggs for Deebo Samuel Sr., 26 3rd
• Waddle, 27 4th for 25 2nd, 27 3rd

Leveraging a contender needing a quarterback is an ideal way to acquire Jaylen Waddle and a secondary piece like in the Baker Mayfield trade. Mayfield is generally traded for a 1st+, with Waddle functioning as the plus in this case. Amari Cooper and Austin Ekeler are both upcoming free agents and helpful to a contender; pivoting to Waddle is another win-win construction. As a contender, using a mid-to-later 2nd as a universal currency to add shares of Waddle is another avenue.

Check out all of Chad Parsons' content at Footballguys.