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It’s nearing the NFL’s trade deadline for 2020, and already we have seen two noteworthy trades take place on the defensive side of the ball. One of those deals involved Yannick Ngakoue to the Ravens, and the other was Everson Griffen to the Lions. Both of these trades have some IDP impact, but their real-life football impact is far more interesting when you consider how they reflect the logistics of trading in football (be it the NFL or fantasy).
When looking at both of these trades, each team got what they wanted out of the deal. On one side, you have the Vikings and Cowboys admitting that they are not contenders with little to no leverage in trying to shed contracts. In their deal, the Cowboys obtained cap space and a draft pick in exchange for a player (Griffen) who wasn’t likely to help them this season or beyond. The Vikings did the same in their trade, giving up the talented Ngakoue at a discount because they realized he wouldn't help them win now, and they couldn’t afford him later. Both the Cowboys and Vikings valued picks and cap space over players they had little use for. Meanwhile, the Lions and Ravens both worked to obtain players they could use to win now. They saw the value of adding a pass rusher to a possible playoff team and valued those sack artists more than cap room or late-round picks. It is a common strategy for a win-now team.
The common theme in both the Griffen and Ngakoue deals is that each team was realistic about their own situation, and got resources that fit their specific needs. In both of these trades, every side had good reason to value what they got over what they gave. The Cowboys and Vikings were right to value future assets over current ones, while the Ravens and Lions both had (or thought they had in the case of the Lions) reason to value the now over the later. These deals made sense for all involved, at least on paper.
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A Discussion on Trades and Good Sportsmanship
We bring these NFL trades and their rationales up here in an IDP fantasy column, because deals like these put fantasy trading into perspective. People in general, whether you are the GM of the Seahawks or the fantasy manager of the Spokane Firebutts, want to be treated with respect and to be dealt with in good faith. Trading is about building relationships and showing you can be fair, so trust goes a long way. If you make bad faith trade offers or lopsided deals with other managers, they will remember it. In the future, people you fleece will be less likely to want to deal with you again. That is why good fantasy managers will strive to improve their own team, but they will also consider what their trade partner needs and doesn’t need when making a deal.
Unfortunately, not all fantasy trades have such good faith and balance. Sometimes a fantasy deal simply involves one side (typically a veteran) taking advantage of another (typically an inexperienced fantasy rookie). Below are two real trades that serve as examples of these types of deals. These trades were consummated this year in a casual work league of mine, a 12-team redraft league, and they are as follows…
Deal A (Made in Week 5):
- Team 1 (the Rookie Manager) receives- Darius Slayton.
- Team 2 (the Veteran Manager) receives- DK Metcalf.
Deal B (Made in Week 7):
- Team 1 receives- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Travis Fulgham, and Golden Tate.
- Team 2 receives- Alvin Kamara and DeAndre Hopkins.
Now let me ask you, what does the Rookie fantasy manager (Team 1) get out of Deal A? Metcalf has every fantasy advantage in the book over Slayton. The Seahawk plays with a better offense and QB. He is also faster, stronger, has better stats, a better draft profile, and has a better target percentage. There is no apparent advantage here, in the short or long term, for Team 1 to make this deal. There is no good faith argument for someone to offer Slayton for Metcalf straight up in fantasy or in real-life football, and expect anything other than a laugh in their face.
Jumping to Deal B, the prospects for the Rookie don’t get much better. While CEH and Fulgham are fantasy starters, Hopkins and Kamara are the top-overall performers at their positions. The decline in fantasy points that will surely come from trading Hopkins for Fulgham, and Kamara for CEH, is never going to be made up by the waiver worthy Golden Tate. Team 1 stands to lose 100+ PPR points in this deal by the end of the season, barring injury or disaster.
Now I realize not everyone shares my opinion that all fantasy trade offers should attempt to benefit both sides. Many fantasy managers believe that the definition of a “good fantasy manager” is someone who knows how to spot inexperienced players and fleece them for all they are worth. Those people believe that Team 2 (the Veteran) in both Deal A and Deal B was just a great fantasy manager who pulled off great trades, nothing more. To them, taking advantage of new fantasy players is the lifeblood of good fantasy football… and I would agree, in the sense that conmen are just brilliant business people who smartly spot an easy mark and rightfully walk away with their life savings.
The truth is, though, that lopsided fantasy trades should bother most in this game. You should care if one side swindles another, especially if the victim is new to the game and doesn’t know any better. We should always seek to help those new to our game and to grow our community by making this game fun for those who are looking to join. We should not feel a sense of enjoyment or pride watching a super team feast on the carcass of a newbie before leaving him to rot into a winless skeleton. That process isn’t fun for most involved, and it can forever ruin fantasy for the victims of these deals.
I say all of this not because I am lobbying people to veto trades or vote against them. That is not my point. Whether you veto or not is up to you and your league. My purpose is simply to encourage all fantasy managers, including myself, to be honest about the deals we are offering. We should ask not only what we get out of our offers but what our opponents get, too. While you should always seek to “win” your trade, you should never offer a deal where the other side gets nothing but a loss out of it.
With all of that said, being fair doesn’t mean you can’t win a trade by a wide margin. There are ways for both sides to get something out of a deal, even if it involves one side trading a piece they don't need for an excellent return. For example, the following trade is what I would call a win/win scenario:
- My Stalker (Taterguy121) Receives: My toenail clippings.
- I Receive: Taterguy121 stops parking outside my house between the hours of 8 pm, and 7 am.
Here, unlike in Deal A and Deal B, we have a true win/win situation. While I am giving Taterguy121 something that I would usually throw away (my toenail clippings), he gets something he has been asking me for on Instagram for weeks. In return, I get something I want out of the deal: he stops parking outside my house at night. This trade is proof that you can construct a fair deal, even if you're offering something you don't even want in exchange for something you value highly.
If both sides appear to benefit from a trade, then it is a fair offer. If it is a deal where only one side stands to reasonably benefits, then you should stop and reconsider whether to even hit send on that trade. We should all strive to offer balanced deals, like the one I made with Taterguy121.
Note: As always, our rankings will be split into Rotoballer’s three primary IDP positions (DL, LB, and DB), and they will typically come with some flyer/fade notes for each position as well. Also, as per usual, we will include edge rushers in both our DL and LB ranks since they have different eligibility depending on the fantasy site you are using.
Top-25 Fantasy Defensive Linemen of the Week
| Rank | Player | Opponent |
| 1 | Myles Garrett | Raiders |
| 2 | T.J. Watt | Ravens |
| 3 | Joey Bosa | Broncos |
| 4 | Harold Landry III | Bengals |
| 5 | Za’Darius Smith | Vikings |
| 6 | Jason Pierre-Paul | Giants |
| 7 | Aaron Donald | Dolphins |
| 8 | Bud Dupree | Ravens |
| 9 | Bradley Chubb | Chargers |
| 10 | Khalil Mack | Saints |
| 11 | Shaquille Barrett | Giants |
| 12 | Chris Jones | Jets |
| 13 | Brian Burns | Falcons |
| 14 | Yannick Ngakoue | Steelers |
| 15 | Cameron Jordan | Bears |
| 16 | Aldon Smith | Eagles |
| 17 | Brandon Graham | Cowboys |
| 18 | Frank Clark | Jets |
| 19 | Deforest Buckner | Lions |
| 20 | Jeffery Simmons | Bengals |
| 21 | Kyler Fackrell | Buccaneers |
| 22 | Demarcus Lawrence | Eagles |
| 23 | Grady Jarrett | Panthers |
| 24 | Kyle Van Noy | Rams |
| 25 | Calais Campbell | Steelers |
DL Streamer of the Week: Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans
Simmons has two sacks, 14 tackles, one TFL, and one PD over his past three games. Even more impressive is the fact this former first-round pick has 17 total pressures this season. That type of pressure indicates a good possibility that we have seen only a glimpse of this kid's potential. That potential could be unlocked entirely this week in a prime matchup against a poor Cincinnati offensive line.
The Bengals are the eighth pass heaviest team in the NFL this season, with Joe Burrow throwing over 40 passes in a game three different times this season. To make matters even more appealing for Tennessee pass rushers is that the Bengals have one of the worst offensive lines in the league. Expect the Bengals to play from behind and throw a lot, allowing the Titans' pass rushers to add to the 25 sacks the Bengals have already allowed in 2020. Simmons is a fine stream this week, and Harold Landry III is a great play as well.
DL Fade of the Week: Baltimore Ravens Pass Rushers
I’ve been touting the merits of Yannick Ngakoue and Patrick Queen a lot this year, plus Calais Campbell and Matthew Judon are both viable fantasy DLs in their own right. That said, there are two reasons to think this unit may not produce elite fantasy stats in Week 8.
One reason to fade Baltimore pass rushers in Week 8 is we haven't seen them in action with Ngakoue yet. It could take time to initiate him into this system, and doing so could cost all of them snaps. I don't think this will be an issue, but the team may ease Ngakoue into the defense, and his presence could result in a fantasy decline for all involved.
However, what is far more concerning than Baltimore's possibly messy rotation is Pittsburgh's impressive pass protection. So far, the Steelers have allowed just eight sacks in six games, for an average of 1.3 sacks per game. As an entire unit, the Steelers allow only ten pressures per game, which is a low figure when you factor in how difficult Big Ben can be to bring down. While the Ravens always bring a little extra juice when playing the Steelers, the matchup for Baltimore’s pass rushers doesn’t look good on paper. Fade their rushers, but don’t cut or completely bench them if you play in deeper leagues.
Down But Not Out Defender of the Week: Aldon Smith, Dallas Cowboys
Smith started the year on a tear, causing many to wonder where he has been all this time. In his first three games, Smith totaled 20 tackles and three sacks, forcing his way into the top-ten of many fantasy DL ranks. He looked like the version of himself that was winning awards for the 49ers nearly a decade ago. Since then, Smith has seen his performance dip, though. After Week 3, Smith has totaled zero sacks, only two QB hits, and only 12 total tackles. This decline has forced even the biggest Smith believers to drop him in their ranks, and a good matchup this week against Philly still isn’t enough to keep him in our top-ten.
All is not lost for Smith, however. One reason to suspect he could rebound this season is the trade of Everson Griffen. With Griffen gone, Smith could see his snap percentage rise from the 60% range, where it’s been the past two weeks, to the 80% range where it was when he was hoarding his early-season fantasy stats. That type of increased playing time should increase his tackle and sack opportunities, assuming he sees such a snap increase.
The second reason to like Smith for the rest of this season is his schedule. In seven of his final nine games, Smith plays against below-average pass-blocking units. With matchups against the Eagles, Giants, Washington, and Bengals offenses still on tap this season, Smith smells like a buy-low candidate in deeper IDP leagues. That buy window starts this week, with his prime matchup against the Eagles.
Top-25 Fantasy Linebackers of the Week
| Rank | Player | Opponent |
| 1 | Darius Leonard | Lions |
| 2 | Bobby Wagner | 49ers |
| 3 | Jaylon Smith | Eagles |
| 4 | Devin White | Giants |
| 5 | Blake Martinez | Buccaneers |
| 6 | Roquan Smith | Saints |
| 7 | Fred Warner | Seahawks |
| 8 | Patrick Queen | Steelers |
| 9 | Foyesade Oluokun | Panthers |
| 10 | T.J. Watt | Ravens |
| 11 | Lavonte David | Giants |
| 12 | Shaq Thompson | Falcons |
| 13 | Leighton Vander Esch | Eagles |
| 14 | Eric Kendricks | Packers |
| 15 | Micah Kiser | Dolphins |
| 16 | Deion Jones | Panthers |
| 17 | K.J. Wright | 49ers |
| 18 | Jayon Brown | Bengals |
| 19 | Kenneth Murray | Broncos |
| 20 | Jerome Baker | Rams |
| 21 | Avery Williamson | Chiefs |
| 22 | Alexander Johnson | Chargers |
| 23 | Tremaine Edmunds | Patriots |
| 24 | Kyzir White | Broncos |
| 25 | Demario Davis | Bears |
| 26 | Dre Greenlaw | Seahawks |
LB Streamer of the Week: K.J. Wright, Seattle Seahawks
Wright has had a quietly effective season for fantasy managers this year. In particular, Wright has excelled in coverage. If you look at his stat sheet, Wright’s best fantasy performances have come in games where he was targeted at least eight times. In the three games he has seen that many targets, Wright is averaging eight tackles per game, with three TFLs and five PDs thrown in. That's terrific production for fantasy managers.
Fantasy managers should expect Wright to have another target-rich day in Week 8, despite going against a run-heavy San Francisco squad. The 49ers’ injuries in the secondary and muted pass rush will allow Seattle’s already strong aerial attack to flow freely this week. With Seattle scoring quickly and frequently, expect the 49ers to be forced to throw more than they want to. That should spell double-digit targets for George Kittle and a lot for Wright, who is likely to help in coverage against the All-Pro tight end.
LB Fade of the Week: Jerome Baker, Miami Dolphins
Caution for those prone to overreaction: fading Baker does not mean you cannot start him in deep or tackle dependent leagues. By fading Baker, we are merely warning you that his matchup against the Rams doesn't forecast many big plays (TFLs, INTs, sacks, etc.).
To the shock of many, including myself, the Rams have the most efficient run-blocking offensive line in the NFL this season. When it comes to having runs stuffed at the line, the Rams are above league average, but where they truly excel is in creating bonus yards for their backs in the power game. Los Angeles is fourth in the NFL in power run success and first in Adjusted Line Yards according to Football Outsiders.
The Rams’ positive run blocking bodes poorly for Baker’s ability to make big plays, as does the lack of targets the Rams’ TEs are getting this season. If you play in an IDP league where big plays are a premium, Baker could very well disappoint you this week. While he has an okay floor in leagues that reward decent points for half-tackles, there are at least 15 other LBs who are better plays in most formats.
Top-25 Fantasy Defensive Backs of the Week
| Rank | Player | Opponent |
| 1 | Jamal Adams | 49ers |
| 2 | John Johnson III | Dolphins |
| 3 | Jordan Poyer | Patriots |
| 4 | Foyesade Oluokun (LB/DB) | Panthers |
| 5 | Jessie Bates III | Titans |
| 6 | Tracy Walker | Colts |
| 7 | Jeremy Chinn | Falcons |
| 8 | Marlon Humphrey | Steelers |
| 9 | Chuck Clark | Steelers |
| 10 | Justin Simmons | Chargers |
| 11 | Antoine Winfield Jr. | Giants |
| 12 | Malcolm Jenkins | Cowboys |
| 13 | Marcus Maye | Chiefs |
| 14 | Taylor Rapp | Dolphins |
| 15 | Vonn Bell | Titans |
| 16 | Carlton Davis | Giants |
| 17 | Jabrill Peppers | Buccaneers |
| 18 | Jordan Whitehead | Giants |
| 19 | Johnathan Abram | Browns |
| 20 | Pierre Desir | Chiefs |
| 21 | Keanu Neal | Panthers |
| 22 | Logan Ryan | Buccaneers |
| 23 | Adrian Phillips | Bills |
| 24 | Emmanuel Moseley | Seahawks |
| 25 | Rasul Douglas | Falcons |
DB Streamer of the Week: Emmanuel Moseley, San Francisco 49ers
Russell Wilson has thrown 34 or more passes in four of his six games this season, and you should expect another pass-heavy affair this week as well. Pete Carroll and company have to be licking their chops at the sight of the 49ers' injury-riddled secondary and pass rush, which should incentivize Seattle to pass quite a bit. Additionally, the Seahawks will likely be without Chris Carson in this matchup, which could force their hand towards passing even if they weren’t already so inclined. Seattle should like their odds in a Jimmy G v. Wilson shootout better than they do a slugfest between Kyle Shanahan’s always effective run game and Seattle’s backup RBs (which may not include Carlos Hyde, either).
If this game proves to be a pass-heavy contest, as it should, Moseley should see plenty of targets. Teams don’t usually go out of their way to avoid him, and in competitive pass-heavy contests, Moseley is averaging 11 tackles per game. Expect the 49ers’ top (healthy) corner to have a decent bottom line against Seattle and serve as a top-25 fantasy DB.
DB Fade of the Week: Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
There are several reasons to fade Smith at this point. One is the narrative angle that he will be distracted by trade rumors. Another is that he just saw the best pass rusher on his team get traded, making his job harder, both rushing the passer and in coverage. Finally, the most compelling argument may be that Smith's play this season hasn't been that great, anyway.
So far this year, Smith is averaging just over four total tackles per game with only one interception and no sacks. That isn’t likely to improve this week, against the always efficient and elusive Aaron Rodgers. The Packers’ offensive line has allowed the sixth least sacks in the NFL this year, and Rodgers has thrown just two interceptions in six games. This efficient offense, the loss of Ngakoue, and trade rumors are unlikely to help Smith make any big plays for fantasy managers this week. Fade him in all formats.
Dual Eligibility Alert: Foyesade Oluokun, Atlanta Falcons
We covered Oluokun last week and gave you reasons to believe in his breakout 2020 season. He re-enforced those beliefs in Week 7, with another strong performance. As a result, Oluokun is a top-ten LB for our fantasy ranks this week… but where he gets really interesting is in leagues that allow him eligibility at DB.
On some fantasy apps (Sleeper), the Falcons’ new star LB currently has eligibility as a DB. Look to your waiver wire right now to see if Oluokun is available and if he is eligible for the DB position. If he is eligible, he is arguably a top-five fantasy DB this week and moving forward.
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