RADIO
Welcome to Week 8 of the NFL season! As fantasy football managers, we ride the rollercoaster of player performances, injuries, and bye weeks. Knowing when to buy low or sell high is crucial, whether you’re feeling good about your lineup or scrambling to bounce back from a tough loss. This week is a great chance to tweak your roster and gear up for the playoff push!
Let’s start with the buy-low candidates. These players might not be living up to expectations right now, but they have plenty of upside left in them. Maybe they’ve been dealing with injuries or just hit a rough patch. You'll be ahead if you can snag them before they bounce back. A little faith and an intelligent trade could give your team a severe boost as we head into the second half of the season.
Now, let’s talk about sell-high targets. These players have suddenly started to shine, often after a standout performance with everyone buzzing. Trading them while they’re hot can help you land a more reliable player or strengthen weak spots in your lineup. Recognizing these opportunities can elevate your chances as the playoffs approach. Let’s dive into the players you should target for trades this week.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for the 2025 playoffs:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Fantasy Football Buy-Low Trade Targets
WR George Pickens, Pittsburg Steelers
George Pickens might not seem like a typical buy-low candidate, given that he just had his best performance of the season, but this could be your last chance to acquire him before he truly takes off. With Russell Wilson back in action, Pickens delivered a standout game, recording five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. After reviewing the tape, it's clear that this connection is no fluke.
Wilson excels at throwing deep balls, which aligns perfectly with Pickens' skill set. While Pickens may not have the most refined route running in the league, he has a knack for winning 50-50 balls against nearly any defender.
The more practice and game time these two share, the stronger their deep-ball connection will become. This partnership feels reminiscent of Wilson's previous connection with top receiver Courtland Sutton. If Pickens can replicate Sutton’s touchdown production, he would be a valuable asset in any trade.
George Pickens
First game with Russell Wilson
•9 Targets
•5 Catches
•111 Yards & 1 TD
•22.1 Fantasy PointsWilson complete changes the Steelers passing game
He will continue to push the ball down the fieldpic.twitter.com/JMJLMeUyGu
— Nick Guglielmo (@NextLvl_Fantasy) October 24, 2024
Pickens' fantasy manager might feel pressure due to his rough start earlier in the season. If that's the case, you could capitalize on this by making a trade that appeals to a win-now manager. Additionally, you might persuade his current manager that last week’s performance with Wilson was just a fluke to try to pry him away.
RB Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
Rico Dowdle appears ready to emerge as his team's lead running back if Dallas finally gives him the opportunity. He has clearly been the most effective running back for the Cowboys this season, stepping up in the explosive back role that opened up after Tony Pollard left in free agency.
While the Cowboys will likely maintain a pass-first approach for the remainder of the season, giving Dowdle the majority of snaps could yield significant returns.
Unfortunately, the Cowboys are leaning too much on past solutions rather than allowing Dowdle to take complete control of the role. They have relied on an aging Ezekiel Elliott more than necessary and are now considering giving fellow veteran Dalvin Cook a chance.
However, after these veterans have had their opportunities, Dowdle is poised to demonstrate to the coaching staff that he is the best option in the running back room.
Rico Dowdle
Has provided Flex or better value in 5 of 6 games played this season.
5+ Targets in 3 games as well.
Cowboys offense has yet to hit their stride- RB1 for improving team.
Can be acquired for RB4 value with bench pieces.
RB3/Flex ROS.
pic.twitter.com/QDyb1FHekh— Joe Orrico (@NoExpertFF) October 23, 2024
Looking ahead, Dowdle and the Cowboys have a relatively favorable schedule, which enhances an already promising outlook for the young back. Consider trading for him as a flex option to solidify your RB2 position for the rest of the season. Plus, having just come off a bye week means he’ll be available to contribute every week moving forward.
WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
With Tua Tagovailoa back at quarterback, almost any Miami Dolphin could be considered a buy-low option this week, but let’s focus on the one you can acquire for the most reasonable price.
Jaylen Waddle has disappointed fantasy managers this season despite the significant hype surrounding him in the offseason. While it’s been a tough start for Waddle, there’s optimism that the Dolphins can return to being the league’s most explosive offense, as they were in 2023.
With Tua leading the offense, the Dolphins finally have a quarterback capable of delivering accurate passes to their speedy wide receivers, allowing them to gain significant yardage. When Waddle is paired with Tua, he becomes an immediate WR2, especially in favorable matchups.
Notably, Waddle has yet to score a touchdown with any other quarterback in his career. His former college QB is crucial to his success. If Waddle's manager in your league is struggling with a poor record, consider offering them a solid deal to bring the former Alabama standout onto your roster as a high-upside WR3/Flex for the remainder of the season.
Tyreek Hill’s manager will unlikely part with him for anything less than a king’s ransom. De’Von Achane’s manager will likely hold out for another big game before considering a trade. Waddle is one of the Dolphins you can still get at a reasonable price, alongside Raheem Mostert, and he has the potential to help propel your team into the fantasy playoffs.
Fantasy Football Sell-High Trade Targets
RB Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars
While selling Tank Bigsby after his standout game already seems tempting, his recent performance presents a uniquely perfect opportunity to do so. Last week, he rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries, highlighting his potential.
However, it's unlikely that he will continue to dominate the running back snaps moving forward. The Jaguars also face one of the most strenuous running back schedules in the league, which could make it challenging for any backfield player to find success.
Former starter Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) is expected to return soon, and his head coach has stated that the starting job will be his upon his return. Bigsby’s role is precarious and may not last, making it wise to cash in now rather than risk hoping for another performance like last week.
Additionally, D’Ernest Johnson has been earning more playing time as a third-down back, an area where Bigsby has seen minimal action. So far this season, Bigsby has recorded only one catch, underscoring his lack of involvement in the passing game.
With a difficult schedule on tap, should Tank Bigsby fantasy managers sell high? 🤔
NBC Sports | @Applebees pic.twitter.com/yKcWz58vOj
— Rotoworld Football (@rotoworld_fb) October 23, 2024
With Bigsby’s diminishing role in the running game and his absence from passing downs likely to worsen with Etienne back, now is the time to seek value in return for the Jaguars rusher.
As a depth piece, Bigsby could be a valuable addition in a two-for-one trade. It might also be worthwhile to offer him to the Etienne manager to see if they’re willing to take on the potential headache of navigating the Jacksonville backfield.
WR Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
Keon Coleman has been on a solid run lately, but now might be the perfect time to sell high with a quarterback change looming. With Amari Cooper joining the team, Josh Allen may rely less on his other targets, including Coleman. As the Buffalo Bills continue to lean heavily on the run, fewer opportunities will be available for the receiving corps.
The Bills’ revamped passing attack will feature Cooper prominently, with Coleman, Khalil Shakir, and Dalton Kincaid competing for targets based on matchups. While any of these secondary options could have a breakout game with Allen at quarterback, predicting their performances from week to week will become much more challenging.
I keep seeing people talk about how Amari Cooper has opened up Keon Coleman's fantasy potential. So I looked at the film. And Amari Cooper was on the field for exactly zero of Coleman's targets in Week 7.
— JJ Zachariason (@LateRoundQB) October 21, 2024
Consider trading Coleman for a reliable RB3 to bolster your depth as you head into the late bye weeks and playoffs. After his impressive performance last week, where he racked up 125 yards on four catches, many suitors will likely be eager to acquire a piece of the rookie’s potential breakout.
While Coleman has a promising future, he holds more value on the trade block right now, especially in a run-heavy offense with a new alpha receiver in the mix.
RB Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Chuba Hubbard has had an impressive season but now might be the right moment to trade him at peak value. Several factors beyond his control could soon impact his fantasy value, primarily because he plays for the league’s worst team. The Carolina Panthers have been struggling all season and seem likely to secure the number one overall pick in the draft again.
With the Panthers out of playoff contention, they will focus on evaluating players who can contribute to their future. A significant part of that future is rookie second-round pick Jonathon Brooks (ACL), who is eligible to return from his knee injury any time now.
While Brooks won’t immediately take on a full workload, expect him to receive enough touches to make Hubbard increasingly frustrating to start in fantasy. Additionally, the Panthers announced this week that Bryce Young will resume his role as starting quarterback with Andy Dalton (thumb) sidelined due to injury.
While it’s beneficial for the former number-one pick to gain more experience, it’s a clear downgrade for all the offensive playmakers in Carolina. Now is the time to trade Hubbard to a running back-needy team while his value remains strong.
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