March is a pivotal month in the world of dynasty fantasy football leagues. It marks the beginning of free agency when players find new homes, teams restructure their rosters, and market shifts make waves throughout the fantasy landscape. This frenzy of activity can significantly impact your dynasty team and create a window of opportunity for savvy managers ready to make the right moves.

The NFL offseason is always a period of uncertainty and excitement, and for dynasty managers, is a critical time to shape the future of their teams. The decisions made in March—whether by teams, players, or managers like yourself—can affect your roster’s success for years to come. With a little strategy and foresight, you can use free agency to your advantage and set your team up for sustained success.

In this article, we’ll explore the steps to take in March during the free agency period, including how to handle the initial wave of signings, how to take advantage of trades, and how to position yourself for success in the long term.

1. Monitor the Initial Free Agency Signings

The first wave of free-agent signings will provide the clearest indication of how teams are looking to improve, and it’s crucial to stay on top of these. Big-name players like running backs, wide receivers, and quarterbacks can completely alter the fantasy landscape, and even some lesser-known signings can prove valuable.

Watch For:

• Quarterback Changes: A new quarterback can drastically change the value of both the passing and receiving options on a given team. For example, when a high-caliber QB like Tom Brady joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it elevated the entire offense, including players like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Conversely, the departure of a veteran quarterback or the signing of an unproven rookie can have the opposite effect. Stay ahead of the curve by tracking the quarterback carousel during March and understanding its potential fantasy implications.

• Running Back Signings: Free agency is often an opportunity for running backs to change teams, and this can result in major shifts in their fantasy value. For example, the signing of a top-tier running back such as Najee Harris can send ripples through the fantasy community, but even mid-tier backs moving to a better offensive line or a favorable situation can have a significant impact on their value.

• Wide Receiver Market: Wide receivers are one of the most valuable fantasy positions, and the free agency market often provides many new faces in different places. Whether a wide receiver lands in a high-volume offense or a team with a quarterback who can elevate his production, you must keep track of where players land to assess their new fantasy potential. Keep an eye on players who could be buried on their current roster but might see an uptick in production with a new team. One such example this year is Tee Higgins.

Action Steps:

• Track Contract Length and Money: Understanding how much a team is willing to pay a player often gives insight into how they plan to use him. A large contract suggests a major role, while a short-term deal may indicate the player is a stopgap or depth option. Make sure to monitor the free-agent market closely, especially for players with multiple suitors.

• Check for Opportunity: Don’t just look at big names. Opportunity is key in fantasy, and players moving to teams with little competition for starting roles may provide better long-term value than a high-profile name signed to a crowded depth chart. Players like Andrei Iosivas, for instance, could see a significant boost in value if the Bengals move on from Tee Higgins, providing an opportunity for him to step up.

2. Leverage Trades to Capitalize on Free Agency Moves

Free agency isn’t just about signing players—it's also about the trade market opening up. Managers looking to stay competitive often use free agency moves as a catalyst for trades, either by selling off players who lose value or buying low-on players in new situations.

Key Trading Strategies:

• Sell High on Players with Decreased Opportunity: Free agency often leads to a decrease in the fantasy value of some players. For instance, when a team signs a top-tier wide receiver or running back, the current starters on that roster might see fewer touches, targets, or snaps. As a dynasty manager, it’s your job to identify these players early on and look to sell them while their perceived value is still high. A player who was once the top target on his team but now has to compete for snaps might be a prime candidate to sell.

• Buy Low on Players Who Gain Opportunity: Conversely, players who were previously buried on their team’s depth chart but are now in line for a larger role due to a free-agent signing can be bought at a discounted price. For example, if a team signs a veteran wide receiver, a younger player who had been competing for that role may now have a clear path to starting snaps. These players are often undervalued, and March is an excellent time to acquire them before their value increases.

• Trade for Future Draft Picks: If you’re in a rebuilding phase, don’t be afraid to use free agency as an opportunity to trade away players who might not have a future with your team. Veteran players who may lose value due to new free-agent signings could be packaged with other assets to acquire future draft picks. Trading away players with a short-term window for younger assets or draft picks can set you up for success in the long run.

Action Steps:

• Stay Ahead of the Trade Market: Use the early March signings to identify potential trade targets, both for buying and selling. Don’t wait for the full offseason to unfold—strike while the market is still ripe with possibilities.

• Use the Free Agency Frenzy for Leverage: Managers who fail to stay active during free agency often miss opportunities to make key trades. When free agency opens, be proactive in offering trades that capitalize on shifts in the market. Don’t wait for other managers to set the market; make the first move and dictate terms.

3. Analyze the Team’s Long-Term Strategy

As you evaluate free-agent moves and trades in March, it’s important to remember that dynasty leagues are a long-term game. The moves made in free agency should be considered not just for their immediate fantasy impact, but for how they align with a team’s long-term outlook.

Build for the Future:

• Younger Players: Free-agent signings that feature younger players often represent longer-term investments. Look for players who are in the early stages of their careers and could sign longer-term deals with favorable conditions. For example, a 24-year-old wide receiver joining a high-volume passing offense could be a great long-term investment, while a veteran on a one-year deal might only be useful in the short term.

• Rookie Draft Considerations: Free agency also has an indirect effect on the rookie draft, as it often shapes team needs. If a team signs a big-name running back, they may be less likely to take a running back in the first round of the draft, opening up opportunities for other teams to target that position. Understanding how free-agent moves impact team needs can give you a strategic advantage in the rookie draft.

• Team Philosophy: Understanding a team’s philosophy in free agency is crucial. Some teams may be aggressively trying to win now, while others may be in a rebuilding phase and use free agency to fill holes temporarily. The moves made by teams will give you an idea of which teams are looking to compete right away, which could influence how their players should be viewed for your dynasty squad.

Action Steps:

• Assess Contract Length: The length of a contract for a free agent is important for dynasty managers. Long-term contracts with key players generally indicate that a team is committed to those players and their role within the offense or defense. Short-term deals may suggest that a team is filling a gap without a long-term commitment.

• Study Team Needs: Stay informed about how teams are addressing their roster gaps in free agency, as this will guide your decisions regarding which players to target in the rookie draft. A team that fills a need with a free agent may be less likely to target that position in the draft, opening up other opportunities for you to grab young talent.

4. Prepare for the Rookie Draft

After free agency settles down, the next big event in dynasty leagues is the rookie draft. Teams will begin to finalize their rosters, and managers will have to turn their attention to the incoming class of rookies. Understanding the impact of free agency on the rookie draft is vital.

Free Agency’s Impact:

• Position Depth: Free agency can significantly impact the depth of certain positions in the rookie class. If a team signs a veteran running back, they might pass on taking a running back in the first round. This can affect the overall depth of the position, creating an opportunity for you to grab a running back at a discount later on.

• Team Needs: Teams that fill key positions in free agency may no longer prioritize those positions. For example, if a team signs a starting wide receiver in free agency, they might focus on other areas. This can help you better predict which players will go early and which ones might slip to you.

Action Steps:

• Adjust Your Rankings: Take into account the impact of free agency when adjusting your rookie rankings. Players on teams that have addressed needs through free agency may see their value rise or fall depending on how those changes impact the team’s draft strategy.

• Use Free Agency to Your Advantage: After free agency has quieted down, use your knowledge of team rosters and depth charts to strategically target players in the rookie draft. If a team has just signed a star wide receiver, the rookie wide receivers on that team may now become less appealing, allowing you to grab talent at a discounted price.

5. Post-Free Agency: Analyze and Adjust Your Roster

After the frenzy of free agency winds down, it’s time to analyze the state of your roster and make any final adjustments. Your roster may have new holes or opportunities after free agency moves, and it’s important to fill these gaps as best as you can.

Key Areas to Address:

• Depth and Flexibility: After free agency, you may find that your roster has a few weak spots, especially in areas like wide receiver or running back. Use the remaining offseason to fill out your roster with young, high-upside players who can step in and contribute later on.

• Waiver Wire: After free agency settles, the waiver wire often opens up, and it’s the perfect time to grab players who may have been overlooked. Keep an eye on players who sign one-year deals or who may have underperformed in 2024 but still have the talent to contribute in 2025 and beyond.

Action Steps:

• Evaluate Your Depth: Look for potential weaknesses in your roster and make moves to shore them up before the rookie draft. The most successful dynasty teams are those with balanced rosters that are deep enough to withstand injuries and bad matchups.

• Seek Out Low-Risk, High-Reward Players: Find players with high upside who could be undervalued after free agency. Look for players who may not have a clear role right now but have the talent to break out as the season progresses.

March is a critical month for dynasty managers, as the free agency frenzy opens the door to numerous opportunities. Whether you're buying low on emerging talents or selling high on fading players, there are plenty of strategies you can implement to position your team for success. By staying active, monitoring key free-agent signings, and adjusting your strategy based on market shifts, you can set yourself up for long-term success. Free agency may only last a short time, but its impact on your team can last for years to come.