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Lamenting the byepocalypse won't do much good. There are fewer players worth starting and many fantasy football lineups are plugging in players never thought to be fantasy-relevant. You won't get much help from the waiver wire, so why not improve your team through the trade market instead?
This article will advise fantasy GMs on players that should be actively sought or traded away in advance of Week 7.
Keep in mind, these players are not being identified as absolute "must buy" or "must sell" recommendations. If you would like advice on a specific trade scenario, feel free to reach me @Roto_Chef on Twitter.
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Players to Trade for in Fantasy Football
Marquez Callaway, New Orleans Saints
It goes without saying that I don't expect Michael Thomas to return soon or be highly effective if/when he does come back. Playing the guessing game as to when MT might come back is infuriating and you won't get any useful info from the man himself.
Think long term
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) September 30, 2021
Thanks, Mike. We talking November? 2022?
What we do know is that he hasn't practiced all week and hasn't been activated from the PUP list yet. I'll take the word of NFL insiders who claim it could be several more weeks before we see Thomas return.
From NFL Now: As the players on PUP are eligible to come off the list and practice, we took a look at some key ones. Of note: #Saints WR Michael Thomas is believed to be a few weeks away. pic.twitter.com/pNCD4AN0rA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 18, 2021
Aside from Thomas missing at practice, fellow receiver Deonte Harris has been MIA after being knocked out of Week 5 early. Callaway saw a season-high eight targets in their last game and should get a similar amount of looks, if not more, against a Seattle defense that is one of the worst against wide receivers. That could mean a big game in Week 7 but it's also why this is the time to acquire him before his value rises. While everyone sits and waits for Michael Thomas to return, reap the benefits of a receiver who is actually playing and serves as the WR1 in Sean Payton's offense.
Nico Collins, Houston Texans
No Texans wideout has had fantasy value outside of Brandin Cooks. Maybe that's because Collins was injured at the start of Week 2 and didn't return until Week 6. The rookie out of Michigan combines a 6'4" frame with 4.5 speed to act as a dynamic playmaker when given the chance. He was involved in his return from injury with six targets, catching four of them for 44 yards. He'll be even busier going forward as he is expected to secure the WR2 role on a shaky offense.
The shakiness of that offense does limit his upside, so fantasy GMs should understand they aren't getting a top-20 WR here. Touchdowns will be hard to come by without a big play but he may bring that missing element to this passing game. The jury is also very much out on rookie QB Davis Mills but thankfully Tyrod Taylor may be another week or two from returning. If there is one thing Taylor does well, it's throw it deep. Collins could emerge as a boom-bust flex option before morphing into a WR3 by season's end. This is the time to take a chance on him.
Players to Trade Away in Fantasy Football
Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team
The panic level on Gibson's health has turned to DEFCON 4. As of this writing, he hasn't been ruled out for Week 7 and may continue playing through his shin injury. We all hope his stress fracture doesn't develop into a full-blown fracture or some other injury manifesting itself as a result but we should also prepare for the worst.
Whether purely health-related or not, Gibson hasn't fulfilled preseason expectations of a breakout. He ran for 90 yards in the season opener and hasn't exceeded 70 rushing yards in a game since. His involvement as a receiver hasn't increased either, as he is averaging exactly two receptions per game. Gibson has seen his snap share hover around 56% until last week when he was only on the field 39% of the time because of the injury. If this becomes a recurring theme, it will be hard to count on even RB2-level production the rest of the season.
All signs point to Gibson finishing the season at less than 100% health, if not on IR. If you can get a somewhat safe (lol) running back in his place along with a WR2 type, pull the trigger now before it's too late...
Laviska Shenault Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
They can't all be sell-highs... This is certainly a case of selling low on a player who has done nothing but disappoint in 2021 after being on numerous sleeper and breakout lists (including my own) this preseason. I can vouch for the fact there are still people out there holding out hope for a turnaround from Shenault because I was one of those just a week ago. I mean, he had to go off against the Dolphins without Xavien Howard right? Of course he didn't, it was Marvin Jones instead.
Optimists and Shenault truthers will point to the fact he tied a season-high with 10 targets in the London contest and hauled in six catches. We always chase target share, right? Plus, positive regression in the touchdown department. He hasn't scored yet this season so he's due!
The issue with Shenault is not lack of talent or opportunity, it's the way he's being used. He is averaging 6.5 air yards per target. To put that into context, we're talking about the JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyler Boyd range and even less than slot receivers like Hunter Renfrow and Braxton Berrios. Targets are great but ultimately they have to translate into yards. Like Smith-Schuster before his injury, Shenault is seeing such a low aDOT that he is completely reliant on yards after catch or heavy target volume. That volume has been very inconsistent and YAC ability is not something to pin your hopes on.
Shenault should have benefited from D.J. Chark's injury but if anything it has been just as bad the past two games despite very favorable matchups for a receiver. His production has simply been lackluster all year, as he has only been a top-24 fantasy WR once.
image courtesy of RotoViz
It's time to bail and try to get something in return for that mid-round pick investment. Opt for a younger receiver with growth potential like Collins (above) or Amon-Ra St. Brown. Better yet, try to swap disappointing WRs by taking on Brandon Aiyuk if possible. At least we've actually seen his upside.
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