Last week, we looked at players to trade for in fantasy football, which included names such as Kyle Pitts, Chase Brown and George Pickens. We're also at the point of the season when you have to make some tough decisions about your roster, which means trading away players -- and getting value in return -- to bolster the lineup for the stretch run.
I've broken this down into two categories, starting with the players to "sell high" on. These are the players who are producing viable numbers -- for the season or recently -- but there are reasons to move them now. Then, we'll look at a few players who will require finding the right trade partner in your league.
So, let's make some trades and shape up those rosters to make a push toward the fantasy playoffs.
Sell-high options
Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Harris' value might be at its peak this season. He has rushed for more than 100 yards in three straight games, and he has averaged 17.2 PPG during that stretch. He's a grinder, a volume runner who gives you a high floor in the lineup as an RB2/flex.
However, I also see a limited ceiling for Harris given his touchdown dependency, lack of receiving usage (five receptions over the past three games) and the presence of Jaylen Warren as the change-of-pace back in the Steelers' rotation. Warren has logged at least nine touches in his past three games, including seven total receptions, and he plays a very defined role in this offense.
Plus, with a schedule that is about to turn for Pittsburgh after the bye week (@WAS, BAL, @CLE), and a tough stretch during the fantasy playoffs in Weeks 14-17 (CLE, @PHI, @BAL, KC), I would move Harris now to get the most value in return. And that's what I'm doing in one of my home leagues, as I look to land another wide receiver.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans
After four straight games with under 10 points, Ridley dropped 22.6 on the Lions in Week 8, posting season highs in receptions (10), targets (15) and receiving yards (143). But after one breakout game, with backup Mason Rudolph at quarterback, can we trust that Ridley will now start to post consistent numbers?
There's some upside here, for sure, as Ridley saw his target share jump from 21.7% (Weeks 1-7) to 39.5% against Detroit, after the team traded away DeAndre Hopkins. There isn't a ton of competition for targets in Tennessee with Hopkins removed from the lineup. And we know Ridley has the talent. Everyone can see that. He's a sudden and controlled mover in the route tree, with the ability to stretch defenses at the third level.
But leading up to Week 8, Ridley had caught just 12 of 36 targets. That's it. This Titans pass game was unstable with starting quarterback Will Levis, who is getting closer to returning from a shoulder injury, and honestly, was unpredictable, too. In the five games Ridley has played with Levis this season, he has caught only 9 of 27 targets. Rough.
With upcoming matchups versus the Patriots (Week 9) and at the Chargers (Week 10), I'm looking to flip Ridley, using that breakout game to get value in return for a wide receiver or running back to play in the flex spot.
Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Since Hunt took over as the starter in the Chiefs' backfield (Week 5), he's been a very productive player for managers. In those three games, Hunt has averaged 18.1 PPG, and he has scored at least one touchdown in each. That works for an offense that is very well schemed in the red zone area of the field.
But the return of Isiah Pacheco looms here. And that has to be discussed as it pertains to Hunt's usage later in the season, which could rapidly decline once the Chiefs get their No. 1 runner back in the mix. We also have to trust the tape here on Hunt, which shows diminished play speed, and he's not running with much efficiency either, averaging just 3.4 YPC. Plus, Hunt offers very little value as a receiver, totaling just four receptions over his past three games.
If you roster a team that desperately needs to get back in the playoff race, I can understand if you hold on to Hunt. It makes sense. You can live on his red zone carries for now. But if you manage a squad that is out in front at this point of the season, Hunt's value can't get much higher than it is at this point. You don't want to be stuck relying on Hunt, who will slide down the depth chart when Pacheco returns, during the fantasy playoffs.
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Let's use White's recent run on production to get some solid trade value, because I see Bucky Irving as the Buccaneers running back to roster for the second half of the season.
White has averaged 22.2 PPG in his past two games, scoring at least one touchdown in each, and, as expected, the receiving numbers are up. With Chris Godwin (ankle) down for the season and Mike Evans (hamstring) out for multiple weeks, the Bucs are going to use their running backs much more in the pass game. White has caught 11 of 13 targets over the past two weeks, turning three of those receptions into touchdowns.
However, in a true running back rotation, White's ceiling is lowered due to Irving's presence. Irving, who is averaging 5.2 YPC, paced the Tampa Bay running game in the Week 8 loss to the Falcons, logging nine carries, compared with six for White. Irving has the traits, too. That's the downhill burst to surge past second-level defenders, along with the open-field shake to make people miss. Irving also caught a season-high seven passes for 40 yards against Atlanta. The Bucs see some dual-threat ability here, as some of those receptions were schemed targets for Irving.
With some tough upcoming matchups (@KC, SF) for Tampa Bay before its bye week, it's the right time to sell high on White given the Bucs' backfield split and Irving's ascending upside.
Find the right trade partner
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Through eight games, Smith-Njigba is averaging 11.1 PPG, and he has scored just one touchdown. His deployment in the route tree hasn't led to big-play opportunities, either, as Smith-Njigba has totaled just two receptions on vertical routes all season. Even more concerning? Last week, with DK Metcalf out of the lineup (knee), Smith-Njigba finished with 69 receiving yards against the Bills, catching 6 of 7 targets.
Offering to trade Smith-Njigba away might not net you a bunch in return, and I think we all understand that. He's a short-to-intermediate possession target in Seattle. But if you can package Smith-Njigba with another player to go get someone like DJ Moore, who has underwhelmed recently but has greater upside, I would make the move today.
C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
I love watching Stroud on tape because of his field vision, pocket movement, and ability to throw with both pace and touch. However, from a fantasy perspective, Stroud hasn't met expectations, averaging just 14.4 PPG and throwing for multiple touchdowns in only three games this season.
Yes, the Texans are banged up at wide receiver with Stefon Diggs down for the season (knee), while Nico Collins is still on IR (hamstring). That limits Stroud, as does a rushing game with Joe Mixon that has become a foundational aspect of this Houston offense. We all know it's hard to trade quarterbacks, but if you roster Stroud and have a capable No. 2, I would move the Texans signal-caller ahead of his next two matchups (@NYJ, DET).
Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
The upcoming slate of games for Bigsby is pretty tough (@PHI, MIN, @DET), and Travis Etienne Jr. could be back this Sunday for that road matchup with Philadelphia. Bigsby has seen at least 18 carries in each of his past two games as a starter, and he has scored 23 or more points in two of his past four games. But we know his volume will decline when splitting touches with Etienne, and his lack of receiving production (three receptions on the season) limits his ceiling.
So, is there even enough value here with Bigsby to put him out there? I would find the manager in your league who rosters Etienne and sell Bigsby as an insurance back for the second half of the season. And maybe you can get someone in return with more PPR upside.