PLAYERS TO TRADE FOR
Sam Darnold (Car) — This entry is all about matchups, and lord knows Darnold needs some good ones to produce. But that’s exactly what he has on tap, starting this week and also for the next 7-8 weeks at NYG, at Atl, vs. NE, at Ari, vs. WFT, at Mia, and vs. Atl in Week 14. He’s got Buffalo in Week 15, so I’m heading for the hills there. But most of those matchups are very favorable, especially so for Darnold based on coverage (more man coverage).
Nick Chubb (Cle) — It’s unconfirmed, but hopefully the short week was the biggest issue for Chubb in Week 7 and he’ll be looking good for next week. But HC Kevin Stefanski had no update on him for next week on 10/18. So there is risk, but also a big reward if he’s set to play starting next week. He will obviously see an increased role, and he can easily catch 2-3 balls a game in addition to his 15-20 carries, plus he’ll dominate goal line snaps. Back in 2019, Chubb was the RB5 in FPG (18.7) in Weeks 1-9 before Kareem Hunt’s suspension was up in Week 10, so that’s the upside with Chubb. If you can acquire Chubb while still not risking a considerable drop-off in the quality of your starting lineup, it’s a league-winning move on these run-heavy Browns.
Miles Sanders (Phi) — It’s clear that Eagles HC Nick Sirianni and staff didn’t have a plan for Sanders this year, and they may still not have a plan. But when the HC gets a standing ovation at home just for calling a running play, which happened last week, it might actually be time to listen to the fans and, you know, actually use your star tailback. It’s not like Sanders is getting usurped by rookie Kenny Gainwell lately.
DJ Moore (Car) — He can only do as well as Sam Darnold allows him to, and Darnold is looking good schedule-wise for nearly the next two months. I’d be all-in on any DJ Moore discount right now.
Tee Higgins (Cin) — Higgins and Tyler Boyd are taking a backseat to Ja’Marr Chase lately, but Boyd’s really the receiver to be worried about as his target share has been under 16% in 3-of-4 games with Higgins healthy. In addition, Higgins actually leads the trio in targets in the four games he has played: Higgins (28), Chase (27), Boyd (21). So it’s only a matter of time until Higgins pops with a big game, and it could happen any week, so it’s a good buy-low opportunity right now.
Terry McLaurin (WFT) — He’s been under 10 FP in two straight, so his owner may be getting antsy and willing to move on from TMC. If looking for a solid buy-low WR right now, I’d go knocking on the McLaurin owner’s door. Keep in mind, if the QB play continues to be an issue, Ryan Fitzpatrick is eligible to return from IR in time for Week 7. I’d probably prefer Fitzmagic for McLaurin at this point, since Fitz has consistently gotten the ball to his top receivers over the years. If Taylor Heinicke turns it around and staves Fitzpatrick off, that’s certainly fine for McLaurin.
Calvin Ridley (ATL) — Obviously, his value isn’t plummeting this week coming back from the bye, but his value could easily skyrocket after this week if he can rip up the terrible Dolphins defense (giving up 50 FPG to WRs the last four weeks). This passing offense has quietly been heating up the last 3-4 weeks under HC Arthur Smith.
Kadarius Toney (NYG) — I’ve been polling those in the know this week about what Toney’s catch total would have been on a bum ankle if said ankle didn’t knock him out early in the first quarter. The consensus floor was 10, and my ceiling was 20. In a game in which Daniel Jones threw it 51 times, I truly believe Toney had a 75% chance of hitting 20 catches had he been able to play most of the game. Toney may miss 2-3 games, but I’m still looking to trade for him (at a discount, mind you) for the stretch run. He’s an absolute league winner.
LISTED HERE LAST WEEK, BUT STILL GOOD BUY-LOW GUYS:
Trey Lance (SF) — He’s a very savvy stash or buy-low right now. I projected Lance on the bench for longer than most out there, but I’m also projecting Jimmy G to be out of a job by Week 12. If so, their schedule down the stretch is sublime starting Week 12: vs. Min, @Sea, @Cin, vs. Atl, @Ten, and vs. Hou Weeks 12-17.
Allen Robinson (Chi) — Okay, so maybe we didn’t hit rock bottom yet, or maybe we already did and it’s just a slow climb back upward. Regardless, his value didn’t increase all that much from Week 6 and it may have decreased. So with some signs of life, he’s actually looking more appealing because regression has been rampant in the league in the early going this year, and he’s still in the process of regressing. Per Graham Barfield’s Stat Pack, A-Rob ranks 11th in air yards (436) with Justin Fields under center over the last month, which is a good sign.
Javonte Williams (Den) — I will list him here until he’s too obvious, which I still think will be the case soon. Even if Melvin Gordon handles 50% of everything all year, their schedule is incredible the final nine games starting Week 9.
A.J. Dillon (GB) — Still a good throw-in guy for stash-and-hope purposes. His big games (12-15 points or more) will be tough to predict, but he will have some. If Aaron Jones is out he’ll have nothing but big games.
Brandon Aiyuk (SF) — Again, I will list him until his value rises, because it will rise. We did see some more small signs of life in Week 5
OTHER PLAYERS I’D BE WILLING TO TRADE FOR NOW BEFORE VALUE GOES UP:
None of note.
PLAYERS TO TRADE
Jalen Hurts (Phi) — It’s early still, but we are a third of the way through the NFL season, and things aren’t going well for the Eagles. Hurts has been a fantasy star, but he’s part of their problem on offense. They do need to evaluate him more and likely will. But there may come a time in the not-too-distant future when the Eagles, loaded with 2021 #1 draft picks, may actually want to take a look at Gardner Minshew. It’s a worst-case-scenario that may never come to fruition, but the threat of it alone would prompt me to look around to see if moving Hurts now could help me elsewhere. Of course, this is all contingent upon also having access to another top-15 QB and/or the ability to easily stream solid weekly options. For example, for some reason I ended up with Hurts and Matthew Stafford in two NFFC leagues. If trading were allowed in those leagues, I’d be shopping Hurts.
Leonard Fournette (TB) — Lenny is perfect for the Bucs because he’s a front-runner, and they’re the world champs being led by The Goat. But he’s still Lenny. I’m just saying: is his value going to be higher again this year than it is right now? It’s a debate I’m willing to participate in. If he’s fetching something of high quality, like a DJ Moore or a Calvin Ridley, I’d be prepared to part ways with Leonard.
Antonio Gibson (WFT) — Do not give the man away, obviously. But if you’re clinging for dear life and can get something solid in return, and if you still have at least two solid RB options you can roll with for now, the ROI could easily be better now than it will be in 1-2 weeks. Between his lingering shin injury and the continued suckage of their defense, plus the steady play of JD McKissic, it’s just not happening for Gibson right now.
Damien Harris (NE) — It sure seems like I see Harris getting some sort of physical ailment every week these days. He limped off in Week 6 looking like he was done for the day, but he was not. Regardless, he seems like an injury waiting to happen and, more importantly, Rhamondre Stevenson looks like an inevitability in this backfield. If you have both players, we may be only 1-2 weeks away from having a tough lineup call between the two. That means if you have Harris, it’s not looking great.
Courtland Sutton (Den) — I may just be a Sutton hater this year, but he has been volatile, and his production seems a little fluky. My main problem with him this summer was the presence of Jerry Jeudy, who looked like their “#1 WR” in camp. Jeudy won’t play Week 7, but he could return for their next game. Jeudy will start and can kick inside when they go three-wide, and Tim Patrick commands some love, so volume may be an issue for Sutton. Coming off a big game in Week 6, selling high might not be a bad idea for a guy who’s logged 2.4, 8.7, and 7.6 PPR days in three of his six games.
LISTED HERE LAST WEEK, BUT STILL GOOD SELL GUYS:
None of note.
