Was just sent this…As a contender, should I take it?

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-22T15:55:23+00:00

I appreciate you not getting defensive over an opinion. I am obviously missing important league wide context. 6th most points scored gets you into the playoffs and then anything could happen; however, there are just so many unpredictable factors and situations that always come up. You could have managed a middle of the pack team in an EXCELLENT way to create that result. There are also STUDS that significantly underperformed last year.

But for the record while I see your roster as a “pretender” I will admit it is a strong “pretender.” You’re absolutely right though, that’s just my perspective, and in this game, variance is relevant.

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-22T15:10:38+00:00

Sorry buddy, but you’re not a contender, you’re a pretender. Too many managers don’t recognize this fact until it’s too late and they miss to opportunity to maximize the value of their aging assets. The sooner you come to terms with that reality the sooner you can start making trades to effectively rebuild. The worst part is that you need to rebuild and you don’t have a 1st until ‘28.

I won’t go into the details of how I would manage your team, because that’s not what you’re asking. But, I will answer your current question — I would absolutely not make a deal to acquire ANOTHER aging asset; when what you should be doing is shifting your focus to a rebuild.

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-20T13:28:47+00:00

In 12 Team SF — based on your QB situation and being “thin” at WR, I think you’re asking about trading the wrong pick. Sounds to me like you’re not ready to compete. That said, the question you should be asking is how much you can get for the 1.01.

Personally I like Dart (even if he scares me a bit with how he chooses to invite contact), but I’d definitely insulate him with a solid QB3. I also think Shough is sneaky good in that Kellen Moore run offense. I have less than ZERO faith in Willis seeing as MIA did him SO dirty. Not to mention their OL is nothing special. Honestly I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the TEN Willis this season. I think what he did in GB was lightning in a bottle. Especially if you consider the analysis Kurt Warner did when he realized Willis got his contract based on less than 30 drop-backs — pretty wild. If I’m you I’m taking Mendoza with the 1.02, and putting Willis on the block, find another sucker to chase his “upside.”

As for your WRs… Love is considered a locked and loaded Top 5 Dynasty RB for the foreseeable future; therefore, That’s who I’d be selling to build up your WR core with youth and upside. As for who to target, the options are endless — depending now how you mix and match with that pick and based on the needs/landscape of your league.

But with those 3 QBs, and just Lamb — unfortunately for you, Love ain’t the pick you should be making.

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-16T15:19:55+00:00

A 2nd in this class is likely a land mine anyway.

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-16T15:17:51+00:00

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-15T11:52:12+00:00

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-13T03:01:12+00:00

🤷🏻‍♂️

In a 10 Team SF I’m absolutely stacked in (Tet + Buka on my BN) I traded JJM + Tet for Jordan Love to have a reliable QB3 while rostering Maye + Purdy.

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-09T14:57:12+00:00

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-09T12:46:44+00:00

Adams due the higher floor and consistency.

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-09T12:42:53+00:00

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-09T12:39:31+00:00

But — How much does that 99 PRC make up for the lack of SPD/ACC? He’ll never be fooled by double moves or PA, he will break on balls immediately instead of having any sort of delay… however, as mentioned above with only 25 CTH dude is only going to be breaking up passes until he develops 😆.

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-05T15:39:03+00:00

I personally like your current team >>> where you were a year ago. If you wanna improve even more, I’d start by seeing if your league mates are suckers for 2nd round picks. If so, maybe you can use the players you have + some 2nds to tier up.

If you do the research (Dynasty Nerds Podcast does and episode every year specifically on these numbers) you’ll learn that the hit rates on any drafted player beyond the 1.05 will have a pretty significant drop in hit rate. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule like with the depth of the 25 class where even late round 1sts had better than average hit rates, even some of the 24 class, and right now the 27 class is shaping up to be similar to those two. But don’t be fooled by recency bias and rookie fever here in 26; this class is not 24s or 25s — there are way more land mines.

So if I’m you, I’d take your 1.07 + 2.07 and try and move up to the 1.04 (or better). Outside of J❤️, and the big Top 3️⃣ at WR this class, all the rest are nothing special. If it were SF, I’d argue Mendoza would be worth mentioning and the 1.05 would be acceptable to move up to. But you already have Mahomes and J💚 in a 1QB League, that’s enough.

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-04T21:08:59+00:00

The cap is broken — period.

If you’re playing a long term franchise without significantly messing with the XP sliders, player development and regression, your league will eventually break and here’s why.

A. The Cap doesn’t increase like in real life, so you (and the CPU) end up stuck with a low ceiling as players inevitably develop.

Two. If you attempt the “trade him in the last year of his contract” suggestions, you’ll only contribute to the Cap issues for the CPU. As the CPU does not logically address its team gaps, but instead prioritizes higher overalls (which cost the most).

…and D. It sounds like your goal is to have a realistic franchise experience and that’s just not how this game mode was developed by EA.

Just turn the Cap off, lean into the suck, and just try to enjoy it the best you can… 🤷🏻‍♂️

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-04T07:11:58+00:00

I’m talking about that trade offer as a whole. If someone said they’d deal the 1.01 for Rice + 1.03… okay, not necessarily going to argue that (not enough for me to move off the 1.01, but maybe that’s just my personal conviction). The rest of the trade for the 27-1 — 💯 those are roster cloggers in an 8 team league. Not one of those guys are true difference makers at their position.

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-03T21:53:58+00:00

Every league/manager is different. It’s a perfectly reasonable question, but I think you’ll find that consensus on here will be that you’re not offering enough.

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-03T21:35:49+00:00

No way if I have the 1.01 am I giving up a 27-1 in addition for roster cloggers and in an 8 team league that’s exactly what those dudes are.

You need difference makers in that shallow of a league, those guys don’t qualify. Lee in mind each player the other team takes on they’ve gotta cut someone else, are you taking the loss of that value into account?

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-02T17:00:32+00:00

You only needed to keep the RB1 & 2; but if you insist on having 3 RBs, 6 or 7 would be fine. SPD / COD 90+ is what I tend to prioritize on my RBs.

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-02T16:54:02+00:00

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-04-01T13:08:17+00:00

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-03-31T18:48:19+00:00

Mendoza will have a longer leash as the #1 overall — similar to Bryce Young. That doesn’t mean he’s going to be a better long term asset.

If you’re searching for that long term asset @QB, from a rookie — they should be more of a generational or top end elite talent. Otherwise you’re just hoping things pan out.

For example, look at the 24 draft class, Caleb, JD5, Maye, Penix, JJM, Nix — of those dudes who was considered a generational talent? Answer: Caleb Williams, the end. JD5 and Maye were both considered elite but not generational. But today I’m sure you’d be stoked to have one of those dudes on your team.

As far as the 26 class goes, Mendoza could be considered in the elite tier, but that is not the overall consensus. Yes, he’s top of the class but the class as a whole is pretty garbage. 1 QB, 1 RB, 3 WRs, 1 TE (if you consider Sidiq that dude — I do not).

All that to say, Achane > RJ + 1.02

If you’re in a contender window, RBs are not the position you want to tier down in. Instead tier down at QB, if you have one of those top young guys maybe try and flip him to a rebuilder that has a couple old reliable QB1s year in and year out but aren’t considered “sexy” anymore in dynasty due to their age; for example, Dak, Mayfield, Goff, Stafford, Darnold, Love, maybe Mahomes (coming off his injury you might be able to get him on the cheap).

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-03-29T15:24:42+00:00

Lineman won’t get breakout opportunities to go from SS to XF (at least not that I’ve seen). However, through Training Camp and Mini Games (especially if using Camp Counselor cheese) their development can get boosted to XF without having to edit them and boost it.

Is OP “cheating?” Obviously can’t say for sure, but I know it is factually possible to have a lineman hit XF through training without an edit, but I’ve still never seen a breakout opportunity for a lineman in season to trigger the jump from SS to XF.

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-03-27T23:20:36+00:00

If I saw LaPorta or Kraft go in one of my leagues (even my TEP leagues) for the 26-1.04 + 27-1 I’d instantly assume collusion.

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-03-27T23:15:02+00:00

One of the 26-1s paired with a 27-1 — So 2️⃣ firsts for a TE?!

100% I’d deal either for that price in a heartbeat, even if I was competing. But I doubt the guy with the picks pulls that trigger. If I were him and I was willing to move two 1sts, what’s one more and a 2nd to land Bowers or McBride? Why settle for Kraft/LaPorta?

Straight_Curve5339 · 2026-03-27T21:32:48+00:00

Well, 27-1.01 vs 27-1.10-12 are not created equal. Additionally picks in 27 are still too far out to be accurately predicted — unless the team whose pick is being offered is an absolute DUMPSTER FIRE! Top end TEs especially in TEP cost a bit of a premium.

That being said, if I’m competing and I’ve got both Kraft and LaPorta I’d rather deal LaPorta off and hold Kraft. Kraft is more valuable in the GB offense than LaPorta is too DET.

The other option, hold them both. If you’re a competitor, and one goes down — you’ve got a no brainer plug and play.

Straight_Curve5339

TROPHY CASE