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
Dak Prescott (Dal) — Dak is only the QB14 the last three weeks, and now there are concerns about his receiving corps with Amari Cooper out Week 13 and CeeDee Lamb possibly only a longshot to play. But Dallas will be getting LT Tyron Smith back, which is huge. Check out Dak’s splits with/without Smith in Graham Barfield’s Week 12 Stat Pack. If Dak’s going to come at a discount right now due to his so-so production, I’m looking to buy the dip if I want a QB upgrade. His schedule doesn’t look great when looking the the current FPG the opponents are giving up to QBs the last five weeks, but I’m not worried about games vs. LV, at NO, at Was, at NYG, vs. Was, and vs. Ari.
David Montgomery (Chi) — This is a perfect storm for a “Trade for” guy right now. He’s back playing the last two games, and he’s looked very good. But he hasn’t done much for fantasy, ranking as only the RB41 his last two games with 8.9 FPG. But his usage has been great, as the dum-dums in Chicago aren’t using Khalil Herbert much at all. Montgomery has played on 90% of the snaps and handled 84% of the RB carries since returning in Week 9. And finally, his schedule is very good, starting Thursday against the Lions, a team he crushed earlier in the season (23/106/2 rushing) and has averaged 19.4 FPG against in his last three. The rest of the schedule is solid vs. Ari, at GB, vs. Min, at Sea, and vs. NYG.
Aaron Jones (GB) — No one knows if Jones will play in Week 12 just yet, but I doubt it. They also have a bye in Week 13, so I’d guess the Packers will be cautious with Jones, since AJ Dillon is a strong replacement. If Jones’ owner is desperate for wins these next two weeks, they need to be told that they might be dead by the time Jones returns and that you’d be happy to give them 1-2 usable assets (or more, if need be and you have depth) for right now in exchange for Mr. Jones.
LISTED HERE LAST WEEK, BUT STILL GOOD BUY-LOW GUYS:
Kyler Murray (Ari) — With the Week 12 bye here, Kyler will do his owner no good, so if he or she is desperate for a win this week, Kyler is the guy to look at if you’re looking for a QB upgrade. 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 did return in Week 11 and he did look good, other than the fumble that got him benched. But with Jordan Howard hurt and set to miss some time and Kenneth Gainwell buried right now, Sanders should be in business. The Birds have been running all over people the last month, so there’s clear upside for the talented Sanders if he can keep the ball off the ground and catch 2-3 balls a game.
Javonte Williams (Den) — Once again, I’m here presenting this future fantasy stud. He’s yet to have a big game, but there are a couple of them coming, so I’d STILL love to have Williams as my RB3/flex for the stretch run with the amazing schedule starting now of vs. LAC, at KC, vs. Det, vs. Cin, at LV, and vs. KC.
AJ Brown (Ten) — Brown disappointed in Week 10, and then he flopped in Week 11 and left the game early with a chest injury. X-Rays on his ribs reportedly came back negative, so he may be fine for Week 12. He’s a bit of a soap opera this season, but he’s also a dominant player whose team needs him to put it’s passing game on it’s back. So if there was another dip in his value this week, I’m still interested in buying low.
DeAndre Hopkins (Ari) — At this point, and with his value down heading into their Week 12 bye, I’d love to buy low on D-Hop, especially if his owner is desperate for a win this week because their team has struggled because they drafted D-Hop. Upon returning from the bye, Hopkins has some juicy matchups starting Week 13 at Chi, vs. LAR, at Det, vs. Ind, and at Dal.
Logan Thomas (WFT) — He’s finally set to return to practice this week, and this is a major, major smash spot in this TE-friendly offense. Thomas’ schedule is great starting Week 12 vs. Sea, 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 and is questionable for Week 12.
OTHER PLAYERS I’D BE WILLING TO TRADE FOR NOW BEFORE VALUE GOES UP:
Darrell Henderson (LAR) — Coming off the bye and he’s been weak for fantasy with only 17 FP in his last two games. But it’s not like Sony Michel is hurting him much, so Henderson’s a guy whose value could rise 10-15% in an instant. Their upcoming schedule is also very decent.
Elijah Mitchell (SF) — If you can get him ASAP, it might be a steal if he heals up in time to play this week. His upcoming matchups look great by the numbers vs. Min, at Sea, at Cin, and vs. Atl in their next four.
PLAYERS TO TRADE
Patrick Mahomes (KC) — I’m not trading Mahomes away and then rolling with a lower-end option like Carson Wentz as my QB, but if I had a viable alternative, and even Cam Newton looks like one right now, and if it helped my team overall. then I’d be willing to move Mahomes. First of all, he will score zero points this week since he’s on a bye, so that’s not helpful. But also, not one of his remaining opponents through Week 17 are giving up over 20 FPG, and they are all comparatively stingy right now: vs. Den (17.8), vs. LV (18.4), at LAC 17.4), vs. Pit (17.1), at Cin (18.7), and at Den (17.8). Mahomes did slay the Raiders in Week 10, but based on his play the last 4-5 weeks, anything can happen any time with this guy.
Nick Chubb (Cle) — He did have a nice game in Week 11, and D’Ernest Johnson wasn’t much of a factor, but the schedule is now about to get harder. They have the Ravens, a bye, and then the Ravens. Baker Mayfield is also a shell of his former self and, most importantly, Kareem Hunt is expected to return in Week 12. If the return was good for my starting lineup and I had good RB depth, I’d like to move Chubb.
Elijah Moore (NYJ) — This pains me a bit because I love Moore, but it’s just business. Moore is the WR1 the last four weeks after he shredded the Dolphins for 8/141/1 on a team-high 11 targets. Moore ran a route on 85% of the team’s passing plays, which tied his season-high from back in Week 1, and that’s great news for those who need him. But he will not be the WR1 the next four weeks, that’s for sure. For those in 10 and 12-team leagues, where there’s decent pickings on the WW, Moore’s a guy you should consider selling high on if the price is right. We do have Joe Flacco on the covid list this week along with the legendary Mike White, so that’s problem #1. Moore’s screwed if those two can’t play. And eventually, Moore may be screwed because the Jets have to play Zack Wilson at some point.
LISTED HERE LAST WEEK, BUT STILL GOOD SELL GUYS:
None of note.
