We are now through three weeks of the fantasy football season. Fantasy managers should always be looking to improve their rosters. 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
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It was a rough Week 3 for Baker Mayfield. After a road upset of the Detroit Lions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell at home to the Denver Broncos in a game where Mayfield threw an interception and scored single-digit fantasy points.
Given Mayfield’s history, it’s possible his fantasy manager may think the first two weeks were a bit of a fluke. I think Mayfield just had a bad game.
The Bucs’ next two opponents are the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons. Both of those games are projected to be high-scoring. I expect Mayfield to post QB1 numbers in each of them. If you are struggling at QB, now might be the best time to kick the tires on the Baker man.
Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
For the first time this season, Tyjae Spears outscored Tony Pollard. It was bound to happen at some point. Since it happened so early, it presents a buying opportunity.
It’s still quite clear that this is not a pure timeshare. Game script played a role in Spears’ increased usage, as he was the guy on the field in garbage time. But when the game was competitive, the split still appears to be Pollard on early downs and Spears on obvious passing downs. Pollard remains the goal-line back.
The entire NFL landscape is tough with all the injuries. Pollard is likely a bit undervalued. If you can buy this week, better days are ahead.
Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
You can’t exactly buy low on Alvin Kamara. You can buy high, though. And you absolutely should.
The start of this fantasy season has been … interesting. There haven’t been many consistent high-end producers. Kamara just put up 15.7 points in a game where he didn’t score.
MORE: Fantasy Football Waiver-Wire Targets for Week 4
Kamara’s role is the stuff dreams are made of. He played 85% of the snaps against the Eagles and handled 29 touches. He’s now averaging 23.7 touches per game, and I don’t see anything changing with his usage. I would be willing to pay elite RB1 prices to acquire Kamara.
Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, San Francisco 49ers
An underrated move in fantasy is buying injured players from teams who need to win now. There’s no guarantee that’s the situation in your league, but if it is, Deebo Samuel Sr. is a great guy to target.
You never can be sure with injury timelines, and calf strains are tricky. However, Samuel is expected back in Week 5 or 6.
Before getting hurt, it was clear Samuel was the WR1 and the engine of the 49ers’ offense. Even without him in the lineup, Brandon Aiyuk did not step up. It was Jauan Jennings. I expect Samuel to go right back to being Brock Purdy’s top guy upon his return.
If you are fortunate enough to be able to afford taking on an injured player, Samuel is a sure thing once he gets back on the field.
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Much like Mayfield, Mike Evans suffered from a bad matchup. He’s also fallen a bit behind Chris Godwin over the past two weeks.
Evans still looks like a top receiver, the targets just haven’t been there. He only had three against the Broncos in a game in which the Bucs’ offense was never able to really get going.
These next two games against the Eagles and Falcons are ripe for Evans to return to posting WR1 numbers like he did in Week 1. If Evans’ manager thinks it’s the Godwin Show the rest of the year, see if you can pry the perennial top receiver away for 75 cents on the dollar.
Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
It was a rough week for the Las Vegas Raiders. Clearly, the QB change motivated the Carolina Panthers. I’m willing to pretty much forget this entire game.
There are exactly two tight ends I feel good about starting every week. One is Trey McBride. The other is Brock Bowers.
This was a down week for the rookie, catching one pass for 21 yards. While I doubt his manager is worried, the lack of a spike week should help keep his value in check.
If the Bowers manager is not viewing him as a top-three tight end rest of season, he’s worth acquiring.
Top Players To Sell in Your League
Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions
Somehow, Jared Goff remains rostered in 88% of fantasy leagues. His 15.5 fantasy points from Week 3 were his highest of the season.
Now, the Lions have a matchup against a pretty good Seattle Seahawks pass defense followed by a bye week.
This remains a run-heavy offense, especially near the goal line.
I am sure Goff will have a 300-yard, three-touchdown game at some point, but those week-winning performances will be few and far between.
I’m not sure what Goff would garner in a trade, so take this more of as permission to move on from Goff if you want to.
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s now been back-to-back down games for Rachaad White. Although he scored 16.6 fantasy points in Week 1, it was very clearly smoke and mirrors, bolstered by an anomalous six receptions for 75 yards. If White isn’t getting peppered with targets, he has no chance to score fantasy points because he might be the worst runner in the NFL.
White has 31 carries for a truly abysmal 66 yards. Meanwhile, Bucky Irving is averaging 6.7 yards per carry running behind the same offensive line. Irving is going to take White’s job, at least as the lead rusher. If he takes the goal-line role, too, then it’s curtains for White’s fantasy value. He is a screaming sell, even at a reduced value.
Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks
This is admittedly cheating a bit, as Zach Charbonnet’s status as a weekly RB1 has been predicated on Kenneth Walker III’s absence. Walker is tentatively expected back in Week 4.
While I do think Charbonnet has done enough to earn an increased role, I expect the Seahawks to reinstall Walker as the main guy, with Charbonnet in more of a satellite-back role.
MORE: Try PFN’s Free Fantasy Trade Calculator
Anyone you may trade Charbonnet to knows this, but it’s possible you could get a startable low-RB2. Plus, Charbonnet is clearly one of the best handcuffs in the league with Walker healthy. That may have more value to someone else than you expect.
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
I must admit I am a little worried about Garrett Wilson. It’s clear the talent is there, but Aaron Rodgers is not treating Wilson like his new Davante Adams.
While Wilson did have nine targets on Thursday, he only caught five passes for 33 yards and a touchdown. His 14.3 fantasy points were a season high. That’s now three straight weeks of floor games for Wilson. Where’s the ceiling? I’m not sure it exists.
The Jets have some rough games coming up against the Broncos and Minnesota Vikings. With how much Rodgers is spreading the ball around, Wilson may end up being more of a solid WR2 than the WR1 he was drafted to be.
I wouldn’t necessarily look to offload Wilson for anything. This is more if you can turn him into someone like Justin Jefferson or Rashee Rice.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Houston Texans
To be clear, Stefon Diggs is not some completely old and washed wide receiver who had a flukey big game. Diggs is going to have games like this where there’s nothing for C.J. Stroud deep, and he just takes the open underneath routes.
This recommendation is predicated on a situation where a manager in your league still views Diggs like the guy from Buffalo who was a WR1. Diggs is still more of a high WR3 than a WR2.
In a game where the Texans could never get anything going offensively, Diggs caught 10 of 12 targets for 94 yards. He’s now scored about 20 fantasy points in two of his first three games. If you can use Diggs to get a true WR1, that’s a good move long term.
Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
The goal may be sell high and buy low, but sometimes you just need to sell low and get something for a completely ineffective asset.
It’s been three weeks. I’ve seen enough. It’s over for Mark Andrews.
The issue isn’t even Isaiah Likely. Andrews just isn’t part of the offense anymore — Zay Flowers is the clear top target. Beyond him, the Ravens are content to spread the ball around or just run the ball.
Andrews didn’t catch a single pass. His first target didn’t come until the fourth quarter. He has absolutely no meaningful role in this passing game. He’s blocking more, and I don’t anticipate it changing. Sell Andrews for pretty much whatever you can get at this point. Truthfully, I think Andrews can be dropped if there’s a tight end out there that catches your eye (there probably isn’t).