Dynasty playoff strategy (1 Viewer)

[Ketamine Dreams]

I'm wondering what strategy people employ when you make the playoffs in dynasty. Specifically, how much do you sacrifice long-term potential projects for an increase in probability to win right now (in the playoffs).

An example: Do you dump your 3rd TE or IRed WR to grab a second defense, if defenses score well and one on waivers has a good matchup?

We fight so hard to make the playoffs, yet it seems we don't want to give up anything, even if it's value may be off in the future quite some distance, to win when we do make the playoffs.

 

[Sabertooth]

I just dropped Theo Riddick to grab Buffalo Defense because they play Oakland in Week 16. Presumptious? Sure, but I have every intention of being in position to win that final game after going 2nd, and 3rd the previous two seasons. I think you can cut marginal talent like a 3rd TE for a defense, sure. Once the playoffs start, I am going for the throat. I don't play to build dynasties, I play to win the league. You can't have a dynasty without the rings. Now I wouldn't have cut a guy like Crowell or John Brown for a defense either.

I have a practice of ranking every player on my team from 1-24 (or however big your rosters are). The guys on the bottom are there for a reason. Those bottom 2 or 3 spots are for churn anyway. I'd gladly roster an extra defense with a great matchup if I made the playoffs.

 

[Ketamine Dreams]

I like the idea of ranking all your players. I do that subconsciously, but putting it on paper makes some sense.

I looked back on my roster from 3 years ago and I have only 3 of the same players today out of 22

 

[Raiderfan32904]

An example: Do you dump your 3rd TE or IRed WR to grab a second defense, if defenses score well and one on waivers has a good matchup?

Absolutely. You go for it when you have the chance. Not every year is a given you even make the playoffs. And if what you are dumping to the wire is really your 3rd TE or 6th WR, chances are pretty good you'll be able to pick them back up off the wire if you need them. Remember that this time of year only a few teams are really making any moves. A lot of teams, even in dynasty, stop paying attention and move on to other hobbies. If you can use the waiver wire as your extended bench to gain strategic advantage for the playoffs, absolutely you do it.

 

[Flying Elvis]

I like the idea of ranking all your players. I do that subconsciously, but putting it on paper makes some sense.

I looked back on my roster from 3 years ago and I have only 3 of the same players today out of 22

This last point is important. I did the same thing in my dynasty league and have 17 out of a whopping 55 drafted from the startup draft in 2012. (large roster IDP)

Ultimately, FF should ALWAYS be about winning the chip. Drop the fringe guys for better chances at it.

 

[NattyDread]

It's easy to get in the dynasty habit of always looking to future years, while forgetting that the ultimate goal is to win the title. If you've got a chance to shed a middling prospect for a chance to improve your title chances this year, I do that in a heartbeat.

 

[FUBAR]

I just dropped Theo Riddick to grab Buffalo Defense because they play Oakland in Week 16. Presumptious? Sure, but I have every intention of being in position to win that final game after going 2nd, and 3rd the previous two seasons. I think you can cut marginal talent like a 3rd TE for a defense, sure. Once the playoffs start, I am going for the throat. I don't play to build dynasties, I play to win the league. You can't have a dynasty without the rings. Now I wouldn't have cut a guy like Crowell or John Brown for a defense either.

I have a practice of ranking every player on my team from 1-24 (or however big your rosters are). The guys on the bottom are there for a reason. Those bottom 2 or 3 spots are for churn anyway. I'd gladly roster an extra defense with a great matchup if I made the playoffs.

mostly agree with this except I slot them as core players, fringe starters, solid depth, fliers and fillers. The fillers are replaceable guys but could easily outscore the fliers. Fliers stay on the team until either they're shown to be busts or I need the spot for something more valuable and I don't have a filler to cut. Just cut a flier who no longer seems to have potential (Nick Perry) for another flier Josh Harris. I could cut him for depth if needed but didn't want him out there if Bell got hurt.

 

[Shutout]

Even in dynasty, the goal is always to win the year you are in.

So if you have an opportunity to secure a title, you do it.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

An example: Do you dump your 3rd TE or IRed WR to grab a second defense, if defenses score well and one on waivers has a good matchup?

Absolutely. You go for it when you have the chance. Not every year is a given you even make the playoffs. And if what you are dumping to the wire is really your 3rd TE or 6th WR, chances are pretty good you'll be able to pick them back up off the wire if you need them. Remember that this time of year only a few teams are really making any moves. A lot of teams, even in dynasty, stop paying attention and move on to other hobbies. If you can use the waiver wire as your extended bench to gain strategic advantage for the playoffs, absolutely you do it.

Or another way to look at it is that those were guys that you would likely be dropping at one point or another anyway when playing the waiver wire.

 

[ebsteelers]

always look to win now, who knows your league could disband tomorrow.