Winning the trade market is at least as important as nailing the draft. Aside from the waiver wire’s massive impact in the season’s first few weeks, trading is the best way to improve your squad quickly. Great buy-low moves can set you up for victory in the short term and down the stretch. Solid sell-high deals can get you big hauls for overachieving players who likely won’t sustain their production.
Let’s take a look at players to buy and sell this week. And be sure to check out our weekly trade value chart with updated values for all players.
Check out the rest of our weekly fantasy football advice
Players to Buy Low
Q. Which player are you trying to buy low and why? Also, who are you willing to give up for him?
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR – KC)
This might be the last week to get in on JuJu before he becomes untouchable. He has quietly worked his way into WR2 range (WR20) as he and Patrick Mahomes are starting to click. He’s seen eight or more targets in six of eight games this season, and he’s had 100 yards or 10 receptions in each of his last three games. Some people might be reading far too much into Kadarius Toney‘s impact on this offense because JuJu is the clear WR1, and that isn’t going to change. In a PPR league, I would be fine trading away D.K. Metcalf for JuJu.
– Jason Kamlowsky (@JasonKamlowsky)
Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR – DET)
Amon-Ra St. Brown has struggled lately, scoring under 10.5 half-point PPR fantasy points every game since Week 2. However, he has dealt with multiple injuries. Yet, the second-year receiver has at least nine targets in every game he’s played at least 50% of the snaps this season. Meanwhile, DeAndre Hopkins‘ massive target share is at risk, with Marquise Brown returning in the coming weeks. I would flip Hopkins, if needed, to secure St. Brown.
– Mike Fanelli (@Mike_NFL2)
James Conner (RB – ARI)
James Conner returned to action in week 9 after missing three weeks with a rib injury. On the surface, his performance didn’t turn any heads, but he averaged 6.4 yards per carry and played 45 snaps, compared to just 18 for the other running backs. Conner moved with fresh legs as he turned his seven carries into 45 yards while generating five targets in a negative game script. Arizona plays at the fastest pace in the NFL, averaging nearly 70 plays per game. That bodes well for Conner, who is an every-down back and can take advantage on the ground or through the air. I’d look to move guys like Jamaal Williams, Raheem Mostert, or even David Montgomery for Conner.
– Chad Workman (@tweetsbychad)
Miles Sanders (RB – PHI)
Miles Sanders is currently the RB15 in 0.5pt PPR. However, he currently sits just nine points outside the top 10. Sanders’s schedule starts to open up nicely, and the Eagles look to control games and win their division. With the Commanders and the Colts their next two opponents, as well as playoff matchups against the Giants and the Bears, before a tricky Week 17 matchup against the Cowboys, it looks like it’s time for Sanders to vault himself into the RB top 10 conversation. Sanders is averaging a more than respectable 1.5 rushing yards after contact and averaging 5 yards per carry this year. Expect him to maintain that 17-20 touch-per-game pace and look to see the touchdowns increase over the coming weeks. If you can get Sanders plus a WR for Mixon, you are coming out way ahead.
– Adam “Murf” Murfet (@murf_nfl)
Rachaad White (RB – TB)
The speculation is swirling that Rachaad White will continue to increase his 35 percent of the snaps or more in four of the last six weeks. Fournette has totaled only 62 rushing yards across the past three weeks. Fournette has expressed his displeasure with his lack of involvement in the offense. Hopefully, the Buccaneers offense will continue to trend upward after their dramatic win over the Rams Sunday night. White passes the eye test and has earned more than just a complementary role in the Bucs offense. His increased role leads to more promising value, especially if the Bucs’ season heads into a downward spiral which will lead to White taking over the RB1 duties. Fantasy managers should wave RB Foreman or Allgeier to make the move to obtain White.
– Dennis Sosic (@CALL_ME_SOS)
Michael Pittman Jr. (WR – IND)
I know it can feel weird to buy an underperforming player on a bad team, but hear me out. The Colts are going through a rough patch this year. They fired Frank Reich and replaced him with Jeff Saturday, which is definitely an interesting choice. Odds are good that the current Pittman manager agrees. You may be able to get him at a deep discount and hold him to see how things go. Don’t send a starter for him, but if you can get him for a couple of bench players like Chase Claypool and Rondale Moore, then why not? If he costs you bench players, then you’re probably fine benching him if he isn’t great. But come on, someone’s gotta advance the ball in Indy, right?
– Andrew Hall (@AndrewHallFF)
Justin Herbert (QB – LAC)
It seems weird to have Geno Smith as a sell-high candidate, but the veteran has played himself into this position. Kudos to Smith for resurrecting his career, but now might be the right time to sell to a QB-starved league mate. Smith could be fine as we advance, as his schedule is not too challenging. However, the Seahawks are surprising contenders in the NFC West, and Pete Carroll has always preferred to rely on his running game. The emergence of Kenneth Walker III makes this proposition all the more enticing for Carroll, not to mention it’s a good way to hide his less-than-stellar defense. Plus, DK Metcalf is banged up and could miss some time. I’d happily move Smith for a proven commodity off to a rough start like Tom Brady or maybe even Matthew Stafford. Both of these veterans have excellent remaining schedules and plenty of weapons at their disposal.
– Scott Youngson (@jscottyoungson)
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
Players to Sell High
Q. Which one player are you trying to sell high and why? Also, who are you willing to give up for him?
Cordarelle Patterson (RB – ATL)
Patterson’s return on Sunday was highlighted by two touchdowns, but a deeper look here gives me some concern. He only had 44 yards on 13 carries, and this is still a committee backfield with Patterson, Tyler Allgeier, and Caleb Huntley all getting snaps and touches. On top of that, Allgeier is actually playing pretty well (123 total yards Sunday), so Atlanta has no reason to go away from him. Patterson is likely to be stuck in a situation where he gets no better than 50% of the snaps and rarely tops 15 touches, making him a touchdown-dependent fantasy back. Capitalize on his big Week 9 performance and try to pry someone like Josh Jacobs, who has had three down weeks since his blowup games a few weeks ago.
– Jason Kamlowsky (@JasonKamlowsky)
Joe Mixon (RB – CIN)
While fantasy players shouldn’t give Joe Mixon away, now is the time to after his historic 53.1 half-point PPR fantasy points performance. Even without his five touchdowns, the star running back would have scored 23.1 fantasy points, 22.1% higher than his previous season-high (Week 1). More importantly, he has struggled this season, averaging only 3.4 yards per rushing attempt before last week’s game. Furthermore, Mixon has a difficult playoff schedule with matchups against Tampa Bay, New England, and Buffalo. I would gladly swap Mixon for Travis Etienne, especially since the Jacksonville running faces the Houston Texans and their awful run defense in Week 17.
– Mike Fanelli (@Mike_NFL2)
Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS)
I like McLaurin a lot as a player, but it’s a good time to sell him coming off a good stretch of games. Ron Rivera said the team hopes to get Jahan Dotson back in Week 10, which hurts McLaurin more than anybody. His numbers are slightly better without Dotson than with him, but the bigger factor is how much the offense has changed since Dotson last took the field. The team was averaging 43 pass attempts per game through the first four weeks, a total that has dropped to 30 in the last five contests. We know Taylor Heinicke as a gunslinger, but Washington is attempting to slow the pace and limit his mistakes. Obviously, this creates less opportunity for McLaurin, especially when he’s ceding some downfield targets to Dotson. I recommend using McLaurin to go get Chris Olave or Christian Kirk.
– Chad Workman (@tweetsbychad)
Najee Harris (RB – PIT)
This is not so much a sell high as opposed to just selling while you still can. The 2-6 Steelers are in disarray. Matt Canada is a huge obstacle for this offense, and it is likely he will be gone in the off-season. Harris has been dealing with a foot injury that has affected his ability to make the big plays that we saw in 2021. In 108 rushing attempts, Harris has managed just 9 attempts over 10 yards, with his longest being just 18 yards. It is this lack of potency, plus using this dead season to fully evaluate Kenny Pickett, that leads me to believe Harris will likely see a diminished role, or even worse, for the rest of the season. Shutting down Harris for the season is possible. Therefore, get out now while you still can. Pick up Isiah Pacheco off waivers this week and trade Harris for Khalil Herbert of Michael Carter if you still can. Whilst on paper it looks like a trade-down, it will be a shrewd move come the playoffs.
– Adam “Murf” Murfet (@murf_nfl)
Raheem Mostert (RB – MIA)
Mostert was an RB2 for fantasy managers through eight weeks. However, his production has been dwindling across the past few weeks, which necessitated the Miami Dolphins obtaining Jeff Wilson Jr. to assist in the Dolphins backfield. Mostert and Wilson shared backfield duties in the 49ers years ago and reunite in Miami to play in a similar offense with head coach Mike McDaniel, who comes from Kyle Shanahan’s coaching tree calling the plays. In his first game with the Dolphins, the familiarity with the offense showed immediately, with Wilson able to walk right into an equal timeshare with Mostert. Wilson outperformed Mostert, and at best, we will continue to see a timeshare. If Wilson continues to thrive, the RB2 value that Mostert enjoyed earlier this season will be downgraded to Flex value leading fantasy managers to sell Mostert before his decreased value makes him impossible to move.
– Dennis Sosic (@CALL_ME_SOS)
Amari Cooper (WR – CLE)
Cooper is WR10 on the year in PPR points per game, largely boosted by 5 touchdowns through 9 weeks. If you look closer, though, you’ll see that Cooper is basically fool’s gold. Cooper is amazing at home, averaging 90.6 yards in addition to a touchdown in each game. On the road, he’s only getting 33.3 yards and hasn’t found the end zone. The Browns play 5 of their final 8 games on the road. Sell him now before your league mates realize how untrustworthy Cooper truly is for fantasy purposes. I’d love to get an RB like Leonard Fournette or Antonio Gibson plus a bench WR in return for Cooper if I could pull that off.
– Andrew Hall (@AndrewHallFF)
Josh Jacobs (RB – LV)
Josh Jacobs was my buy candidate in Week 3, but now it’s a good time to sell. Defenses are figuring out that it’s best to make Derek Carr beat you when facing the Raiders. Jacobs won’t be catching opponents by surprise down the stretch, and the schedule is getting tough for Vegas. Other than the Chargers in Week 13, there are no cupcake matchups for the running back the rest of the way. Plus, the Raiders will throw in the towel at some point in the 2022 season. When they do, it’s doubtful they’ll be running Jacobs into the ground as they’ve done thus far. If you can get RB1 value for Jacobs, I’d move him. Give me Alvin Kamara or a receiver like CeeDee Lamb, and you’ve got a deal.
– Scott Youngson (@jscottyoungson)
Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Trade Analyzer – which allows you to instantly find out if a trade offer benefits you or your opponent – to our Trade Finder – which suggests trades that will help you improve your team – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
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If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant, which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.