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Fantasy football trade candidates to buy or sell for Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season. Martin Grisko lists overvalued and undervalued players to target or trade away.
As we head into Week 3 of the fantasy football season, it’s crucial to reassess your roster and identify players who could be either undervalued or overperforming. With injuries and unexpected performances shaping the landscape, it's important to capitalize on these fluctuations. Whether you're looking to reinforce your lineup or offload players, this week presents a prime opportunity.
Buy-low candidates can provide the boost your team needs to make a playoff push, especially if their current managers are panicking after a slow start. Meanwhile, sell-high targets can help you leverage players who may have peaked early in the season. Understanding which players to target and which to trade away is vital in this constantly evolving game.
This article will explore several key players to consider as buy-low and sell-high candidates. From emerging talents looking to break out to established struggling stars, we’ll highlight the opportunities to help you make informed decisions. Whether you need running back depth or wide receiver firepower, the right moves now can pay off. Let’s dive in and uncover the best trade targets for Week 3!
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Fantasy Football Buy-Low Trade Targets
WR Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk, who signed a significant contract extension this offseason, has had a slow start that raises concerns about his ability to replicate his impressive 2023 stats. His lack of practice during the holdout likely contributed to his early struggles, as he has managed just six catches for 75 yards over the first two games.
However, with Christian McCaffrey now on IR and Deebo Samuel Sr. facing a multi-week injury, Aiyuk is poised for a significant increase in production. With Samuel sidelined, he becomes the clear top receiving option for quarterback Brock Purdy.
Brandon Aiyuk over the last three seasons without Deebo Samuel on the field:
29% target share
45% air yards share
2.92 yards per route runThat is a high-end WR1, y'all.
Aiyuk is going to rock the Rams world.
— Dwain McFarland (@dwainmcfarland) September 18, 2024
When watching Aiyuk, it’s evident he possesses the skills of an elite receiver, but he needs to shake off some rust. After participating in only 60% of offensive snaps in Week 1 against the New York Jets due to his contract situation, he increased that to 87% in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, where he also garnered five targets -- ranking third on the team behind George Kittle's standout performance.
Aiyuk has four red-zone targets but has yet to find the end zone, a trend likely to change soon. As his snap percentage rises, this could be the game where he fully returns to form and makes a significant impact. Don't miss your chance to acquire Aiyuk before he transforms into the standout player he was in 2023.
WR DJ Moore, Chicago Bears
Let’s be clear: I’m not advocating paying the full draft price for DJ Moore right now. The struggles of Caleb Williams and the Bears offense in their first two games have raised enough concerns to downgrade all Bears receivers in rest-of-season rankings.
Despite facing tough matchups against Tennessee and Houston to start the season, Moore’s schedule is about to get significantly more manageable. In the next three weeks, the Bears will face the Colts, Rams, and Panthers, all of which are favorable matchups for wide receivers.
As the clear WR1 for the Bears, Moore will lead the team in targets each week. Through the first two games, he has been targeted 18 times, resulting in a team-high 11 receptions and 89 receiving yards.
1. DJ Moore
He had the HIGHEST snap percentage (99%) amongst ALL WR’s in week 2.
➖10 targets (8th MOST)
➖11.3 Fantasy Points (WR30)There was an abundance of routes run and targets, DJ Moore’s fantasy production will inevitably increase as Caleb Williams improves.
1,000+… pic.twitter.com/XpttsTtaQF
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) September 19, 2024
Suppose his fantasy manager is worried about Keenan Allen’s involvement and the potential rise of Rome Odunze later in the season. In that case, this presents a prime opportunity to buy low on Moore, who still has the potential to finish as a fantasy WR1.
Moore's production should also increase as Williams develops throughout his rookie season -- which is highly likely. If you can acquire him at a bargain from a concerned manager, it’s a savvy move.
TE Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
Jake Ferguson (knee) has become a bit of an afterthought in fantasy football with his recent knee injury, but in a year where the tight-end position has been particularly challenging, he’s worth considering. Scoring has been dismal across the board, and many so-called "elite" tight ends have underperformed.
During Wednesday's practice, Ferguson participated fully in the open portion, indicating his progress in his recovery. Initially feared to have a severe injury, he only suffered a minor MCL sprain, putting him on track for a potential return soon.
The tight-end role in Dallas is one of the most favorable setups in the league. Dak Prescott has a history of utilizing his tight ends effectively, and aside from CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys have limited reliable pass-catchers. While backup tight end Luke Schoonmaker impressed during his spot start by catching all six of his targets for 43 yards, Ferguson is expected to reclaim his position as the primary tight end once he’s back.
With Baltimore allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season, Ferguson has significant TE1 potential if he’s active. He also has upcoming matchups against the Giants and Lions, further enhancing his appeal. If you're struggling at tight end but don’t want to invest heavily in someone like Brock Bowers, targeting Ferguson could be brilliant.
Fantasy Football Sell-High Trade Targets
RB J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
After an impressive start to the season, J.K. Dobbins has emerged as a prime sell-high candidate for teams needing running back help. Currently leading the NFL with 266 rushing yards, Dobbins has successfully navigated past knee and Achilles injuries to find his rhythm. He scored in consecutive weeks, thanks to favorable matchups against the Raiders and Panthers.
While Dobbins showcases versatility, his limited role in the passing game is a significant concern. His ceiling is capped with only four targets, four receptions, and four receiving yards -- especially in negative game scripts. Additionally, he shares the backfield with Gus Edwards, further limiting his opportunities.
Another factor to consider is Dobbins' injury history, as his durability will always be questioned. Although he’s been healthy thus far, this might be the perfect time to trade him while his stock is high.
Given the wave of injuries affecting running backs across the league, reaching out to anxious fantasy managers needing a starter could yield substantial returns. Dobbins is currently a hot asset, but he’s unlikely to maintain this production level for the entire season. Trading him now could help you enhance your roster in other crucial areas.
WR Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints
Rashid Shaheed is off to a breakout start this season with the Saints, currently ranking as a top-10 wide receiver in most leagues. He’s commanding an impressive 46.1% of the team’s air yards, which is unlikely to hold steady as the season progresses.
Shaheed has achieved this production on just seven receptions, showcasing his ability to make explosive plays. However, while those long touchdown catches are exciting, they’re not a reliable strategy for fantasy success over the long haul.
Fantasy Football Sells 🏈🧵
Rashid Shaheed: He’s either scoring an 70 yard TD or not doing anything. Too unreliable. Take the big week get you a rock solid WR3 or Flex Guy. Saints won’t score 40 every week pic.twitter.com/aGQDHEDOPX
— BYL (@beatyourleague) September 20, 2024
The same concerns apply to Derek Carr, who has had a strong start. While he’s a capable quarterback, we know his performance will likely regress to more familiar levels. The Saints have scored on all 14 drives led by Carr, an unsustainable streak that points to potential struggles ahead.
Now may be the perfect time to capitalize on Shaheed’s impressive trade value after two standout games. He’s a boom-or-bust player, which can create headaches for fantasy managers. If you can find a buyer willing to pay up after his recent success, consider moving before his value dips.
RB Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams and the entire Rams offense will likely suffer with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp sidelined for an extended period. While Williams may see an uptick in usage, it won't be enough to counterbalance the significant decline in the offense's overall effectiveness without its top wide receivers.
Last season, Williams faced the fewest defenses with eight or more players in the box. However, that number has already increased this year, and it's expected to rise further with Nacua and Kupp out. Williams is averaging a disappointing 2.5 yards per carry and just over 4.0 yards per reception, which isn’t sustainable for fantasy success.
Sell High
2) Kyren Williams - Might be bailed out by a ton of volume while Nacua & Kupp are out, but he could easily be inefficient as the Rams might have a bottom-5 offense with all their injuries. Sell Kyren on the idea that he was a 2nd round pick.pic.twitter.com/LbSTAzOrH7— FantasyLabs NFL (@FantasyLabsNFL) September 17, 2024
Compounding the issue, injuries along the offensive line add to his challenges. With three starting linemen currently on IR, Williams' yards before contact have plummeted from 3.0 last year to a career-low 1.1 through the first two games of 2024.
Although he may get enough volume to stay relevant, the combination of the team's offensive struggles and the injuries on the line will likely stifle his production. This is an ideal moment to capitalize on his high snap share and recent touchdowns by exploring trade options before his value declines further.
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