The New Reality No.218: The Slow Start

Two weeks into the season is far too short of a sample size to pull the rip cord on the season. However, some may already be looking toward 2024. The next few weeks are critical to poke and prod the bottom teams in your dynasty league for trading opportunities and to let them know you are active and open to trading when/if the time comes on their end. Here are tips and tricks, starting now and continuing through the gauntlet of teams deciding if they are in or out on the season to contend and navigate the dynasty trade market:

Contend Until Eliminated

It is easy to throw in the towel early in the season at 0-2, 0-3, or 0-4 and move on with your attention to your other contending dynasty teams. However, I have numerous personal examples of making the playoffs after a disappointing September and countless from subscribers and listeners. This includes, like NFL teams, when you need two wins to close the regular season plus help from teams losing also in the hunt.

The Power of Time and Attrition

You may have been stung with early-season injuries and missed games like Puka Nacua, Christian McCaffrey, Raheem Mostert, Ken Walker III, and others. However, being in the volume running back business (and backup quarterbacks in Superflex) means time is your friend. Any starter from a leaguemate's roster at running back or quarterback who is out stands to benefit (most likely) in at least one of your leagues. Like an interception adding to your defense's fantasy tally and hurting your opponent's quarterback score, there is a dual benefit to you in these injury situations. The skill is being patient to allow time and attrition to benefit you. Yes, there have already been at least four NFL running back depth charts where the starter on paper back in August has missed a game or is projected out for Week 3. Some teams are down to RB3 already. In a typical year, more than 50 quarterbacks start an NFL game. The time value of being patient benefits those piling up primary backup (and sometimes tertiary) options waiting for the injury attrition. Week 3 is still on the early side to truly reap the dual benefits of subtraction from their lineups and addition to yours.