We are now in the home stretch of the fantasy football season. Fantasy managers should always be looking to improve their rosters, but now with an eye on the playoffs. With that in mind, here are a handful of players to explore trades for, either to buy low on those who are undervalued or sell high on ones overvalued.
Top Trade Targets To Buy in Your League
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Averaging just 14.9 fantasy points per game on the season, fantasy managers seem to have forgotten that Justin Herbert is an excellent NFL quarterback. His poor fantasy production is due to a combination of the Chargers’ run-heavy approach, his preseason foot injury, and bad touchdown luck.
After failing to reach 15 fantasy points over the first seven weeks of the season, Herbert entered Sunday Night Football scoring 19+ fantasy points in three straight.
The Chargers may still want to run, but the schedule may not let them. Over the next four weeks, the Chargers play some of the best offenses in football. Three of them are in the bottom seven in the league against the pass. Herbert sure looks like a potential QB1, and he is likely being valued as a QB2.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield limped into the Bucs’ bye week with his team’s fourth consecutive loss behind his worst game of the season, throwing for 116 yards and a touchdown. But prior to Week 10, Mayfield had scored at least 18 fantasy points in six straight games, including a stretch of five weeks with at least 23 fantasy points.
Now, the Bucs are not only past their bye, but they have a much easier rest-of-season schedule. From Weeks 13-17, four of the Bucs’ opponents are bottom-six against the pass. Add in the fact that Mayfield is about to get Mike Evans back, and he should return to being an elite QB1 with the potential to carry fantasy managers to championships.
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have had one of the toughest schedules to start the season. Normally, teams that have lost four straight aren’t very good. But look at their opponents: Ravens, Falcons, Chiefs, 49ers. The last three were all one-score games that really could’ve gone either way.
Now past their bye, things are about to open up for the Bucs. Of their next six games, only the Chargers are a serious threat to force them into a negative game script. That means this offense can really lean on Bucky Irving.
Missed Tackles Forced vs. Yards from Scrimmage per touch
[Through Week 10, via @FantasyPtsData]– Bucky Irving and James Conner clearly the most elusive runners in the league right now
– Gibbs/Henry/Barkley are explosive play demons this year
– Greg Roman loves Gus Edwards pic.twitter.com/Y18Dy9HQYz
— Ryan Heath (@RyanJ_Heath) November 14, 2024
The rookie’s snap share has hovered around the 40% range across the Bucs’ four-game losing streak. Tampa trailing has forced them to utilize Rachaad White more. With a few projected positive game scripts, Irving could be looking at 15 touches per game against bad run defenses with goal-line carries. There is league-winning upside here.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants
The time to buy Tyrone Tracy Jr. was before the Giants’ Week 10 matchup against the Panthers. But even if you missed out on that performance, it’s still worth it.
Over the next three weeks, the Giants play the Bucs, Cowboys, and Saints. Those three teams entered Week 11 as bottom-six run defenses.
Tracy has already proven to have mid-RB1 upside with four games of 14+ fantasy points in his last six, including two over 20 points. He’s averaging an impressive 5.13 yards per carry. Yet, I don’t think Tracy is being valued as a borderline RB1.
If your team needs an extra jolt for the playoff push, Tracy is the perfect guy to get you there.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals
I have gone back and forth all season on whether Marvin Harrison Jr. was an overrated prospect, or whether the Cardinals aren’t properly treating him as an alpha. Then, this past Saturday, Matt Harmon released the rookie’s reception perception profile.
The 2024 #ReceptionPerception In-season Rookie Report is now up on the site!
Subscribers will find full RP charts, data and evaluations on the following rookies this morning:
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Brian Thomas Jr.
Ladd McConkey
Keon Coleman
Rome Odunze
Malik Nabers
Xavier Legette… pic.twitter.com/HQEvjODpPT— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) November 14, 2024
Yeah…it’s not on Harrison.
The Cardinals are on a four-game winning streak and positioned to potentially go from last to first. I’m hoping they used their bye week to figure out how to better use their talented top-five pick.
Over the past six weeks, the Cardinals faced a top-10 pass defense in every game. They don’t face another the rest of the year. Their next three matchups are against bottom-10 pass defenses. Harrison could be about to morph into that every-week must-start WR1.
Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns
Of the Browns’ three relevant wide receivers, Cedric Tillman has been the clear alpha since Week 7. Yet, this past week, he was a distant third in production behind Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore.
If Tillman’s manager is worried about a changing of the guard, I would try and capitalize. Tillman still led the team in routes run and commanded eight targets. Catching a mere three for 47 yards was more bad luck than anything concerning. If you can pry away Tillman for cheap, he still looks like a weekly WR3.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings
It was a strange game for the Vikings in their win over the Titans. Other than Justin Jefferson, no player caught more than three passes. The week prior, T.J. Hockenson caught eight of nine targets for 72 yards.
Don’t let one dud performance against a very good TE defense discourage you. The Vikings have a mostly favorable schedule going forward for tight ends.
Hockenson is getting healthier by the week and should still be the second option in this passing game behind Jefferson. There aren’t many tight ends I would prefer to Hockenson going forward.
Top Players To Sell in Your League
Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers
The Packers narrowly escaped with a victory over the Bears, but it was not pretty. Jordan Love does not look like the same quarterback we saw last season. It was a minor miracle he managed to eclipse 20 fantasy points for the first time since Week 6. If not for a flukey QB sneak touchdown, he wouldn’t have gotten there.
Looking ahead, it’s not an easy schedule for the Packers’ passing game. They have just one game remaining against a bottom-half pass defense.
If you’ve been banking on a Love turnaround, this may be your last chance to pivot. There are a few solid options on the waiver wire you can work with. Turn Love into a useable player and replace him with someone just as good off waivers.
Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions
Selling anyone on the best offense in football never feels great. But hear me out. Jared Goff just threw for 412 yards and four touchdowns in a game where the Lions had an extremely positive game script throughout.
This wasn’t a real game. The Jaguars are not a real team. The Lions were able to do whatever they wanted.
In Week 12, Goff has another favorable matchup against the Colts. After that, it’s tough sledding. The remainder of the Lions’ opponents are not only against top-10 pass defenses but against bad run defenses. If someone in your league is salivating over what Goff just did, sell.
Austin Ekeler, RB, Washington Commanders
I wonder how much name value Austin Ekeler still carries. You should find out.
The veteran running back has been asked to do a bit more over the past couple of weeks with Brian Robinson Jr. nursing a hamstring strain. Well, Robinson returned on Thursday night and went right back into his lead rusher role.
Even so, Ekeler still managed to post RB1 numbers, scoring 17.6 fantasy points. He’s now scored 17+ in three straight games. So, why sell?
Thursday night’s performance by Ekeler was more concerning than not. Yes, the production was there. But it was exclusively through the air. Ekeler’s goal-line role is gone, as is the entirety of his rushing role. He carried the ball a mere two times.
It was just a very weird game where Jayden Daniels couldn’t find Terry McLaurin — or really any receivers — and just checked it down to Ekeler all night, resulting in eight catches for 89 yards.
Going forward, the Commanders should experience more positive game scripts, which means more Robinson and less Ekeler. Daniels will also continue to get healthier and can get back to pushing the ball downfield more. If you can turn Ekeler into one of the “buy” guys like Tracy or Irving, I suspect you will be very glad you did.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears
I’ve had D’Andre Swift as a sell for multiple weeks now. Obviously, if you sold him, you missed out on his quality outing against the Packers. But if not, the window has reopened.
Swift has been very good over the past two months, scoring below 14 fantasy points just once. Now, the schedule is about to really turn on him.
Four of the Bears’ next five games are specifically against the Lions and Vikings. Both of those teams are top-five against the run.
Swift has been an RB1. He may only be a volume-based RB2. With trade deadlines looming, see what you can get for Swift this week.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
You really should sell all things Cowboys while you still can. We’ve only seen one game of this offense without Dak Prescott. That is your last hope to cash out on whatever value CeeDee Lamb has left.
In Week 10, Cooper Rush and Trey Lance combined for 66 passing yards…in an entire professional football game. This is an unserious football team with two unserious quarterbacks.
Lamb will remain the alpha in this passing game, but what is that worth with two quarterbacks who can’t get him the ball downfield?
Even though deals can’t go through before the week officially ends, they can be accepted. Lock in a deal trading away Lamb before Monday Night Football. Once your fellow fantasy managers see this offense for a second week, all bets may be off. The fact that Lamb is nothing more than a low WR3 without Prescott will be solidified. Get what you can now.
Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, San Francisco 49ers
Every week I see fantasy analysts ridiculously rank Deebo Samuel Sr. as a top-12 WR or inside the top 12 the rest of the season, I will continue to call him a sell. He’s been a sell for several weeks now.
There is nothing enjoyable about the Deebo experience. I am sure he will have another game where he has a long touchdown and you feel great about starting him. Maybe. One of them. He will also have another game where he disappears midway through, or earlier, losing you a matchup — something he’s done three times already this season.
It is now Week 12. Samuel has one game of 20+ fantasy points. Since Week 3, he has one game with more than 12.6 fantasy points.
This is a weekly WR3 that, for some reason, many analysts and managers alike think is a WR1. This disparity in value makes him very tradeable.
Oftentimes, I will caveat trade recommendations with saying to not give away a player — make sure you get adequate value. Of course, you should always do that. But Samuel is a sell-at-all-costs guy. Get him off your team by any means necessary.
Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
I had Mark Andrews as a sit last week because of exactly what we saw play out. Isaiah Likely returned after a one-game absence, and Andrews went right back into his primary blocking role.
Andrews’ recent surge of production was a mirage. He found himself in several advantageous situations and scored a bunch of touchdowns. Against the Steelers, it was back to reality, with Andrews commanding all of three targets.
This isn’t about schedule. It’s about a player who is not an integral part of his team’s offensive game plan (beyond blocking). Andrews is not a TE1 going forward. If you can sell him as one, do it.
Mark Andrews running 60% routes in a loss isn't a great sign.
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) November 17, 2024
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints
I have no idea if there is really a market for Taysom Hill. However, fantasy managers are very reactionary. Someone in your league may see one of the biggest games from a tight end in the history of fantasy football and want to chase it.
Hill just stuffed the stat sheet with seven rushes for 138 yards and three touchdowns, while adding three receptions for 50 yards. He scored 42.52 fantasy points. There’s a decent chance he doesn’t have 42.52 fantasy points over the rest of the season.
Don’t give Hill away, as he will still have a role. But if you can sell him for a more traditional tight end, you are likely to get better productivity.
Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers
The fun appears to be over for the Packers TE. Tucker Kraft was held without a catch on just one target against the Bears. It was a thoroughly disappointing outing from a tight end who has been more reliable than not this season.
The worst part is the Bears will end up being the softest defense the Packers face for the next three weeks…and the Bears are no joke.
With the schedule a problem and Jordan Love spreading the ball around to his many receivers, the time to give up on Kraft is now. Either trade him for something viable or, if you need to, you can probably drop him.