Week 1 is here, which means fantasy football managers everywhere are already panicking about their rosters. That shiny draft pick who looked like a league-winner last week? Suddenly, he’s a “what do I do with this guy?” headache. And that waiver-wire dart you laughed at your league mate for grabbing? Yep, he just scored twice. The good news is you don’t have to navigate the emotional rollercoaster alone. Our Featured Pros have put together their early Buy Low, Sell High recommendations to help you steady the ship (or shamelessly abandon it before it sinks). Let’s dive in before next week convinces you your entire roster is cursed.
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Fantasy Football Trade Advice: Sell High
Fantasy Football Trade Advice: Week 1 Sell High
Who is your favorite sell-high candidate heading into the season and why? Also, who would you try to get in return?
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB – WAS)
“I hate to state the obvious, but Jacory Croskey-Merritt could easily be at his peak value. Selling him before he hits the field in the regular season might feel painful. However, Washington’s backfield operated as a true committee last season, and Brian Robinson Jr. didn’t even crack 200 carries. With passing downs likely leaning towards Austin Ekeler, Croskey-Merritt’s upside could be limited. If you don’t need Croskey-Merritt as an immediate starter, look to sell him for an emerging player in a value dip at another position, like Josh Downs.”
– Tera Roberts (OddsChecker)
“*Takes a big breath and prepares himself for battle* Jacory Croskey-Merritt is a sell candidate. Look, we all love a late-round breakout story. We have seen this with Isiah Pacheco, Brock Purdy, and Puka Nacua, but JCM is not it. Is there a world where he takes over the backfield on a great offense? Absolutely, but I’m not betting on it. This team has already called Chris Rodriguez their short-yardage back, and it’s clear Austin Ekeler is the only receiving option in the backfield. So that leaves JCM on early downs, likely between the 20s. Plus, this team has added Deebo Samuel, who is very familiar with touches out of the backfield. JCM has looked great, but this entire backfield is a massive red flag, especially with a rushing QB under center. I would see if anyone in my league is drinking the Kool-Aid and willing to flip him for a known productive back. Even if it’s not as exciting, I would much rather have David Montgomery or the upside of Tyrone Tracy over the rookie. Capitalize on the value before taking the risk on what this backfield looks like in Week 1.”
– Ellis Johnson (FantasyPros)
“I have been on the Jacory Croskey-Merritt, or Bill, as we all know him, train since he was drafted to the Washington Commanders in the 7th round of the NFL Draft. At the beginning of draft season, he was being drafted with a savvy owner’s last pick or picked up off the waiver wire. Now, he is sneaking earlier and earlier in drafts, some recent drafts as high as the 6th-7th. There is a chance that all the hype dwindles and he is Ekeler’s backup, or, as I hope, he takes over the role and becomes the top fantasy running back. His value is the highest it will be currently and might be worth a look on the trade market for a WR2 like Terry McClaurin, DJ Moore, or Courtland Sutton, whose role on their team is pretty well established.”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
“While I believe Jacory Croskey-Merritt will be a solid running back for fantasy players and the highest scoring guy in the Commanders’ backfield this season, the hype has gotten out of control. Washington traded away Brian Robinson Jr., opening the door for the seventh-round rookie to start. Yet, expect the team to use a three-headed approach early in the year, giving touches to Croskey-Merritt, Austin Ekeler, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Hopefully, fantasy players drafted the rookie running back as a bench player, giving him time to earn more work before having to start him. However, fantasy players should explore trade options for the seventh-round rookie. I would happily flip him and a bench wide receiver for Jordan Mason or Jaylen Warren.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“The hype around Jacory Croskey-Merritt has pushed his value to its apex. Is there a chance he’s a stud? Yeah, this could definitely blow up in my face. However, there is a much higher chance that he is a rotational piece in a backfield with a running quarterback and one of the best receiving running backs of all time. I would try to get someone with the same upside, but a much higher floor like one of the 49ers’ receivers, Ricky Pearsall or Jauan Jennings.”
– Michael Tomlin (Fantasy Six Pack)
Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)
“My favorite sell-high candidate for the 2025 fantasy season is Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta. His 2024 season with 700+ yards and seven touchdowns has him valued as a top-tier TE1, but the Lions’ balanced offense and Jared Goff‘s conservative passing could lead to fewer targets in 2025. Increased competition from Jameson Williams and rookie Isaac TeSlaa could further cut into his production. Selling now leverages his elite status before a likely dip. I’d be willing to trade away a reliable WR2 such as Tee Higgins or DK Metcalf to acquire him.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)
Breece Hall (RB – NYJ) | Kenneth Walker III (RB – SEA)
“This is sort of an awkward question. These are players that I have listed in my busts article, so I wouldn’t have drafted them, but for the sake of argument, let’s talk about it. Hall is in an RB committee with Braelon Allen, and it sounds like Allen could get the short-yardage and, more importantly, the valuable goal-line carries. As for Walker, he’s been dealing with a foot injury for much of the offseason. In addition, the Seahawks’ offense has seen a lot of changes and not all of them for the better, imo. Both RBs seem like they could be at their high given the concerns I have. Ringo would try to trade each of them and possibly throw in another player if needed for Omarion Hampton, Jonathan Taylor, or a straight-up swap for Marvin Harrison Jr.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)
“Before Week 1 hits, I’m selling all the Zay Flowers I can. I keep saying it, but Flowers’ production is capped, even in PPR leagues. He’s a great receiver on a great offense, but his fantasy flaw is the fact that he’s a last resort in the red zone. Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman, and Isaiah Likely all had more receiving TDs last season, while Flowers caught just 4 of Lamar Jackson‘s 41. Derrick Henry also dominated red zone looks on the ground. Now, jump-ball extraordinaire Tez Walker looks to have taken a positive step, and the team also signed big-bodied DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. I’ll try to send Zay to acquire a cross-positional need. One of Chuba Hubbard or D’Andre Swift should be achievable, and you might be able to get a cherry on top, too.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC)
“Ladd McConkey is a terrific young receiver, but he might not get the target volume he needs to justify his low-end WR1 ADP. McConkey ranked 26th in targets last year. The Chargers have since spent a first-round pick on RB Omarion Hampton, which suggests they might run more, and signed WR Keenan Allen, who’s older now but still commanding targets at a high rate. If you have WR firepower to spare, it’s worth trying to flip Ladd for an elite TE like Brock Bowers or Trey McBride, or for a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 like Kyren Williams or the aforementioned Hampton.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
“My favorite sell-high candidate is Ladd McConkey. After an incredible season last year, the Los Angeles Chargers now have a legitimate run game and added Keenan Allen, who will certainly draw plenty of targets away from McConkey. In dynasty, I think you can flip him for an early first-round pick, while in redraft, you can probably trade him for some good depth pieces like a tandem of Kaleb Johnson and Zay Flowers.”
– Trevor Land (FlurrySports)
Tyreek Hill (WR – MIA)
“My favorite sell-high candidate is Tyreek Hill. The loss of Hill’s captaincy is notable considering what has transpired since the end of last season. I expect Hill to improve from 2024, but not back to his former top-12 self. For reference, I would trade Hill to acquire Garrett Wilson and D’Andre Swift. Wilson will have the lion’s share of whatever targets there are, and Swift, for now, is the starter in what has to be an improved offense.”
– Chew Russell (Going For 2)
Jayden Daniels (QB – WAS)
“The best sell-high heading into the 2025 NFL season is Jayden Daniels. After arguably having the most incredible rookie season ever for a quarterback, Daniels’ ADP is now firmly in the fourth round. That is too high for me, considering players like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, who have had multiple MVP-caliber and QB1 seasons. And routinely going in front of Jalen Hurts, who will likely score 10+ times on the ground again, with the tush push not being banned. Daniels is a great talent, but I would prefer to trade him for one of those other quarterbacks or Omarion Hampton, whose perceived value could be down due to Najee Harris returning to practice.”
– Ryan Prosick (Fantrax)
Tony Pollard (RB – TEN)
“With running mate Tyjae Spears missing at least the first four games of the season to a high ankle sprain, Tony Pollard seems positioned to have a strong start to the season. Last year, when Pollard played at least 50% of snaps, he scored 15.88 PPR points per game when Spears missed, and 12.72 when Spears played. The Tennessee coaching staff has talked about their desire to use both backs, making it likely Spears returns to a similar, if not larger, role than the one he had last year. Should Pollard start hot, I’d be looking to move him for an underperforming back with more projectable volume for the remainder of the season.”
– Charlie Sisian (The Fantasy DC)
Rashee Rice (WR – KC)
“Rashee Rice is a sell-high candidate heading into 2025, with lingering name value tied to Patrick Mahomes despite now serving a six-game suspension to begin the season. The Chiefs’ receiving corps is now firmly established with Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, Travis Kelce, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Jalen Royals all competing for targets. Rice’s 2024 breakout was fueled by necessity, but the offense has since shifted toward speed and spacing, making his role far less secure. Missing six games in a fantasy season is a major hit, and Rice will need time to re-establish chemistry and earn back volume in a crowded offense. I’d look to trade him for someone like Courtland Sutton, Tetairoa McMillan, or another younger receiver with a clearer path to early-season production.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)
TreVeyon Henderson (RB – NE)
“TreVeyon Henderson. If you did not listen to BEAST DOME, then you likely fell into the trap of someone else telling you to draft TreVeyon Henderson. Antonio Gibson was always the more talented RB, and Rhamondre Stevenson is running like a prime Marshawn Lynch. With the Patriots announcing Henderson as #3 on the depth chart, Sell High now while he still carries name value. If you can pull off a Tony Pollard or another RB in that range, then consider yourself Houdini.”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)
De’Von Achane (RB – MIA)
“If you have De’Von Achane on your roster, you should shop him immediately. The wheels are about to come off in Miami, and I don’t want any part of it, at least at the top of the ADP pile. Achane’s got a first or second round valuation at the moment, which is wild to me. I’d happily send him away for a lower asset with a bench piece thrown in if I can get that done. Maybe trading down to a player in the D’Andre Swift range, plus an upside bench WR, would make it work. Either way, I’d be happy just to get him off my roster.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)
Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ)
“Garrett Wilson. Justin Fields isn’t the NFL’s best passing QB, and New York doesn’t have a great start to the schedule against the Pittsburgh Steelers. I think you could easily flip him for the Panthers’ No. 1 draft pick, Tetairoa McMillan. Because I’d be concerned that Wilson’s fantasy stock nose dives if the Jets’ passing game struggles in Week 1.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Alvin Kamara (RB – NO)
“If managers could potentially explore maximizing the name value of Alvin Kamara headed into the season, I would be all over trying to get out of that. The Saints are in tank mode, and while Kamara could be a nice floor player in PPR leagues, the touchdown upside for this entire offense is pretty minimal. There are better candidates, with much higher ceilings, to be your starting RB2 in most fantasy leagues. If Kamara could be sold for a TreVeyon Henderson or an RJ Harvey, two young players with massive ceilings, fantasy managers would be wise to pull the trigger headed into 2025.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)
“This feels like an odd question since the season hasn’t started, and I probably wouldn’t have drafted this player at his ADP, but my sell-high candidate before the season is Tee Higgins. Sure, his per-game stats were fantastic last year, but he had 10 TDs in only 12 games, which was a career high. He’s the clear #2 target on the team and has never cracked 80 receptions or 1,100 yards in a season. So, why is he going behind guys like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Mike Evans? Evans’ baseline is a Tee Higgins season, and JSN had more receptions and yards last year than Higgins ever has.”
– Brandon ‘B_Don’ Myers (Razzball)
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