Trading in fantasy football is an important way to make your team better. However, it is also the only controllable way to make other teams worse. In theory, great fantasy football trades optimize the rosters of both teams involved, leaving non-trading teams behind. This series will help to provide some useful tips on players to “buy” and “sell” in trades. It will also provide the proper context to determine when trading for or trading away a specific player makes sense for your squad. For a player to be involved in a trade, there needs to be a market for that player. Unlike your typical “trade for” and “trade away” articles that are geared toward taking advantage of less-informed league mates, this series will consider team context to determine whether you should buy or sell a popular player in the trade market.
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Week 7 Fantasy Football Trade Advice
On the block: RB Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers
Reason to Buy: Week Winning Upside
With Chuba Hubbard sidelined the past two weeks, Rico Dowdle has been the fantasy RB1 overall. Dowdle has amassed 473 total yards and averaged over 30 fantasy points per game across the past two weeks. He is racking up fantasy points thanks to his uber efficiency, creating 4.49 yards per touch (No. 9 among qualified running backs) and insane volume, averaging 31 opportunities the past two weeks. Even if Hubbard returns shortly, Dowdle has done more than enough to have a role in this backfield. Looking to buy from someone expecting Dowdle to return to his pre-Week-5 role upon Hubbard’s return is a move that can pay off handsomely.
Reason to Sell: Sell High
Dowdle’s production is literally off-the-charts insane. He will not continue to average over 30 fantasy points per game. While Hubbard’s return to the lineup is uncertain, Dowdle’s regression is inevitable. Essentially, if you can sell high off this production, you need to do so. This is the best two-game stretch Dowdle will have the entire season, regardless of when Hubbard returns. If you have a hole on your roster that needs to be filled, Dowdle can easily be used as a trade piece to fill it.
On the block: RB Breece Hall, New York Jets
Reason to Buy: Getting Ahead of the Trade Deadline
Breece Hall has been a source of trade rumors lately. With the Jets being the NFL’s only remaining winless team, they may look to trade Hall, who is on the final year of his rookie deal. He is currently seeing the bulk of the opportunities in the Jets’ backfield with 77.3 weighted opportunities (eighth among qualified running backs). However, as these touches are on an anemic Jets offense, this hasn’t translated into fantasy points: Hall is averaging only 11.8 points per game. A change of scenery could do wonders for Hall, who still has bellcow chops. It may be prudent to buy Breece Hall with the hopes that Hall catches a jet out of New York this trade deadline onto a contending team.
Reason to Sell: Cashing Out
Those who spent an early pick on Breece Hall cannot be feeling all too great about his fantasy production thus far. Currently, the RB20 overall on the season, Hall has as many games with fewer than six fantasy points as he does top-12 RB finishes. With the Jets’ offense near the bottom of the league, Hall will continue to have some uneven performances, which can cripple your fantasy team. Perhaps trading for a more consistent asset would make more sense, especially if the Jets do not part ways with Hall at the trade deadline.
On the block: RB Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks
Reason to Buy: Efficiency has to mean something
Kenneth Walker is one of the most efficient running backs in the NFL. He is sporting a 37.3% Juke Rate (third among qualified running backs) and is fourth among all running backs with a 120.3 Explosive Rating. He has created a total of 259 yards through six games. However, he is mired in a committee with teammate Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet is on the opposite side of the efficiency pendulum, with only 123 yards created on the season and a putrid 15.7% juke rate. It is perhaps only a matter of time before the Seahawks give some more opportunities to Walker since he is playing as the better back. Look to buy low on Walker with the hopes that this happens.
Reason to Sell: Mired in Committee
Kenneth Walker is in a full-blown committee with teammate Zach Charbonnet. Now in his year-four season, the Seahawks know what they have with Walker and may continue to deploy this committee despite Charbonnet’s ineffectiveness. It’s hard to finish as a top 24 running back when you are seeing the weighted opportunity of an RB3. Walker may be unable to sustain this efficiency, and if that tails off, he will be a mere flex play as opposed to an RB2. If you can sell Walker for something more than an RB2 price, it may be a good deal to make if the Seahawks remain stuck in their ways.
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