Buy or Sell? Week 3 Trade Advice

September 21, 2018

Who should fantasy football owners be targeting as a buy or sell candidate entering Week 3 of the 2018 season? Martin Konstantinov examines players whose fantasy value are rising or falling.

One of the toughest parts of fantasy football to navigate is trading with league-mates. As a result of the unique characteristics of every person in a fantasy football league, it is often difficult to find a strategy for trading players that works for everyone in any situation.

Nevertheless, highlighting the performances of certain players helps to create a starting point for fantasy owners. By knowing who to trade or trade for, fantasy owners are able to have a starting point for any trade negotiations that they have.

Each week, the trade values of certain players rise and fall according to their performances on the field. Let's take a look at some players that fantasy owners may want to consider offloading or trading for after Week 2 of the NFL season.

Buy Low

Leonard Fournette (RB, JAX)

Once again, Leonard Fournette is a great buy-low option as he missed the team's second game with an injury and is expected to be a close call for availability in Week 3. The owners that have Fournette on their teams most likely have struggled to start the season and could be enticed with a two-for-one offer involving the young running back.

Despite losing offensive tackle Cam Robinson for the season, Fournette is still a dominant runner when healthy and profiles to be a top fantasy back if he is able to log consistent minutes for the Jaguars, who are one of the most run-heavy teams in the league. With virtually no competition at the position (when healthy, Fournette should completely outpace fellow running back T.J. Yeldon), Fournette is a top RB1 in any format if he is able to play, making this the perfect time to trade for the young, promising running back.

David Johnson (RB, ARI)

For where fantasy owners drafted him, David Johnson has been a disappointment through the first two games of the season. Although he was able to salvage his Week 1 performance with a touchdown, Johnson was only targeted twice in Week 2 and finished the game with 51 yards from scrimmage. For one of the best weapons in the NFL, this is beyond disappointing.

The state of the Cardinals offense is in despair, meaning that the team will likely rely on Johnson to steady the ship in the weeks to come. If you believe that Johnson will be able to turn around his season, now is probably the best time to make an offer for the stud running back. Johnson offers elite RB1 upside and can likely be traded for a low-end WR1 or a package deal involving a WR2 heading into Week 3. Consider Johnson a bounce-back candidate for the rest of the season and an obvious buy-low player in fantasy leagues. He is most likely worth the price you will have to pay to acquire his services.

Sell High

Emmanuel Sanders (WR, DEN)

Emmanuel Sanders has enjoyed a terrific start to the season, with 14 receptions for 231 yards and a touchdown across the team's first two games. Having been targeted only four times in Week 2, however, his stats are a little misleading. Yes, Sanders was able to record 96 receiving yards, but he failed to register a reception in the first half - against the Raiders.

Although Sanders will likely end the season as a solid WR2/3, his value is at a premium right now because it looks like he is the top option on the team and one of quarterback Case Keenum's favorite targets. This makes Sanders an enticing sell-high option for a potential workhorse back with some upside who could end up significantly outperforming the veteran wide receiver from Denver. Consider using Sanders as leverage in a deal to acquire someone like rookie Patriots running back Sony Michel, who may end up being a top running back when all is said and done this season.

James Conner (RB, PIT)

James Conner is currently a top-end RB1 in most fantasy formats, with 152 rushing yards as well as 105 yards through the air to go along with three rushing touchdowns and a two-point conversion. Conner was largely ineffective on the ground against the Chiefs, yet made up for it with five receptions through the air (including a terrific one-handed catch). Although it may be tough to part ways with a player of Conner's ability level as a top RB1, the looming threat of a Le'Veon Bell return adds a certain element of risk to Conner's long-term value. If Bell returns, it may not be as easy for Conner to put up high-level numbers with the team, greatly diminishing his fantasy value.

Now may be the best chance that fantasy owners have at trading James Conner for a solid RB1/WR1 who is underperforming up to this point or packaging him with someone else for an elite player. James Conner figures to be a stud for as long as he is the team's starter, making the trade talks surrounding him very risky for fantasy owners. However, due to his long-term uncertainty, it may be for the best if other players are acquired who have better season-long value.

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