Buy Low, Sell High - Week 5 Fantasy Football Trade Values and Avoids

Fantasy football buy sell trade advice for Week 5 of 2025. Nathan's buy low, sell high Week 5 fantasy trade targets include Tetairoa McMillan, Justin Jefferson and more.

We’ve officially wrapped up the first quarter of the fantasy season, and this is one of the most critical times to make trades. The early part of the season often produces misleading numbers, as some players start slow before heating up, while others ride unsustainable production that’s bound to regress.

Identifying who to buy before they break out and who to sell before their value dips can give you a huge edge in your fantasy leagues for the rest of the season.

Here are three buy-low and three sell-high candidates before Week 5:

Buy-Low Trade Targets for Fantasy Football

QB: Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has stumbled out of the gate in his third season. Through four games, he has completed 87 of 144 passes (60.4%) for 753 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Young has thrown for fewer than 155 yards in three of his four starts and currently ranks as QB29 on a per-game basis.

While the production has been disappointing, the upcoming schedule offers a window of opportunity for fantasy managers, especially in Superflex formats. Over the next three weeks, Young faces the Dolphins (second-most fantasy points allowed to QBs), the Cowboys (most allowed), and the Jets (10th most allowed).

This wouldn’t be the first time Young has started slow. In 2024, he averaged just 9.4 fantasy points over his first four games before improving to 20.7 per game the rest of the season. That track record, combined with a favorable schedule, makes him a sneaky waiver-wire pickup in deeper formats.

Bryce Young finds Tommy Tremble!

CARvsNE on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/gxTt3rKpGr

— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2025

In single-quarterback leagues, Young should remain a free agent, but in Superflex formats, he profiles as a useful QB3 and potential bye-week fill-in.

RB: Woody Marks - Houston Texans

Despite his Week 4 breakout, Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks remains one of the top buy-low targets in fantasy football. After seeing just 14 carries across the first three games, Marks erupted against the Titans for 119 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 21 touches.

Woody Marks has another!

TENvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXnxV pic.twitter.com/CWMrFkDI4M

— NFL (@NFL) September 28, 2025

The fourth-round pick has steadily climbed the depth chart, jumping from a 12% snap share in Week 1 to 58% in Week 4, officially passing Nick Chubb, who played just 40% of the snaps. His long-term outlook could improve further with uncertainty surrounding Joe Mixon’s future in Houston.

Week 5 brings a perfect matchup against the Ravens, who have allowed the most fantasy points to running backs this season. With Baltimore missing key defensive playmakers, including Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, and Nnamdi Madubuike, Marks could be in for another big performance.

Unlike most buy-low options who are struggling and due for a rebound, Marks’ arrow is already pointing up. However, this may be the final chance to acquire him at a discount before his role and production cement him as a weekly fantasy starter.

WR: Tetairoa McMillan - Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has been a lone bright spot in an otherwise stagnant Panthers offense. Through four games, the first-round pick has hauled in 18 of 35 targets for 278 yards, though he has yet to score his first NFL touchdown.

Despite the lack of scoring, McMillan has established himself as Carolina’s clear WR1. He leads the team in nearly every receiving category, while also ranking 6th in the NFL in targets, 15th in snap share (89.1%), and 6th in routes run (150). The opportunity is undeniable, but it’s just been capped by Young’s early-season struggles.

Young currently ranks bottom five in QBR, but he also started slow last year before finding his rhythm. With upcoming games against the Dolphins, Cowboys, and Jets, all of whom rank in the bottom quartile in yards allowed, the Panthers’ offense could finally take a step forward.

Week 5 Bold Predictions @RotoBallerNFL:

Find out why I'm on Tetairoa McMillan to put up 100+ receiving yards.https://t.co/TLBLE1aODi

— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) October 3, 2025

That makes McMillan an intriguing buy-low candidate. With elite volume already in place, an easier schedule could help him finally deliver WR2-level production, especially if he can break through for his first touchdown.

Sell Candidates for Fantasy Football Trades

QB: Bo Nix - Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is fresh off his best performance of the season, but it presents an ideal sell-high opportunity. In Week 4, Nix threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for a score, but his breakout game came against a vulnerable Bengals defense.

The Broncos’ offensive identity has shifted dramatically compared to last season. After failing to produce a 520-yard rusher in 2024, Denver now boasts one of the league’s top ground games. J.K. Dobbins ranks fourth in rushing yards (323), and rookie R.J. Harvey leads the NFL in yards after contact per carry (3.4). With such efficiency on the ground, Nix has transitioned into more of a game manager.

J.K. Dobbins is the first 100-yard rusher for the @Broncos in the last 38 games

CINvsDEN on ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/ObRtdMIIf2

— NFL (@NFL) September 30, 2025

The metrics back this up: Nix ranks 31st in completed air yards per attempt (3.7), 24th in yards per attempt (6.3), and 23rd in QBR (87.4). While Week 4 suggested a potential passing breakout, it more likely masks the start of a sophomore slump.

Looking ahead, Nix faces the Eagles and Jaguars, two top-12 defenses against quarterbacks in fantasy. Given Denver’s commitment to the run and his underlying efficiency concerns, Nix is a strong sell-high candidate before tougher matchups expose his limitations.

RB: Jordan Mason - Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason will remain the team’s workhorse in the short term, but fantasy managers should view this as a sell-high window. Since Aaron Jones Sr. (hamstring) went down in Week 2, Mason has handled 32 carries for 173 yards and two touchdowns while playing 62% of the snaps in back-to-back weeks. Rookie Zavier Scott has mixed in on 33%, but Mason has been the lead option.

That role won’t last much longer. Jones is expected back in Week 8, and before his injury, he and Mason were splitting work nearly evenly (55%-45%), with Jones commanding the receiving duties. Once Jones returns, Mason is likely to slide back into a timeshare.

Jordan Mason is in to extend the Vikings lead

CINvsMIN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/rCMAfsVWPo

— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025

The next two matchups also present major challenges. In Week 5, Mason faces the Browns, who have allowed the fewest rushing yards to RBs this season and recently held Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs under 40 yards apiece. After Minnesota’s bye, they draw the Philadelphia Eagles, last year’s top run defense.

Combine those matchups with the Vikings’ offensive struggles, who rank 28th in plays run and 23rd in total yards, and Mason’s scoring opportunities look limited. With his value inflated by recent production and guaranteed volume, now is the ideal time to trade Mason before Jones returns.

WR: Justin Jefferson – Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson is coming off his best game of the season in Week 4, but he could be a sell-high candidate in fantasy. Through four weeks, Jefferson has caught 22 of 31 targets for 326 yards and one touchdown, a pace that would mark the least productive season of his career.

The biggest concern is at quarterback. Minnesota ranks 24th in passing yards with just six touchdown passes and five interceptions through four games. In every season of Jefferson’s career, the Vikings’ quarterbacks have surpassed 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. This year, they’re on pace for just 3,140 yards and 25 scores.

Justin Jefferson stats:

JJ McCarthy (2 games)
7 Catches, 125 yards

With Carson Wentz (2 games)
15 Catches, 208 Yards pic.twitter.com/9FVilf5mx7

— Polymarket Football (@PolymarketBlitz) October 3, 2025

Jefferson will still flash elite upside in individual matchups, as he showed against Pittsburgh, but consistent production could be hampered by Minnesota’s struggling passing attack. With Jordan Addison back in the fold after his suspension and Jefferson’s Week 4 performance boosting his trade value, now is a strong time to consider selling high if your roster needs a spark.

Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer Tool

Want more fantasy football trade advice? Be sure to also bookmark our free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer tool to assist with your trade offers. The Trade Analyzer tool allows you to add up to three players on each side of a trade and calculate whether it is fair or not for fantasy football. You instantly get a recommendation on which side of the trade is a better deal.

The Trade Analyzer tool will display various information side by side for you to compare the players involved in any trade and help you make better decisions. Compare projections and stats, read the latest fantasy football news, and see upcoming schedules.

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