Things are winding down on the trade market, yet it feels like we just started. The season has gone quickly, and things are as volatile as ever, so it doesn’t seem like trading has been a big thing this year. Regardless, I’m still around here every week with my best recommendations based on everything I know and think.
PLAYERS TO TRADE FOR
Russell Wilson (Sea) — I was not into Wilson this year and I’m not an apologist, but if we’ve learned one thing about this guy it’s to not count him out. The health of his throwing hand will be a concern until it’s not, but I’d bet it will not be a problem in the near future. There’s some risk here, but in a competitive league where productive, top-10 guys are hard to come by, there’s probably a buying opportunity here, especially given his poor performance in Week 10. Wilson could use some help with some good matchups and he has plenty of them the rest of the way in including SF, Hou, Chi, and Det, and overall his schedule isn’t daunting at all.
Kyler Murray (Ari) — With a Week 12 bye on the horizon for the Cardinals, there is real fear they err on the side of caution and hold Kyler out until Week 13. That means he could miss 50% of the remainder of the fantasy regular season, so if his owner is in dire need of wins now to stay alive, we could be looking at a nice opportunity for Kyler. Granted, he’s not running this year, period, but last year, after running only 15 times while dealing with a shoulder injury from Weeks 11-13, he ran 31 times in their final four games. We can’t count on big rushing production from Kyler in terms of yardage and attempts, but he could easily run 3-4 in for TDs in Weeks 13-17 with this friendly schedule: at Chi, vs. LAR, at DET, vs. Ind, and at Dal.
Miles Sanders (Phi) — He’s eligible to return from IR this week, and keep in mind their resurgent rushing attack started with Sanders the game he got hurt. If you combine the rushing production for Jordan Howard and Boston Scott, it’s 137 rushing yards and 1.7 TDs per game, which speaks to Sanders’ upside if he can regain a large role here. He’s a lot more talented than those two, and the Eagles OL is mauling people, so Sanders is a great buy-low now for the upside.
Darren Waller (LV) — This is getting a little ridiculous with his lack of TDs (he had a TD called back in Week 10) and sporadic production, so I’m listing him because there’s probably a buying opportunity. It is Week 11, so maybe we’re in “it-is-what-it-is” mode, but fortunes can change on a dime in today’s NFL, and it’s certainly possible that Waller can get on a run and close out the season in stud-like fashion. One thing that would help is a favorable schedule, and the Raiders do have several tasty matchups forthcoming starting this week vs. Cin and then vs. WFT, at Cle, and vs. Ind.
Antonio Brown (TB) — We’ll never know, but I’d venture to guess that, had Brown not missed a game due to COVID and suffered that ankle/heel injury, he’d be a WR1 for fantasy and the top fantasy receiver on the Bucs. After all, he is the WR4 in FPG right now on the season. In his last three games from Weeks 4-6, he’s the WR3 with 23.0 FPG. He’s been a lot more productive than even his owner may remember, so with him posting encouraging messages on social media this week about a pending return, it sounds like it’s only a matter of time until his value rises dramatically. Also, apparently Tom Brady doesn’t love Mike Evans like he loves AB.
DK Metcalf (Sea) and Tyler Lockett (Sea) — These guys are volatile as hell, but coming off a disappointing effort, and in an overall disappointing season, their volatility could certainly swing in a positive direction. Their values are down, especially “Decoy” Metcalf’s, but we know these guys can flip the switch in an instant. They also have those good upcoming matchups against SF, Hou, Chi, and Det.
AJ Brown (Ten) — Brown disappointed in Week 10, so his value took a hit, but he’s still had a massive target share for over a month, and Ryan Tannehill continues to play well. Brown could do a lot for you the rest of the way with competitive/soft matchups vs. Hou, at NE, vs. Jax, at Pit, vs. SF, and vs. Mia.
DeAndre Hopkins (Ari) — At this point, and with his value down heading into Week 11 because they have a Week 12 bye, I might be ready to buy low on D-Hop just like Murray. Upon returning from the bye, Hopkins has some juicy matchups starting Week 13 at Chi, vs. LAR, at Det, vs. Ind, and at Dal.
Brandin Cooks (Hou) — If Tyrod Taylor could just not suck coming out of the bye, Cooks may be okay with a fantasy-friendly slate of matchups starting now at Ten, vs. NYJ, vs. Ind, vs. Sea, and at Jax.
Mark Andrews (Bal) — His value is way up, but if you’re looking to do some business to upgrade your TE spot, note that his schedule the rest of the way is pretty incredible by the current numbers after this week (Chi) with matchups vs. Cle, at Pit, at Cle, vs. GB, at Cin, vs. LAR. All of those teams are giving up between 12.8 and 16.6 PFG, which is a high range for a stretch of six matchups.
LISTED HERE LAST WEEK, BUT STILL GOOD BUY-LOW GUYS:
Javonte Williams (Den) — Once again, I’m here presenting this future fantasy stud. He is on a bye this week, so if his owner needs Week 11 help, I’d STILL love to have Williams as my RB3/flex for the stretch run with the amazing schedule of vs. LAC, at KC, vs. Det, vs. Cin, at LV, and vs. KC.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC) — Veteran Darrel Williams has been great in the passing game and should remain a big part of their passing-down stuff. But he is still very underwhelming in the run game, and they still need to help their passing game out with the run. CEH will almost certainly return for Week 11 and they have some very decent matchup for RBs starting Week 13 vs. Den, vs. LV, @LAC, vs. Pit, and @Cin.
Logan Thomas (WFT) — I thought he would be back in Week 10, but no dice. And Week 11 is looking grim already. This would be purely for the playoff run, and because Thomas’ schedule is great starting Week 13 at LV, vs. Dal, at Phi, at Dal, and vs. Phi. That is a league-winning schedule and Ricky Seals-Jones did suffer a hip injury in Week 10 (day to day).
OTHER PLAYERS I’D BE WILLING TO TRADE FOR NOW BEFORE VALUE GOES UP:
None of note.
PLAYERS TO TRADE
Nick Chubb (Cle) — His actual and perceived value has really fluctuated this year, and right now things aren’t looking great. The Browns do have the Lions in Week 11, and Chubb, if he returns, could smash there. But then they have the Ravens, a bye, and then the Ravens. That’s not great. Baker Mayfield is also a shell of his former self, D’Ernest Johnson has been damn good, and Kareem Hunt is on the mend and lurking. If you really need help these next 3-4 weeks, Chubb may disappoint you at this point, so I’d be okay cutting my losses right now on Chubb if the return was good for my starting lineup and I had good RB depth.
LISTED HERE LAST WEEK, BUT STILL GOOD SELL GUYS:
None of note.
