From now until the fantasy trade deadline, we will show you trades to propose based on our Trade Value Chart. These trades will provide more value for your team down the stretch run on the way to a fantasy championship.
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James Conner (RB – ARI) for Malik Nabers (WR – NYG)
This particular move is a big risk but it could also be a big reward. Cardinals running back James Conner is a reliable, almost boring, fantasy contributor. He’s been a top-20 fantasy running back in each of his three previous seasons in Arizona and in well on his way again this season. He’s totaled over 800 yards from scrimmage already and is on his way to a career-high in that category. The Cardinals are also winning which means it’s less likely Arizona changes up how they’re using Conner. So why trade him now?
Because Giants receiver Malik Nabers could be a league winner. The rookie has quickly established himself as one of the more electrifying players in the league but is seeing the volume to propel himself and his fantasy teams to the playoffs. He’s averaging 12 targets per game and his 84 on the season are good for third in the league despite missing two games due to injury. That much attention has led to 55 receptions – which is tied for third in the league – 557 yards, three touchdowns, and a top-15 ranking in fantasy scoring.
The only reason Nabers isn’t ranked higher is because of injuries which are a concern for any player. However, if you were to compare Nabers’s fantasy points-per-game average, instead of his total, he’s a top-10 receiver and should be healthy for the second half of the season. There’s no doubt that James Conner has been very good but he won’t be able to win you fantasy playoff games by himself like Nabers can. Surely there are Nabers-manager fantasy teams in your leagues that need a running back and could be desperate enough to make a move.
Tyreek Hill (WR – MIA) for Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF)
This trade would have been a headliner just a year ago. Both Tyreek Hill and Christian McCaffrey were amid career seasons in 2023 and won their fantasy managers championships nationwide. It also led to both being picked at or near the top of fantasy drafts this season. However, those plans haven’t worked out for anybody.
For Hill, the loss of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has torpedoed his fantasy value. Tagovailoa has missed more than half the season so far due to another concussion which has led to Hill’s mediocre fantasy stats. He’s topped 80 receiving yards just once this season and has one touchdown. Hill is barely a top-40 fantasy receiver thus far.
McCaffrey managers don’t need a reminder of how that pick has gone this season. After re-assuring reports all offseason that McCaffrey would be ready for the season, the 49ers waited until, literally, the last second to declare him hurt and keep him out of not just the season opener but the first half of the season. Those fantasy players who thought they hit the lottery by securing the first overall pick quickly felt like it was a waste of a pick.
He’s finally returning this week and has had months to get healthy. If McCaffrey can produce at a fraction of what he did last year, he’ll immediately help his fantasy teams. We know that Hill’s chances of being as big of a fantasy asset this season are gone after Miami’s offense has plummeted from top-three in scoring last year to bottom-two this year. He can still help your fantasy team but not nearly on the same level, while McCaffrey is (hopefully) just getting started.
CJ Stroud (QB – HOU) and Chase Brown (RB – CIN) for Jauan Jennings (WR – SF) and Cade Otton (TE – TB)
There’s no doubt that Houston quarterback CJ Stroud had one of the more memorable seasons for a rookie quarterback. By the end of the 2023 campaign, Stroud had passed for over 4,000 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions and led the Texans to the playoffs. In fantasy terms, he was a top-10 fantasy quarterback.
However, that was then, this is now, and Stroud is having a more challenging season, part of which are circumstances beyond his control. For example, his top two receivers – Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs – are missing or will miss significant time this season. Whether it’s because of that or not, he’s averaging 35 fewer passing yards per game and has four interceptions already which is just one less than he had all of last season. He’s also just a mid-QB2 when it comes to fantasy scoring.
For Chase Brown managers, there’s a risk of counting on him down the stretch. Yes, he capitalized on his newfound status as a starter, turning 27 carries into 120 yards plus five receptions for 37 yards in Week 9. Still, don’t forget that he didn’t win the job at the beginning of the season and was only thrown in there because of the injury to veteran Zack Moss. Furthermore, the Bengals traded for a running back before this week’s deadline, swapping a late-round pick for Khalil Herbert plus promoting rookie Kendall Milton from the practice squad. Brown is atop the depth chart for now but who knows for how long?
Meanwhile, 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings is set to return to the starting lineup after receiver Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL. Jennings himself has been limited this season but when he has been thrust into a bigger role, he’s shined including an 11-reception, 175-yard, and three-touchdown day in Week 3.
Perhaps the biggest piece to this trade was also the least heralded before the season. Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton has topped eight receptions and 77 yards in each of the last three weeks which has bumped up to TE1 status. It helps that quarterback Baker Mayfield is playing so well and that Tampa is losing pass catchers left and right after both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin went down with injuries.
Stroud and Brown don’t look like they could carry your fantasy team to the playoffs while Jennings and Otton could.
