Fantasy Football Trade Dispute: TEs & DSTs

Q: We have a 12 team league and two of the owners are from the same family.  One of the owners from this family is an experienced fantasy owner (Team 1), the other is a rookie this year (Team 2).  Team 1 is 2-4, and team 2 is 5-1 at this point.

The only real weakness on Team 2 is DST.  These 2 teams are attempting a trade sending the Denver DST and Benjamin Watson to Team 2 in exchange for Vernon Davis and the Bengals DST.

The rationale is that Team 1 needs a producing Tight End and Team 2 needs a producing DST. Watson has done nothing since week 1 and Vernon Davis is averaging 10+ points more per game (We are a PPR league) than his other tight end over the last 3 games.

Team 1 has a DST averaging more points per game than the Denver DST, and Team 2 has Gates both of which have had their Bye already, so neither team really intends to play the players they are giving up barring injury.

Is this a fair trade or are these 2 guys fixing a hole in Team 2 intending to increase his chances?

A: Ha, love the fact that the fantasy “rookie” is 5-1.   Just goes to show we don’t know as much as we think we do about fantasy football.

Your concerns for collusion are duly noted given the familial relationship between the two owners involved but we recommend that you let this trade stand.   In this trade Team 1 is upgrading at TE and team 2 is upgrading at DST.   Since both teams are benefiting from the trade, and in the absence of any further proof of collusion, there aren’t really any grounds for a veto.

Considering Vernon Davis’ performance this past Sunday, Team 2 is definitely paying top dollar for their upgrade at DST.

Always have to keep your eye on the inter-family trades.