The NFL trade deadline has passed, but most fantasy football trade deadlines still lay ahead. Some of the real-life trades have fantasy implications, and you should look to make moves involving these players entering Week 9.
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Demaryius Thomas
Ty Montgomery is another guy that could see his value change in Baltimore, but he’s more of a deep-league option that can be picked up instead of acquired in a trade. Demaryius Thomas was probably available in some fantasy leagues, but many people have the second-leading receiver in Broncos history rostered. Some probably believe DT’s value increases going from a tepid Denver offense to Houston with Deshaun Watson, but it’s probably mostly hype that you should be careful about buying into. Thomas might be better in a better offense, but he’ll need time to adjust to the system, and DeAndre Hopkins is obviously the top target for his quarterback. Try to convince an owner that Thomas is going to be a WR2 for the rest of the season and get a different WR2 or a FLEX option at running back in return.
Verdict: Sell high
Golden Tate
The Eagles have a bye this week, but the acquisition of Golden Tate is one of the most intriguing deals before the deadline. Doug Pederson is probably going to get the ball to Tate on short passes and let him use his great YAC ability to pick up positive yardage; and it helps that the Eagles have one of the best blocking receivers in Nelson Agholor on the outside the help spring Tate for big gains. However, Tate’s upside might be limited in an offense with Alshon Jeffery, Zach Ertz, and Agholor already established. He should be solid for PPR leagues but might put up some duds in standard leagues.
Verdict: Sell in standard leagues, buy in PPR leagues
David Johnson
In a nice matchup against the Niners last week, David Johnson still couldn’t get going in Byron Leftwich’s first game as Arizona’s offensive coordinator. Now the consensus top-five pick in fantasy drafts is on his bye week, and owners might be at a boiling point. It’s a good time to inquire and see what it would take to acquire Johnson, who has yet to have a monster game this season and could have some of them down the stretch.
Verdict: Buy during the bye
Sony Michel
The Patriots are unlikely to reveal much information about Sony Michel’s recovery from a knee injury, but he’s thought to be week-to-week with a chance to return to the lineup soon. New England not making a trade for a running back before the deadline indicates they don’t believe the rookie will be out for much longer, so try to buy him early this week and hope for a Week 9 return. If active, Michel could be a difference-maker on Sunday night against the Packers. If not, he should at least be back within a few weeks.
Verdict: Buy low
Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones could also be a difference-maker in the Sunday night matchup, and he could start receiving more time on offense with Ty Montgomery in Baltimore. However, this might be the opportunity to trade Jones and rid yourself of a committee-backfield headache. Jamaal Williams is still squarely in the running back situation in Green Bay, so Jones is no lock to suddenly start getting 15-20 touches per game (he set a season-high with 14 last week). It might come back to hurt you if Jones has a huge second-half breakout, but attempting to deal Jones for someone you know will get the ball (like David Johnson) might not be a bad idea.
Verdict: Sell high
Leonard Fournette
Fantasy owners that selected Leonard Fournette is the first- or second-round of drafts this summer have less than two games from him, so they’re probably open to making a deal while the Jaguars are on a bye. But with Fournette expected to return after their break, he could be a consistent RB1 from Week 10 on. Maybe attempt to convince the Fournette owner the second-year running back will be returning in a committee with Carlos Hyde and T.J. Yeldon. Someone like Kenyon Drake or Lamar Miller might get a deal done.
Verdict: Buy for an RB2 if possible