Fantasy Football Trade Advice: Players to Buy, Sell or Hold (Week 4)

Welcome back to this week’s fantasy football trade advice. In this weekly series, I dive into my top buys, sells and holds from a redraft perspective, based on my rest-of-season rankings versus FantasyPros’ expert consensus rankings (ECR). I’ll lay out my case for each player recommendation and do my best to help you bring home the hardware this season.

Quick disclosure: The rankings I’ll be referencing are based on half-PPR scoring. If you play in a standard or full PPR league, keep that in mind before making any final decisions.

Fantasy Football Trade Advice: Week 4

Fantasy Football Players to Buy

Brock Bowers (TE – LV)

Brock Bowers finally returned in Week 3, and boy was it glorious. The former Georgia Bulldog finished his first game of 2026 with 12 targets, 10 receptions, 116 yards and a touchdown, helping lead the Raiders to their first 3-0 start since 2021.

Even in half-PPR formats, Bowers is ranked my 14th-ranked player for the rest of the season. Why? Because he provides a positional advantage that very few other skill players can. (There’s one other tight end who provides the same, whom we’ll discuss in a moment.)

With very little target competition around him, Bowers could lead the NFL in receptions per game this year. Sign me up.

Trey McBride (TE – ARI)

Speaking of positional advantage, Trey McBride is averaging 15.4 half-PPR points per game and leads all tight ends in targets and receptions.

It’s all McBride and Michael Wilson in Arizona, with these two accounting for nearly 60% of the target share. With 10+ targets in all three games this year, McBride’s fantasy floor is elite. He’s my 18th-ranked player, versus ECR’s 42nd overall ranking.

Jaylen Waddle (WR – DEN)

The Jaylen Waddle experience has been a rollercoaster. Since 2022, he’s been mostly disappointing, relative to expectations. The 2026 season is off to a similar start of ups and downs, but I’m continuing to bet on the talent. Bo Nix is far from an elite distributor, but Waddle is his top option, with a 23% target share this year.

I’m confident Denver will need to make Waddle a focal point in this passing attack if they hope to be a true Super Bowl contender. And when your own head coach tells his wife to draft you on her fantasy team, you have to feel good about future projections. He remains my WR13 and 30th overall player, well ahead of ECR.

Joe Burrow (QB – CIN)

It’s been a slow start for Joe Burrow this season; I’ll grant you that. But he’s headed in the right direction, posting QB20, QB15 and QB9 finishes, respectively. He also has a pretty favorable rest-of-season schedule, facing Miami, Tennessee, Washington, Cleveland and Indianapolis.

We know this Cincinnati defense is unreliable, at best, and Burrow will need to air it out to stay in many of these games. Assuming Burrow stays healthy, we’re going to see this Bengals team pour on the points all season long. He’s my QB3 overall, behind only Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.

Matthew Golden (WR – GB)

Everything that could have gone right has gone right for Matthew Golden in 2026. Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs are gone. Jayden Reed can’t seem to stay on the field. Josh Jacobs remains on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list, lowering the floor and ceiling of the Packers’ run game considerably. The offensive line is decimated, forcing Matt LaFleur into a pass-heavy script because they can’t establish the run.

This is the perfect formula for Golden to flourish, who sits as the WR14 in half-PPR points per game. And while none of this leads me to buy into Golden from a dynasty perspective, he can be elite in redraft this year. Golden is my WR25, well ahead of ECR’s WR34 ranking.

Quinshon Judkins (RB – CLE)

You’d think with the Cleveland Browns at 2-1, Quinshon Judkins would at least have one double-digit fantasy performance. But that hasn’t been the case, with the second-year back averaging just three yards per attempt (YPA) on 42 attempts.

So, why is Judkins in my “buy” section? He’s seeing nearly every touch in this backfield, and that usage alone justifies his RB23 price tag.

Dylan Sampson has no timetable for a return, and while the Cleveland Browns seem content to run the clock and limit possessions, I see Judkins getting enough high-value touches to warrant FLEX consideration going forward. I’m comfortable making the “volume bet” at these prices and expect better days ahead for the Ohio State product.

Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF)

The most promising number for Dalton Kincaid through three games? His 68% snap share. This is a far cry from leading the NFL at his position, but it’s also far better than we’ve gotten over his NFL career. Kincaid has always been productive per-route; it’s just been a matter of running enough routes to pay off in fantasy.

Finally, in his fourth season, it seems we may have the Dalton Kincaid we’ve all been waiting for. Kincaid’s 21% target share is just behind DJ Moore at 22%, and he’s leading the team by a mile with 2.72 half-PPR points per target. I have Kincaid ranked as my TE3, behind only Bowers and McBride.

Josh Downs (WR – IND)

I’ve been a big Josh Downs believer since his college days at North Carolina. Downs is now in his fourth season and finally seeing an uptick in snaps and routes. Up to this point, Downs was the odd man out in many heavy-personnel packages, but with Michael Pittman Jr. now in Pittsburgh, things have opened up a bit.

I will say that Downs’ snap share dropped to 68% in Week 3 (down from 89% and 83% in the first two weeks), but he was heavily targeted when on the field, earning 11 targets. He’s currently boasting a 26% target share, ahead of Tyler Warren at 23%.

The Josh Downs breakout is upon us, and he’s entering “every-week starter” territory. He’s my WR31 currently, ahead of big names like DK Metcalf and Rome Odunze.

Travis Kelce (TE – KC)

Travis Kelce may be turning 37 in October, but he’s not done yet. He’s seen a snap rate of 70% or more in each of the Chiefs’ first three games and has found the end zone in back-to-back contests, crushing his preseason average draft position (ADP). Kelce’s best game of the year came in Week 2 against the Colts, where he hauled in nine receptions for 101 yards and a score.

Kelce leads the team in target share at 20%, just ahead of Kenneth Walker III and Rashee Rice. Kelce has a fairly safe floor in this offense and the potential for monster weeks at any time, making him my TE5 overall.

Tyler Shough (QB – NO)

Shough me the money. Tyler Shough may not be a superstar in real life, but boy is he fun for fantasy football. He’s averaging 44 pass attempts per game in this high-powered Kellen Moore offense, and his dual-threat ability significantly raises his weekly floor.

As the QB3 overall in fantasy points per game through three weeks, my QB9 ranking feels a bit conservative. Still, it’s well ahead of his QB12 ECR ranking.

Fantasy Football Players to Sell

Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC)

Omarion Hampton‘s snap share is trending in the wrong direction, down to just 42% in Week 3. He is still seeing the majority of the rush attempts, but he’s running fewer routes and is virtually a non-factor in the receiving game.

With the Chargers’ offense struggling to score and protect the football, I’d rather move off Hampton now, while there’s still value. Hampton is currently my RB17, behind Bucky Irving and Cam Skattebo.

Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)

I’m a big believer in Breece Hall from a talent standpoint. This is purely about the quad injury he suffered in Week 3. Hall is considered week-to-week at the moment.

Is that a one-week or a soon-to-be-injured (IR) stint? I’m not a doctor, so I won’t speculate, but if I can get about 90 cents on the dollar for Hall, I’m selling. He’s my RB21 until we get more information.

Rashee Rice (WR – KC)

Rashee Rice had a nice bounce-back game in Week 3. He was also playing a weak Dolphins defense. Watching him live, Rice looks slow and stiff as he gets through his routes. Rice grabbed seven of his nine targets, but he should’ve had the other two as well. One of them was a drop that turned into a Miami interception. The box score looked much better than the actual results.

As my WR26, I’d be willing to swap Rice for Jalen Coker, Matthew Golden or Ladd McConkey.

David Montgomery (RB – HOU)

Through three games, David Montgomery is averaging a whopping 2.7 YPA. He’s seeing about 52% of the touches, nowhere near the workhorse numbers everyone projected in the offseason.

Woody Marks looks like the more explosive back of the two, though his numbers aren’t much better. It’s going to be a “touchdown or bust” situation for Montgomery all year long, and I’d rather not make that bet at RB21 prices.

Jadarian Price (RB – SEA)

Jadarian Price was seemingly placed in the perfect situation, drafted in the first round by the reigning Super Bowl champs and heading into a backfield where the only notable back, Zach Charbonnet, was rehabbing a torn ACL.

Instead, Price has been stuck in a three-back committee with Emanuel Wilson and George Holani. He’s had a fumbling problem, which is surely contributing to the coaching staff’s lack of trust. And what’s going to happen when Mike Macdonald’s favorite person in the world, Charbonnet, returns?

Reports suggest Charbonnet could practice next week. It may be over for Price. At this point, you can probably settle for any return that’s better than a waiver pickup.

A.J. Brown (WR – NE)

A.J. Brown is still sitting with an ECR of WR28, despite likely being out for another month or more. I’m not convinced we’ll see prime Brown when he returns, especially with how bad Drake Maye has been playing.

Give me receivers like Carnell Tate or Jordan Addison over Brown. Maybe they won’t provide the same late-season ceiling, but I’d rather have that roster value working for me now.

Drake Maye (QB – NE)

Drake Maye is legitimately playing as bad as any starting quarterback in the NFL. What happened to the former AFC Champion and QB2 overall last year?

I’m not in full-blown panic mode in dynasty yet, but I’m ready to jump ship in redraft. Can you sell the name value of Maye for someone like Tyler Shough, or even Bryce Young? In a 12-team league, I’d have to imagine there’s at least one or two league mates who are willing to roll the dice.

Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN)

Courtland Sutton is borderline droppable in shallower redraft leagues at this point.

Maybe that’s a hair dramatic, but look at what he’s done thus far. He’s averaging a mere 4.1 half-PPR points per game and is averaging fewer yards per target than Jaylen Waddle, Pat Bryant and RJ Harvey.

It’s pretty clear Sutton has lost a step, and I’m not sure Bo Nix is a competent enough passer to support multiple pass-catchers. Even if he is, Pat Bryant may be on his way to earning No. 2 WR honors in Denver.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB – WSH)

On tape, Jacory Croskey-Merritt looks like a pretty dynamic rusher. The problem is that the Commanders’ offensive line is terrible, and he’s only a two-down back.

Croskey-Merritt has never profiled as a pass-catcher, not even in college. With Rachaad White on the team, there’s almost no chance he’ll develop into one, either. As a result, he is stuck handling most of the low-value touches, which makes him nearly impossible to trust in your starting lineup. I honestly prefer high-end handcuffs like Blake Corum and Kyle Monangai.

Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – ARI)

It’s completely over for Marvin Harrison Jr. I mean, there’s no world where you can feel comfortable starting him in fantasy. I’m not even sure we could trust him if Trey McBride or Michael Wilson got injured. Harrison isn’t even in the top four on his own team in target share. He’s down at 10%, which is below McBride, Wilson, Jeremiyah Love and Kendrick Bourne.

Harrison’s only hope is to get traded. I would sell him for anything better than the top waiver option. If you’re fed up with the Harrison experience and really want to drop him, I don’t have a strong case against it.

Fantasy Football Players to Hold

Nico Collins (WR – HOU)

This Houston offense scares me a bit. The upside is that whenever Nico Collins returns (hopefully in Week 4), he’ll be the clear-cut No. 1 WR from the jump.

That may mean 20-point games in certain weeks and eight-point games in others; a lot of that rides on the shoulders of C.J. Stroud and this passing attack as a whole. If you own Collins, wait for his return to consider selling.

Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ)

Garrett Wilson had his best game of the season in Week 3 against Detroit, catching 10 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. The one caveat was that Adonai Mitchell missed the game with a finger injury. Hard to believe, but Mitchell actually had a larger target share than Wilson through the first two weeks.

Do I think Mitchell is the better receiver of the two? Absolutely not. But Mitchell will get his spike weeks, and it’s possible Wilson’s ceiling could be capped when those occur. And if Breece Hall misses significant time with a quad injury, I do have questions about the offense as a whole. All this considered, Wilson is a top-tier talent, so I’m holding if I own him.

Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAX)

Bhayshul Tuten hasn’t had his true “breakout” week yet, but he’s playing well enough to warrant a start. He’s seeing the majority of the touches in this backfield and has done well with the opportunity, averaging 4.28 yards after contact per attempt (YCO/A). If you’re considering selling Tuten, wait for a blow-up game; it’s coming at some point with Liam Coen calling the shots.

Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC)

After a nice performance in Week 1, Ladd McConkey left Week 2 with an injury and disappointed in Week 3. Are we going to get another season full of headaches as we did in 2025?

With how L.A. has fared through three weeks, it’s possible, but there’s one thing I’m confident in: The Chargers look infinitely better when McConkey is on the field. He’s been efficient this year, boasting 2.54 yards per route run (YPRR) so far. I’m holding McConkey and crossing my fingers that this offense shows signs of life soon.

Luther Burden III (WR – CHI)

Luther Burden III finally got things on track with, you guessed it, Case Keenum under center. Definitely not how I envisioned this season going in Chicago, but it was nice to see Burden get peppered with targets and find the end zone on Monday night.

The downside here is that Kalif Raymond isn’t going anywhere. (Again, just like we all predicted.) Burden leads the team with a 25% target share, but Raymond isn’t far behind. Between these two, Colston Loveland and Rome Odunze, there’s still plenty of uncertainty here. I’m holding Burden until we get more clarity.

Michael Wilson (WR – ARI)

Seventeen targets is a crazy number for a single game, but it’s not uncharted territory for Michael Wilson. That’s the number Wilson hit in Week 3, but he also hit 15+ targets on three separate occasions in 2025.

There’s no doubt Wilson is ahead of Marvin Harrison Jr. on the totem pole. If I’m a Wilson owner, I’m holding to see whether this hot streak continues or if we’re looking at more volatility this season.

Brian Thomas Jr. (WR – JAX)

Where did the rookie version of Brian Thomas Jr. go? Sadly, he may be long gone. Thomas has earned only 11 targets in three games this season, averaging 4.1 half-PPR points per game. It’s now the Parker Washington show in Jacksonville, with the ancillary pieces picking up the scraps.

Still, I’m not panic-selling Thomas quite yet. He still has his downfield role in this offense, and Trevor Lawrence will connect with him on some deep balls at some point. When he does, and Thomas gets his 20-point game, that’s when you sell high.

Colston Loveland (TE – CHI)

We’re making progress, slowly but surely. While Week 3 was nothing to write home about, Colston Loveland still had his best game of the season, bringing in all four of his targets for 31 yards. I’m not starting him until I get proof he can be fantasy-friendly again, but I’m not selling low.

If you’re a Loveland owner, you likely spent a decent amount of draft capital to acquire him. I’m not sure we’ve seen the light at the end of the tunnel yet, but Loveland’s upside is too high to sell for scraps. Hang tight and wait for better days ahead.

Makai Lemon (WR – PHI)

Makai Lemon was supposed to be the prince that was promised, the hybrid between Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Instead, we have nine targets, seven receptions and 38 yards through three games. Not exactly the start we were all hoping for.

Don’t give up yet, and please don’t drop Lemon. He’s purely a bench stash for now, but there’s a world where Lemon comes on late and usurps DeVonta Smith as the top target. Let’s not forget: We’re talking about a first-round draft pick and the 2025 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner. Be patient with Lemon.

Adonai Mitchell (WR – NYJ)

It was disappointing to see Adonai Mitchell miss Week 3 with a finger injury, especially in a game where Geno Smith threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns. Still, Week 2 gives me hope that Mitchell may be worth starting in certain spots this season, after earning 12 targets against the Green Bay Packers.

While this volume didn’t translate into many fantasy points, it was nice to see Mitchel out there running all the routes and getting looks. He’s locked in as the No. 2 WR in this offense with some very favorable upcoming matchups, including Cleveland, Las Vegas, Buffalo, Arizona and Miami (twice) before their bye in Week 13. Hold Mitchell for now while we continue to gather more information about this offense.

Thanks for checking out today’s article. If you have any redraft, dynasty, devy or C2C-related questions, I can be reached on X @jim_DFF.