As the fantasy playoff approaches and many leagues head into their trade deadlines, the chances to shake things up for your roster are limited. Let’s look at the wide receiver position to give you our top picks for who you should consider targeting and who you should consider trading away.
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.
Malik Nabers, WR | NYG
Buy Low
It feels like it’s been so long since Malik Nabers was an elite WR1 and ranked weekly in the top 12. From Weeks 2-4, he had a ridiculous three-game stretch with 23+ fantasy points in all three. Since then, he hasn’t scored and hasn’t hit 15 fantasy points. There is reason to believe a return to the elite tier is coming, though.
The New York Giants have their bye soon, and that means the manager with Nabers needs to win a week without him. If that team can’t afford a loss and you’re sitting pretty, you can try and buy Nabers for less than full value by trading away a player who is past his bye to acquire the Giants WR.
Nabers has one of the most favorable schedules for WRs over the remainder of the season. He doesn’t face a top-half pass defense the rest of the year and has three matchups against bottom-eight pass defenses. As a bonus, there’s a decent chance Daniel Jones gets benched for Drew Lock, who is much more apt to push the ball down the field, raising Nabers’ weekly ceiling.
Deebo Samuel Sr., WR | SF
Sell High
Impressively, Deebo Samuel Sr. has scored exactly 12.6 fantasy points in two consecutive games. More importantly, he finally made it through a game healthy. That’s why you sell Samuel.
I’ve lost all hope in Samuel. He plays too violently and too recklessly. He loses fantasy managers’ matchups with the games he leaves early. There have been three this season.
If people are going to call Brock Purdy a system QB every time Deebo Samuel breaks a tackle on a screen, we should spend as much energy lauding him when he makes miracle plays like this out of structure.
It’s only fair.pic.twitter.com/XOnQhLl3SA
— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) November 12, 2024
The 49ers’ remaining schedule is a mixed bag for WRs. But with Christian McCaffrey and Jauan Jennings back and Ricky Pearsall emerging, the team doesn’t need to inundate Samuel with volume.
I’ve seen him get a mid-WR1 rest-of-season valuation. I think he’s more of a low-end WR2. Sell while you still can.
Josh Downs, WR | IND
Sell High
Joe Flacco has done wonders for Josh Downs’ fantasy value. However, Flacco is arguably the worst starting quarterback in the NFL right now. The reality is he was never good, not even last year. He just chucks with reckless abandon, so the numbers appear better than he plays.
The Indianapolis Colts are probably not winning another game with Flacco under center — another loss or two and their season will be just about over. Shane Steichen’s comment notwithstanding, there’s simply no reason not to go back to Anthony Richardson.
Add in the fact that the Colts have their bye in front of them and face two of the best pass defenses in the league in Weeks 15 and 16, and Downs looks like someone to get out from now while he still has WR2 value.
DK Metcalf, WR | SEA
Buy Low
It’s been quite a while since DK Metcalf was a reliable option for fantasy managers. Since Week 4, Metcalf has one game over 7.8 fantasy points.
Of course, that wasn’t all poor performances. Metcalf had two duds and then missed two games due to injury. That’s all contributed to a sour taste in the mouths of fantasy managers. That’s your opportunity.
Metcalf is expected back after the team’s bye and should immediately resume his role as the clear WR1. The Seahawks’ remaining schedule is not necessarily favorable, but it isn’t overly difficult. Plus, there are a few potential shootouts with the 49ers, Cardinals, and Vikings.