The trading is just about over for the 2021 season, and it’s definitely over in a lot of leagues with a trade deadline during the regular fantasy season, so for this final installment, I’m cutting to the chase and simply listing some players who I think are viable.
PLAYERS TO TRADE FOR
Jalen Hurts (Phi) — He does make sense for what I do with the article in that he’s coming off a game missed where the backup did well, and he’s also off this week so he won’t get his owner any points so he or she may be willing to part ways with Hurts on the cheap to get some Week 14 points. I think it’s safe to assume that Gardner Minshew isn’t a serious threat, at least for now. The Birds also have some good fantasy matchups upcoming vs. WFT, vs. NYG, at WFT, vs. Dal.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC) — He’s looked solid, and they do need to run the ball more to supplement their strong defense. I mean, after all, Patrick Mahomes is apparently just a guy now. CEH has a nice run of matchup starting now vs. LV, at LAC, vs. Pit, and at Cin.
Chase Claypool (Pit) — He’s practicing in full ahead of Week 14’s game on Thursday night, and they do have a nice run of games forthcoming at Min, vs. Ten, at KC, and vs. Cle. At least these two games look good.
Darnell Mooney (Chi) — I don’t think last week was Mooney’s fault; I think Andy Dalton is a terrible bad weather QB, and in his defense, the weather was awful. Any discount I can get from last week, I’ll take it. Their schedule is also decent at GB, vs. Min, at Sea, and vs. NYG.
DeAndre Hopkins (Ari) — He’s back, at least, and he scored in Week 13. He also has the Lions, Colts, and Cowboys Weeks 15-17 in the fantasy playoffs.
DJ Moore (Car) — It’s a little risky with Cam Newton so shaky, but Sam Darnold isn’t hopeless and had Moore rolling in September. His upcoming schedule isn’t bad overall vs. Atl, at Buf, vs. TB, and at NO.
LISTED HERE LAST WEEK, BUT STILL GOOD BUY-LOW GUYS:
Matthew Stafford (LAR) — The vibes got better in Week 13, but his value also rose after a good game. We are seeing some signs of life from Odell Beckham, and Van Jefferson is doing well. Stafford a nice upcoming schedule at Ari, vs. Sea, at Min, and at Bal.
Chase Edmunds (Ari) — He could return from his IR (high ankle sprain) this week or no later than Week 15 and he’s an interesting buy-low guy for the stretch run. He could make for a great flex vs. Det, Ind, and Dal in the fantasy playoffs.
Ja’Marr Chase (Cin) — Chase was better last week, but he was still only the WR31 for the week, so his value isn’t soaring. There are also now concerns about Joe Burrow’s finger injury on his throwing hand, keep in mind. That’s good and bad, since it could lower his asking price, but there’s more downside. But I’d still be willing to take a chance based on their remaining schedule vs. SF. at Den, vs. Bal, and vs. KC.
Amari Cooper (Dal) — I see a buying opportunity here, and it’s due in large part to a great schedule, as I’ve mentioned here several times lately. Starting this week, he’s vs. Was, at NYG, at Was, and vs. Ari, which looks like fireworks.
Brandon Aiyuk (SF) — His value is back down after a down week, but he can always get on a run and string together a bunch of strong showings. Obviously, he’s the #1 WR if Deebo is out again Week 14. The 49ers also have a good adjusted SOS for WRs for the playoffs Weeks 15-17.
Allen Robinson (Chi) — Hey, his value can only go up from this point.
DK Metcalf (SEA) — I still endorse a low-ball offer at least, assuming DK would represent an upgrade for your WR corps.
Darren Waller (LV) — I actually traded for Waller in my top league two weeks ago, and I gave up Allen Robinson and my guy Dawson Knox to get him. And then I actually played against Knox in Week 12 (I still won). I love Knox and predicted double-digit TDs for him back in September, but I moved him for Waller for one simple reason: the Raiders passing game revolves around Waller, whereas Knox is just a piece and doesn’t get a ton of plays schemed up for him (he’s often a checkdown option for Josh Allen). My Waller trade looked good coming out of Week 11, since he had a big game with over 100 yards, but now I’ll probably have to live without him for 1-2 weeks. I actually have Logan Thomas still (another reason I was willing to trade Knox), but if I didn’t have a good TE option and needed to keep winning to make the playoffs, I’d be willing to unload Waller for someone who can help me in Week 13 specifically.
Noah Fant (Den) — He’s still really frustrating, coming up small in Week 13, and Albert O remains a threat, but his value is way down. So on the lower-end, in a 14-team league or larger, he might still be worth trading for. They have an excellent second-best adjusted SOS for TEs for the playoffs Weeks 15-17.
OTHER PLAYERS I’D BE WILLING TO TRADE FOR NOW BEFORE VALUE GOES UP:
PLAYERS TO TRADE
LISTED HERE LAST WEEK, BUT STILL GOOD SELL GUYS:
Chubba Hubbard (Car) — You’re not normally trading away a guy who's just been elevated to RB1 status on his team, but I don’t think Hubbard is very good, and they have major issues with him in pass protection, which is why they went and got Ameer Abdullah. The veteran actually handled 67% snaps in Week 12 once Christian McCaffrey went down (Hubbard was at 46%), and the Panthers used both backs on the field at the same time quite a bit. The passing down role is huge, and Abdullah ran 11 routes to Hubbard’s 4. Also, Hubbard is a good bet to get vultured by Cam Newton for as long as Cam is starting. If someone thinks they’re acquiring a strong asset in Hubbard now that CMC is done, I’d take advantage of that.
Dawson Knox (Buf) — I still love Knox, but his production is a little fluky, and now he’s coming off a brutal showing in Week 13 where his hands failed him. Drops have been a problem up until this season. The Bills also have the worst adjusted SOS for TEs for the playoffs Weeks 15-17, and they have to play the Patriots again in that span.
Patrick Mahomes (KC) — Welp, he was here last week and he crapped the bed. He may go off again this week against the Raiders, but after that, the Chiefs also have the harder schedule for the fantasy playoffs (Weeks 15-17). He’s been bad for fantasy (for him) in five of his last six games, yet they’re 5-1 in those games, so I can’t see things changing much. Obviously, his value is down, but I don’t give him away for nothing.
