The byes are finally upon us, and coupled with injury issues, plenty of fantasy football teams will need upgrades at virtually every position over the next couple of months. Waiver-wire pickups can only get you so far, and for some, trades are the best option. Crafting the right deal with a willing partner isn't easy, but it all starts with identifying the right buy-low, sell-high candidates. Fortunately, the experts at FantasyPros are here to help with tips and trade advice in their Week 6 Stock Watch that includes Jaylen Waddle, Miles Sanders, Dalvin Cook, Melvin Gordon III, Diontae Johnson, and Brian Robinson Jr., among others.
The Titans, Lions, Raiders, and Texans are the first teams with byes this season, which makes their players a little more valuable in trade talks. Acquiring players who have already had their bye is a big advantage going forward, but most fantasy owners are on the lookout for that. You need to plan ahead and be strategic. If you identify a week where you should have a solid starting lineup, you can target a player who's idle that week. There are risks with that strategy, as injuries can strike at any time, but it can be a good way to find value without hurting your bottom line.
MORE FROM FANTASY PROS: Trade analyzer
Always remember that trade values change quickly, so don't get too obsessed with a specific target. Adapt to the trends, weigh all the factors, and don't be shy about acting if you have a good offer on the table. -- Matt Lutovsky
WEEK 6 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | FAAB planner
Week 6 Fantasy Trade Advice: Buy-low trade candidates
By Andrew Erickson, Fantasy Pros
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Dolphins. Waddle led all Dolphins WRs in snaps (76 percent), but he finished with just three targets. It has been back-to-back dud games for Waddle, but there’s a silver lining. Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) has a chance to return for Week 6, and Tyreek Hill is dealing with a potential mid-foot injury that could force him to miss time. I’d be a buyer with Waddle getting past his groin injury in a more favorable offensive situation.
Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles. Sanders saw top-tier usage in Week 5, getting 15 carries to Kenneth Gainwell's three. He also added three targets for an 86-percent opportunity share while running a route on 65 percent of dropbacks. Most important, Sanders earned three carries inside the 10-yard line. However, he just didn’t score. That won’t happen every week.
Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Commanders. It's end-of-the-line time for Antonio Gibson after his three carries for six yards, "good" for a 32-percent snap share and 28-percent opportunity share. Gibson also saw fewer targets than J.D. Mckissic (seven vs. four). Robinson, in his first of the season, totaled nine carries for 22 yards, a 29-percent snap share, and 36-percent opportunity share -- numbers that will only increase in the coming weeks. In Week 6, he gets a Bears defense that allows the highest percentage of rushing TDs. Giddy up.
For more buy-low targets from Fantasy Pros, click here.
WEEK 6 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 6 Fantasy Trade Advice: Sell-high trade candidates
Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings. Cook finally didn’t get vultured at the goal line! The Vikings RB compiled 20 touches for 96 yards and scored a pair of rushing TDs. But all that glitters is not gold. Alexander Mattison was the more involved receiver (four targets compared to two for Cook), ran as many routes, and totaled 12 touches of his own. Cook played just 57 percent of the snaps while Mattison played 43 percent. It’s a two-back system that we have not ever seen with Cook at any point this season, so it suggests a more committee approach might be brewing in the Vikings backfield. Considering Cook’s long injury history, this is the perfect time to sell high.
WEEK 6 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers. Johnson isn't exactly a "sell high" in terms of production, but after leading the Steelers with 13 targets last week, it still seems like he has a lot of value. However, it was George Pickens who had more receiving yards (83 versus 60) on five fewer targets. Pickens has 71-plus receiving yards from Kenny Pickett in the past two games. With so much competition in the offense for targets with a rookie quarterback under center, I’d be looking to get out from underneath Johnson and hope his name value nets more than he's worth.
Melvin Gordon III, RB, Broncos. The Broncos running backs split work on Thursday night, with Gordon (56-percent snap share) and Mike Boone (41 percent) each seeing a decent chunk of playing time. MG3 totaled 18 touches (15 carries, three catches) for 103 yards. Boone received 10 touches (seven carries, three receptions) for 85 yards. Gordon was undoubtedly the lead back to start the game and "the guy" in the red zone, but the team didn’t shy away from using Boone. They split routes nearly 50/50 with Gordon running 21 to Boone’s 19. The team also randomly threw out Devine Ozigbo on two snaps. After a high-volume performance and 100-yard game, I’d sell Gordon now before the backfield becomes a total mess. The team lost starting tackle Garrett Bolles, and Latavius Murray figures to throw a wrench into the backfield pecking order.
For more sell-high targets from Fantasy Pros, click here.
