Dynasty Fantasy Football Mailbag: Trade Up For Fernando Mendoza?

The NFL Draft has packed up and moved out of Pittsburgh. In its wake, it left behind as many hangovers as it did questions. Questions like, “Did John Lynch really use AI to make his draft picks?” (Probably.) And “Did literally every team draft a damn tight end?” (No, but exactly half of them did.)

So I threw it over to our Fantasy Life Community Discord to see what other questions were burning a hole in their dynasty-oriented brains.

Here's what they wanted to know …

Dynasty Fantasy Football Mailbag Questions Post-NFL Draft

If you're desperate for a QB in a Superflex this year, are you willing to trade up for Fernando Mendoza? Or should you just sacrifice 2026 and wait for 2027 and that batch of QBs? —A mob of ducks

I understand that positional scarcity is scary. It’s right there in the name! But I’d much rather address my QB needs by trading for an established vet, rather than going after the rookie. I don’t think Fernando Mendoza has more upside or even longevity than someone like Baker Mayfield or Tyler Shough, but he’s a heckuva lot pricier.

And let’s not forget that Mendoza has a khaki-sporting obstacle in his path to playing time. So if you really need a QB for THIS YEAR, maybe chuck some pennies at the Kirk Cousins manager. Speaking of Vegas …

Jack Bech. Thoughts? —trades4sweets

[Sighs, slumps down in chair, takes a long drink of whiskey.] Fine. I guess I’ll admit that Jack Bech is worth stashing. FOR NOW.

Aside from Brock Bowers, the depth chart looks like the aftermath of that football scene in The Dark Knight Rises. But I have to believe someone like Jauan Jennings will eventually sign with the Raiders this offseason and relegate Bech to WR3, at best. And this isn’t a team that’s going to deliver fantasy relevance from three wide receivers. So … yeah, I’d go ahead and trade him now while he’s got a speck of value.

Most exciting landing spots? And landing spots that now curb your enthusiasm for players? —TheErdon

Well, the Jets fully Larry Davided my guy Kenyon Sadiq. It’s a pretty, pretty, pretty bad spot for someone as raw as him. He’ll need some polishing to reach his full potential, and I’m highly skeptical this organization can be trusted to do that. Let’s also pour one all the way out for my pre-draft crush Mike Washington, whose swift fall down my ranks brought back traumatizing flashbacks of Mufasa.

On the other hand, Chris Bell to Miami and Eli Stowers to Philly are pretty dang nice. Bell is a first-round talent who could easily stand on the heads of the Dolphins’ feeble depth chart. And I mentioned in a recent mock draft that Stowers and Sadiq are on opposite trajectories given the Eagles’ offensive makeover.

I have J.J. McCarthy, Shedeur Sanders and Sam Darnold as my QBs in a 12-team, 1-QB dynasty league. How would you rank them for next year and beyond? And should I target a QB in this year's draft? —KClav429

In 1-QB leagues, I only go after quarterbacks with massive upside. And as I mentioned up top, I don’t see that in this year’s class. So I’m not tripping over myself or paying a premium to draft replacement-level guys.

I’d rank those QBs: 1) Sam Darnold. 2) J.J. McCarthy. 3) Shedeur Sanders.

Darnold is solid and just put up 4,000+ yards and 25+ TDs in each of his last two seasons on two different teams. There’s still some hope for both McCarthy and Sanders, though neither is guaranteed the starting gig. I’m giving the edge to McCarthy based on draft capital and surrounding talent.

Worth it to give up the 1.03 and what should be a late 2027 1st for Malik Nabers? Team is a contender. 12-team, non-Superflex. —Pluckynezki

I think it’s a fair trade, though I’m admittedly very high on Makai Lemon, who you’ll likely be able to nab at 1.03. I expect big things from him in his rookie season and beyond. Also, that late ’27 1st is worth more than some people’s houses, so I’d wanna be fairly certain Malik Nabers is really THE missing piece for a championship run.

I’m in a 24-team league. I have picks 1.05 (my own) and 1.14 (from a trade). I’m probably a year away from contending. Should I offer the 1.05 + a 2nd or 3rd-round pick for Luther Burden? What about 1.05 + 1.14 for Burden? I have Caleb Williams. —BG33

I had to include this question simply because … 24 TEAMS??? As in … twice as many as 12??? I’ve played some stiff competition in my day, but that’s some real Hunger Games sh*t. I applaud your competitive spirit!

I can’t imagine what rookies would be worth drafting at pick 53 and beyond in this insane league. Jam Miller?? Jaren Kanak?? So if a 3rd rounder somehow helps get you the player you want, then go for it. But with overall pick values so heavily inflated, I think I’d want more than just Burden for the 1.05. Someone with more security in their value. I’d say the top trio of rookie receivers are neck and neck with Burden in dynasty anyhow.

It’s a common question, but what do we do with Jadarian Price vs. the WRs? Is he in the mix after Jeremiyah Love? Is there no way he should go above KC Concepcion? … Nobody seems to like this guy. —Nate!

I like Price. And yes, the injury to Zach Charbonnet should theoretically let us find out if he can handle a full workload, which he didn’t get in college. But the Seahawks could also frustrate us with a heavy dose of Emanuel Wilson until Charbonnet returns. Or, Price could get the hefty usage we’ve been craving but his efficiency could take a major hit, a la Lamar Miller from back in the day.

That’s part of the reason I took Concepcion over Price in our post-draft dynasty mock. But the newest addition to Seattle’s backfield certainly deserves your consideration right after that, as the receivers start to jumble together a bit.

Who are the late-round rookies who have the greatest chance to meaningfully contribute this year and in the future? —Jonathan Davis

For immediate gratification, it’s easy to just grab the late-round running backs walking into shoddier depth charts. I could see Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen and [shudder] even Eli Heidenreich getting some decent production out of the gate. But I wouldn’t count on them much beyond this year.

Looking ahead, Brenen Thompson is a high-risk/high-reward asset to Mike McDaniel’s offense. Tanner Koziol is also an interesting tight end to watch if the Jags decide to run more 12 personnel.

Players Mentioned in this Article

FernandoMendoza
QBLV
Proj
193.9
JackBech
WRLV
PPG
2.3
Proj
83.6
MakaiLemon
WRPHI
Proj
145.8
MalikNabersQ
WRNYG
PPG
12.0
Proj
210.6

Published Apr 30, 2026, 6:45 ET