Dynasty Football 101: Core Principles to Follow

In this article, Kevin discusses the core principles that every dynasty manager should follow to create a roster built for sustained success year after year.

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for building the perfect dynasty fantasy football team. Every league is different, and success often depends on adapting to its unique dynamics. However, by following some core principles, you can navigate the format with confidence and set yourself up for sustained success. In this article, I’ll break down essential tips—from valuing future first-round picks to trading down within tiers—that will help you make smarter decisions and maximize your chances of creating a true dynasty.

Build Around Elite Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

When building your dynasty roster, prioritize elite wide receivers above all else, with top-tier quarterbacks in SuperFlex formats being the only comparable assets. Running backs, even the elite ones, shouldn’t form the foundation of your team. Their volatility, short shelf life, and susceptibility to injuries make them unreliable cornerstones, especially in a rebuild. Rebuilding teams banking on running backs often find themselves stuck in perpetual mediocrity, chasing the next big thing at 1.01 every year.

In contrast, wide receivers provide a much more stable foundation. When you look at the top of the WR rankings over the years, there’s significantly less fluctuation compared to the dynasty running back landscape. Elite wide receivers tend to maintain their value over time, even when injuries occur. Young receivers, in particular, often bounce back from injuries much faster and retain their dynasty value, making them far more reliable assets to build around.

The smarter play is to invest in cornerstone wide receivers, secure your quarterbacks, and spread resources across multiple running backs. Over time, at least a few of those running backs will hit, giving you the production you need without overspending.

As a general rule, prioritize young, productive wide receivers to build a stable core. Their consistency, longevity, and ability to hold value make them essential for constructing a winning roster.

Know When To Buy Running Backs

Running backs are crucial to winning championships, but they should only enter the picture when the rest of your roster—elite wide receivers, solid quarterbacks, and depth—is in place. If you’re drafting or rebuilding, take the best player available, even if that’s a hyped-up running back like Ashton Jeanty, because they hold significant trade value. But remember, drafting running backs too early can hinder your rebuild by stealing wins and harming your draft position, or leaving you with an injured or faded asset by the time you’re ready to compete.

Instead, focus on acquiring undervalued veterans or “value” RBs who can produce solid numbers for a season or two without a massive investment. Recent examples include Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Alvin Kamara, and James Conner—players who were available for a second-round pick or less but delivered top-15 performances in PPR leagues over the last two years.

If you’re in a Sf startup, secure your quarterbacks first to avoid quarterback purgatory. After that, build a strong wide receiver core, keep an eye out for running back bargains, and use them to push your team over the edge when it’s ready to contend. Patience and strategic timing are your best friends when dealing with running backs.

As we head into this off-season, veteran running backs will be as cheap as ever due to the incoming 2025 running back class. While the 2025 class is highly rated, we have seen in the past either a class does not pan out the way we all think it will or the veteran is able to hold off the young rookie for one final season and put up league-winning numbers. Finding veteran running backs to buy this off-season who survive the roulette wheel that's the 2025 class will win people leagues next season.

Future Firsts = Flexibility

Future first-round picks are the ultimate currency in dynasty leagues, offering unmatched flexibility to build and enhance your roster. These picks hold immense value in a format where everyone is chasing the "next big thing." Whether you use them to acquire top-tier trade assets or to draft the next breakout rookie, having a stash of firsts gives you a significant edge.

Timing is everything when it comes to buying and selling picks. Follow a strategic approach to maximize their value throughout the season. For example, picks tend to gain value as the NFL Draft approaches or during your league's rookie draft season when managers are eager to secure top prospects. Conversely, acquiring future picks during the regular season is often more affordable, as contenders are more willing to part with them to chase a championship. The graph below is a very simple timeline to follow.

In addition to timing, understanding which draft classes to invest in is crucial. At The Devy Royale, we emphasize planning ahead. Right now, 2027 firsts are undervalued and ripe for acquisition. The class is headlined by elite Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith, one of the most hyped devy prospects we’ve seen. Meanwhile, the 2026 class could feature QB Arch Manning, another potential franchise cornerstone. Diversifying your picks throughout multiple draft classes allows you ultimate flexibility. Also, understanding the 2027 class will be a sought-after class that helps shape the market of those picks as you trade for them or buy players with the picks.

Stacking picks from strong classes ensures you’re positioned to either build through the draft or leverage that capital for proven stars. If you want a deeper dive into specific draft classes and their potential, check out our video breakdowns on the topic.

Don’t Fill “Needs” in the Off-Season

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