The fantasy football playoffs are approaching, which means you do not have a ton of time left to make roster adjustments. If you have yet to pass your league’s trade deadline, there are a few running backs that you can potentially look to target in a trade that might help you win your league!
If you’re looking for more trade advice, head to our Week 11 Buy Low or Sell High article, where we look at all the skill positions and players you should consider.
Bucky Irving, RB | TB
Buy Low
Negative game script forced the Bucs to lean more on Rachaad White in the second half. However, before then, it sure looked like Bucky Irving had completely taken over this backfield.
Irving ran for 73 yards and a touchdown, while catching all three of his targets for 14 yards. This was against the 49ers.
Bucky Irving gives the @Buccaneers the lead!
📺: #SFvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/4KoGCpjsw8— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024
The Bucs’ remaining schedule is incredibly favorable. From Weeks 13-17, they play four bottom-10 run defenses. They also project to have positive game script in at least five of their last six games of the fantasy season.
Irving could be a legitimate league winner.
Jaylen Warren, RB | PIT
Buy Low
It’s now been four weeks since Jaylen Warren returned from his knee injury. His usage has ticked up just about every week, capping off with 16 opportunities this past week against the Commanders. The reason for Warren’s increased role last week is easy to explain. The Commanders are a very good offense that forced the Steelers to throw more than usual.
For the remainder of the fantasy season, the Steelers do not have a single easy run defense on the docket. Every single opponent ranks in the top eight at defending the run.
Normally, that would be bad news for targeting a running back. However, it’s more bad news for Najee Harris. Given the schedule, the Steelers could not only find themselves in more shootouts but could find themselves having to throw more in a neutral game script. Warren is the passing down back. It would not surprise me if he wound up being the more productive fantasy back than Harris from this point forward.
Kareem Hunt, RB | KC
Sell High
It’s a bit of low-hanging fruit to label Kareem Hunt as a sell. Isiah Pacheco is expected to practice in 2-3 weeks. When he returns, I fully expect him to resume his role as the clear RB1.
The reality is Hunt hasn’t been nearly as good as his fantasy numbers suggest. He is surviving on raw volume. He just put up 17 fantasy points in a game where he ran the ball 14 times for 35 yards and did not score.
In his first five games with the Chiefs, Hunt caught seven passes. Against the Broncos, Hunt caught seven passes. He saw 10 targets. That will probably never happen again.
Kareem Hunt soaked up a career-high 10 targets today.
He had 9 combined in his first five games this season.
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) November 10, 2024
The Chiefs do have three easy matchups over the next three weeks. You could use Hunt for a game or two and then move him. Alternatively, you could use the upcoming schedule to sell him to a team that needs wins now, as Hunt is unlikely to help you in the fantasy playoffs.
D’Andre Swift, RB | CHI
Sell High
Fantasy managers would be wise to get out of this Bears offense. Anyone you have, cash out. It’s an unmitigated disaster.
D’Andre Swift has been one of the lone bright spots this season. His run from Week 4-8 was incredible, posting games of 29.5, 20.0, 21.9, 18.9, and 14.2. Last week, though, things really hit rock bottom. Caleb Williams could only lead his team to three points against the Patriots. Swift saw 17 opportunities but totaled a mere 65 scoreless yards.
Going forward, that’s where the concern really lies. The Bears’ run of soft run defenses is over. The Packers are an average matchup in Week 11. After that, four of their next five opponents are top-five against the run. If you can still sell Swift as an RB2, now might be your last chance.