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
Q: Who is your favorite buy-low trade candidate at this point in the season, and why? Also, who are you willing to give up for him?
Derrick Henry (RB – TEN)
“This could be a mistake, but let’s consider that 1. his schedule so far has been difficult, and 2. he’s actually been decent in two of three games. Derrick Henry can still be a beast, and his schedule softens up in the coming weeks. His value is at an all-time low, so you could try to move someone like Miles Sanders or Zack Moss (plus 1-2 other role players) for a desperate owner.”
– Kevin Roberts (Breaking Football)
Josh Jacobs (RB – LV)
“After the time to buy A.J. Brown expired after his huge performance Monday night, now it is Josh Jacobs time. This is his week to shine, as he gets a tasty matchup with the LA Chargers, who have allowed either 100 rushing yards or conceded a TD to running backs in each of their first three matchups. What does Josh Jacobs not have? A 100-yard game or a touchdown, yet. That all changes this week, and I would be selling the likes of DeAndre Swift, Kyren Williams, and Raheem Mostert to get that deal done (if you had said to me all three of those names could net Josh Jacobs at the start of the season, I would have called you crazy).”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
“In the next six weeks, Josh Jacobs plays vs. the Chargers, Packers, Bears, Lions and Giants. Things are about to get better, and he is a rare bell-cow back that never (seemingly) leaves the field. He is averaging 3 grabs a week. Oh, and btw Weeks 14 thru 17, the Raiders play the Vikings, Chargers, Chiefs, and Colts. Giddy up!”
– Ken Zalis (FantasyPros)
“Josh Jacobs is the guy for me. His usage is still elite, and he’s still just as talented as last year. He’s still a top-10 RB for me moving forward. I’d be willing to move RBs like Kyren Williams, Raheem Mostert, Kenneth Walker III, or D’Andre Swift, or WRs like Puka Nacua, Mike Evans, or Deebo Samuel.”
– Robert Norton (Last Word On Sports)
Calvin Ridley (WR – JAC)
“Calvin Ridley has hit a rough patch over the past two weeks. After scoring 20.1 half-point PPR fantasy points in Week 1, the veteran has scored 9.7 fantasy points over the past two contests. However, he has faced a pair of tough matchups, and things are looking better moving forward. Ridley faces the Colts and Steelers over the next few weeks. More importantly, he leads the team in targets (25), TPRR (22.5%), and drops (four). Mention the dip in fantasy points and the drops to your league mate. Hopefully, you can then acquire Ridley for an overperforming wide receiver like Tutu Atwell.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Justin Fields (QB – CHI)
“Justin Fields. I think it’s likely he’s not the long-term solution for Chicago, but it is likely he will remain the starter for at least the rest of the year. He had a slow start last year before breaking out. I expect a similar trend to emerge this year. He’s too dynamic with his legs not to start using them more efficiently. If I was QB-needy, I’d try to trade my WR3/FLEX for him. ”
– Jacob White (Gridiron Experts)
“Justin Fields can’t be this bad! Last year, he took the fantasy world by storm with his running ability (1,143 yards with 8 touchdowns) and just enough passing (2,242 yards with 17 Touchdowns). He started 2023 with some tough defenses and has looked terrible to the point that his future in Chicago is being questioned. The good news is that he has Denver, Washington, Minnesota, and Las Vegas looming. He is a great add for a backup in single quarterback leagues and a value add in Superflex, which is where owners should really look to add him, where his current owners will be frustrated and willing to trade him for hot young players like Jordan Love, CJ Stroud, and/or possibly a WR2/RB3 combination. ”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
“For me, this has to be Justin Fields. He’s probably hit rock bottom value-wise with all the negativity around the coaching staff and may even be on waiver now in smaller leagues due to this frustration. We have to believe that Fields will see more rushing opportunities moving forward, which should get him closer to, and hopefully regularly surpass, his career average of 55.7 ypg. We saw what the offense was capable of in the preseason, and Fields is still capable of turning things around.”
– Matt Olson (32 Beat Writers)
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE)
“My pick is Rhamondre Stevenson. He has yet to eclipse 60 rushing yards, but we know the talent is there, and he has seen two of his three games recording three or more targets. I would be willing to give up a WR2 such as DJ Moore, Drake London, or Jerry Jeudy to have more depth at the running back position.”
– Joe Pepe (Beyond The Gridiron)
Roschon Johnson (RB – CHI)
“My favourite buy-low is Roschon Johnson. He is slowly taking over the Bears backfield, and by the time Week 6 gets here, it will be his for the taking. Roschon was electric at Texas and will be a league-winner in the second half of this season. I would easily trade the likes of James Cook, Rachaad White or Dameon Pierce to acquire Johnson.”
– Aaron St Denis (The League Winners)
Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA)
“Go buy low on Jaylen Waddle! Waddle has gotten off to a slow start for a high-passing volume offense. Fantasy owners could be looking to make a change as the Dolphins offense has been highlighted with Tyreek Hill and the run game. Waddle had seven games of 15-plus fantasy points in 2022 in the same offense. His best days are still coming. I’d see if the Waddle owner wants to take on Tank Dell, Amari Cooper, or a running back who has played each football this year. ”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)
Q: Who is your favorite sell-high candidate at this point in the season and why? Also, who would you try to get in return?
Puka Nacua (WR – LAR)
“We already found out Puka Nacua is human, and Cooper Kupp is nearing his return. This could obviously backfire, but let’s keep in mind a healthy Kupp is the Rams’ WR1, and Nacua is still a rookie. See if someone souring on Calvin Ridley or a more proven WR1 will take the bait.”
– Kevin Roberts (Breaking Football)
“PUKA…is this allowed? Everyone’s favorite rookie is getting more attention from opposing teams. The Rams vs. the Bengals spread out the targets more this week, and Mr. Kupp is expected back soon. His value in redraft has never been higher. What can you flip him for? Higgins? Waddle? Josh Jacobs (has to be better) or Rhamondre Stevenson? Aim high here. Puka is not going away and will still be flex-worthy once Kupp is back, but now is the time to act.”
– Ken Zalis (FantasyPros)
“My sell, as much as I love him and think he does have a future piece in the offense, is Puka Nacua. Cooper Kupp will return and cut into the target share for everyone. Tutu Atwell will not disappear either, leaving a smaller slice of the pie for Nacua. I would be willing to take a Josh Jacobs-level running back. Someone who is struggling but is talented with the workload, aka Jacobs or Stevenson.”
– Joe Pepe (Beyond The Gridiron)
Alvin Kamara (RB – NO)
” I don’t really know if this is a sell-high necessarily, but with the return of Alvin Kamara impending this week for the Saints I would possibly test the market to see what he could fetch. Derek Carr is week-to-week, and that was the primary appeal for anyone drafting Kamara. Carr turned Josh Jacobs into a 50 catch back in 2021 and 2022, and many have hopes that he can do the same with Kamara. Now Kamara is walking back into basically the same offense that he had last year with Jameis Winston, and we all saw those results. I would pray that a manager would consider parting with Brian Robinson, James Conner, or even Rachaad White on the super high-end, to obtain Kamara.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Raheem Mostert (RB – MIA) | De’Von Achane (RB – MIA)
“Raheem Mostert (RB1 – 26.3) and De’Von Achane (RB5 – 25.3) are two of the top five running backs in half-point PPR scoring over the first three weeks. However, 70.2% of their fantasy points for the year came last week against the Broncos. It’s unlikely either player, let alone both, will be a top-five running the rest of the season. Fantasy players should explore trade options for both running backs. I would rather keep Achane over Mostert. Yet, fantasy players should happily trade either or even both running backs, plus a WR3, to land an injured superstar like Austin Ekeler, Saquon Barkley, or Jonathan Taylor.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“I think it has to be Raheem Mostert. He’s coming off a massive game, but we know his extensive injury history, and he’s 31 years old. He should be good for as long as he stays healthy, but he’s also splitting work with De’Von Achane, too. I’d be happy to land any of Josh Jacobs, Joe Mixon, Jaylen Waddle, or Tee Higgins if possible.”
– Robert Norton (Last Word On Sports)
Mike Evans (WR – TB)
“I think it’s all downhill from here for Mike Evans. He’s so reliant on TDs, and this isn’t an offense that projects to have that many. It’s also possible he gets traded midseason to a team where he becomes their WR2/3. He’s currently the WR5 in Half PPR, a rank that’s simply unsustainable. I’d try to unload him for a strong WR2 or RB2, like Amari Cooper, Michael Pittman Jr., D’Andre Swift, or Rhamondre Stevenson. ”
– Jacob White (Gridiron Experts)
Zack Moss (RB – IND)
“I think this question is almost too easy: Zack Moss. The last two weeks, he has looked dominant, handling RB1 duties for the Colts and averaging 4.4 ypc with a touchdown each week. This is what fantasy owners want from a lead running back, but…..Jonathan Taylor is looming and could be back in week 5. Sell Moss now to a running back needy team for a WR2 (or an up-and-coming player) like Michael Pittman Jr, Zay Flowers, Tank Dell, or Nico Collins (if a team is desperate for a starter this week, you might even be able to move up the rankings or even sneak in a running back with major upside as part of the trade).”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
George Pickens (WR – PIT)
“My favourite sell-high candidate is George Pickens. Pickens was largely disappointing until Diontae Johnson got hurt. In the two games since Johnson exited the lineup he has been solid, but once Johnson returns to the Steelers lineup, Pickens will be relegated to a low target-earning role. His highlight reel catches don’t get you extra points in fantasy football.”
– Aaron St Denis (The League Winners)
Ken Walker III (RB – SEA)
“I’d look to sell high on Ken Walker. I like what Walker has done so far in 2023. He is seeing a high volume of carries with already four touchdowns on the season. I still think the passing game will wake up slightly more than it has shown us in Seattle. Rookie Zach Charbonnet will continue to get on the field as the season progresses, and Walker has a tough schedule ahead. I’d look to sell off and see if I could sneak Austin Ekler away or a high-end, underperforming WR like Jaylen Waddle or Tee Higgins. ”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)
Kyren Williams (RB – LAR)
“As of right now, it has to be Kyren Williams. He’s off to a hot start on a Rams team that no one expected to be competent. Williams has never stood out prior to seeing significant volume; he’s gotten almost every RB snap this year for the Rams. This is not sustainable. The Rams are going to need to mix in another option eventually, and this could come in the way of a free agent. If I could get any WR3 or one of the rookie TEs, I’d be thrilled.”
– Matt Olson (32 Beat Writers)
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