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Welcome fantasy friends and foes to the Top Trade Targets and Avoids for Week 9.
We hit the halfway point to the fantasy season. How do you feel about your team? Fantasy managers should not stay stagnant on their current rosters. The waiver wire and trading to fill holes on your roster are the fantasy championship's best friend.
I identified four players that should be on your trade radar. Find out which players to target and who to trade away as we kick off Week 9.
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Players to Target in Trades for Fantasy Football Week 9
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Fantasy managers tend to jump ship on players too quickly. More brilliant fantasy managers take advantage of those situations and pounce on tendencies to give up a player. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has struggled the past two weeks. In Week 7, Herbert faced the Baltimore Ravens, and he had a poor performance against a Ravens defense which held Herbert to a then season-low 56.4 completion percentage and 195 passing yards and one score.
Unfortunately, fantasy managers witnessed one of the worst games in his career in Week 8 against the New England Patriots. The 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year admitted that the Patriots confused him, which led him to a new season-low 51.43 completion percentage and two interceptions, and he was sacked a season-high three times.
The puzzling aspect of his production the past few weeks was that Herbert was playing on an elite level the first five weeks of the season. He averaged 25.2 fantasy points per game which made him the QB5, and everything was right in LA. In contrast, Herbert's ranking the past two weeks fell to QB27!
With the fantasy season at the halfway point, fantasy managers get incredibly nervous when any player struggles. Look for Herbert to rebound this week against the Philadelphia Eagles even though the Eagles own a top ten pass defense.
Herbert and the Chargers have too many weapons that make splash plays to hold down the Chargers' signal-caller. However, his track history should be reason enough to trust Herbert and restore faith starting in Week 9.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
Sophomore wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has emerged as a WR1 and had a career game in his Week 8 matchup against division-rival Tennessee Titans. He caught ten balls on 15 targets for 86 yards and two touchdowns. He has emerged as the go-to wide receiver for quarterback Carson Wentz.
Pittman Jr. leads the team with 594 receiving yards and dominates targets with a 24.7% target share. He also dominates in red-zone looks with a 28.1% target share.
He ranks in the top ten among wideouts in receptions and receiving yards and is currently the WR13, averaging 13.3 half-PPR fantasy points per game.
Dynasty managers should seek out Pittman immediately as he continues to emerge as one of the best young wideouts in the league. Redraft managers should compile a package to obtain Pittman as his stock continues to rise to such lengths that he won't be attainable.
Players to Trade Away for Fantasy Football Week 9
Elijah Mitchell, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Every San Francisco 49er fan believed that a rookie would be leading the team in rushing this season. However, no one could imagine it would be sixth-round selection Elijah Mitchell instead of first-rounder Trey Sermon.
Injuries in the Niners backfield forced the team to see what Mitchell could do. As a result, the rookie has impressed with consecutive 100-yard rushing outings and three 100-yard games in only five NFL games. Mitchell has had at least 17 carries in four of his five games on his way to 433 total rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Mitchell is currently the team's primary back, but there are caution signs involving the rookie. He is not involved in the passing game with zero targets in the past two weeks and only four in five games. Running back JaMychal Hasty is now back, and he comes in obvious passing situations.
To complicate matters, Jeff Wilson Jr. could return shortly, eating into the rookie's carries. There is another rookie that should make fantasy managers hesitant to continue to trust Mitchell long-term.
Trey Lance will inevitably take over for Jimmy Garropollo under center. Lance started one game this season and rushed the ball 16 times for 89 yards while Mitchell had nine carries.
Lance will carve into the rushing touches, and with Mitchell a non-factor passing game, the rookie becomes game-script dependent. Fantasy managers are well aware of Kyle Shanahan's love for the running game and how he loves to utilize multiple backs with no defined roles.
The love for Mitchell is justified, and he has been impressive, but the writing is on the wall. His role will diminish in the Niners' offense, causing his fantasy value and production to shrink along with it.
Dalton Schultz, TE, Dallas Cowboys
With Dak Prescott expected to return this week, this might be the ideal time to sell high on tight end Dalton Schultz. Schultz is currently fantasy's TE5, but his fantasy volatility should raise red flags for fantasy managers.
He possesses low weekly upside, and his offensive role will shrink within the Dallas Cowboys offense. However, the Cowboys will need to protect Prescott with a long season still ahead, and the best method to accomplish this is with their second-ranked rushing attack.
The revitalized Ezekiel Elliot and the continued emergence of Tony Pollard into a playmaker out of the backfield should minimize a need for a high-volume passing attack. However, there are too many mouths to feed in the Cowboys' offense. Additionally, wide receiver Michael Gallup is set to return soon, which will lead to fewer opportunities for the former Stanford Cardinal.
The poor state of the TE position raises the value of any productive TE, which provides more ammunition to sell high on Dalton Schultz and reap the rewards of being ahead of the curve.
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