Through five weeks in the NFL Fantasy season, injuries and bye weeks have hit some teams hard. Others have been hit hard by lack of production from expected stars (DeAndre Hopkins, Stefon Diggs). Here are some trades to make before Sunday that could bolster a fantasy team for a cheap price.
Sell High:
RB Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
Jones is coming off a career game in which he ran for 107 yards and picked up another 75 in receiving yards, along with scoring four touchdowns. While fantasy owners of Jones have enjoyed great production from him, his numbers may be evening out. Jones has scored a touchdown in every game besides Week 1, which has kept his fantasy value high.
In three games this season, Jones has failed to rush for less than 40 yards and averaged less than three yards a carry. The touchdowns are the only thing keeping Jones in the top tier fantasy category. Before Jamal Williams went down with a concussion, Jones was in a serious running back battle with him, a tell-tale sign the Packers did not trust Jones to be an every-down running back. If you can package Jones with a lower-tier player to get a star such as Ezekiel Elliott, Hopkins, or Alvin Kamara, then pull the trigger.
RB Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams
Gurley’s another back that has been saved by touchdowns. He hasn’t eclipsed 100 yards rushing all season and has only one game in which he has had more than six receiving yards. Five touchdowns in five games have saved Gurley’s production, but there are obvious concerns.
With Gurley being a shell of his former self, you most likely will not get the value that you normally would for him, but it may be high enough to still get a good, reliable player that you won’t have to worry about every week.
RB Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
At least 10 points in every game this season (in PPR leagues), Chubb has put himself into the top-tier of fantasy running backs. However, that may be coming to an end and it may not be his fault. With it being Week 6, you will still enjoy five weeks of Nick Chubb before anything happens, but a Kareem Hunt return in Week 10 could take away from his success.
Hunt will not come in and be the lead back and completely take Chubb out of the picture, however, it may drop Chubb from an RB1 to an RB2. If you can get a deal for Chubb in which you get another star in return, take it.
Buy Low:
WR Emmanuel Sanders, Denver Broncos
The Denver wide receiver has put solid numbers some weeks and has been a ghost in others. Inconsistent would be the best way to describe the receiver fantasy-wise, as he has two games over 97 receiving yards, and two games with less than 10 yards.
A key reason for his inconsistency may be quarterback play. Joe Flacco hasn’t been helping the production of Sanders, but it’s something that might change. With Sanders being linked to trade rumors with the Patriots, even the chance of Sanders catching passes from Tom Brady may be worth a trade on your fantasy team.
Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings WR:
Diggs has been a fantasy disaster this season. He’s had one game of over 50 yards this season and one touchdown. The clear No. 2 to Adam Thielen (another disappointment) in a run-oriented offense leaves Diggs fighting for targets. However, there is hope for Diggs.
He may be a typical boom-or-bust option, but with an injury-prone Dalvin Cook getting upwards of 20 touches a game, it is tough to see that continuing. Kirk Cousins will get it going at least a little more than he has in the past. If you can buy low on someone who will put up WR1 numbers every couple of weeks, it might be worth the gamble.
WR DJ Moore, Carolina Panthers
Similar to Diggs, Moore is in a run-first offense who has a running back that averages over 20 touches a game. The game-plan isn’t attainable long term, which means passing may be more of an option for the Panthers especially when Cam Newton gets back.
Speaking of Cam Newton returning, Moore was targeted 24 times in the two games Newton played in. He is clearly the QB1’s favorite target, and he might be a great stash for when Newton does return. He hasn’t been a touchdown threat, but that may be more unlikely than anything. With Newton returning, Moore has a chance to do some serious damage.
Stashes:
RB Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
As mentioned earlier, Dalvin Cook has an injury history. Getting 20 touches a game may not help him in the long run, which is a perfect opportunity for Mattison to step in. Even if you’re in desperate need of a bye week running back, he’s averaging second touches a game and has scored a touchdown. If Cook does get hurt, you may have found yourself an RB2 at worst.
RB Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals
Edmonds registered eight carries for 68 yards and a touchdown last week, even with David Johnson in the lineup. Edmonds has been explosive the past couple of weeks and has been a nice change of pace back. But here’s the kicker; starting running back David Johnson might not play this week. If Johnson is inactive, Edmonds becomes a must-start. Stash him now, and play him Sunday if Johnson can’t go.
