Welcome back to your direct line of fantasy football advice, our mailbag article series powered by the Fantasy Football Advice Network. Can you believe we’re in Week 12 already?
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Week 12 Fantasy Football Advice Mailbag
What is Gardner Minshew’s Dynasty Value — @Dadbod35
Context: @Dadbod35 was offered Gardner Minshew for his 2025 third-round rookie pick in a superflex dynasty fantasy football league.
This is the point of the fantasy football season in dynasty leagues, where you’re either a buyer, going all-in, or a seller, rebuilding for the future. You either push for the playoffs or aim for next year because next year is your year.
From more complex dynasty trade questions such as Chris Godwin post-injury to “Minshew Mania,” this is when our Dynasty Trade Value Chart comes in clutch.
Gardner Minshew‘s Dynasty Value
Using that chart, Gardner Minshew‘s value is at a whopping 45.
Minshew has previously gone viral for being the league’s “Mustache King” during his notable years in Jacksonville and his Pro Bowl 2023 season in Indianapolis. However, “Minshew Mania” has not gone as planned in Sin City. Through nine games, the Raiders’ QB has thrown for eight touchdowns and nine interceptions with a 39.2 QBR. The Raiders did not have a plan at quarterback post-Derek Carr. With Aidan O’Connell‘s unpleasant rookie year, they opted with Minshew. This is not saying much.
He signed a two-year, $25-million deal with $15 million guaranteed in the offseason. Neither O’Connell nor Minshew reportedly stood out in training camp as the clear QB1, which means the veteran got the job simply because of his contract. Could the Raiders cut Minshew in 2025? Sure, but it won’t be completely painless.
According to Over the Cap, if cut before June 1, he will cost $7.6 million in dead cap with $6.3 million in net savings. If Minshew is cut after June 1, there will be $4.6 million in dead cap and $9.3 million in savings. The cap would be spread out in 2025 and 2026. This means he’s not totally on a contract year.
His future could be in question with some interesting rumors coming out of Boulder, Colo.
Shedeur & Deion Sanders Season in Sin City?
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders has been the hottest talk on and off the football field. Sanders is having an eye-popping senior season, and the Buffaloes are 8-2. They are one win and some help away from a Big 12 Championship ticket. Sanders has thrown for 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions for 3,222 yards. Across social media, you have likely seen the quarterback chopping it up with Raiders owner Mark Davis in Sin City at Las Vegas Aces games and some interestingly timed “thank you God” tweets after Raiders losses.
Deion Sanders has previously expressed his interest in remaining in Boulder. However, rumors have emerged that the Dallas Cowboys are pursuing the Sanders father-and-son duo with Dak Prescott‘s injury and contract mess. “Coach Prime” has also expressed influencing Shedeur’s draft destination, ala Eli Manning, for the sake of protecting his son. Why does this matter? The Raiders’ quarterback situation.
If the NFL Draft was today, the silver and black would sit with the fifth-overall pick. While they have some work to do for a better draft slot, they will certainly take a Quarterback, Shedeur Sanders or not. The Colorado quarterback’s mentor is also Tom Brady, who happens to be a minority owner of the Raiders.
Is this too much talk and hypotheticals with the offseason in four-ish months? Yes. Is this something to watch in dynasty leagues? Absolutely.
The Verdict
According to the trade value chart, the Minshew for a 2025 third-rounder trade could be even.
The distinction is unclear, but these are the values of a 2025 third-round pick:
- Early third-round pick = 55
- Mid third round pick = 45
- Late third-round pick = 25
So yes, a trade in exchange for a 2025 mid-third-rounder is even and would work.
However, I would stay pat unless you are desperate at the quarterback position. While I love a good trade, there has to be a solid reason. Despite his contract situation, Minshew’s future is uncertain, given the Raiders’ pursuit of their true franchise QB in the draft with names like Shedeur Sanders or Cameron Ward.
He is simply too temporary for this deal. I recommend seeking other trades at quarterback or keeping the pick to ride it out.
Check out all of our Week 12 fantasy football content:
- Fantasy Football Whiplash! | Week 12 News & Notes (2024)
- Week 12 Fantasy Football Advice Mailbag (2024)
- Week 12 NFL DFS Picks & Lineup Advice (2024)
- Week 12 Fantasy Football Trade Targets (2024)
- Week 12 Shore Thing Sleepers (2024)
- Week 12 In the Scope Targets (2024)
- PropKings: NFL Week 12 (2024)
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*Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy – USA TODAY Sports*
