The waiver wire isn't the only place to change the course of your team. The right trade can make or break your season.
The key is to buy low on cold players, then swap them out once they get hot and their value skyrockets. Everyone knows this method, but that doesn't mean you still can't catch some league members off-guard, steeped in worry about under-performing stars.
Whether it's because they are struggling or just flying under the radar, here are some players to consider trading for.
Fantasy Football Buy Candidates
Jeremy Maclin (WR, KC)
Maclin is finally being used correctly in Kansas City. The former Eagles wideout has been targeted double-digit times in three straight weeks,and has collected 374 yards over that span. Maclin broke out in 2014, finishing ninth in the NFL with 1,318 yards. Now, five weeks into his first year with the Chiefs, Maclin is sixth in receiving yards, and is on pace to surpass his 2014 total. With Jamaal Charles out for the year, Maclin's production should increase. Try to add him via a trade while he remains under the radar.
Joseph Randle (RB, DAL)
Randle has been inconsistent over the course of the first five weeks, collecting 87 yards and three touchdowns in Week 3, but just 26 yards on 11 carries in Week 3. The Cowboys head into their bye week having lost three straight games, and have announced that recently signed Christine Michael may be named the starter for Week 7. Of course, Randle will still get touches, but his production level should drop, at least for the immediate future. Michael showed signs of promise last year as Marshawn Lynch's backup, but 25 percent of his yards came on one carry against the Giants. He has not proven to be a reliable every-down back, so look for Randle to re-capture the starting job sooner rather than later. If an owner is willing to dump the former Oklahoma State running back, jump on the opportunity to add him for cheap.
C.J. Anderson (RB, DEN)
This is a tricky one. At the start of the season, I had Anderson ranked lower than most people. It's not that I didn't trust him, I just thought he was overhyped as a result of four weeks in 2014-- a pair of 160-yard games and a pair of opportunistic, three-touchdown games. Outside of those four performances, Anderson was solid, at best. However, no one - myself included - expected him to be THIS bad. 2.6 yards per carry is not worthy of a roster spot - but that should not last. At some point, the common first-round fantasy pick will turn it around. If there is a time for Anderson to break out, Week 6 against the Browns is it. Don't send over your stars in return, but if you have some depth and want to take a chance on a potential big-time back, get in touch with Anderson's owner.
On the other hand, here are some guys you might want to part with while you can get some value for them.
Fantasy Football Sell Candidates
Andy Dalton (QB, CIN)
The Bengals are rolling, largely due to the superb play of quarterback Andy Dalton. Cincinnati's quarterback has posted at least 300 yards in each of his last three games - he only eclipsed the 300-yard mark three times in all of 2014. After five weeks, Dalton has the second most passing yards (1,518) and the third highest passer rating (115.6) in all of football. In his four-year career, Dalton has never managed a passer rating above 90 in a single season, so, even if he has improved as a quarterback, it's hard to imagine he will keep up this pace. If you have Dalton, chances are he was your second QB drafted, so you probably don't need him. Pawn him off on the owner who's still looking for a long-term Tony Romo replacement.
Chris Ivory (RB, NYJ)
Brandon Marshall says Chris Ivory is the best running back in the NFL; numbers say otherwise. Ivory had just five 100-yard showings in 39 games leading up to his Week 3 demolition of the Dolphins' defense. His career game put him on the radar of many fantasy owners, so now is the time to sell. Ivory isn't likely to replicate that 166-yard performance anytime soon, so turn his high value into a player who can continue to pump out that kind of stat line.
Gary Barnidge (TE, CLE)
Barnidge had another impressive showing in Week 5 against the Ravens, giving him 319 yards and three touchdowns over the last three games. The 30-year-old Barnidge had three career touchdowns prior to this season, so this emergence came out of nowhere. Catching passes from someone as unpredictable as Josh McCown, Barnidge could disappear as quickly as he broke out. A tight end with no track record and an inconsistent quarterback cannot be trusted on a weekly basis. He may just stick around for the rest of the season, but there is too much uncertainty to take take chance. Dangle Barnidge before he disappears.
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