If your league doesn’t have a trade deadline, or the deadline has yet to pass, it’s time to get out there and check the pulse of your league mates and make some deals! The fantasy playoffs are right around the corner, so you must strengthen your roster where you can and, in turn, pivot off players who could disappoint down the stretch. As always, we’ve got you covered with three players to buy and three to sell ahead of week 12 of the 2023 NFL season.
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Early Week 12 Fantasy Football Trade Advice
Three Players to Buy
Khalil Herbert returned from injured reserve in week 11 and was the clear lead option in the Bears’ backfield outside of Justin Fields (who also returned from injury). Herbert received 16 attempts compared to just size for both Roschon Johnson and D’Onta Foreman, and he figures to be the clear lead back moving forward for the Bears offense. He only managed 35 rushing yards on his 16 attempts. Still, better days lie ahead for Herbert, who averaged nearly six yards per attempt last season and averaged over five yards per attempt this season before missing time due to injury. He’s a sneaky buy because he doesn’t possess the same “name brand” value as other players, and he could be undervalued in your league.
A few weeks ago, it felt like some touchdown regression was coming for Gus Edwards, but now he’s scored nine times in the last five games. He’s currently on pace for his best season as a pro and getting many valuable opportunities near the goal line for the Ravens. Like Khalil Herbert, Edwards isn’t the sexiest name on the trade block and could be had for cheaper than you might think in your league. You can’t bank on multiple touchdowns every week, but opportunity is king, and he’s seen double-digit rushing attempts in all but two games this season. He still has a bye week ahead of him and some difficult matchups down the stretch, but he’s worth floating an offer for.
It’s looking like the bye week did wonders for Brock Purdy. He was in a bit of a slump from week six to week eight when he threw just three touchdowns compared to five interceptions in that span, but since the week nine bye week, he’s back on track. He’s thrown three touchdown passes and zero interceptions in consecutive weeks and needs to be locked into fantasy lineups moving forward. Given the current quarterback landscape, if you’re the team manager who was rostering Joe Burrow or Deshaun Watson, Purdy is a logical target if the rest of your roster is ready to push for the playoffs and beyond.
Three Players to Sell
OK, hear me out. It feels sacrilegious to ever list Ja’Marr Chase as a sell candidate, and I must emphasize that this is only for redraft formats. Of course, in dynasty and keeper leagues, Chase remains a hold or even a buy if you can buy at a discounted rate following the Joe Burrow injury. In redraft formats, I’m fine dangling Chase in trade talks to see if I can find a wide receiver near the same talent level, but should have more reliable quarterback play for the remainder of the season. I’m in no way rushing to sell low on Chase, as he is the type of talent that should be essentially quarterback-proof, but you wouldn’t be crazy to see what else is out there.
Calvin Ridley reemerged in week 11 for the Jaguars to the tune of seven receptions, 103 yards, and two scores, and now could be the time to move him if you’re hoping for a significant return. Consistency has not been the name of Ridley’s game in 2023. Week 11 was only his third 100-yard performance of the season and his fourth game with over five receptions. Christian Kirk has been far more consistent for the Jaguars, and there’s reason to believe that continues over the back half of the season. When fantasy playoffs start getting closer, I want players in my lineup that I can rely on for a certain level of production week in and week out, and unfortunately, that has not been Ridley this season.
Aaron Jones unfortunately suffered a knee injury in week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers. While the severity is unknown, it seems safe to expect him to miss some time. AJ Dillon handled most of the rushing work in his absence, but he only turned his 14 attempts into 29 yards. Dillon has seen double-digit rushing attempts in six games but has not eclipsed 100 yards in a game to date (his season high is 76 yards). He only has one touchdown on the season and has averaged over 4.5 yards per attempt in one game through 11 weeks. He hasn’t been very productive, and that could continue even if he is thrust into a full-time starter role. I’d look to flip him to a manager in your league who is more bullish on him taking on increased opportunities.
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