For most fantasy football leagues, this is the last week before the trade deadline. If you still don’t know when your trade deadline is, here’s an explainer that might help. Long story short, the deadline is either here or in the past, so get your trades in now before it’s too late. The playoffs are nearly here, and this is your last chance to make impactful moves. Take advantage and get your roster set for a great finish to the season.
Below are three players you should look to trade high on, and three to trade low on. The trade-low targets are especially interesting for those looking to bulk up their roster for a championship run, while the sell-high options are perfect for those wanting to offload a player who might not perform well as the season winds down.
Players to Trade High
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets, WR
Wilson has had back-to-back disappointing performances for the Jets and is currently on a bye week. This situation presents a golden opportunity to snag him from a team that might be feeling the pressure to start players this week. They could be ready to give up on the talented wide receiver.
You might be concerned about the Jets’ current state, especially with Aaron Rodgers potentially shutting it down. However, I believe Rodgers will continue to play and try to prove he still has some magic left. Wilson has seen 14 targets in his last two games and is averaging even more throughout the season. While he’s been a bit boom-or-bust, if you can acquire him for a reasonable price, he could be a game-changer in the playoffs, especially with matchups against the Jaguars, Rams, and Bills coming up.
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings, WR
It’s a bit surprising to include one of the top wide receivers in the NFL on a trade-high list, but here we are. A couple of fantasy experts have raised concerns about Jefferson’s recent performance. However, from my perspective, there’s no reason to panic. It’s only a matter of time before he starts racking up those monster fantasy points we all know he’s capable of.
Jefferson has only made 11 catches for 139 yards without a touchdown in his last two games, which might make some owners eager to trade him. But let’s not forget, he’s still averaging just under 9 targets per game, ranking No. 3 in the NFL for air yards, and commanding a whopping 31% target share overall. With upcoming games against weaker secondaries like the Cardinals, Falcons, Packers (twice), and Seahawks, he’s a must-get if you can swing it.
AJ Brown, Philadelphia Eagles, WR
Another highly-drafted wide receiver who has underperformed this season is AJ Brown. He hasn’t caught a touchdown in four weeks and has struggled to break the 14-point mark in all but one of those games. Still, he’s commanding 33% of the targets for the Eagles and is consistently beating defenders. The issue lies with Jalen Hurts, who hasn’t been delivering the ball consistently.
The Eagles’ offensive line has been more effective in run blocking than pass blocking, and with Saquon Barkley having a sensational season, it’s possible the Eagles have decided to lean on the ground game. However, acquiring a player like Brown at a discount is a win. The Eagles will face some soft secondaries down the stretch, including the Ravens, Panthers, Commanders, and Cowboys. I believe Brown is primed for a breakout.
Players to Trade Low
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders, WR
This situation has less to do with McLaurin himself and more about his quarterback. Since injuring his ribs against the Panthers, Daniels hasn’t been able to drive the ball downfield effectively. In his last three games, he’s averaging just over 200 passing yards per game, with a significant drop in completion percentage.
That’s troubling news for McLaurin, who just had his worst outing of the season with a 1-catch, 10-yard performance. While you could argue that it was due to a short week, my concerns about Daniels have been mounting for weeks. McLaurin’s consistency over the previous eight weeks might make him appealing, but if you look deeper, he was saved by a two-touchdown performance against the Giants, where he only caught two passes. Without those touchdowns, he’s averaging just over 10 points per game. It might be time to sell unless you believe Daniels can bounce back, which I don’t.
D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears, RB
Selling an RB1 in a year where running backs are scarce is tough, but there are concerning trends surrounding Swift’s role in the Bears’ offense. In Shane Waldron’s first game as offensive coordinator, backup Roschon Johnson had 30 snaps compared to Swift’s 41, and he had 3 touches inside the 10-yard line to Swift’s 1. That’s troubling heading into the stretch run.
Swift did have a nice 39-yard touchdown run against the Packers, but outside of that, he only managed 42 rushing yards on 13 carries, averaging just 3.2 yards per attempt. If the Bears plan on giving Johnson more playing time, Swift’s value could plummet.
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs, RB
I highlighted Hunt in this space last week, and it seems that advice has panned out. He managed only 60 rushing yards and no touchdowns. With Isiah Pacheco expected to return from IR, Hunt’s playing time will likely take a hit. Unless you believe Pacheco is prone to injury, which he hasn’t shown in his career, it might be wise to trade Hunt for even a flex option moving forward.
Hunt is averaging just 3.7 yards per rush this season and has been heavily reliant on touchdowns to inflate his fantasy numbers. Pacheco has proven to be reliable in short-yardage situations, and while Hunt might still snag a few touchdowns, starting him is a risky play. It’s best to trade him while you can still get something of value.
As the trade deadline approaches, make your moves wisely. The right trades can set you up for a strong playoff push, so don’t wait until it’s too late!
