This week’s trades hit three key pillars of dynasty strategy: When is it right to trade away a foundational RB in a rebuild? Can a contender and rebuilder align on value? And is this a mega deal or a mega disaster? We’re breaking them down piece by piece. Let’s dive into the July Week 4 edition of Grade the Trade.
Grade Ratings:
A – Great Trade for Both Parties
B – Leans One Side, But Fair
C – Questionable, But Defensible
D – Lopsided Deal
F – Borderline Collusion Deal
Trade #1 | B- | Grade the Trade
Ashton Jeanty for Nico Collins and Jack Bech
Brenson_burner17 is in a rebuild and asking, “Trade Jeanty already?”
Brenson_burner17 is knee-deep with a “heavy rebuild” in a SuperFlex PPR league and realistically two years away from contention. In dynasty circles, there’s a commonly accepted view: If you’re rebuilding, sell your running backs. It’s generally a smart strategy as RBs have the shortest window of peak value, and timing matters. But sometimes, a player demands an exception.
Ashton Jeanty, a top-10 NFL Draft pick, belongs in the tier of backs like Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, and Jahmyr Gibbs—players whose draft capital and skillset transcend these “rules.” He’s a potential franchise pillar.
On the flip side, Nico Collins has gone from taxi stash to Alpha in only 2 seasons. He’s a true WR1 entering his prime with proven production.
Do you move a potential elite RB cornerstone before he’s taken a snap for a locked-in WR1 already doing it at the highest level?
TEAM A | Ashton Jeanty
PROs
- A premium RB with an entire career ahead of him.
- Valued as a 1st-rounder in 1QB and a top-15 asset in SuperFlex startups.
CONs
- Team makeup unknown; WR could be a major team need.
TEAM B | Nico Collins and Jack Bech
PROs
- Before tweaking his hamstring on a 67-yard score, Nico Collins was WR2 in PPG through Week 4. His 2025 ceiling is massive.
CONs
- Jack Bech is a nice stash, but not a difference maker.
VERDICT: Team A wins this trade by not making it.
Even in today’s pass-heavy NFL, where RBs are often devalued, true workhorse backs remain rare. Ashton Jeanty is walking in as the Raiders’ offensive centerpiece from Day 1.
If you’re rebuilding, you’re not chasing players at peak value. You’re stockpiling youth, upside, and future picks. Jack Bech is a fine secondary piece, but this deal hinges on Jeanty vs. Collins, and the rookie’s ceiling and timeline fit a rebuild far better. The value looks clean on paper, but you should be aiming for a haul built around ascending assets if you’re moving Jeanty.
This deal gives you a wide receiver with legitimate potential to climb the ranks to WR1 overall the next two seasons, paired with a strong package of 2027 picks. From a pure value perspective, this is a clean upgrade across the board:
- The 2026 1st becomes a 2027 1st, which is currently valued higher on the market due to the perceived strength of that class.
- The 2027 3rd is upgraded to a 2027 1st, a massive leap in expected value.
- And the player swap of Jeanty to Nabers, Nabers currently holding a higher ADP than Jeanty,
If you’re playing the long game, this is the kind of move that gives you insulation and flexibility.
Dynasty Value | Trade Calculator
Contender Value | Trade Calculator
Trade #2 | A- | Grade the Trade
Kenneth Walker III, Pat Bryant, Jaxson Dart, & 27 1st for Saquon Barkley
Impossible_Paper789 is wondering if it’s time to be “trading away Saquon.”
Impossible_Paper789 wants to ship off Saquon Barkley to a contender, so targeting assets that a win-now team might be more willing to part with is a smart strategy.
Barkley is coming off a 378-touch season, which typically screams regression, especially entering an age-28 campaign. But we’re talking about “Saquon.” He’s built differently. Betting against him feels wrong, but betting against that historical evidence in dynasty might be worse.
TEAM A | Kenneth Walker III, Pat Bryant, Jaxson Dart, & 27 1st
PROs
- There’s a non-zero chance Walker outscores Barkley in 2025.
- Dart didn’t go in Round 1 to sit indefinitely. A starting opportunity is inevitable.
- Premium draft capital in a heavily hyped draft class.
CONs
- Shipping Barkley hurts less when you know you’re not competing anytime soon.
TEAM B | Saquon Barley
PROs
- Plug-and-play RB1 with HoF pedigree, immediate impact for any contender.
- Outside of Kenneth Walker III, none of the assets acquired offer real 2025 value.
CONs
- Consolidating future value into a single win-now player. Slight loss over time.
VERDICT: Both teams win this deal for their 2025 strategy.
If you’re rebuilding or looking to get out before the cliff, this package gives you flexibility and future value. On the flip side, the contender consolidates that value and upgrades their RB slot with a top-tier asset for 2025.
This is a win-win deal built on aligned timelines between the managers.
If Team B views Barkley as tiers above Kenneth Walker, they’ve made a decisive upgrade to chase a title. Meanwhile, Team A cashes out on peak Barkley value and gets a fresh shot to flip Walker, who enters a contract year to a team that can better use him.
Dynasty Trade Value
Contender Trade Value
Trade #3 | D | Grade the Trade
Jerry Jeudy, Drake London, Jaleel McLaughlin, Colston Loveland, & 26 4th for Mike Evans, Trey McBride, Trey Benson, and Ladd McConkey
“Thoughts” on this mega deal in a 14-team, 1 QB, PPR league.
We don’t have full context on the team direction here, whether they’re pushing to compete or starting a rebuild, or how either roster is currently constructed. But honestly? It might not even matter because the value gap in this deal is just too wide to ignore.
Regardless of format or strategy, it’s hard to justify this deal without additional context that dramatically shifts the lens.
TEAM A | Jerry Jeudy, Drake London, Jase McLaughlin, Colston Loveland, & 26 4th
PROs
- Few WRs are hotter in dynasty than Drake London, now paired with a QB in Michael Penix who has no problem locking onto his alpha.
- Jerry Jeudy finally showed the consistent talent we’ve been waiting on since Draft day.
- Colston Loveland just received top-10 NFL Draft capital, and the Bears couldn’t be happier with their decision.
CONs
- Sending considerable value away in McBride and McConkey.
- Significant value loss on paper.
TEAM B | Mike Evans, Trey McBride, Trey Benson, and Ladd McConkey
PROs
- Even without TE Premium, McBride is a locked-in difference maker in dynasty.
- Ladd McConkey dominated as a rookie and proved he will thrive with Justin Herbert.
- Trey Benson is a high-value handcuff.
CONs
- London is a tough sacrifice, but the return is significant
- Loveland’s potential is unrealized, but the path exists to be the next great TE with his talent and situation.
VERDICT: Team B considerably wins this deal.
Let’s break this one down by parts:
- Drake London vs. Trey McBride–These two carry similar startup value, with McBride getting a clear boost in Tight End Premium formats.
- Ladd McConkey vs. Jerry Jeudy | Colston Loveland–McConkey’s value is surging. Jeudy’s shine has been restored, and pairing him with Loveland keeps this exchange right in the same range.
- Trey Benson | Mike Evans vs. Jaleel McLaughlin | 2026 4th – This is where it turns into a smash. Benson is entering his sophomore season behind an older RB, while Mike Evans still holds value for contenders. Meanwhile, McLaughlin earned serious competion this offseason and a future 4th is nearly worthless outside of a deal sweetener.
Even if you believe London is a tier above McBride, this package more than closes the gap. You’re adding depth, youth, and upside across the board.
This is an easy deal to make for Team B, both for the present and the future.
Dynasty Trade Value
Contender Trade Value
In Case You Missed It
Missed a past trade breakdown? Check out previous Grade the Trade articles for more analysis. And don’t forget to post your recent deals on the Dynasty Nerds subreddit—yours might be next.
