Fantasy Football Trade Advice: Trevor Lawrence, Amari Cooper, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk

We’re halfway through the season so you should have an idea of what kind of fantasy team you have. If you’re at the top of the standings, you’re gearing up for a playoff run. If you’re not, well, then it’s time to start unloading. Luckily, FantasyPros has you covered up until the trade deadline. Not only is there the ‘Who Should I Trade?’ tool where you can get instant feedback but every week in this space, we’ll dig even deeper into players that should be moved. There will be the classic one-for-one deals but also deals where multiple pieces would equate to one piece which will be indicated with a ‘-plus’ next to the player’s name. Without further ado, below are some possible trades to make as we ramble on with the 2023 season.

Fantasy Football Trade Advice

The Trade: Trevor Lawrence (QB – JAC) for Geno Smith (QB – SEA)

The Reasoning: If those who drafted Trevor Lawrence this season could see this trade now, they would be beside themselves. Lawrence was coming off a top-10 fantasy season last year when he threw for over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns while leading the Jaguars to a playoff spot. With the addition of receiver Calvin Ridley this off-season, it wasn’t crazy to think Lawrence could enter elite status.

But elite status has eluded Lawrence this season. Even QB1 status has eluded him this season as Lawrence has seemingly regressed. His yards-per-game is similar to last season (236 to 242) but he’s well off his pace for scoring and will struggle to match last year’s 25 touchdowns. And his six interceptions through 10 games this season are almost as many as the eight he threw all of last season. Currently, he’s a mid-tier QB2 when it comes to fantasy scoring.

As for Geno Smith, expectations were considerably lower. He was a top-10 fantasy quarterback last year too but he certainly wasn’t drafted like one this year. However, he also got a boost to his receivers room in first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba. And while he’s been just a mid-tier QB2 as well, he’s also been capable of some pretty big games. Smith has three 300-yard passing games this season (compared to one for Lawrence) and has four multi-touchdown games (compared to two for Lawrence).

As fantasy seasons inch closer to the playoffs, you’ll need players who can help you beat the best of the best. Right now, Smith gives you a better chance to do that than Lawrence.

The Trade: Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF) for Amari Cooper (WR – CLE)

The Reasoning: Early in the season, it looked like Brandon Aiyuk was entering WR1 status, not just on his team but on fantasy teams as well. He had, what turned out to be, his best game of the season so far with eight receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns. He followed that up three weeks later with six receptions for 148 yards. Unfortunately since then, despite an injury to fellow receiver Deebo Samuel, Aiyuk has been good, not great. He has just one, 100-yard receiving game since Week 4 and his touchdown this past week was his first since Week 1. He currently sits as a top-15 fantasy receiver, but Aiyuk managers were hoping for more.

Enter Browns receiver Amari Cooper who has strung together two straight WR1 games now that Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has returned. Over the last two weeks with Watson under center, Cooper has totaled 11 receptions for 237 yards and one touchdown and is a literal, top-five fantasy receiver. His hot streak technically started the week before Watson returned when Cooper also totaled six receptions for 89 yards on a season-high 11 targets.

The case for Cooper over Aiyuk is pretty clear. While some would argue Aiyuk is the better receiver, regardless of situation and environment, the fact is Cooper is the Alpha receiver for Watson and the Browns whereas Aiyuk has competition for targets every game. He’s battling former All-Pros like Samuel, tight end George Kittle, and even running back Christian McCaffrey for attention on the vaunted 49ers offense. It’s a happy problem to have if you’re a 49ers fan; not so much if Aiyuk is leading your fantasy team.

The Trade: George Kittle (TE – SF) for Jake Ferguson (TE – DAL)-plus

The Reasoning: Our second 49er being traded away is being moved for the same reasons – too many good players on a good offense and only one ball to go around. Tight end George Kittle is having another George Kittle season, totaling 35 receptions for 559 yards and four touchdowns. He’s currently a top-five fantasy tight end and is having his best season when it comes to yards-per-reception with 16. Meanwhile, in Dallas, tight end Jake Ferguson is doing his best George Kittle impression in only his sophomore campaign. On the season, he’s totaled 36 receptions for 354 yards and four touchdowns and is, himself, a fantasy TE1.

But Ferguson has ratcheted up in his last three games. He’s totaled 15 receptions for 164 yards and has scored in each contest which has equated to top-five fantasy production. He’s also recorded the second most targets on a team that just passes more – Dallas ranks 10th in the league with 35.2 pass attempts per game, while the 49ers are dead last with just 28.1 attempts per game.

All of this isn’t to say Ferguson is as good as Kittle – he’s not. But if you can get Ferguson and another piece for Kittle, it might be worth it to a team that needs depth.