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Three Dynasty Showdowns That Could Define Your Future

Have you ever pulled off a dynasty trade that felt a little too easy?

If so, then you probably spotted something your league mate didn’t ...

• An impending role change
• An approaching age cliff
• Maybe a subtle quote from the coaching staff

You uncovered an upcoming value shift before the market figured it out. And that’s what this article is about. 

By comparing our dynasty rankings with Dynasty League Football Startup ADP, we’re identifying players the market is too high on … and who you can flip for more reliable long-term assets. 

These aren’t just sell-high candidates. They’re overvalued names whose current standing gives you leverage to pivot toward younger or more sustainable pieces. Because you want to win now and in years ahead.

Here are three trade pairings worth exploring before your league catches up:

Showdown 1: Derrick Henry vs. Kyren Williams 

Henry's DS Dynasty Rank: RB18
Henry's DLF Dynasty Rank: RB11

An Outlier Among Outliers, but for How Much Longer?

He’s entering Year 10. He’s 247 pounds. And he just delivered one of the most productive seasons of his career at age 30.

Could Henry keep beating the odds? Sure. But dynasty is about playing the percentages, not betting on historical exceptions. 

Consider this: Our historical aging curves show that 31-year-old running backs typically operate at about 65% of their peak performance. Even if Henry exceeds that average, the chances of another top-three finish -- with 18 TDs and 5.9 yards per carry -- are unlikely.

Now, there’s no reason to panic-sell. Henry is still RB8 in our 2025 PPR RB rankings. But this is the ideal time to make a trade while his production still holds weight.

Acquire the next name, and you’ll sacrifice only marginal current-year value while boosting the chance of a greater return in 2026-2027…

Williams' DS Dynasty Rank: RB11
Williams' DLF Dynasty Rank: RB10

A Younger Bell Cow ... With Longevity

Williams turns just 25 in August, so he’s about six and a half years younger than Henry. That’s substantial. 

Plus, the gap in their 2025 production probably wasn’t as wide as you think. Henry tallied 19.9 PPR points per game as the overall RB3. Williams, meanwhile, finished RB7 with 17.4 PPR PPG.

Besides, we’re projecting ahead here. Williams remains set up for a workhorse role in 2025. And it sounds like the Rams might reward him with a new deal this summer. 

RB Jarquez Hunter arrived in the draft, but Round 4 picks aren’t guaranteed much. Second-year RB Blake Corum did nothing as a rookie to earn more touches.

Bottom line: If you’re moving Henry, this is the kind of return that keeps you competitive in the short term while adding value for the future.

Sample Trade

Give:

• Derrick Henry
• 2026 Round 4 Rookie Pick

Receive:

• Kyren Williams
• 2026 Round 2 Rookie Pick

Showdown 2: Terry McLaurin vs. Zay Flowers

McLaurin's DS Dynasty Rank: WR32
McLaurin's DLF Dynasty Rank: WR21

Betting on Regression: Time to Move McLaurin

McLaurin scored 13 times last year, well ahead of his prior career high (7). That production accounted for nearly 29 percent of his fantasy output, a rate only two wide receivers topped last season.

In the past five years, only 11 receivers have reached 13 TDs. In short: You don’t want to bank on boosted TD production.

Yeah, sure … but he’s catching passes from Jayden Daniels!

True. But let’s not act like Daniels is a lock to repeat a magical rookie season.

Plus, can OC Kliff Kingsbury make the necessary adjustments in Year 2? And how will Deebo Samuel’s role affect McLaurin?

We’ll also see how contract talks unfold. The 31-year-old skipped mandatory minicamp ahead of a contract year.

Collectively, these question marks make the veteran a logical flip for ...

Flowers' DS Dynasty Rank: WR22
Flowers' DLF Dynasty Rank: WR24

'I Expect him to Take Another Leap'

Flowers totaled 151 catches across 2023-2024. Since 2000, only 22 WRs have delivered more catches in Year 1 and Year 2, per Stathead.

It sounds like that momentum won’t stop anytime soon.

Here’s OC Todd Monken on his plans for Flowers.

"We've just got to get him the ball more," Monken said via the Ravens official site. "He's an unbelievable football player. He's not only an outside receiver that has elite route-running skills, but he's unbelievable with the ball in his hands …

I'm just saying you can use him in a variety of roles to get him the ball, which allows your volume to go up. He's a volume catch guy. You can use him in novelty screens, getting him the ball down the field. I expect him to take another leap.” 

Only 25 (in September), Flowers remains tied to Lamar Jackson for the foreseeable future.

We’ll also see if Baltimore shifts more to the pass whenever Derrick Henry moves on. In 2024, the Ravens ranked 30th in pass rate; 28th in pass rate over expected.

Sample Trade

Give:

• Terry McLaurin
• 2026 Round 4 Rookie Pick

Receive:

• Zay Flowers
• 2026 Round 3 Rookie Pick

Showdown 3: Cade Otton vs. Theo Johnson

Otton's DS Dynasty Rank: TE26
Otton's DLF Dynasty Rank: WR21

Don’t Let Three Games Fool You

You might chuckle at this one, but hear me out

Otton quietly posted a career-best 10.2 PPR points per game in 2024, good for a TE12 finish. 

Otton’s TE21 ADP shows that drafters took notice. But was 2024 misleading

Yup. 

He tallied a nice 26.4% target share in three games with no Mike Evans or Chris Godwin.

But in the other 11 games? Only 16.4%.

Otton recorded 41.6% of his season-long PPR points in the three-game sample.

Perhaps he’s still an ascending player entering Year 4. But the Bucs haven’t signaled any interest in elevating Otton’s role, re-signing Godwin and adding another short-range target in Round 1 WR Emeka Egbuka.

There’s a real chance we’ve just seen Otton’s best fantasy season.

Johnson's DS Dynasty Rank: TE24
Johnson's DLF Dynasty Rank: TE30

Johnson Boasts Upside that Otton Lacks

Let’s start with Johnson’s rare blend of size and athleticism.

At 6’6, 259 pounds, he recorded one of the best Relative Athletic Scores ever for a TE. We’re talking about a sample of nearly 1,200 prospects.

Johnson’s rookie season ended with a foot injury that required surgery. But note: His volume crept up before the injury, with target counts of six (24% team share), six (19%), six (20%), and five (17%) over his final four games.

Solid progress for a Round 4 rookie, especially considering the Giants’ dreadful offense. Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito combined for 190 yards and 0.88 TDs per game. 

Giants Staff Feeling 'Giddy'

Here’s Giants beat writer Connor Hughes with some words to fire you up:

New York’s TE depth -- Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz, and Greg Dulcich -- suggests they’re happy with Johnson as the No. 1. 

Russell Wilson should provide more stability in the short term, and the Giants traded up for Jaxson Dart in Round 1 to develop as their quarterback of the future.

Try dealing Otton for Johnson plus a mid-round rookie pick...

 Sample Trade

Give:

• Cade Otton

Receive:

• Theo Johnson
• 2026 Round 3 Rookie Pick

Prepping for a Startup Draft?

You need to draft well to kickstart your dynasty squad.

That's why we released a recent video on startup draft strategy. Matt, Jared, and Shane bring loads of collective dynasty experience and share their tips for building a winner:

Next Up

2026 Dynasty Rookie Rankings: The Wild Card Class That Has Scouts Guessing

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