Welcome to a new weekly column for the best thing about fantasy football – the trade! Each week I will list some of the latest players you should be looking to sell high or buy low.
Trade Targets To Buy
Michael Gallup:
Having seemingly fallen apart after their hot start, the Cowboys limped to a third straight loss against the New York Jets. Despite Dallas’ failings owners should not forget about Michael Gallup and his possible opportunity after the injury to Amari Cooper. Already accustomed to a generous share of looks from Dak Prescott, Gallup’s targets could go sky-high should Cooper miss any time.
Gallup has yet to receive less than 7 targets this season. He possesses a 66% catch rate and is currently averaging 16 yards per reception. During Week 5’s loss to Green Bay Gallup was peppered with 14 targets and finished with 113 yards and a touchdown.
The sophomore wideout will face an awful Eagles secondary twice (including an all important week 16 contest). A Rams defense giving away points to pass-catchers. Finally an even juicer end to the regular season against the wide receiver friendly Redskins (for those week 17 leagues). Hit the DMs, get some offers out. Make the trade and bring this Dallas Cowboy to your wide receiver corps.
Phillip Lindsay:
2018s waiver wire darling, Phillip Lindsay has begun the 2019 season starring as the weekly headache for owners as part of Denver’s two-horse backfield. Sharing duties with first-round pick Royce Freeman means Lindsay usually ends up riding the wood on your bench.
Nevertheless 15 rush attempts in the past two games and a generally smooth rest of schedule are forcing those with running back issues to look Lindsay’s way. Although his targets have steadily fallen since the beginning of the season Lindsay boasts a 73% catch rate and sits just behind Christian McCaffrey with 4.7 yards per rushing attempt.
The undrafted free agent is currently maintaining more rushing yards than Alvin Kamara. He continues to demonstrate his explosiveness with 16 missed tackles and 7 runs longer than 10 yards. Lindsay is a potential breakout running back, yet his situation could net you a possible top 12 rusher at a reasonable price- that’s value you just can’t turn down.
Juju Smith-Schuster:
The NFL’s reigning social media king, Smith-Schuster has endured a bitterly disappointing 2019 season thus far. Pittsburgh are currently down to their third-string quarterback, leaving the third year wide receiver struggling to put up consistent points. Owners would have likely spent a second round pick on Smith-Schuster and there will be a plethora of fantasy GMs looking to move on.
Whilst Smith-Schuster has been struggling to make fantasy owners happy his stats tell a different story. Amid the current offensive situation a catch rate of 65% catch demonstrates his unquestionable pedigree. Further supported by an average of 13.6 yards per reception and 6.5 yards gained after the catch.
The combination of the return of Mason Rudolph after the bye week and a relatively friendly schedule (that includes Miami and Arizona), you could add a potential top 12 wide receiver to your squad for pennies.
Zach Ertz:
After being talked about in fabled Travis Kelce circles in the pre-season, Super Bowl winning tight-end Ertz has yet to hit more than 15 points in standard leagues. Having only broken into the end zone once. Ertz owners are undoubtedly looking at this year’s superstars Austin Hooper and George Kittle with envy.
That being said, Ertz boasts a higher catch rate than both Kittle and DeAndre Hopkins. He remains in the top 30 for total receiving yards. It’s time for teams with a hole at the position to aggressively act on his season low performance. Go and grab a proven stud tight end for a bargain basement price.
Trade Targets To Sell
Robby Anderson:
Sam Darnold returned from his infamous mono in spectacular fashion with a bomb 92-yard touchdown to the enigmatic speedster Robby Anderson. A player who seems to forever exist on the brink of a breakout, Anderson is an undoubted talent that continues to be let down by a historically weak offence.
With less yards than Jamison Crowder and Auden Tate, a mere 16 receptions on the year. A catch rate of 59% (putting the New York Jet outside of the top 100), Anderson’s stats scream ‘push the brakes’. It make take all of your negotiating skills but if you are able to convince a wide receiver needy owner Robby is the answer to their problems, you might just come away with a great deal.
Trade for: Mike Williams, Robert Woods, Courtland Sutton, DK Metcalf
Steffon Diggs:
Forever enshrined in NFL history for his legendary ‘Minnesota Miracle’ catch. The want-away Diggs put on a show for watching NFL GMs with a hat trick of touchdowns this week. A 44 point game has to attract offers and there may have a desperate owner in your league looking to give up a king’s ransom for the NFC North stud.
Trade rumours are still rife, Adam Thielen is always going to be there and Kirk Cousins remains as the quarterback. Mix this in with a horrible schedule in the fantasy playoffs and Diggs is someone you need to be shopping around on the back of his red-hot week.
Trade for: Tyreek Hill, Cooper Kupp, Davante Adams
Devonta Freeman /Julio Jones/Calvin Ridley:
A 1-5 start to the season is not what Falcon fans envisaged in the off-season. Most of the blame lands on the lacklustre (if injury hit) defence. In fairness Matty Ice and the offense have put up some decent numbers so far this season. Freeman, Jones and Ridley all recorded solid fantasy days this week to keep owners happy.
However those days look to be numbered with a horrible schedule on the horizon. Including matchups against Carolina, San Francisco and Jacksonville in the all important last three weeks. Use the two remaining bouts versus the generous Tampa defence to your advantage and sell high on the Falcons trio.
Trade for: TY Hilton, Josh Jacobs, Chris Carson, Keenan Allen, Tyler Lockett
Check Value
Auden Tate:
Whilst you would generally look to stay away from players on a 0-6 team, you simply cannot ignore Auden Tate’s numbers. Having over 6 targets a game since week 3 and hitting a monster 12 looks this Sunday. The Florida State product is quickly gaining the trust of the red rifle Andy Dalton.
A poor Cincinnati run game has forced Dalton to focus on his pass-catchers and Tate has been taking full advantage. Admittedly AJ Green’s return will naturally bring his targets down, yet the trade rumours still persist. Having a stud like Green attracting defenders on the opposite side can always open things up. Tate is likely languishing on a bench in most leagues and his upside is immense. So reach out to the Tate owner and see if you can pry him away for next to nothing.
Look out for more trade targets next week, until then, Keep Rushing
-Dre @lil_carat
