Zero Trade Dynasty Strategy?

[DLF3000]

So after seeing so many one-sided or terrible value trades over the years (the latest of which was Derek Carr for a 2nd and 3rd round rookie pick two months ago - WAIT, WHAT?!), I started to wonder:

Is it even possible to win dynasty with zero trades?

How would you do it - what would you suggest you do, or do a lot more of, since you're not tapping into trading as a resource?

Or is trading so exploitable with some people and/or situations that you can't win dynasty without it?

[lukkynumber13]

You can absolutely build a great team with ONLY drafting and FAs/waivers. Trading is just a piece of the puzzle.

[Dynasty DeLorean]

That's kind of an interesting question. I think it'd be cool to do a dynasty league where trading isn't allowed. Strategy would be much different I assume.

[lukkynumber13]

That's kind of an interesting question. I think it'd be cool to do a dynasty league where trading isn't allowed. Strategy would be much different I assume.

I would die...

[Concept Coop]

That's kind of an interesting question. I think it'd be cool to do a dynasty league where trading isn't allowed. Strategy would be much different I assume.

It would better isolate "skill", IMO. Especially early on in a league. Or maybe I'm just bitter as a poor salesman.

[Cameron Giles]

You can absolutely build a great team with ONLY drafting and FAs/waivers. Trading is just a piece of the puzzle.

The presence of luck would be at its highest for a team to win by only drafting and using waivers. Most rookie picks will bust. So, you're now tasking someone with hitting on the majority of their picks each year to stay relevant.

[lukkynumber13]

You can absolutely build a great team with ONLY drafting and FAs/waivers. Trading is just a piece of the puzzle.

The presence of luck would be at its highest for a team to win by only drafting and using waivers. Most rookie picks will bust. So, you're now tasking someone with hitting on the majority of their picks each year to stay relevant.

But you're not the only one who would be relying on rookie picks to stay good. Every team would be playing by those rules. So scouting becomes a much bigger deal

[Cameron Giles]

But you're not the only one who would be relying on rookie picks to stay good. Every team would be playing by those rules. So scouting becomes a much bigger deal

If you're a perennial contender in the league, then how do you stay good when your studs are winding down? Late 1st round picks are going to bust so many times. The rates are even higher for late 2nd's, 3rd's, 4ths and so on. Sure, scouting can help, but even great research will still make you fall victim to incredible odds.

To me, a league that has no trading ensures one central point: Parity.

Bad teams will rack up on the elite prospects in the 1.01-1.04 range for a couple of years and eventually take down the giants of the league.

In a league where you can trade, good teams can stay good by the power of negotiating.

[The Red Rooster]

That's kind of an interesting question. I think it'd be cool to do a dynasty league where trading isn't allowed. Strategy would be much different I assume.

I would not be able to handle that, haha. Wheeling and dealing is what I love about dynasty.

[Concept Coop]

But you're not the only one who would be relying on rookie picks to stay good. Every team would be playing by those rules. So scouting becomes a much bigger deal

[lukkynumber13]

But you're not the only one who would be relying on rookie picks to stay good. Every team would be playing by those rules. So scouting becomes a much bigger deal

If you're a perennial contender in the league, then how do you stay good when your studs are winding down? Late 1st round picks are going to bust so many times. The rates are even higher for late 2nd's, 3rd's, 4ths and so on. Sure, scouting can help, but even great research will still make you fall victim to incredible odds.

To me, a league that has no trading ensures one central point: Parity.

Bad teams will rack up on the elite prospects in the 1.01-1.04 range for a couple of years and eventually take down the giants of the league.

In a league where you can trade, good teams can stay good by the power of negotiating.

There would probably be a lot more parity, yes. But looking at last year's class: if I'm the 2nd or 3rd worst team in the league, I got Treadwell or Doctson. If I was one of the better teams, I probably got M. Thomas, D. Henry, or Dixon.

In the 2nd round especially, a savvy drafter could've taken a H. Henry or Howard, while the bottom feeders took Kenyan Drake & Keith Marshall.

I realize that's just one year and everything, but I'm bored. It's July.

[Valhalla]

Could you ask to have the cheese removed from your Juicy Lucy and still have a good burger? Sure, but I'll keep the cheese in mine

[OhCruelestRanter]

So after seeing so many one-sided or terrible value trades over the years (the latest of which was Derek Carr for a 2nd and 3rd round rookie pick two months ago - WAIT, WHAT?!), I started to wonder:

Is it even possible to win dynasty with zero trades?

How would you do it - what would you suggest you do, or do a lot more of, since you're not tapping into trading as a resource?

Or is trading so exploitable with some people and/or situations that you can't win dynasty without it?

This is a great point- you probably CAN win, but in most leagues it's a severe handicap if you don't trade at all, because somebody else will and there's potential to make a juggernaut by doing so.

[sugbear65]

I believe this is also referred to as the "Zero Fun Strategy"

[DLF3000]

I believe this is also referred to as the "Zero Fun Strategy"

Isn't it also zero fun to get destroyed in a trade? Or to watch someone repeatedly destroy others, building a powerhouse?

Just a different format/approach with different challenges.

It would definitely be interesting to see what a zero-trade (read: zero-fleecing) league would be like.

No more swearing at the screen because some abominable trade just went through!