Most leagues have their trade deadline coming up very quickly, and some have even passed that point already. As such, this marks the last chance fantasy owners at large will have to vastly improve their roster. It’s now become more important than ever to examine the prior week’s performances and identify which players it would be wise for you to bring on board or jettison to one of your opponents. Trade values for every athlete fluctuate each week, so having knowledge of the top buy-low and sell-high candidates can at the very least enable you to know which guys you should start trade discussions around. In what figures to be the biggest trade week of the season, we’ve got our featured experts in tow to help you recognize which players to target and who you should look to unload.

More Trade Advice:
Trade Analyzer | Trade Value Chart | ROS Rankings

Pick Recap

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

David Johnson (RB – ARI) 
“Johnson didn’t blow up the stat sheet in his first game with new offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, but his skills were better utilized. Johnson saw 20 touches — tied for the second most he’s had in a game all season — and should continue to be featured. Not only is their new blood on the sideline, but Johnson has one of the most favorable fantasy schedules remaining among running backs, including matchups with the Chiefs, Raiders, Lions, and Falcons. Send an offer before Johnson gets rolling and returns to his true form. If you’re rostering two top QB1s, try sending one of them over for Johnson, or you could offer someone like Jordan Howard or Dion Lewis in a package deal for Johnson.”
– Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)

“I’d be targeting David Johnson. The pure volume of utilization and expanded use under Leftwich should help him rise above his current trade value. I’d be willing to move a back like Jordan Howard or Tarik Cohen to acquire him.”
– Andy Holloway (The Fantasy Footballers)

Leonard Fournette (RB – JAC) 
“What has changed in Fournette’s outlook from the start of the season when he was a top-10 pick? Blake Bortles is still not very good at football, their offensive line was never a strength, and their defense is still top 10 in terms of points allowed. What? His hamstring injury? The Jaguars played it safe with him knowing that their bye week was coming up and that they were going to ride him after it. He’s still the same exact player in the same exact situation. As for Carlos Hyde, yeah, he looked really good toting the ball six times for 11 yards in Week 8. He’s averaged 3.3 yards per carry this season and the Jaguars used a fifth-round pick to get him. He’s strictly a handcuff. If you can acquire Fournette for someone like Jordan Howard, Adrian Peterson, or Marlon Mack, you should.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

Alex Collins (RB – BAL) 
“Acquiring Ravens RB Collins won’t make a lot of waves, but it won’t require you to break the bank either. Collins has been a relative disappoint in 2018, currently ranking as the RB25 in PPR leagues, however, he’s already surpassed last year’s TD total and is poised for a big second half. Baltimore is on a bye in Week 10, but when they come back they’ll face the Bengals, Raiders, Falcons, Chiefs, Bucs, and Chargers. All of those teams except the Chargers are in the bottom 10 of the league when it comes to allowing fantasy points to opposing running backs.”
– Seth Klein (Fantrax)

Matt Breida (RB – SF) 
“I would try to get Breida by trading away Latavius Murray. With Dalvin Cook returning, I think it goes without saying that everyone realizes Murray’s stock takes a huge hit. It’s tough giving up a guy who has five TDs in the past four weeks and is backup to an RB who hasn’t been able to stay on the field this year. I’m thinking the Vikings were extra cautious in not rushing Cook back (thanks in large part in having a good backup like Murray), so I am expecting Cook to have a great second half. I would also want to leverage Murray to get Breida who should be getting healthier and who just lost teammate Raheem Mostert to the IR. Breida could be set for a second half where he could be a solid RB2.”
– Sean Koerner (The Action Network)

Sony Michel (RB – NE)
“I’m trying to see if I can buy low on Michel. He was a borderline RB1 when he got going for the Patriots, and there’s no reason for that to change. If you can get him for an RB2 price tag, go for it. Some of the players worth dangling in front of Michel owners include Jordan Howard, Adrian Peterson, Lamar Miller, Nick Chubb, Emmanuel Sanders, and Josh Gordon.”
– Elisha Twerski (Cheesehead TV)

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

Jordan Howard (RB – CHI)
“This might be your best chance to sell Howard, who’s benefited from ultra-positive game scripts over the last two weeks, as the Bears have outscored their opponents 65-19. Unfortunately, those game scripts aren’t going to be as favorable with the Bears’ upcoming schedule against the Lions (twice), Vikings, Rams, and Packers. Here are his snap percentages starting in Week 1: 71, 73, 62, 54, 51, 56, 57, 51. He’s seen just four targets in the last five games, so if the game goes the other way, he may be non-existent. You should look to package in him in a deal for Leonard Fournette before his value dips. I’d rather own Tarik Cohen than Howard for the remainder of the season.”
– Mike Tagliere (FantasyPros)

“For me it’s Jordan Howard. I find it hard to trust a guy who is almost entirely dependent on game script. Three of his next six games are against the Vikings, Rams, and Packers, and chances are that those games will heavily feature Cohen. He also faces the Lions twice and the cards aren’t guaranteed to fall in his favor in those games either. Package him and another player and get yourself a back like David Johnson, Sony Michel, Leonard Fournette, Tarik Cohen, or even Aaron Jones.”
– Elisha Twerski (Cheesehead TV)

Saquon Barkley (RB – NYG) 
“Sticking at running back, Barkley is a player I’d look to sell high, and you should be able to get a handsome return as well. Barkley has been incredible in his rookie season, but he faces the second-toughest schedule for running backs the rest of the way. With today’s news that Eli Manning is only guaranteed one more start, it’s looking like fellow rookie Kyle Lauletta could be the signal caller in New York sooner than later. Lauletta hasn’t played a snap this year, and when you combine that with Barkley facing the likes of the Eagles, Bears, and Titans run defenses, I can see him having some off games.”
– Seth Klein (Fantrax)

Kerryon Johnson (RB – DET) 
“Johnson is Detroit’s running back of the future, but don’t be scared to dangle him on the trading block if you’re not in a keeper league. Theo Riddick is healthy again and his return means a dip in PPR value for Johnson. We saw that last week when the rook grabbed just three passes for seven yards. Not only will Riddick take away production, but Johnson’s remaining fantasy schedule is an eyesore. He still has to face the Bears twice with the Panthers sandwiched in between. The cherry on top is the Vikings during fantasy championship week (Week 16). Guys to considering trading Johnson for include Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, or Amari Cooper.”
– Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)

John Brown (WR – BAL) 
“I would sell-high on Brown to get Kenny Golladay. Golladay should be set up with a huge second half with the Lions trading away Golden Tate. He has put up three straight duds in a row so his owners could be getting a bit impatient with him. Ideally, I would want to be trading away Brown to acquire him. Brown has been a pleasant surprise in 2018 and it may be time to sell-high as I feel with John Harbaugh now on the hot seat, the Ravens may also turn to Lamar Jackson before the season is over. This would be a huge hit to everyone in the passing game, especially Brown.”
– Sean Koerner (The Action Network)

Alshon Jeffery (WR – PHI)
“I’d consider moving Jeffery, whose target share may go down a bit with Golden Tate’s arrival and the return of Sproles to the lineup. He’s always been more TD dependent, so you may be able to get a more PPR proficient WR back in return.”
– Andy Holloway (The Fantasy Footballers)

Thank you to the experts for naming their trade candidates. Be sure to give them a follow on Twitter if you’re not already doing so and check out our latest podcast below for more great advice.

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