Fantasy Football Trade Deadline Targets and Strategies: The Engel Eye

Scott Engel tells you why it is time to trade for Russell Wilson and his top WRs, and provides other fantasy trade deadline advice.

After playing in only three games this season, Chris Carson is out for the year, as he will undergo neck surgery. Alex Collins, who was downgraded on Thursday due to a groin injury, is now expected to play in Week 11 and should be Seattle’s starting running back for the rest of the season barring any injury issues.

Collins has not been worthy of fantasy starting consideration recently though, as he has not topped 50 rushing yards or scored in his last three games. He only has 10 carries in his last two games. Earlier this week, after Seattle was shut out in Green Bay, Pete Carroll said the Seahawks need to run the ball more.

What does that mean and how will the offense look and affect fantasy results in the weeks ahead? That’s one of the various personnel and strategical issues we consider this week.

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Seattle’s Offensive Outlook: Trade for Wilson and the WRs

Collins is averaging 4.1 yards per carry, so he can at least provide adequate production if he is used more. We will have to keep a watch on the groin injury, as it could impact his workload. But it is very apparent that the Seahawks need to establish more offensive balance. Since the midpoint of the 2020 season, opponents have been trying to take away the deep ball and inviting Seattle to run the ball more consistently. But the Seahawks have still relied on the big play, and as a result, they rank last in the NFL in time of possession this season, and Carroll is admitting it’s time for a change in approach.

That does not mean the Seahawks become more of a run-first team, but they do need to run more frequently and in the right situations to set up Russell Wilson for more success. He does work very well off play-action and Seattle needs to keep defenses guessing more often. So if Collins can move past the groin issue, he could be handed the ball more consistently and produce well enough to be considered for lineups again. A healthy Collins can likely be the lead RB for the rest of the season and the Seahawks need to get him into a better rhythm, so keep him reserved and monitor the situation. Also keep a watch on Rashaad Penny, as Carroll has indicated he may get him more into the mix now. Collins could be a better option going forward, or a combination of Collins and Penny may help Seattle re-establish a respectable running game.

Pete Carroll says Alex Collins is good to go this week. Also says: "I'm really looking forward to Rashaad (Penny)...We're anxious to see him get going. It's really his time help us. As we go through the next couple weeks you'll see him continue to be a big part of it."

— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) November 19, 2021

More importantly, though, you need to be patient with Wilson after he is coming off maybe the worst outing of his career. Not only was he rusty in terms of his throwing, his decision-making was also very questionable. Look for improvements starting this week. History dictates that Wilson will certainly rebound from such an outing, it’s just a matter of whether it will take one or two weeks based on a return from injury, which is new to him. This is a good time to trade for Wilson, as he should be back in better form close to the fantasy playoffs, especially if the Seahawks have established more stability in terms of the running game helping the passing game by then. Expect the better version of Wilson soon, even if he is not quite as productive as we may regularly expect in Week 11.

So you should also be trading for DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett as they come off quiet statistical outings. Some of those who roster those WRs now may be more open to dealing them after Seattle’s forgettable performance at Green Bay.

Fantasy Trade Deadline Approaches

Whether it’s Wilson, Lockett, or Metcalf you are targeting, the fantasy trade deadline in most leagues is coming up fast. Once again, as a reminder, if you want to have a good chance of getting a deal done, then be willing to part with quality to get quality. If you can rip someone off, go for it. But in most cases, offering your bench or injured players for someone else’s top guys isn’t going to get it done.

Put yourself on the other side of a trade before you make an offer. When you come to the honest conclusion that you wouldn’t accept the offer yourself, then it’s apparent the deal is unlikely to go through. Give yourself the best chance to complete a trade by considering what will make the other team truly take notice of your offer. Don’t just focus on improving your own team, think about what the other team would consider as quality value in return.

Engel’s Angles

-Now is the time to acquire Darnell Mooney if you can. He scored twice before the bye, and Justin Fields is showing clear signs of progress. As he improves, Mooney is going to become an upside fantasy WR3.

- If you can deal Antonio Gibson away, consider doing it. He played well after the bye for Washington, carrying 24 times and scoring two TDs against Tampa Bay. But there is a possibility that his shin issue could linger now that he is back on a regular schedule, so I would still be skeptical about his longer-term outlook.

-With Amari Cooper out this week, Michael Gallup becomes an obvious quality fantasy starting option against the Kansas City pass defense. Yet he also averaged 14.3 yards per catch and scored five times last year, playing most of the season without Dak Prescott in 2020. Gallup can be a boom or bust type, but he does have upside for the rest of the season even when Cooper returns. Get your piece of the best offense in the NFC by acquiring Gallup.

-The return of Kyler Murray can certainly spark the production of A.J. Green again. The former Bengals star had revived his career this year as a downfield threat for Murray when the Arizona QB was healthy. Green is averaging 15.3 yards per catch this season and can be a viable fantasy starter later in the season when Murray is clearly healthy.

Kyler Murray + AJ Green = TD 🔥

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/67lvCoiByQ

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 3, 2021

-T.J. Hockenson is coming off a zero-catch week and now Jared Goff is out this week. But Tim Boyle will well know that getting the ball to Hockenson gives him any shot of success in the passing game. Hockenson had 10 receptions in Week 8. It’s a good time to trade for Hockenson as a TE for the playoff push if you still need help at the position, and many fantasy players still do.

-I seem to not have many backers or those that agree that Kadarius Toney is destined for stardom in the near future. He was very impressive against Dallas earlier this season and also showed real signs of promise against New Orleans. I believe another significant performance from Toney is coming on Monday night against Tampa Bay. The Giants will find ways to get him the ball and he will deliver as a playmaker. If you can land Toney over the weekend, go for it. I predict he will come through with a very impressive outing on Monday night. The Giants have the makings of a very potent offense with an improving Daniel Jones, and hopefully a healthy Toney and Saquon Barkley down the stretch. You may want to invest more in the Giants now before the production rises.

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