10 Players to Buy Low/Sell High (Fantasy Football)

The fantasy trade deadline will soon be upon us. Whether you need to make a playoff push or solidify your title chances, now is the time to capitalize on your overperformers for buy-low candidates that strengthen your squad. The actual NFL trade deadline was wholly uneventful, but fantasy managers cannot afford to be as cautious as real-life GMs when a playoff berth hangs in the balance. Now that we’re in crunch time for the fantasy regular season, our featured pundits share who you should look to trade away along with who you should consider targeting for the stretch run.

More Trade Advice:
Trade Analyzer | ROS Rankings

Import your team to My Playbook for instant Lineup & Trade advice

Q1. Who is your favorite buy-low trade candidate at this point in the season and who are you willing to give up for him?

Allen Robinson (WR – CHI) 
“Robinson is a player I am trying to acquire everywhere I can for the second half of the season. With the QB issues in Chicago, a bye remaining, and two weekly finishes outside of the top 36 in his last three games, he is likely cheaper than he should be and you should pounce. Robinson has been an absolute stud in favorable matchups this season and his rest of season schedule is chock full of favorable matchups. Outside of a Week 12 date with Jaire Alexander, Robinson will have a legitimate shot at being the overall WR1 each week as there is not a single CB that will be able to keep up with him. Some players I would be willing to give up for Robinson include Joe Mixon, Ezekiel Elliott, David Montgomery, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Adam Thielen, Terry McLaurin, Chris Godwin, and Mark Andrews.”
– Michael Petropoulos (BRoto Fantasy)

Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI) 
“Tight end has been an utter wasteland for fantasy managers all year and the position is even shallower now that George Kittle is on the shelf. While the price of acquiring a Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, or Mark Andrews is surely sky high, Goedert is a more affordable option who is primed to explode down the stretch. He was quietly a top-10 fantasy TE last year, even though he was targeted almost 50 fewer times than Zach Ertz. An unfortunate ankle injury ruined Goedert’s first half of 2020, but he’s healthy now while Ertz is not, and the Eagles’ remaining schedule is terrific for Carson Wentz and the passing game. See if you can get him for a player who’s already peaked like Christian Kirk or Jerick McKinnon.”
– Andrew Seifter (FantasyPros)

Michael Thomas (WR – NO) 
“If you’ve seen some of the trade questions that have come my way the last couple weeks with Thomas, you’d understand why he’s listed as a ‘buy’ right now. Don’t let a few missed games get in the way of acquiring the only receiver who can contend with Davante Adams for the No. 1 wide receiver spot. In fact, the only receiver who you should want more than Adams for the remainder of the season is Thomas, and he’s not being valued that way in trades right now. If you can get him for Ezekiel Elliott, that would be the ideal scenario.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

Lamar Jackson (QB – BAL) 
“I think Jackson struggles again this week against the Colts, but better days are ahead for him (don’t let his fantasy manager know that). The best part about Jackson is his fantasy playoff schedule, facing the Cowboys, Browns, Jaguars, and Giants in Weeks 13-16. It’ll take a disgruntled owner with an RB problem, but try to float Clyde Edwards-Helaire or Darrell Henderson out there for Jackson. It also could make sense to package your current QB in the deal, depending on who is available on waivers.”
– Zach Brunner (FlurrySports)

Miles Sanders (RB – PHI) 
“I’m trading for Sanders right now. He’s banged up battling a knee injury and is on his bye week, but after the bye the schedule is juicy. Philly gets top matchups for RBs down the stretch, including games against Dallas, Green Bay, and the Cardinals. Package trade a WR3 like Chase Claypool and an RB2 like Devin Singletary to get him.”
– Matthew Betz (BallBlast)

Q2. Who is your favorite sell-high candidate at this point in the season and what would you try to get in return?

Mike Evans (WR – TB) 
“Evans is currently the WR17 in half-PPR formats, but it’s tough to believe he’ll be anywhere near that good in the season’s second half. To begin with, his production to date is completely unsustainable. Evans is tied for the league lead with seven touchdown catches, but he is barely inside the top 35 in receiving yards, top 40 in air yards, and top 75 in target share. All of those numbers have been even worse for Evans when Chris Godwin has been healthy enough to play, as he will be again soon be. Now that the Bucs are adding Antonio Brown to the mix, Evans’ outlook is even more dire. I’d be thrilled if I could swap him for an RB whose arrow is pointing up like Antonio Gibson or capitalize on the Cowboys panic out there and pick up Amari Cooper.”
– Andrew Seifter (FantasyPros)

Todd Gurley (RB – ATL) 
“Halfway through the season, I’m selling Gurley, as he’s been extremely touchdown dependent thus far, scoring eight rushing touchdowns in eight games. In PPR formats, he’s the RB7 despite averaging just 2.5 targets per game, suggesting he’ll be a bust the rest of the season if regression hits in the touchdown department. I’d move Gurley for a high-end WR2 like Tyler Boyd or Will Fuller.”
– Matthew Betz (BallBlast)

David Montgomery (RB – CHI)
“Montgomery is a popular trade target with a glorious rest of season/fantasy playoff schedule lined up for him, but he has no business being a trade target for contending teams. In fact, I would sell right now while his value is highest. Montgomery gets the volume, but that is all. His efficiency is laughably terrible, with three top-20 performances in eight games despite Chicago’s inexplicable need to feed him touches. Sure he will give you a decent floor, but a decent floor is not going to win your championship. Montgomery is valued highly in the current RB landscape, so find an RB-needy team and take advantage. Some players I would be looking to acquire include Allen Robinson, Tyler Boyd, Chris Godwin, Robert Woods, and D’Andre Swift.”
– Michael Petropoulos (BRoto Fantasy)

Adam Thielen (WR – MIN)
“Thielen was someone to buy when there was just one receiver getting the big target share, but knowing Justin Jefferson has emerged as a legit option to steal targets, Thielen isn’t nearly as attractive in an offense that has thrown the ball just 27.0 times per game. There will be games that you regret getting rid of him, but he could also cost you a week if you’re relying on him for WR1 production. He should be considered more of a high-end WR2 than a WR1. You might find someone who’ll give you Michael Thomas for him. Even if you have to throw in another small piece, it’s worth it.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

Chase Edmonds (RB – ARI) 
“I simply do not believe in the lead back for the Cardinals. With Kenyan Drake out with an injury, Edmonds is getting the start in Week 9 and is an RB1 play across the industry. If you can get low-end RB1 value for him, pull the trigger. We saw David Johnson struggle as a starter last season, then Drake has struggled to return value as a starter this year. Edmonds could be the next disappointment. I’d shoot for someone like Calvin Ridley – a receiver with high potential, but not much, if any, value for this week.”
– Zach Brunner (FlurrySports)

Thank you to the experts for naming their trade candidates. Be sure to give them a follow on Twitter if you’re not already doing so and check out our latest podcast below for more great advice.

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio