RADIO
Welcome back, RotoBallers. Week 10 is just about wrapped up, and we are looking ahead to Week 11 and the playoffs. If your fantasy football league’s trade deadline has not already passed, it is about to.
The fantasy waiver wire can only help you so much at the juncture of the season. Other than backup quarterbacks and running backs who get elevated to starting roles due to injuries, there is not a lot of talent available most likely. So make a blockbuster or a series of smaller trades that can push your fantasy squad into a playoff spot and make it a championship contender. Here is a list of players to trade and players to trade for before your league’s trading deadline comes.
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Players To Trade Away
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (QB)
Prescott is in firm control of the Cowboys offense and has now blossomed from game manager to fantasy force with nine total touchdowns over his last three contests. But do you really think we have seen the last of Tony Romo? One or two clunker contests could put Prescott on the bench and Romo under center, so why not trade Prescott now while his value is at its highest?
Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns (RB)
Crowell is as inconsistent as Donald Trump’s policy positions. One week Cleveland’s top tailback will run for 100 yards and a touchdown. The next week he will be stoned cold for under 20 yards. The man cannot be trusted in a fantasy football playoff game, so package him now for a different runner or receiver you can put your faith in down the stretch.
Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals (RB)
Hill has rushed for 244 yards and two touchdowns over his last pair of games, which is why you should deal him now before he falls flat against the New York Giants’ ninth-ranked run defense this Monday and deflates his trade value. Hill’s fantasy worth will always be stunted because he splits touches with Giovani Bernard and has Andy Dalton throwing 35 times per game, so trading him for a more reliable No. 1 back would be best.
Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts (TE)
Dwayne Allen’s return and the improving health of Andrew Luck’s wideouts will translate into fewer targets and catches for the surprising Doyle from here on out unless another rash of injuries ravaged the receiving corps again.
The Denver Broncos defense
Denver has one of the best defenses in the NFL and in the world of fantasy, but their upcoming schedule does not make them an attractive play during some crucial weeks. Besides four road games over their next half-dozen ventures, including one this weekend at New Orleans, in Week 16 they are home for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots; they are useless during the week most leagues have their Super Bowl.
Players To Trade For
Eli Manning, New York Giants (QB)
Peyton’s little bro should have a gigantic second half of the season if his cupcake schedule is any indication. Seven of the eight teams that his Giants have to play are not ranked in the top 10 in pass defense, and six of the eight are ranked 15th or worse. With the Giants running game as ineffective as the Democratic campaign on Election Day, look for Manning to pile up pass attempts and plenty of yards and touchdown tosses.
Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers (RB)
Bell is in dire need of a GPS so he can find the end zone. He failed to score a touchdown in his first five games returning from suspension. Pittsburgh’s workhorse back is averaging 130 combined yards per game, though, and is well overdue for some scores. There could be a fed-up fantasy owner in your league who is itchy enough to trade Bell now because of the inconsistent TDs. If Bell is available, by all means trade for him ASAP.
Todd Gurley, St. Louis Rams (RB)
Case Keenum and the Rams’ one-dimensional offense has weighed down Gurley worse than if he were carrying 500-pound anvils on his back while he runs draw plays. But even at his worst he is getting 70-100 total yards each week, and with games against Miami (30th in run defense), San Francisco (32nd in run defense) and New Orleans (terrible in all facets of defense) ahead on his schedule, trading for Gurley while his stock is underwater could be a genius move if the price is right.
Tyrell Williams, San Diego Chargers (WR)
Travis Benjamin and Antonio Gates are seemingly questionable every week they play. Meanwhile, Williams is factoring into San Diego’s passing attack more and more. He has been targeted 23 times over his last three games and could see 10 targets a week if Benjamin and/or Gates misses time. Williams can probably be had as a throw-in piece to a much larger blockbuster.
Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles (TE)
Have you been surprised that Dorial Green-Beckham has not made a big splash in Philly’s offense? Neither have I. The Eagles receivers remain among the worst corps in the NFL. Now that Ertz is fully recovered from his early-season rib injury and phenom Carson Wentz is locating him better downfield, Ertz should be acquired for cheaper before another 97-yard effort bumps up what his owners ask for in return.
