RADIO
This is likely my most important trade targets article of the season as trade deadlines loom for many fantasy leagues. There is a lot on the line with the fantasy playoffs officially less than five weeks away. Sure, waiver claims can improve your roster, but there is minimal time remaining to acquire significant assets. So be sure to read about my trade targets, and also bookmark our free fantasy football trade analyzer and calculator tool which is a great resource too.
Heading into Week 10, I highlighted Marquise Brown and DeVonta Smith as players to target in trades. Brown was disappointing in Kyler Murray's long-awaited return but the two were inches away from connecting on a deep touchdown. If I hadn't mentioned Brown last week, he would be listed as a screaming buy-low candidate this week. Smith will return from a bye to a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.
I suggested trading away Gus Edwards and C.J. Stroud. Edwards found the end zone again, but Keaton Mitchell continued to impress and should see a greater workload moving forward. Although Stroud delivered in the clutch against Cincinnati, I am still extremely wary of his schedule from Weeks 14 through 17.
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With this week being the last chance for most fantasy gamers to send out offers, I am going to place even greater emphasis on matchups in the fantasy playoffs. If you're fighting tooth and nail to get into the playoffs, don't worry, I still think there is merit to making these moves. As always, let's start by discussing two players that I am hoping to acquire for a potential championship run.
Players to Target in Trades for Fantasy Football
Derrick Henry, Tennesse Titans
If you've been following along with this series all season, you may remember that I recommended trading away Derrick Henry back in Week 7. The Titans' season outlook was bleak at the time, and honestly, not much has changed in that regard. Tennessee is currently 3-6 in what has become a competitive AFC South division led by the Jacksonville Jaguars and the surging Houston Texans.
Still, I incorrectly assumed that the Titans' offense would suffer with a quarterback other than Ryan Tannehill under center. It hasn't been a prolific offense over the past two weeks, but rookie signal-caller Will Levis is an improvement regardless.
Henry struggled to get much of anything going in Week 10 but this was not entirely surprising with the Buccaneers surrendering the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. As we saw in this contest, Tyjae Spears is going to get snaps when the Titans are trailing, but the rookie is not threatening to steal Henry's job. Spears is yet to record double-digit rushing attempts in a game.
The 29-year-old Henry has demonstrated throughout the season that he can still be a fantasy force. Even in a loss to the Steelers in Week 9, Henry scored as the RB6 with 102 total yards and a touchdown. We can expect more of this in the near future given Henry's upcoming schedule.
Out of the remaining seven games in Henry's fantasy football season, only two will come against defenses that perform well against fantasy RBs. His other opponents include the Panthers, Colts, Texans, and Seahawks. The Panthers, Colts, and Seahawks all rank as bottom-12 run defenses that have been routinely destroyed by fantasy backs. The Texans, whom Henry will battle twice in the fantasy playoffs, are closer to a league-average run defense. But in case you need a reminder of Henry's track record against Houston:
Derrick Henry rushing lines last five games vs. the Texans:
32-211-3
22-212-2
34-250-2
32-219-2
23-126-1— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) June 7, 2023
While his days of being a 2,000-yard rusher are behind him, King Henry still has plenty left in the tank. The Titans should manage to stay competitive against most, if not all, of the teams they are slated to face. Try to acquire Henry coming off of a lackluster showing and reap the benefits when it matters most.
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
It's been nearly five weeks since we've seen Cooper Kupp turn in a relevant fantasy performance. Before the Rams' Week 10 bye, Kupp secured just eight of his 24 targets for 98 yards and zero touchdowns over his last three games. Of course, Brett Rypien started one of these contests and took over for an injured Matthew Stafford in another, but it was nonetheless concerning to see such a stretch from the former receiving triple crown winner.
Kupp is so talented that he should be considered matchup-proof for fantasy purposes, but it's still worth noting that he faced the Cowboys and Packers in Weeks 8 and 9. Both of these teams have been incredibly stout against opposing wideouts this season. Kupp's upcoming schedule is a mixed bag, but he will meet the Commanders and Giants in the fantasy playoffs. These NFC East squads allow the second-and-third-most fantasy points per contest to receivers, respectively.
Perhaps the biggest factor that contributes to Kupp's success is the health of the aforementioned Stafford. By all accounts, Stafford has recovered well from the sprained UCL in his thumb and is primed to start in Week 11. He has developed a great rapport with rookie sensation Puka Nacua, but Stafford's insane chemistry with Kupp dates back to their historic 2021 campaign and appeared to be in full effect upon Kupp's return this season.
Cooper Kupp
- WR55
- 9.5 targets/game
- Back to back 100+ yard game
- On pace for 170+ targets with StaffordIf anybody’s due for a bounce back stretch, it’s Kupp.
Despite the rough past 3 weeks, Kupp started off with back to back 100+ yard games looking like his old self. pic.twitter.com/21Cyh5V2ml
— Snoog’s Dynasty Society (@FFSnoog) November 9, 2023
Now in his 15th professional season, Stafford has been a bit injury-prone in recent years. If you're relying on Kupp for fantasy, you undoubtedly want Stafford on the field, but take solace in the fact that Rypien will no longer be serving as the backup. Los Angeles' newest addition Carson Wentz should be a capable replacement option in the event of another Stafford injury.
With running back Kyren Williams also expected back soon, the Rams will be firing on all cylinders as they compete for an NFC playoff spot. Fantasy managers of Kupp should be well aware of his upside but may be willing to part with him at a slight discount considering he has given them essentially nothing since Week 6.
Players to Trade Away for Fantasy Football
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Saquon Barkley scored 6.6 half-PPR fantasy points in Week 10, so this cannot be considered a suggestion to "sell high". The advice here is simply to get out while you can.
Barkley has been solid when available this season, averaging more than 80 rushing yards and three receptions per contest. He is seeing an astonishing amount of volume with the ninth-most touches amongst all running backs despite missing three games. This elite level of usage is very difficult to find in fantasy football, so I want to make it clear that I do not recommend trading away Barkley without receiving a running back in return.
That being said, I would be willing to tier down to a player of lesser name value if I could upgrade at a different position. Barkley may continue to see over 20 opportunities every week as the Giants' offense is severely lacking in the talent department. Because of this deficiency, though, New York is not going to score many points. The Giants are averaging a disastrous 11.8 points per game. If the season ended today, this would be the lowest scoring average for any NFL team since the 2009-2010 St. Louis Rams.
New York's offense has struggled all year, but things have only gone downhill with undrafted rookie Tommy Devito starting at quarterback. Although Tyrod Taylor could return in Week 14, the team could choose to ride out the lost season in hopes of securing the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Regardless of who is under center, Barkley is unlikely to accomplish much behind this offensive line.
Look at the #Giants blocking for Saquon Barkely... look lost.
Explains a lot on that's wrong with their offense.
(h/t @BobbySkinner_) pic.twitter.com/5m07f2t86o
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 15, 2023
In addition to all of the hurdles Barkley must overcome within his organization, the sixth-year pro has been handed a brutal schedule for the fantasy playoffs. The Saints, Eagles, and Rams all rank within the top 10 most difficult matchups for fantasy running backs. Barkley has a few soft matchups leading up to Week 15, but because he has a bye in Week 13, he's not necessarily the best asset to keep on your team if you're fighting for a playoff spot.
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
Like Barkley, Terry McLaurin didn't have a big Week 10, but he has been a relatively consistent source of WR2 output throughout the season. He has earned at least eight targets in each of his last five games as Sam Howell continues to air it out.
Even with this volume, however, McLaurin hasn't had any truly dominant showings this season. His best outing came in Week 4 when he finished with eight receptions for 86 yards. He is widely considered the most skilled player in Washington's passing attack, but his fantasy production through 10 games of a relatively easy schedule just doesn't reflect this.
Commanders Receivers with 20+ fantasy points in a game
Logan Thomas (Week 5)
Jahan Dotson (Week 8)
Jamison Crowder (Week 8)Terry McLaurin is noticeably absent from this list
— Josh Larky (@jlarkytweets) November 13, 2023
He could change that in Week 11 when the Commanders face the Giants at home, but McLaurin only mustered six catches for 90 yards against New York back in Week 7. By no means was this a poor performance, but again, far from dominant.
For fantasy managers climbing the standings to make it into the fantasy playoffs, it won't help that McLaurin will have his bye in Week 14. Those who make it through anyway will then be forced to start McLaurin in away matchups against the Rams and Jets on the path to a championship. The Jets surrender the fewest fantasy points per game to receivers, while the Rams allow the 11th-fewest.
On his own, McLaurin is not going to fetch you a league-winning fantasy superstar. He would be an intriguing WR2 in a package deal, though, so it could be wise to explore sending out such offers.
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