You know that feeling when a trade notification pops up on your phone at 11:30 PM? Your heart races a bit. You see a veteran you like for a couple of "future" second-rounders. It looks fine on paper. But then you hit accept, and three months later, you realize you just traded away the pick that became the next Puka Nacua for a guy who’s now a "rotational piece."
That’s why we use an NFL dynasty trade value chart. Honestly, without one, you're just throwing darts in a dark room while everyone else has night-vision goggles. These charts aren't just lists of names; they are the literal currency exchange of fantasy football. They tell you if that shiny new rookie is actually worth more than a proven, boring veteran who scores 14 points every single week.
The Reality of Value in 2026
If you’re still valuing players based on what they did in 2023 or 2024, you're already behind. The landscape has shifted. We've seen guys like Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels completely reset the market. In a Superflex league, a top-tier young quarterback isn't just an asset; it’s a lifestyle.
Current consensus among experts like Derek Brown and Andrew Erickson shows a massive gap between the "Elite Tier" and everyone else. For instance, Josh Allen remains the gold standard. He’s basically a cheat code. If you're looking at a 2026 trade value chart, someone like Allen often carries a value of 100 points, while a solid starter like Baker Mayfield might hover around 50.
Think about that. You’d need two Bakers just to get in the room for one Allen. And even then, most managers wouldn't take it.
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Why Superflex Changes Everything
In a standard 1QB league, you can find a decent starter on the waiver wire. In Superflex? Forget it. The trade value of quarterbacks skyrockets. A mid-tier QB like Bo Nix or Jordan Love is suddenly worth more than a superstar wide receiver like Garrett Wilson. It sounds crazy until you're starting a backup punter in your Superflex spot because you didn't value the position correctly.
How to Read a Dynasty Trade Value Chart Without Losing Your Mind
Most people make the mistake of looking at these charts as a "one-to-one" rulebook. They see a player worth 40 and another worth 40 and assume it’s a fair swap. It’s not. There is a "consolidation tax."
If I give you three players worth 10 points each for your one player worth 30, I am winning that trade every single time. Why? Because I only have to use one roster spot to get those 30 points. You have to use three. You’ve lost flexibility. Expert analysts suggest adding a 10% to 20% premium whenever you are the one giving up the best player in the deal.
The Rookie Pick Trap
Draft picks are the most "liquid" assets in dynasty. They don't get injured. They don't get arrested. They don't have bad games. Their value only goes up as the rookie draft gets closer.
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As of January 2026, a top-three rookie pick (1.01–1.03) is valued around 54 points in Superflex formats. Compare that to a late first-round pick (1.10–1.12), which drops to about 39 points. That’s a massive cliff. If someone offers you "two firsts" for your superstar, make sure those firsts aren't projected to be at the end of the round. A late first is often just a glorified second-round pick.
Positional Value Breakdown for 2026
Let’s look at how the market is actually moving right now. We aren't just guessing; we're looking at the data from the 2025 season and the projected 2026 landscape.
Quarterbacks: The Kings of the Hill
- Drake Maye (NE): He’s the new darling. His combination of rushing floor and arm talent has him neck-and-neck with Josh Allen in trade value.
- Jaxson Dart (NYG): Moving up fast. The Giants' offense finally looks competent, and Dart’s value has spiked nearly 20% in the last month alone.
- Anthony Richardson Sr. (IND): The "Value Cliff." He’s a massive risk. Some charts have him as low as 24 points because the injury concerns and accuracy issues aren't going away.
Running Backs: The "Fragile" Assets
RBs are like cars; they lose value the second you drive them off the lot. Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs are the only ones holding "Elite" status above 45 points. Everyone else is a gamble.
Expert Tip: If you're not a top-three contender, sell your RBs. Sell them now. Their value will never be higher than it is today.
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Wide Receivers: The Long-Term Play
This is where you build your foundation. Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson are essentially untouchable. But look at the next tier. Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba have cemented themselves as cornerstones. A guy like Luther Burden III—a rookie breakout for Chicago—is someone you should be targeting before his "brand" matches his actual production.
Common Mistakes Most Managers Make
- Overvaluing "Potential": We all love the 22-year-old with 4.3 speed. But if he hasn't produced by year three, his trade value is a mirage.
- Ignoring League Settings: If your league is "Tight End Premium" (TEP), someone like Brock Bowers or Trey McBride is worth more than almost any wide receiver. McBride just set records; if you aren't valuing him like a top-10 overall asset in TEP, you're doing it wrong.
- The "Forever Rebuild": Don't be the guy who only trades for picks. Eventually, you have to actually win a game. Use the chart to identify "buy-low" veterans like Derrick Henry (still elite at 32!) who can help you win a championship for the price of a mid-second-round pick.
Real World Example: The "Hammer" Trade
Let's say you want to acquire CeeDee Lamb. The chart says he's worth 65 points.
You offer:
- George Pickens (35 points)
- 2026 Mid-First Pick (42 points)
On paper, you're giving up 77 points for 65. The "math" says you're losing. But in reality? You're getting the Hammer. You're getting the best player in the deal. In a 12-team league, the person with the most "Hammer" players usually wins the trophy. The chart helps you realize that giving up that extra 12 points of "value" is actually the price of admission for greatness.
Actionable Steps for Your Offseason
- Audit your roster: Go through every player and assign them a value based on a 2026 consensus chart. See where you are "over-leveraged" at a position.
- Identify the "Value Gaps": Look for players where the community value (what people think) is lower than the chart value (what the data says). Bo Nix is a great example of this right now—his production outweighs his "name brand" value.
- Target the 2027 Picks: While everyone is obsessed with the 2026 class, the 2027 class is already being touted as deeper. If you can swap a mid-2026 first for a 2027 first and a "throw-in" player like Darnell Washington, do it.
- Stop trading in a vacuum: Always check at least two different value charts before hitting accept. If one says a trade is a "win" and the other says it's a "loss," the truth is probably somewhere in the middle.
Dynasty football isn't won in the draft; it’s won in the trade market. Use the tools, but trust your gut when the "Hammer" is on the table.