NHL Best Bets for Tuesday (11/19)
Kenneth Le
Every week this season, I’ve been breaking down a few moves to help you build the ultimate dynasty and rule your leagues. Now, with the fantasy playoffs starting and the possibility of moves dwindling, this will be the season finale for our weekly “dynasty moves” article.
As we head into Week 15 of the fantasy season, it is the first round of the fantasy playoffs in most leagues, so either you’re playing for a title or looking toward next season. No matter which bucket you fall in, the most important thing is to be active.
Below, I have broken down a few moves to improve a contending or rebuilding roster.
Contending Rosters
As a contender, it is time — the playoffs are here. The best thing to remember now is not to fix what isn’t broken. Many managers get too cute in the playoffs — starting your studs is not always the answer, but it is more likely the correct answer. If you are needing to secure the bottom half of your roster you will need to scour the waiver wire with trades likely off the table. This can be very difficult, as many dynasty waiver wires are barren by now, but there could be some moves out there for you. Other than that, all we can do is put our best foot forward and hope we assembled the championship roster.
Rebuilding Moves
If you are rebuilding, the rest of the season may become less exciting, especially if your trade deadline has passed. If so, keep your eye open for some deep stash players to add to the end of your roster. On the flip side, if your league doesn’t have a trade deadline, now is the time to make a few trades to set you up for the offseason and long-term success. Little has changed in the landscape this week regarding dynasty, so remember it’s always a good idea to acquire young assets and draft picks.
Truthful Assessment Time
Dynasty is a year-round commitment, which allows you to constantly improve your roster. On the flip side, if we don’t understand what moves need to be made then we could be making the wrong ones – landing us in roster purgatory. As a rebuilding roster, we have to be brutally honest with ourselves to prevent this from happening. This assessment should be deeper than just looking at the standings and jumping to a conclusion.
We should be looking at a few factors to make an educated assessment. One of these things to look at should be your points for, and where they fall in comparison to your league. If you rank near the middle of the league, it is more likely you may have been just unlucky this year. Also, factor in games lost to injury — did you roster the likes of Breece Hall, Cooper Kupp, D’Andre Swift or Javonte Williams? If so, it’s likely your roster is better than your record. These teams do not need a full rebuild; they only require a few minor moves as your huge offseason move will be the return of these players.
On the flip side, if you have a roster that needs a full rebuild, be prepared to dump a few high-end aging assets for multiple up-and-coming assets or draft picks this offseason. When doing this, remember that some trades look bad at the time of the trade but work out long term. So don’t be afraid to make a move in the fear of mockery. Making trades can open up avenues to other moves at later dates. As league mates are more likely to make moves with you if you are willing to wheel and deal. Finally, be prepared for a multi-year process, as a quality rebuild will likely take you 2-3 years to get into contention – but if done right you’ll be in contention for years to come.
Deep Stash Players to Target on Waivers
Shi Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers
Rostered in 18% of Sleeper leagues
Shi Smith has done little since entering the league in 2021 as a sixth-round pick. As a rookie, Smith played behind Robbie Anderson, DJ Moore and Terrace Marshall and produced 104 yards on only 6 receptions. Through 14 weeks this season, he has produced 185 yards on 16 receptions. He looks improved when it comes to his route running and separation ability – which was already strong to begin with. With a new coaching staff coming in this offseason, we could see a switch in the offensive scheme that would benefit Smith’s quick separation ability. The Panthers are likely to draft a replacement for Sam Darnold, which means we should expect an improved passing attack, which could open an opportunity for Smith to become fantasy viable next year.
Jonnu Smith, TE, New England Patriots
Rostered in 40% of Sleeper leagues
This is not as deep, but Jonnu Smith has proven he has immense talent and can be highly productive in the NFL – this translates to fantasy success as well. This season we have seen Smith finish with over 7 PPR points in three games, all with at least 4 targets. These are not eye-popping numbers, but at the tight end position, 9 points likely places you in the top 12. We have seen Smith produce high-end numbers prior to joining the Patriots, and I am stashing him anticipating a potential release this offseason as his cap hit goes from just over $8 million to over $17 million in 2023. It seems unlikely, but with Hunter Henry handling a majority of the work for the Patriots, I can see them saving cap space and moving on from Smith.
