Dynasty Lineup Audit Checklist: Contend or Rebuild?
You finished third last season. You were one game away from the championship, close enough to taste it. Now, as you stare at your roster after final cuts, you’re trapped in the dynasty purgatory of “what’s next?” Do you push your chips all-in for a title run, or did that third-place finish paper over cracks that signal a needed rebuild?
This uncertainty is where seasons are won and lost. A thorough, honest audit is your map out of the middle. It’s not about gut feelings; it’s a systematic process to evaluate your roster’s strength, identify its fatal flaws, and dictate your next move. Let’s break it down, position by position.
The Foundation: Your Contend or Rebuild Decision Tree
Before we dive into players, you must answer the macro question. Your finish alone doesn’t define you. Use this simple flowchart to find your direction:
- Was my 3rd-place finish a product of a dominant, high-point-scoring team that got unlucky in the playoffs?
- Yes→ Proceed to Question 2.
- No→ It was a fluke run with an older roster. Lean REBUILD.
- Is my core (best 4-5 players) young and ascending (e.g., Bijan Robinson, Ja’Marr Chase, Jahmyr Gibbs) or veteran and aging (e.g., Derrick Henry, Davante Adams)?
- Young & Ascending→ Your window is open. LEAN CONTEND.
- Veteran & Aging→ Your window is closing. This is your last, best shot. PUSH TO CONTEND.
- Looking at the top two teams in my league, is my roster clearly in their tier talent-wise?
- Yes→ Your goal is to find the pieces to surpass them.
- No→ Wasting years in mediocrity is the cardinal sin of dynasty. Be honest and act now.
This framework sets your strategy. Now, let’s audit the pieces.
The Position-by-Position Audit Checklist
Go through your roster and answer these questions with brutal honesty.
Quarterback Audit
- The Elite Question:Do I have a surefire, set-and-forget top-12 QB? In Superflex, do I have two?
- The Age Curve Question:Is my QB1 on the right side of 30? For contenders, a veteran like Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson is fine. For rebuilders, a young star like Jayden Daniels is ideal.
- The Depth Question:Is my QB2 a viable weekly starter if needed, or a complete project? In Superflex, this is critical.
- Red Flag:Relying on a QB over 32 with no clear, young successor on your roster.
Running Back Audit
- The Workhorse Question:Do I have at least one RB I can confidently plug in as an RB1 every week? (Hint: Look for guys with little to no backfield competition and pass-game usage).
- The Age Cliff Question:How many of my RBs are 27 or older? If you’re contending, a Derrick Henry is a strength. If you’re rebuilding, he’s your best trade chip before his value evaporates.
- The Depth Question:Is my bench filled with handcuffs with standalone value or just roster cloggers? In dynasty, you literally cannot have enough running backs.
- Red Flag:Your RB2 is a 28-year-old committee back with diminishing efficiency. This is a hole that will sink your season.
Wide Receiver Audit
- The Alpha Question: Do I have a true, target-hog WR1? (e.g., Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb). If not, acquiring one should be your top priority.
- The Depth Question: Do I have reliable, high-floor WR2/3 types to fill out my lineup? (e.g., Chris Godwin). This is the most important depth chart for contenders.
- The Youth Question: Is my receiving corps filled with rising 23-26 year-olds or declining 29+ year-olds? WRs have longer shelf lives, but age matters.
- Red Flag: Your WR3 is a boom-or-bust rookie or a veteran who hasn’t topped 800 yards in two seasons. Consistency wins championships.
Tight End Audit
- The Advantage Question: Do I have a top-5 TE who provides a weekly matchup advantage? (e.g., Brock Bowers, Sam LaPorta). If yes, this is a massive edge. If not, you’re likely playing from behind.
- The Plug-and-Play Question: If I don’t have an elite guy, do I have a reliable, high-floor option like Trey McBride, or am I streaming?
- Red Flag: You’re relying on a former star who is clearly past his prime without a backup plan.
Your Action Plan
Based on your audit and contend/rebuild decision, your path is clear.
If You’re Pushing to Contend:
Your audit revealed holes. Now, go fill them aggressively.
- Leverage the Future:Your rookie picks are ammunition. A future 1st-round pick is far more valuable to a rebuilder than it is to you. Package it with a young player to acquire a proven veteran who fixes a starting hole now.
- Buy the “Old” Guys:Target productive veterans whose values are suppressed simply because of their age. You can acquire them for 70 cents on the dollar compared to their in-season price. A contender buying Derrick Henry in the offseason is a classic, league-winning move.
- Consolidate Depth:You don’t need six startable WR3s. Package two of them to a weaker team for one upgrade at WR2.
If You’re Launching a Rebuild:
Your audit revealed an old, top-heavy roster with no depth. It’s time to be ruthless.
- Sell Your Crown Jewels:Your aging veterans won’t be worth anything when you’re ready to compete. Sell your Derrick Henry, your Austin Ekeler. Sell them to the contenders for picks and young players. It’s a short-term step back for long-term gain.
- Acquire Lottery Tickets:Use your empty bench spots on high-upside, young players stuck behind aging starters. Stash the backup running backs, the second-year receivers poised for a leap.
- Play the Timeline Game:Now is the hardest time to acquire picks and youth. Be patient. The best time to sell your veterans is during the season when a contender gets desperate. Hold if you don’t get fair value.
Finishing third isn’t an ending, it’s a diagnostic. It revealed your roster’s true nature. By conducting this clear-eyed audit, you replace uncertainty with strategy. You transform from a passive hope-er into an active architect, ready to either forge a championship or lay the foundation for the next dynasty. Now, open your roster and get to work. Your league mates are already behind.