I started my journey with this team a little over a month ago. In Part One of this article series, I discussed the appeal of this team. Orphan-wise, this is certainly a fun one. Multiple appealing draft picks combined with a young roster made this a very appealing team to takeover. The team is unbalanced and has some holes, but it was not dead in the water short term or long term. In dynasty fantasy football, it is crucial to make moves that correspond well to a specific strategy. In this series, we continue to discuss the strategy behind taking over a dynasty orphan.
How to Sign Up with FFPC
This orphan was taken from the FFPC. Here, fantasy gamers can sign up for new dynasty leagues or they can takeover an orphaned team like I have done in this article series.
Here is the signup link. Fantasy gamers can use code Underworld for a free $25 credit.
Here is the link to the FFPC Rankings.
Starting Lineup at the Time of the Takeover
QB- Jared Goff or Trey Lance
RB1- Kenneth Walker
RB2- Alexander Mattison
TE- Greg Dulcich or Chig Okonkwo
WR- D.K. Metcalf
WR- Drake London
Flex- Jameson Williams
Flex- Terry McLaurin
Bench
Keaontay Ingram – RB
Pierre Strong – RB
James Robinson – RB
John Metchie – WR
Josh Palmer – WR
Skyy Moore – WR
Chase Claypool – WR
Gerald Everett – TE
Cade Otton – TE
Draft Picks
1.02, 1.04, 1.11, 2.02, 2.04, 2.06, 2.11, 3.02, 4.02, 5.02, 6.02, 7.02
Trade Strategy
You never know how other managers will be when joining a new dynasty fantasy football league, and this league proved to be a tight one trade-wise. I had discussions with one manager about moving Terry McLaurin or D.K. Metcalf, but neither deal went far. After sending out some offers for helpful veteran RBs like Jamaal Williams and David Montgomery, I realized the asking prices were too high.
I never intended on being aggressive in trading for a QB, but the situation in San Francisco made me pivot and start sending out some offers. For this reason, I sent out feelers for Justin Fields, and the asking price was too high. I attempted a buy low for Deshaun Watson– a distressed asset in dynasty that I believe will have a strong 2023 season, but once again, the asking price was too high for me.
With one day to go before FFPC Cut Day, I identified a manager who had accumulated draft picks in previous deals, and I sent an offer of the 1.11 and Trey Lance for Joe Burrow. I was pleasantly surprised that this deal was auto-accepted. I now had acquired a long-term answer and a potential difference-maker for many seasons. Generally, I wouldn’t say I like moving first-round picks for QBs, but this was a deal I feel fantastic about completing. With the 2.02 still in my pocket, I can draft a player in a similar range as the 1.11 as I view the 1-2 turn as a relatively flat tier.
Trade Rationale
Acquiring Burrow also allows me to roster only one QB. With the volatility of Lance, I would have felt the need to keep Goff as well, but I was now able to cut him.
On roster cut day, I made a few decisions. I dropped both James Robinson and Pierre Strong. Strong was difficult for me to move on from, but I can require him in the rookie draft if needed with a mid-round pick. I also cut Cade Otton. He seems like just another guy to me. Additionally, I already had three TEs and keeping Otton as a TE4 seemed like a flawed process.
The most challenging cut was Chase Claypool, but I am more optimistic about John Metchie and Josh Palmer earning a higher target share than Mapletron. Keaontay Ingram was probably the least valuable keeper for me, and he could get obliterated on NFL Draft night with a new coaching staff in town, but I liked him last year and was impressed by him over a small sample size.
After the cuts and Burrow trade, here is my current situation.
Updated Starting Lineup
QB- Joe Burrow
RB- Ken Walker
RB- Alexander Mattison
TE- Greg Dulcich
WR- D.K. Metcalf
WR- Terry McLaurin
Flex- Jameson Williams
Flex- Drake London
Updated Bench
Keaontay Ingram – RB
Gerald Everett – TE
Chig Okonkwo – TE
John Metchie – WR
Josh Palmer – WR
Skyy Moore – WR
Draft Picks
1.02, 1.04, 2.02, 2.04, 2.06, 2.11, 3.02, 4.02, 5.02, 6.02, 7.02
My sole focus turns to the rookie draft. With seven of the first 26 picks, I am in the driver’s seat to significantly improve the talent of my roster. I am open to moving a pick or two, but I am very bullish on this draft class.
This many picks should allow me to move up and down or add future selections. I am already getting excited about being “On The Clock” in this dynasty fantasy football orphan takeover!
