DeAndre Hopkins has had a tough schedule to start the season, but it gets easier

We’re heading into week 7 and it’s getting to that point where you should really start considering your playoff potential and matchups. With most fantasy leagues playing 13 weeks for the regular season, that puts us pretty much at the halfway point. If you’re on the outside looking in, now is the perfect time to make that second-half push and that may mean making some trades to get there. On the flip side, if you’re cruising into the playoffs, it’s worth taking a look at your roster to see who may have been doing better than expected as regression can always occur.

There are certainly some solid trade candidates from people looking to move a player and people looking to buy. In both cases, our featured experts below have highlighted a few of those names to help you in your search for improving your team.

Evaluate trades and their impact with our premium Trade Analyzer

Q1. Who is your favorite buy-low trade candidate at this point in the season and why?

DeAndre Hopkins (WR – HOU)
“My favorite buy low candidate is DeAndre Hopkins. The Texans’ strength of schedule for WR is crazy. Houston was against the toughest WR schedule out of all 32 teams for standard leagues from Week 1 to Week 7. From Week 8 onward, Houston’s WR is the easiest. Yes, from absolute worst to absolute best. I’d also throw Alshon Jeffery’s name into the mix as a solid buy-low candidate as he has a great schedule as well if your fantasy championship doesn’t run into Week 17.”
– Adrian Pereira (eDraft)

Alshon Jeffery (WR – CHI)
“Jeffery has yet to score this year and he remains a constant injury worry, but you know the touchdowns are coming (if he stays healthy). Hs schedule down the stretch (49ers, Lions, Packers, Redskins in Weeks 13-16) is the type that wins fantasy titles … you know, if he isn’t on the IR.”
– Matt Lutovsky (Sporting News)

Antonio Brown (WR – PIT)
“If there is ever a time when you can buy Antonio Brown at a discounted rate, it is now. For those with a solid record or depth at hand, now is time to strike. With Ben Roethlisberger out at least this week and a bye next week, Brown owners with a subpar record could see their hands forced, especially with large media outlets pushing that Antonio Brown has never caught a touchdown pass from someone not named Big Ben. In the one game Landry Jones threw at least 25 passes, Antonio caught six of his 8 targets for 124 yards. Brown should still have a solid performance in your lineup this week, but if not, this is a move for the stretch run when Brown and Roethlisberger continue to make sweet magic together.”
– Staff Rankings (Pyromaniac)

Kelvin Benjamin (WR – CAR)
“Benjamin had a monster game in Denver in Week 1 with six receptions for 91 yards and one touchdown. He followed that up with 7 receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2. Since those two big games, he has not done much. He has just 16 receptions for 195 yards and one touchdown in his last four games. The Panthers are on bye this week and fantasy owners have to be frustrated with his low production the last month. He has some nice opponents in the second half of the season as they play San Diego, at Washington, Atlanta and at Tampa Bay the final four games of the season. If you can buy him low coming off his bad last month, he is a good player to target that could return to his early season form after the bye week.”
– Derek Lofland (Fantasy Football Maniax)

Jameis Winston (QB – TB)
“I’m trying to add Jameis Winston in every league. His schedule thus far has not been ideal, but to close the season out, he has loads of cupcake matchups including New Orleans twice in the playoffs. Bare in mind, he gets Doug Martin back any week now, which should force defenses out of nickel and dime packages.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

Q2. Who is your favorite sell-high trade candidate at this point in the season and why?

Terrelle Pryor (WR – CLE)
“My sell-high pick comes with some risk because he’s currently the centerpiece, but I think unloading Terrelle Pryor right now makes a lot of sense. He has been one of the few bright spots for the injury-ridden Browns. That will all change when rookie Corey Coleman returns. Pryor is a top 10 WR right now and just came off a huge 2 TD game. You should be able to get a quality player back which would fill a hole in your roster. In addition, QB Josh McCown will be returning soon and he clearly had a preference for Coleman back in Week 2 when Coleman had 100 yards + 2 TD while Pryor had just 32 yards. Sell high before Coleman is back in the news.”
– Adrian Pereira (eDraft)

Jordy Nelson (WR – GB)
“I’m selling Nelson because his stock is still high, but the Packers draw the Seahawks in the first round of the fantasy playoffs and the Vikings in the championship game. When Lacy returns, Rodgers is going to stop throwing the ball 40 times per game and Cobb has already been cutting into Nelson’s targets.”
– Bobby Sylvester (FantasyPros)

LeGarrette Blount (RB – NE)
“Blount has scored in each of Tom Brady’s first two games back, but his rushing numbers have been down and we know he won’t be involved in the passing game. As the season wears on and as Blount wears down, Dion Lewis will return and Blount figures to see a drop in production.”
– Matt Lutovsky (Sporting News)

Tevin Coleman (RB – ATL)
“While I like Tevin Coleman’s talents, his numbers just don’t seem sustainable to me. Coleman is currently the 8th running back in standard scoring, but has done it on just 69 touches. Tevin has scored on five of his touches, and is averaging more yards per touch than any running back in the top-35. With Devonta Freeman out-snapping him 55% to 45%, a large volume of touches just don’t seem to be there without an injury to the aforementioned Freeman. If you get an offer that knocks your socks off because of his outrageous scoring totals so far, listen and consider the trade long term, with a bye still upcoming.”
– Staff Rankings (Pyromaniac)

Christine Michae (RB – SEA)
“Michael has been a pleasant surprise, averaging 14.2 fantasy points per game. That makes him the 11th ranked fantasy running back on the year. The problem is that he is averaging 3.39 yards per carry in his last two games, RB C.J. Spiller is seeing time as a receiving back and RB Thomas Rawls is going to be coming back later in the year. It is possible that Michael just holds onto the job or it is possible that Michael, Rawls and Spiller form a RBBC down the stretch. You do not want to just give Michael away, but his stock is at its highest right now and if you can make a trade for a productive player, it may be time to sell him.”
– Derek Lofland (Fantasy Football Maniax)

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Thank you to the experts for naming their trade targets. Be sure to give them a follow on Twitter for more advice.