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Kev Mahserejian identifies NFL players that have a chance to be traded during the 2019 season that could serve as buy-low candidates for fantasy football owners while their current value is falling.
Last year's deadline was not the most active, but it did include some offensive movement across the league. Golden Tate was traded from Detroit to Philadelphia. Demaryius Thomas was dealt from Denver to Houston. Carlos Hyde got cut from Cleveland and ended up in Jacksonville. Most notably, Amari Cooper was sent from Oakland to Dallas. I say most notably because Cooper was the only one to find some semblance of success in his respective new destination. Thomas was the next closest, but only provided one fantasy viable game in Houston and then tore his Achilles tendon in Week 16. Hyde was a huge bust and Tate did not learn the playbook quick enough in Philly to play much more than half of the offense's snaps.
This season, there are potential movers who could shake up their values positively just simply by leaving their current situations. Kenyan Drake is the most talked about due to the putrid situation in Miami, but there are others that could also see a boost from a change of scenery.
These players listed are potential trade targets in your league who could see an increase in fantasy value with a move elsewhere.
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Kenyan Drake (RB, MIA)
The most obvious trade candidate in the league. There is clear frustration from Drake in regards to his limited role this season. The Dolphins' tanking strategy has come at the cost of touches for a talented running back. Although he does not have the makings of a true workhorse back, he should be getting double-digit touches every game at the very least given his elusive style.
Drake is very likely to get dealt for a late draft pick in the coming weeks and could blow up if he lands on a great offense like Green Bay or Atlanta. Tennessee remains the most likely destination due to their need for an upgrade over Dion Lewis. The addition of Drake would also pair former college teammate Derrick Henry with his Alabama backfield mate. It makes too much sense not to happen but would keep his ceiling lower than the other locations listed due to the Titans' general incompetence on offense. However, anything is better than Miami at this point. Try to snag Drake for cheap in your PPR leagues before steam builds towards a real-life trade.
A.J. Green (WR, CIN)
The Bengals are in a peculiar spot. They are not very good overall but seem to be headed in the right direction. Zac Taylor, their new head coach, has infused life into a previously dead passing attack that is succeeding without star wideout A.J Green. While Green would only lift the potential for this roster, he is sort of expendable due to certain circumstances. Green is getting up there in age, is due for a new contract soon, and has a decent injury history.
The Bengals are not going to win many games this year and should opt to move on from Green. He would only hurt their stealth tank, and he does not fit their current timeline. The Bengals have a potential youth movement going on and have young wide receivers in Tyler Boyd and the emerging John Ross III who could carry a significant workload going forward.
Thus far, there have not been any rumblings regarding Green's availability in a trade, this is pure speculation. With his current ankle injury expected to sideline him longer than the original timeline, there is a likelihood that he could be bought even lower than before. The upside of a potential move only increases the return that is possible. Worst comes to worst, he stays in Cincy and plays like he always has.
Emmanuel Sanders (WR, DEN)
The return of Emmanuel Sanders is incredible. His Achilles injury towards the end of last season was believed to be a career-ender by some. While historically it has been, modern medicine and hard work have granted Sanders the ability to still remain an effective contributor on the football field. Through two games, Sanders has 16 catches, 184 yards, and two touchdowns.
Unfortunately, the Broncos are not very good, and if they do not turn things around by the trade deadline, it is possible that Sanders gets dealt to a WR-needy team so the Broncos can recoup picks and build towards the future. Sanders is still a high-end contributor and could absolutely help a winning team out. He likely will not outperform what he's done thus far, but keeping it up would be a bonus in and of itself.
Corey Davis (WR, TEN)
Corey Davis is in his third pro year and has yet to return any value on the top-five investment the Titans made in 2017. His career highlight thus far is a two-touchdown playoff outing in a blowout loss against New England. Aside from that, he's been mostly mediocre. A hamstring injury derailed the start to his rookie season, and the injuries quarterback Marcus Mariota has dealt with thus far haven't helped. Nevertheless, Davis has not produced much, if at all, and could wind up elsewhere midseason.
He still has two more years left on his rookie contract and could be an appealing upside target for another team. The Titans want to run the ball often, and a receiver like Davis seems expendable. They spent a second-round draft pick on A.J. Brown and a good chunk of cash on slot receiver Adam Humphries. If they could get a decent pick back for Davis, it's possible they deal him.
Davis himself should benefit with a trade to almost any team. Even if the New York Giants traded for him, there is upside given their lack of receiving talent. This might seem like a longshot given that Tennessee drafted him so high, but there have been twitter rumors that he's been dangled in trade talks. Rumors should always be taken with a grain of salt, but, in the words of Col. Hans Landa, "Facts can be misleading, but rumors, true or false, are often revealing."
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