Players to Trade For:
Quarterbacks:
Andrew Luck (IND)Luck only threw for 164 yards and a touchdown on Sunday against the Eagles. Luck now comes home and faces the Houston Texans, coming off of a tough loss to the New York Giants. I don’t think Houston is that great this season, and see the Colts able to create some points on offense. Luck will have a good game on Sunday, and then his value will increase in trades. Get him now for a bargain if you need a quarterback.
Last week I called for you to trade for Jimmy Garoppolo. Well, hopefully, you didn’t give up too much on your roster if you were able to trade for Jimmy G. While Jimmy wasn’t living up to many fantasy owners, he still had the opportunity to perform down the road.
Tom Brady (NE) The Patriots again are starting off the season in a terrible situation. Josh Gordon should start to get snaps on the offense and Julian Edelman will be back from his suspension. This should create a reverse effect with the negative feelings hanging over the Patriots right now. I almost feel like Detroit Lions Head Coach Matt Patricia knew exactly what Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels were going to call on every play on offense. While I don’t know the Patriots offensive game plan, I do know that Patricia knows their offense. So, I don’t hold Sunday nights game into to much light. Brady should be able to come back and put up points going forward. I would target Brady in trades this week, and see if you can grab him on the cheap.
Running Backs:
Le’Veon Bell (PIT)The latest talk from the Steelers, is that they’ve been talking with the New York Jets after they announce they were open to trades. He would actually be a better fit in New York than Pittsburgh right now. There is something going on behind the scenes in Pittsburgh, and I don’t think theirs is a healthy relationship amongst the staff and all the players. He would take over as the Jets starting running back and receive the long-term contract he was looking for in Pittsburgh.
Leonard Fournette (JAC)Fournette owners should be worried if he’ll ever see the field this season. I think he was ok to play on Sunday, and Jacksonville kept him out just as a precaution. When Fournette is on the field, he will perform like a high-level first rounder. Get him now, while he’s the cheapest he will be in trades.
Nick Chubb (CLE) Chubb’s value should be very low with owners in most of your leagues. You may have a little more difficulty trading with a Carlos Hyde/Nick Chubb owner. So I would just avoid those owners because they’ll ask for a little more in return. You should be able to trade with every other owner, especially after we’ve seen how Cleveland’s offense has been run lately.
Corey Clement (PHI) With Jay Ajayi’s continuous health concerns every season, I would trade for Clement if you need a running back. While he didn’t have a great game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday this should only help his trade value. Get him for a low cost, especially with the way the season has gone in the NFL.
Aaron Jones (GB)Jones has been absent because of his suspension from the NFL the last two weeks. After what we saw from Jamaal Williams over the last couple of games, it’s pretty safe to say that Jones will be starting going forward. Get him now before his stock rises too high in trades.
Ezekiel Elliot (DAL) Zeke owners may be concerned with the Cowboys team play and future this season, as well as Zeke’s recent performance. See if you could get Zeke from a concerned owner that paid a high first-round pick in drafts.
Jordan Howard (CHI)Howard has yet, to have a consistent running game. This has to have owners concerned if they drafted him as their second running back. I would target him now before he has a big game.
Kenyan Drake (MIA)Drake seems to have trouble getting the ball on this Dolphins offense right now. The Dolphins are 3-0 and are moving the ball around to everyone other than Drake. I can’t imagine this role will continue, and Miami will eventually need to rely on Drake in the backfield. The current trade value should be low for Drake.
Wide Receivers:
Chris Hogan (NE) I’m hoping though, that Hogan owners will overreact to New England’s performance lately and look to trade. See if you can get Hogan for low value in trades.
Josh Gordon (NE)Yes, again we are going back to back Patriot receivers. Gordon owners might be worried about Tom Brady and this offense. I would target that worried fantasy owner and see if you can get him on the cheap.
Marvin Jones (DET) Marvin looked good on Sunday night. Although Matthew Stafford has been targeting him over the last few weeks, Jones hasn’t been able to catch his passes, especially in the end zone. Look for Jones to continue to see passes his way, even with Kenny Golladay in the lineup. You should still be able to trade for Jones at a low value.
Tight Ends:
Rob Gronkowski (NE) Gronk said in public this week that maybe he should retire. Those thoughts should quickly surpass when the Patriots start to win again, but in the meanwhile, see if you can get him from a scared fantasy owner worried about the Patriots and Gronkowski.
Players to Trade:
Quarterbacks:
Patrick Mahomes (KC)If you need some help with a starting running back, I would trade Mahomes this week. Yes, I think it’s possible he keeps performing, but I’m not sure it’s possible to at this high level. Look at what happened with DeSean Watson last season. He was at a high level and then went down with an injury. Most of you probably have Mahomes as your backup quarterback, so trading him for a first-round running back would be a great trade. I would target Leonard Fournette owners for trading.
Running Backs:
Carlos Hyde (CLE) Hyde’s performance on Thursday night should create a high value that may not be the same going forward. Look to trade Hyde now, if you have better options on your roster.
Kerron Johnson (DET) Kerron’s value is very high after running for 101 yards on 16 carries against New England Sunday night. Trade him now while his value is high to a team in need of a running back. You should be able to get a good trade in return.
Royce Freeman (DEN) Freeman saw more opportunity when Phillip Lindsay was ejected from the game against Baltimore on Sunday. But, I don’t see him doing too much in Denver so trade him to a desperate owner.
Wide Receivers:
Jordy Nelson (OAK)Jordy had a great game on Sunday against Miami. While I normally would suggest keeping him going forward I just don’t trust Jordy in this offense. I think there will be more let downs than positive results in his future. I would trade him if the return makes sense.
Marquise Goodwin (SF)Goodwin may see less opportunity with CJ Beathard in at quarterback going forward. Goodwin’s catch rate was very low with CJ in at quarterback last season. I’m not very high on any 49er right now, and at the same time, it might be hard to trade him to another owner.
Tight Ends:
Jimmy Graham (GB)If you could trade Jimmy for a valuable running back or wide receiver, I’d do so now. With Rodgers hurting and barely able to move around the pocket, this will only hurt Graham’s value going forward.
if you have any questions feel free to post them here. You can also contact me on twitter @TheSteveBateman or via email at steve@fansportsvisor.com.