Fantasy Football Trade Chart (Week 4)

If ever you needed more evidence that the NFL is unpredictable, you needed to look no further than this past weekend. Despite being a 16.5-point underdog, the Bills defeated the Vikings, thanks to Josh Allen and his nearly 30-point fantasy performance. Adrian Peterson was your top fantasy running back, Calvin Ridley was your top wide receiver, and Vance McDonald and Dallas Goedert were your top tight ends.

With that level of unpredictability, it becomes difficult to remain patient and not overreact. But the football season is a lengthy one, and it’s important to take the long view. Don’t rush out to trade for Jason Croom or Jakeem Grant, and don’t give away Rob Gronkowski.

At the same time, there are always ways to improve your team. To that end, we provide a trade chart each week to help guide you in making the right deal. As a reminder, these values are based off 12-team, 0.5 PPR leagues. To the extent you play in smaller or larger leagues, or those with different formats, you’ll need to adjust accordingly.

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Quarterbacks

 
As a general matter, there’s very little reason for you to consider trading for a quarterback in a single-quarterback league. You can easily get by with starting Andy Dalton or even Case Keenum in the right matchup. But Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees, and Cam Newton can be difference-makers, worthy of trading something relatively substantial for them. Absent that, in light of Tom Brady’s slow start and Aaron Rodgers’ injury, there’s little reason to look elsewhere. But seriously, unless the waiver wire is thin, don’t bother trading for a quarterback.

Running Backs

 
A few running backs take leaps this week, not so much because of their performances, but because of developments involving their teammates. Baker Mayfield should be the rising tide that lifts all boats in the Cleveland offense, and so Carlos Hyde moves into firm RB2 territory (though his big game against the Jets did not hurt, either). James Conner continues to move up not because of his own performances but because Le’Veon Bell’s chances of cutting into Conner’s workload at some point this season are growing slimmer by the day, particularly with the trade rumors. And Rex Burkhead landing on IR paves the way for Sony Michel to continue to become a reliable option. All three make incremental moves up the ranks.

Wide Receivers

 
As with Hyde, Baker Mayfield’s ascension only helps to raise Jarvis Landry’s stock. Especially in leagues that award any sort of points per reception, Landry is a borderline WR1 going forward.

Will Fuller is a stud. What was once thought to be success premised on an unsustainable touchdown rate has morphed into an all-around dominant talent. Yes, the touchdowns are a big part of his game (he has nine in his last six games with Deshaun Watson under center), but he now has 13 catches on 20 targets in his first two games this season. He’s a top-20 receiver going forward.

If you can get a piece of the Rams offense, just do it. Yes, Cooper Kupp might be the third option on his own team, but he’s going to put up solid 0.5 PPR numbers more often than not. And Robert Woods deserves more respect.

In light of their QB situations, you should have zero problems dropping Marquise Goodwin or Corey Davis if you’re in a desperate roster crunch. Both can be considered throw-ins in any deals, but not more.

Tight Ends

 
As usual, there is little to discuss with tight ends. Evan Engram’s injury means there is one less reliable option but really, outside of the big three, there’s not much to concern yourself with. Perhaps the only thing of note is that George Kittle’s stock takes a dip despite his college teammate taking the reins in the San Francisco offense.

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Dan Harris is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Dan, check out his archive or follow him on Twitter @danharris80.