Fantasy Football Trade Advice: Javonte Williams, Jerome Ford, Aaron Jones (Week 3)

We’ll help you navigate the trade waters of your fantasy football leagues all season. Not only is there the ‘Who Should I Trade?’ tool where you can get instant feedback, but you can also sync your league for free using My Playbook in order to get fantasy football trade advice specific to your team through our Trade Analyzer and Trade Finder tools.

Here is our fantasy football trade advice article, including all the players we’re buying and selling this week. And below let’s take a closer look at a few players to trade this week.

Fantasy Football Trade Advice

Aaron Jones (RB – MIN)

Ty Chandler had an impressive game on the ground, rushing 10 times for 82 yards (8.2 YPC), including a long run of 25 yards.

Aaron Jones contributed nine rushes for 32 yards (3.6 YPC) but lost a fumble, while Sam Darnold chipped in with five carries for 32 yards (6.4 YPC). He played more than in Week 1 (61% snap share) while Chandler’s snap rate remained the same at 35%. His first carry came more than halfway through the second quarter.

I don’t think the box score accurately portrays Jones as the RB1. Still, it’s a friendly reminder that Chandler has a role in this Vikings offense, and that Jones isn’t the most reliable RB over a 17-game span. After a hot start, I’d be looking to cash out sooner rather than later on Jones. The Texans are also a no-joke run defense.

Per Next Gen Stats, Houston allowed Bears running backs to gain more yards than expected on just 1 of 16 rushes (6.3%), their lowest rate of runs over expected since 2018. In 2023, the Texans allowed -270 RYOE to opposing running backs, the fewest in the NFL and the 3rd-fewest over the last six seasons.

Jerome Ford (RB – CLE)

Jerome Ford led the Browns’ backfield, rushing 7 times for 64 yards (9.1 YPC) with a long of 36 yards. Ford caught 1 target for 0 yards. He only ran a route on 29% of the dropbacks. Big decline from his Week 1 usage where he was heavily involved in the passing game. 36 routes versus 11 in Week 2.
D’Onta Foreman added 42 yards on 14 carries (3.0 YPC), with his longest run going for 9 yards. Foreman started this game as the Browns wanted to get him more involved (38% snap share) after he barely played in Week 1. He also drew the carries in the red zone for the Browns.

Javonte Williams (RB – DEN)

Jaleel McLaughlin carried the ball 10 times but only managed 27 yards, while Javonte Williams had eight carries for 23 yards (52% snap share) in Week 1. Seattle stacked the box on 50% of Williams’ rushing attempts. Audric Estime contributed 14 yards on two carries (fumbled), including a long run of 12 yards. Williams started, but McLaughlin was involved throughout. Both guys were used in the red zone (although Denver wasn’t there much).

The ground attack for Denver was abysmal in Week 1 versus Seatle. Williams only ran a route on 41% of the dropbacks while McLaughlin settled at 29%. The target rates were stark with McLaughlin seeing a 41% target rate to Williams’ 11%. Javonte’s lack of pass-game work is a red flag.

In Week 2, Williams was largely ineffective, rushing 11 times for 17 yards, averaging just 1.5 yards per carry. Two red-zone carries for not much production. Williams was at least a factor in the passing game, catching all 5 of his targets (14.3% target share) for 48 yards, with 48 YAC. He played 66% of the snaps. Sell high on the snap share. This Sean Payton backfield is impossible to project weekly. One week it’s Williams, the next it’s McLaughlin, etc.

In Week 2, Jaleel McLaughlin added six yards on three carries. McLaughlin (like Williams last week) had one touch in the second half. Woof.