Applying the Covey Matrix to Dynasty Fantasy Football

In this article, Kevin breaks down the key strategies dynasty managers should focus on—while avoiding common time-wasting mistakes—by categorizing moves into four quadrants.

As someone with a master's degree in education and a deep appreciation for leadership principles, I’m always looking for ways to apply high-level strategic thinking to fantasy football. One framework that has always fascinated me is Stephen Covey’s Time Management Matrix—a tool designed to help prioritize tasks by urgency and importance. In my profession, I use it to streamline decision-making and focus on what truly matters. But what if we applied the same logic to Dynasty Fantasy Football?

The idea for this article came from my good friend Leo Paciga, one of the best dynasty minds I’ve ever worked with. His breakdown of the Eisenhower Matrix in dynasty leagues was a game-changer for me, and you can check out his full article here. Inspired by his insights, I wanted to take Covey’s framework and apply it directly to roster-building, trade decisions, and long-term dynasty success.

Today, we’re constantly bombarded with distractions—Slack messages, emails, side hustles, family time, and fantasy football leagues all competing for our attention. The same chaos exists in dynasty football: trade offers flood in, waiver wire moves feel urgent, and the pressure to win now can lead to rash decisions. So, how do we make the most of our time and manage our dynasty teams efficiently?

Stephen Covey’s matrix provides a perfect blueprint. Originally introduced in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, it categorizes tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance. This approach helps us prioritize effectively, manage our rosters with intention, and make moves that actually matter—not just ones that feel urgent in the moment.

In this article, we’ll break down how to use Covey’s framework to dominate dynasty leagues, separating real priorities from distractions so you can build a powerhouse roster for both now and the future. Let’s dive in.

Quadrant 1: Urgent & Important – Dynasty Must-Act Moves

These are the non-negotiable, high-priority decisions that demand immediate action and have a lasting impact on your dynasty roster. Ignoring these moves could set your team back for years, while capitalizing on them can position you as a long-term contender. Let’s dive into the key areas where strategic thinking is essential.

Tier-Based Drafting (Startups & Rookie Drafts)

Gone are the days of blindly following ADP and taking the next guy on the board. In dynasty, understanding your league’s scoring format and drafting accordingly is critical. Tier-based drafting prevents you from panicking during positional runs and instead allows you to maximize value. When others rush to grab running backs in a frenzy, your tiered rankings will highlight a top-tier wide receiver who has fallen too far. This approach not only keeps you from reaching but also lets you dictate the draft flow, forcing opponents into uncomfortable spots. Dynasty drafts are unpredictable, but with tier-based drafting, you’re in control, leading position runs rather than chasing them.

Flexibility in Team Building (Startups & Trades)

Walking into a startup draft with a rigid strategy is a surefire way to leave value on the table. Dynasty fantasy football is fluid, and your approach should be as well. If your league mates are all going heavy on one strategy—say, a hero RB build—be the contrarian. Pivot when necessary, trade back for additional assets, or move up aggressively when a can’t-miss player falls. Your primary goal in a startup should be to accumulate as many top-24 dynasty assets as possible. Build your foundation with elite talent, then fill out your roster with calculated moves that exploit market inefficiencies.

Year-Round Rookie Draft Preparation

Successful dynasty managers don’t wait until April to start prepping for rookie drafts. Understanding the trajectory of upcoming draft classes is essential for making smart moves throughout the season. It’s not just about knowing the top prospects—it’s about understanding how the dynasty community values each class. If the 2027 draft class is projected to be elite, acquiring future picks now can give you flexible assets to use later, either for acquiring veterans or continuing to build. The key isn’t necessarily knowing every player in each class; it’s understanding market perception and leveraging it to your advantage.

Leveraging Startup ADP for Offseason Trades

One of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in dynasty fantasy football is using startup ADP to evaluate player values and plan trades. While trade calculators provide some value, they often miss the nuances of real drafts. Startup ADP, especially in the offseason, serves as a real-time indicator of how managers perceive players. Resources like Dynasty Data Lab’s Startup ADP provide valuable insights into trends, helping you identify undervalued and overvalued assets. By keeping tabs on these shifts, you can make strategic buy-low and sell-high moves before the market corrects.

Building Around Elite Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

If you want long-term stability, elite wide receivers should be the cornerstone of your dynasty roster, with top-tier quarterbacks in SuperFlex formats being equally valuable. Running backs, even the elite ones, are volatile investments. Their shorter career spans and susceptibility to injuries make them unreliable cornerstones. Teams that build around running backs often find themselves in a cycle of constant rebuilding, burning early picks on replacements year after year. Instead, focus on acquiring young, productive wide receivers who hold value over time. Elite wideouts offer consistency, longevity, and the ability to withstand injuries without tanking their dynasty worth. Prioritize WRs, secure your quarterbacks, and spread your running back investments across multiple assets rather than banking on one player to carry your team.

Understanding League Format, Scoring, and Roster Requirements

One of the biggest mistakes dynasty managers make is not tailoring their strategy to their league’s format. There’s no such thing as a universally good pick—context matters. League size, roster requirements, and scoring settings all influence player values in significant ways.

• League Size: The number of teams in your league affects positional scarcity. In smaller leagues (10-12 teams), you can often find replacement-level quarterbacks on waivers, making them less valuable. However, in 14+ team leagues, starting quarterbacks become premium assets since viable replacements are scarce. Understanding these dynamics helps you make smarter draft and trade decisions.

• Roster Size: The depth of your roster dictates how you should approach drafts and in-season management. If your league has deep rosters, stashing upside players makes sense. In shallower leagues, prioritizing immediate production over long-term development is often the better move. The key is understanding what the waiver wire will look like post-draft and adjusting your strategy accordingly.

Quadrant 2: Not Urgent & Important – Championship Foundation Moves

These moves don’t require immediate action but are key to your long-term dynasty success.

Understanding Position Windows

Each position in fantasy football has specific windows where buying or selling makes the most sense. Recognizing these windows can maximize your roster’s value over time.

Quarterbacks (Superflex Format): The key to success in Superflex leagues is securing long-term stability at quarterback. Ideally, in a startup draft, you want to land two top-10 QBs without reaching for your second QB. If you miss out on elite options, prioritize finding undervalued veterans who can produce high-end QB2 numbers while also taking a shot on a younger QB3 with breakout potential. Unlike other positions, there isn’t a strict “sell window” for quarterbacks—leveraging tier-based trading strategies can help you optimize value throughout the year.

Running Backs: My philosophy on running backs has evolved. While the traditional wisdom was to sell RBs before age 25 or their second contract, the recent market shift has created more opportunities to acquire productive veteran backs at a discount. The best startup strategy remains drafting an “anchor RB” early, then targeting undervalued veterans throughout the season. Aging backs nearing 27-28 years old often become dirt cheap but can provide league-winning upside.

Wide Receivers: Wide receiver value is volatile. The key is to anticipate breakouts before they happen while selling declining players early. With a steady influx of talented wide recievers in each draft class, it’s crucial to avoid clinging to assets past their prime. WR production is heavily tied to offensive schemes and quarterback play—identifying scheme fits can give you an edge. Too often, managers chase potential and end up holding depreciating assets.

Tight Ends: If you can acquire an elite tight end, ride them for their entire career. Since only a handful of elite options exist, the alternative approach is to churn the position frequently, targeting potential breakouts and TE2s who can emerge as viable starters.

Future 1sts = Flexibility

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