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 tight end position for contending and pretending (aka teams not contending) dynasty teams.
All trades are Superflex unless stated otherwise
Contending Teams
TE George Kittle, San Francisco
George Kittle has been a game-wrecking machine this season, hitting the elite thresholds in both yards per route run (2.49 YPRR) and targets per route run (24% TPRR). The situation in San Francisco is better than a few weeks ago for Kittle with Brandon Aiyuk out for the season, Jauan Jennings dinged up, and Deebo Samuel Sr. a consistent threat to miss time. Kittle already has a TE1 overall finish to his profile, and 2024 is shaping up similarly. If Kittle is on a 3-5 (or worse) team, prioritize sending offers for Kittle this week as a contender.
- Kittle for Tyrone Tracy Jr., 2nd, 3rd (0.5 TE Premium)
- Kittle, Rhamondre Stevenson for Kareem Hunt, DK Metcalf, Will Dissly (2PPR TE)
- Kittle for Ben Sinnott, 1st (2PPR TE)
Kittle is the crown jewel of contending additions at tight end. Kittle could be dragging an otherwise ho-hum dynasty roster to the playoffs or in the hunt through eight weeks, making it tricky to find an ideal non-contender as a trade partner. A 1st+ is reasonable in 2PPR formats. The first trade of using a hot Tyrone Tracy Jr. and non-1st selections is perfect construction to feed the premium and not give a 1st.
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TE David Njoku, Cleveland
While David Njoku has more of a threshold look of a TE4-10 producer than TE1-3, his is a quality add considering the boost to the Browns' offense with Jameis Winston under center. Njoku's 23% target per route run is a TE3-5 threshold mark. The Browns are also an above-passing-rate expectation offense on the season especially in Week 8 with Winston starting.
- Njoku, Parker Washington for Christian Kirk, Marquise Brown, 3rd, 3rd (2PPR TE)
- Njoku for 2nd, 2nd (1.0 TE Premium)
- Njoku for Isaiah Likely, 2nd (2PPR TE)
Using injured players or lagging producers to a non-contending team in return for production is a classic win-win construction. Njoku for Likely+ or the first listed offer with Kirk and Brown involved fit well with that mantra.
Pretending Teams
TE Erick All Jr., Cincinnati
Erick All Jr. has impressed in his opening two months, considering he is a rookie tight end from Day 3. All's 1.38 YPRR and 20% TPRR combination are solid career markers. All is quietly flashed behind starter Mike Gesicki, who is a free agent in the offseason. All will have minimal opportunity to produce well, considering his 12 routes per game as well. All is the perfect bet on early efficiency to gain a starting job in 2025.
- All for Trey Sermon (0.5 TE Premium)
- All for Alexander Mattison (0.5 TE Premium)
- All for Troy Franklin (1.0 TE Premium)
All is generally being dealt for ancillary running backs and wide receivers. Do not bother with All in non-premium formats as even if All is the starter for Week 1 in 2025, there is minimal upside unless he is a massive hit.
TE Isaiah Likely, Baltimore
Likely enters the final year of his contract in 2025 and has collected more routes than Mark Andrews this season. Likely is one of the best after-the-catch tight ends in the NFL and in terms of forcing missed tackles. Likely's 1.55 YPRR points to a future lead role as well, whether in Baltimore or not. Likely is more of a macro bet in the mold of Martellus Bennett to find a future starting job, even if trapped alongside an elite option during his rookie contract.
- Likely for Jameis Winston (1.75 PPR for TE)
- Likely for Tyjae Spears (0.5 TE Premium)
- Likely, Kendre Miller, 25 1st for Saquon Barkley, Tyler Lockett (1.0 TE Premium)
Using non-premium positions (like Spears) is a perfect positional swap construction. If viewing Barkley as worth a 1st in the final trade, Likely traded for something in the radius of Tyler Lockett is a windfall considering the strong premium scoring for tight ends.
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