Here is a breakdown of how week nine impacted the fantasy trade market, including buy-low and sell-high options as we approach fantasy trade deadlines. *Justin Jefferson windmill* LET’S GO!
Win $1 Million playing FanDuel’s NFL Sunday Million 
Rest-of-Season Rankings Risers
Jonathan Taylor: Now the RB2 in PPR with 20 more points than the RB3 (Austin Ekeler), Taylor is the favorite to finish the season as the fantasy RB1, with Derrick Henry likely out for the year. Taylor has cemented himself as a big play waiting to happen. He’s now one of the few players who makes you hold your breath every time they touch the ball, waiting in anguish or excitement depending on which side of his fantasy ownership you’re on. Traditionally, Taylor has been uber-efficient in snap counts lower than what you’d expect from a talented RB. However, he’s recorded his three highest snap counts of the season over his last three games. It’s all systems go for Jonathan Taylor SZN.
James Conner: Chase Edmonds sustained an injury on Sunday and is likely out for multiple games, making James Conner the RB1 in an extremely high-octane offense. If Conner or Edmonds weren’t in the picture coming into the season, I highly suspect the player who was the Cardinals’ projected RB1 would have been a top-24 pick. In addition to being an unflinching goalline threat, Conner is earning his stripes as a pass-catcher, totaling five receptions for 77 yards on Sunday.
Christian McCaffrey: McCaffrey had 18 touches for 106 yards despite only playing 49% of snaps and his team losing by 18 points. CMC is precisely who you drafted him to be when healthy, a matchup-proof backfield behemoth.
Brandon Aiyuk: The second-year receiver posted his best fantasy performance on Sunday since December 20, 2020. Over his last two games, Aiyuk has posted his two highest snap counts of the season and tallied ten catches for 134 yards and a touchdown.
Pat Freiermuth: Freiermuth has posted his three highest snap shares and target totals in his last three games. He’s quickly ascending to the ranks of a top-12 TE the rest of the way. We have no reason to believe this target share isn’t viable, making his floor relatively high for a tight end. His ceiling has also proven to be on the higher side, as he’s now a red zone weapon for Pittsburgh, catching three touchdowns in two weeks.
Rest-of-Season Rankings Fallers
Aaron Jones: The Packers are still a good football team, Aaron Rodgers will (hopefully) be back soon, and they should still be able to stay the course and have an excellent rest of the season. However, it’s becoming more apparent how game-script-dependent Jones is. Though he’s a talented receiver, Jones hasn’t taken more than 15 carries since week three. He’s also played more than 69% of snaps just twice this season. Reports indicate AJ Dillon is in good graces with the coaching staff and will likely challenge Jones for snaps. One slip-up or injury and Jones could launch into a full-fledged timeshare.
Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott: The Philadelphia Eagles backfield is a mess. Theoretically, it’s a decent situation for the Eagles because they’ve proven that they can get production out of anyone to the frustratingly consistent dismay of fantasy players across the globe. Sanders was seemingly in line for a monster year, with his only backfield competition being a late-round rookie (Gainwell) and a middling veteran (Scott). However, Eagles gonna Eagle, and the tree of fantasy value that could have been this backfield has quickly been starved, uprooted, and mulched. If Sanders doesn’t post convincing snap-share numbers in his first few weeks back, I would be fine cutting any one of Philadelphia’s running backs.
Courtland Sutton: If you follow me on any social media account (shameless plug), you know how much I love Courtland Sutton. I think he’s uniquely skilled and talented, and he’s flashed that multiple times in his three healthy seasons. However, in Sunday’s big win against the Cowboys, Sutton was out-targeted by Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, Albert Okwuegbunam, and Melvin Gordon. Sutton will have big weeks, but they’ll be challenging to predict, making starting him a gamble.
DJ Moore: Despite the return of Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore posted his worst stat line yet, catching three passes for 42 yards. Moore has now been held without a touchdown for five weeks in a row. In that time, he also hasn’t surpassed six catches or 73 yards. I wouldn’t be looking to cut bait on Moore yet, he’s still the most talented WR in Carolina, and his trade value is the lowest it’s been all season, but he’s no longer a must-start player.
Buy Low Players
Tyler Higbee: TE fantasy value is often dependent on touchdowns by nature of the position, and touchdowns often come and go unpredictably. Higbee has only caught two touchdowns this season, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the cheapest you’ll be able to get him. Despite middling fantasy totals over the last four weeks, Higbee is still the TE13. His fantasy performances feel as though they’re at his floor, and he’s still the TE13 in that timespan. Here’s why: Higbee has been targeted 26 times in that timeframe, a rock-solid number for a TE. Also, the Los Angeles Rams are third in the NFL in red-zone drives, meaning there will be plenty more opportunities for Higbee to start scoring.
Deebo Samuel: Admittedly, this isn’t a great suggestion, more a heads up to start putting out feelers if any folks with Samuel on their rosters are beginning to worry about the return of George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk’s resurgence, Samuel’s calf injury, and Samuel’s lackluster week nine fantasy finish. Spoiler alert, I’m not worried. Samuel is one of the most efficient players in the NFL and an extraordinary after-the-catch talent.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire: With the ensemble of Darrel Williams, Derrick Gore, and Jerick McKinnon putting together a good rushing attack, people rostering CEH are probably nervous and willing to part ways at a discount. I’m buying as many CEH shares as I can simply because I think he’s the most talented player of the Kansas City backfield ensemble. In a larger sample size than his competition, CEH is averaging 1.7 yards after contact per attempt. Darrel Williams and Derrick Gore are averaging 1.4, Jerick McKinnon 1.3. I think Williams will be involved, but only to the extent he is CEH’s backup and may vulture a few goalline carries. You drafted CEH to be an RB2, and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t average RB2 numbers again when he is activated.
Sell High Players
Melvin Gordon: Melvin Gordon looks solid this season. He’s averaging 4.4 yards per carry, has shown explosiveness, is catching passes, and has fended off backfield competition from rookie counterpart Javonte Williams. However, we’ve seen this play out before. The Denver Broncos invested in Javonte Williams to be their running back of the future. It’s hard to see, barring injury, Melvin Gordon becoming more involved in the offense than he is right now. It is, however, pretty easy to surmise Williams may see more opportunities as the season rolls along. Gordon is the PPR RB15, coming off a 23-touch, 95-yard, one-touchdown game. I’d start sending offers to running back-needy teams.
Mike Williams: Is this the beginning of the end for Mike Williams? He started the year looking like a man possessed, with 471 yards and six touchdowns through five games. However, that has since cooled off and is leaving us wondering if that pace was ever meant to be. Williams is 27 years old and has never caught more than 49 passes in his career. Though he’s a great deep threat and historically efficient, you have to think long and hard about whether or not you’re buying the late-career breakout. Given the potential he flashed earlier this year, I’m sure there are fantasy managers who will be enamored with Williams, only I am not one of them. Keenan Allen has always been the best receiver of the two, and that’s become evident over the last three games.
Joe Mixon: What? Sell the fantasy RB5? TJ, you’re insane! Well, yeah, but for other reasons. The first of which is the division of work among Cincinnati’s running backs. In the last five games, Mixon is averaging 13 carries, and Samaje Perine is averaging 6. In the previous six weeks, Mixon has played 70% of offensive snaps just once. Yes, good running backs can generate fantasy value in limited snap shares. Still, this year, Mixon’s projected value was predicated on his being the only startable running back on the Bengals.
Additionally, Mixon’s thorough injury history is always problematic. In four seasons, Mixon has played 15 games just once. That being said, Mixon is a talented running back when on the field, and you should not part ways with him for a discount. However, if someone would like to offer a lucrative package for him, I would listen.
The Trade Market
Here’s my take on some of the most popular questions on the FantasyPros “Who Should I Trade?” tool.
Dawson Knox or Kadarius Toney: This is extremely close in my eyes and depends on your team’s needs. I would be perfectly fine trading Toney if I were seeking a TE1. However, say I had Knox and another solid TE, I’d be up for taking on Toney’s upside and decluttering my TE position.
Darrel Williams or Hunter Renfrow: Unless you are desperate for an RB, then (maybe?) one more week CEH is out. I’m taking Renfrow and his guaranteed role in Las Vegas’ offense.
Melvin Gordon or Terry McLaurin: Consistent with this column’s “sell high” portion, I’ll gladly part ways with Gordon for McLaurin.
Adam Thielen or Josh Jacobs: Josh Jacobs is still the RB1 in Las Vegas. Thielen is dwindling into the WR2 role. Both players are relatively touchdown-dependent, but I expect Jacobs to see higher volume.
Tyreek Hill or Najee Harris: Najee all day. If we were to do a fantasy redraft tomorrow, Harris would likely be a top-three pick.
Find and analyze trades for your team with My Playbook
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
Looking for advice tailored to your team? Check out our awarding-winning My Playbook tool. My Playbook allows you to sync your team for free in seconds. It offers personalized advice for fantasy owners, including a Start/Sit Assistant, Waiver Wire Assistant, and Trade Analyzer. My Playbook will also send you news and alerts specific to your fantasy players. Join over 1 million teams that have been synched for custom advice, rankings, and analysis!
