Once your fantasy football draft is in the books, you might think you’re stuck with your lineup for the rest of the season. But don’t sweat it-there are actually two ways to revamp your roster: waivers and, yes, trades! So, if you’ve been eyeing that star player on your friend’s team, you’re in luck.

Trades are absolutely allowed in most fantasy football leagues, including popular platforms like NFL.com. However, before you jump into the trade frenzy, there are a few key things you should know.

Navigating the fantasy trade waters

Trading in fantasy football can be a real game-changer, but evaluating trade offers isn’t as easy as it seems. Most managers tend to overvalue their players, especially early in the season when hope springs eternal for every team.

That’s where tools like fantasy football trade value charts come into play. Websites like USA Today offer detailed value charts for players based on current performance and projections for the rest of the season. These can be a lifesaver when you’re trying to decide if a trade is worth it.

For example, if someone offers you Joe Mixon, Quentin Johnston, and Darnell Mooney (with a combined trade value of 67) for Justin Jefferson (valued at 58), it might seem like you’re getting the better deal. But hold on! You also need to consider which players you’d have to bench or drop. If those players have a combined value of 32, you’re actually coming out behind in this trade.

How to trade in your NFL.com fantasy league

On platforms like NFL.com, making a trade is a breeze. Just hit the trade icon (those opposing arrows) next to the player you want and select them from your team page, the player list, or even their player card.

Once you’ve submitted your trade proposal, the other team manager will be notified via email. If you change your mind, you can cancel the trade before it’s accepted by selecting “View Trade” on your team page or through the NFL Fantasy Football app.

The rules you need to know

Trading in fantasy football comes with some specific rules to keep things fair. Here’s a breakdown:

• Unlimited Trades: There’s no cap on how many trades you can make during the season.
• Voting Period: The league has two full days to vote on a trade once it’s accepted. If a majority-including the two teams involved-votes against the trade, it will be vetoed.
• Weekend Delay: If the review period extends into the game weekend, the trade won’t process until after the weekend, meaning locked players won’t change rosters.

A word of caution

While trading can boost your team’s chances of winning, it’s essential to use the tools at your disposal and make informed decisions. Fantasy football isn’t just about gut feelings anymore-AI tools and value charts are changing the game, giving you a strategic edge.

So next time you’re tempted to pull the trigger on a trade, make sure you’ve crunched the numbers. That star player might not be as valuable as they seem!