X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Stats & Leaders
Starts and Sit
Daily Fantasy
Who To Pickup
24x7 News and Alerts

How to Trade in Fantasy and Win at Life

One of the greatest, yet underutilized tools of roster management is trading. There are teams in every league with varying strengths, weaknesses and records and therefore unrealized trade opportunities to be had. But trading is infrequent in most leagues and I implore we join together as a powerful community of nerds to change the paradigm. Who's with El Camello (@pfunk00) and me?

Trading effectively can be like a cheat code for fantasy if you follow some simple strategies.

But first we have to address the Trade Killers...

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:

 

The Trade Killers

There are a number of factors that kill the possibility of trading in fantasy football and these SOBs must be found and dealt with.

Team Voting and Vetoing of Trades – Trades should not be evaluated on fairness. The end. Unless there is collusion, all trades should go through, you horrendous commissioners you! For those of you who need an example of collusion: A team with little to no chance of making the playoffs in a redraft league without keepers trades a stud for a sucka to a playoff team. The primary function of a trade is to improve your team, not to get more value on a single player. Therefore it is very possible to over-deliver on a trade and yet improve your team. Please change your system to Commissioner Veto and let everything go through unless there is collusion.

"My Guys" – As fantasy players, we get way too attached to "our guys" and often overvalue them. Bottom line is we are unwilling to trade our guys even if it means bettering our team. Good job sinking to the bottom of the ocean with your favorite players.

Improving Other Teams – I would be open to trading but I don’t want to make another team better. There is some truth to this because ultimately you are competing with these other teams. However, trading with a few trusted confidants can better a few teams that need to compete with the big boys. So try and trade with the inferior teams so that you rise and compete together. Failing to make the playoffs should supersede your desire to avoid making other teams better.

The Low Offer – Most people attempting a trade are under-offering. This hurts your credibility as a potential trade partner and most likely won’t get anything accomplished. You’ll know when you have a feasible trade when it really makes you uncomfortable. Remember, the main purpose of a trade is to make your team better by filling a weakness and this may require giving up slightly more in an area you can afford to take the hit. So start your offers with someone you feel is of equal value and consider that you may have to offer slightly more. A great player on your bench is not as valuable as a good player that you can start.

Disinterested – I don’t care enough about fantasy. I can’t believe you keep trying to trade bruh. I’m too cool for fantasy even though I paid for this league and check the league app every 10 minutes on Sunday. I just don’t care enough to delve into this trade offer.

Please stop playing fantasy football if you really don’t care. At a minimum, please play in a league with others that don’t really care. And if you are in a league that cares that needs extra players you are better off with a smaller league. Or, there are many resources these days that allow you to reach out and find players who will care.

 

What Have We Learned?

Now we know some of the reasons that trades are so infrequent.  Here are some tips that should help you trade effectively. Yes some of these were touched on above, but I think you’ll find it helpful for me to extrapolate them below:

  • Try to get the Voting and Veto on trade rule removed from your league. Trades should not be voted down or vetoed on fairness. Many good trades are inherently unbalanced, but they help both teams.
  • Trade with a few key trading partners. If you are concerned about making other teams better, trade with the inferior teams in the league. Failing to make the playoffs trumps improving other teams.
  • Offer trades of equal or slightly higher value, as long as they better your team. You will know a trade is possible when it makes you uncomfortable.
  • Listen to trade offers and don’t act like you are too cool. This is not only a great way to improve your team, but can be incredibly fun. Trades can be great fodder for water cooler bets throughout the season.
  • Most importantly, make trades! The Waiver Wire is not the only place to better your team. There are teams with different strengths, weakness and records, which means there are trade opportunities out there right now!

Thanks as always for reading my rants.  Find me on Twitter @BrettMitchellFB

More NFL Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Stats & Leaders
Starts and Sit
Daily Fantasy
Who To Pickup
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Cam Whitmore2 hours ago

Considered Questionable For Wednesday
Ryan Rollins2 hours ago

Continues To Sit Wednesday
Kevon Looney2 hours ago

Expected To Return On Wednesday
Kyle Anderson2 hours ago

Questionable For Wednesday
Miles McBride3 hours ago

Remains On The Shelf Wednesday
Norman Powell3 hours ago

Will Not Play On Wednesday
Connor Bedard3 hours ago

Ends Drought With Two Assists
Sam Reinhart3 hours ago

Pushes Point Streak To 11 Games
Mark Scheifele3 hours ago

Celebrates Ninth Career Hat Trick
Evan Bouchard3 hours ago

Rocks Senators With Three-Point Period
Connor McDavid4 hours ago

Nets Two Goals During Three-Point Night
TB4 hours ago

Nicholas Paul Exits Early With Injury Tuesday
Zach Hyman4 hours ago

Sits Out Third Period Versus Senators
11 hours ago

Guardians' Stephen Vogt Named AL Manager Of The Year
Milwaukee Brewers11 hours ago

Pat Murphy Named NL Manager Of The Year
Bradley Beal14 hours ago

Still Out On Wednesday Evening
Jusuf Nurkic14 hours ago

Questionable Versus The Knicks
Anthony Davis15 hours ago

Will Play Against The Jazz
Stephen Curry15 hours ago

Back On The Injury Report For Wednesday
Jalen Johnson15 hours ago

Questionable Versus Golden State
Ben Sheppard16 hours ago

Considered Questionable For Wednesday
Jalen Green16 hours ago

Uncertain For Wednesday’s Game
Myles Turner16 hours ago

Considered Questionable For Wednesday
Cam Thomas16 hours ago

Will Not Play Tuesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo16 hours ago

Listed As Probable For Wednesday
Marcus Smart17 hours ago

Ruled Out For Tuesday
Cam Thomas17 hours ago

Is Questionable For Tuesday
Anfernee Simons17 hours ago

In Danger Of Missing Another Game
Deandre Ayton17 hours ago

Considered Doubtful For Wednesday
Kyle Lowry17 hours ago

To Miss Next Three Games
Jonas Brodin18 hours ago

Returns To Action
Joel Eriksson Ek18 hours ago

Returns To Wild Lineup
18 hours ago

Nick Pivetta Declines Boston's Qualifying Offer
Robert Thomas18 hours ago

Back For Blues Tuesday
Jose Siri18 hours ago

Mets Acquire Jose Siri From The Rays
Alexander Romanov18 hours ago

Rejoins Islanders Lineup
Brayden Point18 hours ago

Ready To Return Versus Penguins
Conor Garland18 hours ago

A Game-Time Call Tuesday
J.T. Miller18 hours ago

Takes Indefinite Leave For Personal Reasons
Jake Ferguson19 hours ago

"Will Be Hard-Pressed" To Play In Week 12
Alex Ovechkin19 hours ago

Considered Week-To-Week
Cooper Rush19 hours ago

Will Start In Week 12
Brandin Cooks19 hours ago

Cowboys Hoping Brandin Cooks Returns This Week
21 hours ago

Phillies To Meet With Juan Soto
22 hours ago

Luis Severino Rejects Qualifying Offer From Mets
Aaron Rodgers22 hours ago

' Status With Jets In Doubt For 2025?
22 hours ago

Willy Adames Declines Brewers Qualifying Offer
22 hours ago

Teoscar Hernandez Declines Qualifying Offer From Dodgers
22 hours ago

Juan Soto Declines Yankees' Qualifying Offer
New York Jets23 hours ago

Jets Fire GM Joe Douglas
Travis Konecny1 day ago

Stretches Point Streak To Seven Games
Sam Montembeault1 day ago

Records 30-Save Shutout Versus Oilers
William Eklund1 day ago

Scores Twice In Overtime Victory
Brett Leason1 day ago

Tallies Three Points In Win Over Stars
Brock McGinn1 day ago

Exits Win With Injury
Alex Ovechkin1 day ago

Evaluated For Leg Injury
Luke Schoonmaker1 day ago

Commands 10 Targets Amidst Teammate's Injury
CeeDee Lamb1 day ago

Remains Productive Despite Loss
Houston Texans2 days ago

Texans D/ST Finds End Zone In Victory At Dallas
Joe Mixon2 days ago

Extends Hot Streak Against Cowboys
Luis Gil2 days ago

Wins AL Rookie Of The Year Award
Jake Ferguson2 days ago

Won't Return On Monday
Paul Skenes2 days ago

Named 2024 NL Rookie Of The Year
Brock Purdy2 days ago

Day-To-Day With Shoulder Soreness
George Kittle2 days ago

Expected To Practice On Wednesday
CeeDee Lamb2 days ago

Officially Active On Monday Night
Nico Collins2 days ago

Won't Face Playing-Time Restrictions On Monday Night
New York Giants2 days ago

Brian Daboll On The Hot Seat In New York?
Brady Singer2 days ago

Reds, Royals Discussing Jonathan India, Brady Singer
Gardner Minshew II2 days ago

Raiders Sticking With Gardner Minshew II At QB
2 days ago

Sean Manaea To Reject Mets' Qualifying Offer
Dak Prescott2 days ago

Heading To Injured Reserve
2 days ago

Braves Have Interest In Walker Buehler
Isiah Pacheco2 days ago

Andy Reid On Isiah Pacheco: "We'll See How He Does In Practice"
2 days ago

Astros Interested In Willy Adames
Gabe Davis2 days ago

Won't Return In 2024
Mike Evans2 days ago

Seen At Practice On Monday
CeeDee Lamb2 days ago

Tracking Towards Playing On Monday Night
Charles Oliveira2 days ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Michael Chandler2 days ago

Gets Dominated At UFC 309
Karine Silva2 days ago

Suffers Her First UFC Loss
Viviane Araujo2 days ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Mauricio Ruffy2 days ago

Extends His Win Streak To Six
Nick Martinez3 days ago

Signs Qualifying Offer With Reds
3 days ago

Luis Severino Likely To Decline Qualifying Offer From Mets
James Llontop3 days ago

Loses Clear-Cut Decision In Thrilling Fight At UFC 309
Paul Craig3 days ago

Loses Decision At UFC 309
Bo Nickal3 days ago

Remains Undefeated With Lackluster Performance At UFC 309
Stipe Miocic3 days ago

Retires After UFC 309 Loss
Jon Jones3 days ago

Gets TKO Win At UFC 309 To Defend Heavyweight Title
Grayson Rodriguez5 days ago

Orioles Optimistic Grayson Rodriguez Will Have A Full Spring Training
5 days ago

Red Sox Have Productive Meeting With Juan Soto
Michael Chandler5 days ago

Set For A Rematch At UFC 309
Charles Oliveira5 days ago

A Favorite At UFC 309
Viviane Araujo5 days ago

An Underdog At UFC 309
Karine Silva5 days ago

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Mauricio Ruffy5 days ago

Looks For His Second UFC Win
Jett Williams6 days ago

Suffers Sprained Ankle In AFL
James Llontop6 days ago

A Big Underdog At UFC 309
Paul Craig6 days ago

Looks To Snap Losing Skid At UFC 309
Bo Nickal6 days ago

Puts Undefeated Record On The Line At UFC 309
Stipe Miocic6 days ago

Ends Layoff At UFC 309
Jon Jones6 days ago

Defends Heavyweight Title At UFC 309
Tampa Bay Rays6 days ago

Rays To Play Home Games In 2025 At Steinbrenner Field

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP