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Joey's fantasy football trade analyzer article for Week 4 of the 2023 NFL season. His buy-low and sell-high fantasy football trade candidates and advice.
We have officially made it to Week 4, and if the rest of the fantasy season is anything like the first three weeks, we are in for a long year. There have been so many unpredictable and wild things that have occurred so far.
The Miami Dolphins just scored 70 points in an NFL game, and both of their running backs (De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert) combined for almost 100 PPR fantasy points in Week 3. On top of that, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nucua broke the NFL record for most receptions in a rookie’s first two NFL games (25). No one could have predicted this happening. It’s what makes fantasy so fun each week.
You know what else is fun? Trading for players. Here are two players you should buy low on and two players you should try to sell right now while their value is high.
Fantasy Football Buy-Low Trade Targets
WR Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars
After Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley had a monster game in Week 1, things have cooled off for the 28-year-old. Ridley had eight catches for 101 yards and one touchdown to open the year but has failed to do much over his next two games.
In Week 3, Ridley looked worse than he ever has in the NFL. He had just three catches for 40 yards and dropped an NFL-high four passes against the Houston Texans. The wideout had plenty of opportunities to salvage his poor fantasy day, which included a drop in the end zone in the first quarter.
Following back-to-back dud performances, now is the time to buy low on a talented wide receiver. There’s no doubt Ridley has struggled over the past two games, but so has the offense. Jacksonville’s offense will figure things out, and the five-year wideout is going to be the biggest beneficiary – as seen in Week 1.
Ridley also plays the Atlanta Falcons this weekend in London. If there was ever a buy-low window on him, it would probably close soon after because we all know the wideout is going to have a nice fantasy day against his former team.
Things between quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Ridley are new. They have played just three games together. They will eventually figure things out, and that’s why the 28-year-old receiver is someone you need to buy low on right now.
RB Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
For the second consecutive week, Jacobs makes the buy-low list after another mediocre performance. I know fantasy managers are likely panicking because they spent a second to third-round pick on the 2022 rushing champion, and it hasn’t worked out so far.
However, there are signs that trading for Jacobs might be a great idea. Despite the inefficiency on the ground – rushing for just 2.4 yards per carry in 2023 – the 25-year-old back continues to see a high volume of touches. He currently ranks eighth in the NFL with 55 touches through three weeks.
The thing that made Jacobs such a great fantasy player last year was his high usage. He led the league with 393 touches in 2022, and he was extremely efficient with those touches. The Raiders running back averaged over five yards per carry en route to a 1,653 rush-yard season.
In two of three games this season, Jacobs has 20 or more touches. In Week 1, he had 19 carries and two catches, and in Week 3, he had 17 carries and three receptions. Even when the Raiders trailed big in Week 2, they found a way to get the running back five catches out of the backfield.
It’s been frustrating to roster Jacobs so far this season, but don’t forget the Pro Bowler missed almost all of the offseason holding out for a new contract. It’s going to take him a couple of games to get going, and with a nice matchup in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers, it could happen this weekend.
Fantasy Football Sell-High Trade Targets
RB Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans
It was nice to see Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce get his first touchdown of the season in the team’s Week 3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was also nice to see him finally play over 50% of the team snaps for the first time this year.
That helped the second-year back cash in on his best fantasy day of 2023, finishing with 14.9 PPR points and the RB14 in Week 3. On paper, it might look like a solid performance and a game that will get Pierce on track for the rest of the season.
However, I’m immediately trading him away following his "solid" fantasy performance. With the Texans banged up on the offensive line, Pierce has struggled to get things going. In Week 3, he had just 14 carries for 31 yards and one touchdown, and he’s now averaging just 2.5 yards per carry on the year.
Pierce does have 10-plus carries in every game this season but in all three of those contests, he has yet to top 40 rush yards. The Texans look like they’re willing to throw the ball a ton in 2023, meaning fewer opportunities for the running back.
Another big kicker for me in selling away Pierce is his fantasy playoff schedule. Of course, you have to get there first. Facing the Tennessee Titans' vicious run defense in Week 15 and Week 17 calls for a bad day waiting to happen. The Texans also face another good run defense in Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns.
There are just too many things going against him now and in the long term. So, he’s a sell to me.
RB De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Achane was the number one waiver wire add in most leagues this week and for good reason. He just scored 51.3 PPR fantasy points in Week 3 and had 22 touches for 233 yards and four touchdowns in his first real action of the season.
After being a healthy scratch in Week 1 and barely playing in Week 2, Achane finally got his opportunity to shine in Week 3 with Salvon Ahmed (groin) ruled out with an injury. He took the chance and ran with it for a beyond-impressive fantasy day.
This backfield remains a huge mess going forward. So, I’d be willing to sell the rookie at the right price before Week 4.
Mostert is the clear RB1 and will be for the rest of the season unless he gets hurt. Then, Jeff Wilson Jr. (knee), who was placed on the injured reserve list to begin the season, will re-join the Dolphins backfield as soon as Week 5. Head coach Mike McDaniel loves both veteran running backs and has a history with them dating back to his San Francisco days.
Even if Achane continues to see opportunities, those chances will likely be limited. He figures to be a part of a three-back committee in Miami, and the rookie might never be the top back of this offense until after this season.
Achane definitely showed his potential in Week 3, and the rookie brings more speed to an already star-studded offense. However, the Dolphins running back room is murky moving forward. Now might be a good time to see what you can get for him.
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