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 wide receiver position's slow start and injury ambiguity.

*All trades are Superflex unless stated otherwise*

WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City

Theme of the Week: No News is Good News

Rashee Rice is one of the key players of the week. In addition to being in the middle of a massive breakout season, Rice's knee injury in Week 4 had the assumption it was an ACL (or more) injury and he was done for the rest of the season. However, those announcements/confirmations are typically that day or the following day in the news cycle. As of Wednesday morning, there is still no news of Rice with a confirmed ACL injury. In this instance, no news is good news.

That said, Rice is poised to miss some time, but not necessarily the rest of the season. With elite profiles, an injury or uncertainty with their availability is one of the select few times they are even available in the dynasty trade market. Footballguys Staffer Jordan McNamara said, in general terms, a true buy low does not feel comfortable. There is a reason they are a buy low, whether a legal situation, changing usage or production on-field, or an injury. All of those, to some degree, require a leap of faith they will rebound and return to expectation or their former production at a later date.

Rice has improved his numbers across the board after an impressive rookie season to a sophomore surge through the opening month. Rice's combination of 3.16 yards per route run and 32% target per route run point to a strong WR1 fantasy finish. Rice's 2.54 career yards per route run is at the apex of wide receiver profiles. The list of active wide receivers at 2.50+ in their career includes Puka Nacua, Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, Malik Nabers, A.J. Brown, and Rashee Rice. Julio Jones is a recent historical name, and Antonio Brown just missed with 2.46 YPRR. In short, Rice is in an elite club and a target profile.

As mentioned, Rice's injury status (plus ambiguity) leads to an opportunity in the dynasty trading market. 

Here are a few key Rice trades this week with him as a buy valuation and recommendation:

• Rice, 2nd for Aidan O'Connell, Drake London
• Rice for Jordan Addison
• Rice for James Conner, 2nd
• Rice, 2nd for Jayden Reed
• Rice for Dallas Goedert, 1st, 3rd, 4th (1.75 PPR TE)

WR Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco

Theme of the Week: There is No Preseason

Brandon Aiyuk's contract negotiations in the offseason curtailed his activities, and a slow start has resulted through the opening month. A legitimate question is if September turned into Aiyuk's training camp and preseason. Aiyuk has limped out of the gate, averaging a career-low of 1.28 yards per route run and 18% targets per route run. Aiyuk has zero touchdowns and a career-high 13% drop rate (never above 7.7% in a season). This is despite missed time from George Kittle and Deebo Samuel Sr. already this season. 

Aiyuk's 2023 season in the rarified air of 3.01 yards per route run is not a facade. Aiyuk is one of the best receivers in the NFL, improving by the season in his career arc. Betting on the macro approach in dynasty over a single month of data points, especially at non-running back positions where profiles are built for years, is optimal. This is Aiyuk's lowest moment in recent years. Buying low should not feel comfortable, outside of knowing you are acquiring a sound dynasty profile. The next pop game from Aiyuk largely closes the buy-low window.

Here are a few key Aiyuk trades with him as a buy valuation and recommendation:

• Aiyuk for Xavier Legette, 2nd, 3rd
• Aiyuk for Michael Pittman Jr, Calvin Ridley
• Aiyuk for Jameson Williams, 2nd, 3rd
• Aiyuk for J.K. Dobbins
• Aiyuk, Rhamondre Stevenson for 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd

Check out all of Chad Parsons' content at Footballguys.