The blockbuster NFL trade that saw Christian McCaffrey go from Carolina to San Francisco should remind fantasy football owners that, No. 1, they need to be prepared for anything, and No. 2, star-studded deals can help, even in fantasy leagues. That should inspire you to check around your league, look for buy-low, sell-high targets, and start putting together some trade packages. FantasyPros is here to help with tips and trade advice in their Week 8 Stock Watch that includes Terry McLaurin, Jonathan Taylor, Kareem Hunt, D.J. Moore, Gus Edwards, and Keenan Allen, among others.
Trade deadlines are quickly (and quietly) approaching in fantasy, too, and now's the time to really look at future schedules. We have a good idea of matchups, and we can more safely project four-plus weeks into the future. If you're one of the lucky few who already knows your squad is postseason-bound, you can even start planning ahead for Weeks 15-17. If you're still fighting for playoff positioning, you can map out your starting lineups for the next few weeks, taking into account depth, byes, and problematic matchups. Now's the time to either stack depth or go all-in for top-shelf stars.
MORE FROM FANTASY PROS: Trade analyzer
For most, depth is the key. Every week, we see how quickly fantasy fortunes can change (sorry Breece Hall owners), so having a solid roster, top to bottom, is important. As we all know, trade values can shift rapidly in the fantasy football world, so don't get too locked into a specific target. Adapt to new information, and don't hesitate to act if you have a good offer on the table. -- Matt Lutovsky
WEEK 8 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups
Week 8 Fantasy Trade Advice: Buy-low trade candidates
By Andrew Erickson, Fantasy Pros
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts. Taylor finished Week 7 with just 10 carries, but he was efficient (58 yards) coming off his ankle injury. He also saw eight targets and caught seven passes for 27 yards. Those seven catches were a career high. The bottom line is Taylor is healthy, and I’d imagine his 55-percent snap share will increase another week removed from injury.
Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers. In his first game back, Allen totaled just two catches and 11 yards on two targets (32-percent snap share). DeAndre Carter (7) and Michael Bandy (6) had more targets, but Mike Williams also left with an ankle injury that figures to keep him out for a couple of weeks after L.A.'s Week 8 bye. Allen will be the clear-cut No. 1, so now is the time to buy.
Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns. Hunt totaled just six touches, two targets, and five yards in Week 7, but he scored. It was the second straight week where Hunt’s touches have dipped dramatically, down to an average of six touches. It raises the question of whether Hunt might be on the trade block for an RB-needy team. Therefore, he is worth buying on the dirt cheap. At worst, you have a high-end handcuff who will get a boost when Deshaun Watson returns in Week 13. David Njoku (ankle) being out could also open the target floodgates for Hunt to be more involved as a receiver.
For more buy-low targets from Fantasy Pros, click here.
WEEK 8 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 8 Fantasy Trade Advice: Sell-high trade candidates
Terry McLaurin, WR, Commanders. McLaurin posted five catches, 73 yards, and a TD on team-high nine targets (25-percent target share) in Week 7, continuing his high-end target share with Taylor Heinicke from last season. Still, the majority of his production came on a 37-yard score. Without that TD, he had just four catches for 32 yards. I’d be bearish on McLaurin rest of the season for fear that he won’t connect on the long ball from Heinicke, who has traditionally struggled to throw downfield. Curtis Samuel also saw just as many targets but at a higher rate (29 percent vs. 24 percent). Jahan Dotson (hamstring) also did not play and should be back soon, which will further hurt McLaurin's target share.
Gus Edwards, RB, Ravens. Edwards posted a 47-percent opportunity share in Week 7, rushing 16 times for 66 yards and two TDs in his return from a torn ACL. Kenyan Drake rushed 11 times for five yards. Woof. It was great to see Edwards immediately take over the backfield for Baltimore in lieu of JK Dobbins' knee injury. However, keep in mind that Edwards had a super easy matchup against the Browns' horrible run defense, and, had it not been for the two rushing scores, Edwards would not be held in nearly as high regard. He also played just 36 percent of the snaps. With zero pass-game usage and tougher matchups coming up against the Buccaneers and Saints, I’d sell high on the Gus Bus.
WEEK 8 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
D.J. Moore, WR, Panthers. Moore finally converted his elite usage in Week 7, posting 10 targets (48-percent target share), 69 yards, and a TD while running a route on 100 percent of drop backs. However, this one-off game where Moore scored (which doesn’t happen very often) provides you the perfect vehicle to ship him off to the highest bidder for those that think he will be the definition of consistency moving forward.
For more sell-high targets from Fantasy Pros, click here.
