Dynasty Fantasy Football Strategy: Value In Ricky Pearsall, Makai Lemon and More

Every week, I take dynasty fantasy football strategy-related questions from the delightful (and I have to assume mind-bogglingly attractive) members of the Fantasy Life Community Discord, which you can and should join here.

This week, we talk through rebuilding strategies, getting fair value for aging vets and a few WR2s that are worth chasing.

Let’s talk …

Dynasty Fantasy Football Strategy Mailbag

I’m on a rebuilding team that has mostly young players (after selling older superstars the last two years). Many of the players are mediocre or developmental prospects from the last draft or two. With several draft picks next year, how would you manage the team to maximize value?

The toughest part of a rebuild is waiting for all those moves you made to actually pay off. I’d be curious to know which players you consider “mediocre” or “developmental,” because each player should be assessed individually.

But generally, if you think they’re mediocre, your leaguemates probably do too. So I think the most important thing to do right now is to figure out which players you like more than the consensus opinion. And then go after those players in trades to set yourself up as well as possible this year. You might also try trading for players with injury concerns (Malik Nabers) or those coming off a down stretch (Emeka Egbuka). But I think patience is your best friend right now.

What team’s second receiver has a chance to exceed their current ADP?

I’ve talked about him a lot (arguably too much), but Makai Lemon has a strong chance to become the 1B to DeVonta Smith in his first year due to his versatility. I’m also high on Ricky Pearsall (health willing), since he’s looked pretty great in the short time we’ve seen him on the field. Then there’s a gaggle of teams without an obvious WR2 (Packers, Ravens, Chargers, Dolphins) that I’m willing to take shots on since all the ADPs are so low.

Is there any hope for Luke McCaffrey? WRs take a few years to season, and I'm hoping it's all gonna click for him.

Washington is another team without an established WR2. That lack of clear pass-catching talent around him is the biggest thing the younger McCaffrey has going for him. Maybe his connection with Jayden Daniels will grow if they can both manage to stay healthy at the same time, but I’m not going to hold my breath.

If you’re blowing up your roster, what type of return are you looking for when it comes to aging vets like Mike Evans and Travis Kelce?

If you’re blowing it all up, I don’t think you can afford to be TOO picky about the return for those guys. They’re old. Only the top contenders will probably offer anything worthwhile. I think the question shouldn’t be “how much” you can get for a guy like Kelce, but “how creative” you can get with what you’re asking in return. Rookie pick values will be what they’ll be, so getting even a second-rounder for him now would be a tall task. But can you find some undervalued young’uns to get instead? And which of your leaguemates would offer you the best crop? Specific player values aren’t so black and white, so I think that’s the best way to approach this full-on demolition.

Is Colby Parkinson a legitimate cut candidate at this stage?

In non-Tight End Premium leagues, Parkinson is probably more of a roster clogger than anything. There are four legitimate tight ends on the Rams (if Max Klare can be trusted as a rookie), and Parkinson’s not obviously head and shoulders above any of them. He’ll be tough to trust week-to-week.

For superflex startups, what is your GO-TO draft strategy?

I stand by the YOGA principle: Your Only Goal is Agility. In other words, stay nimble.

Ideally, I’d love to grab a couple of stud-adjacent quarterbacks right off the bat. But if I’m drafting from the 12 spot, I might have to bypass some tremendous value at other positions to get a lower-tier QB. For example, if I’m staring down Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Amon-Ra St Brown vs Jaxson Dart and Trevor Lawrence, you better believe I’ll be waiting to grab QBs later on.

So my biggest tip is to take deep breaths and stay flexible. Remember: Draft for best overall value and then trade for positional need later on.

For contending teams: what free agents are you watching and/or buying in on—if any?

If we’re talking NFL free agents, there aren’t many guys I’m dying to roster. Deebo Samuel probably doesn’t have many team fits that can wring out worthwhile fantasy value. Tyreek Hill is 32 and unlikely to land a significant role (unless he ends up back in Kansas City). I guess since the NFL decided not to even slap Stefon Diggs on the wrist with a personal conduct violation, he’s got the best chance to produce fantasy points this season once he inevitably latches on somewhere.

I picked up an orphan team a couple of years ago that was in pretty bad shape. The team’s QB and WR rooms are pretty good. Would you trade a 1st or 2nd round pick for an RB? I figure taking Jadarian Price at 1.03 is a little high?

I’ll always suggest drafting the best players, plain and simple, regardless of position. You’re in this thing for the long haul. So I’d rather take Lemon/Jordyn Tyson/Carnell Tate at 1.03 and either pick up a running back later in the draft (if they’re the best player available) or trade for one in the remaining weeks of the offseason.

I’m rebuilding and have Jeremiyah Love, Omarion Hampton, Marvin Harrison Jr, Brian Thomas Jr. and Ladd McConkey as my core. QB and TE, I have mediocre options. Does it make sense to trade anyone from that core to get a true stud at WR, TE or QB?

Running backs are always prime candidates to trade away during a rebuild, but Love and Hampton are so young that it’s not a necessity. Those WRs should all have a chance to gain more value through the offseason and into the season, so I wouldn’t move any of them just yet … although offloading Marv is tempting.

Since you’re rebuilding, I would just stress patience above all else. Leaguemates can smell your desperation when you’re chasing after a stud, so don’t force it. But hey, if you can package a couple of those guys to get someone like Tyler Warren, I wouldn’t hate it.

Published Jun 16, 2026, 6:47 AM ET