The fantasy football regular season is past the quarter point, which might spook you a bit if you're 1-3 or 0-4. It should. Time is ticking, and if you really want to turn things around, you might need more than wai-wire pickups. The byes start after this week, and injuries will continue to cause problems. Even if you have some ailing players slated to return soon, such as Dak Prescott, Keenan Allen, or Brian Robinson Jr., you should still try to identify some buy-low, sell-high trade candidates. FantasyPros is here to help with tips and trade advice in their Week 5 Stock Watch that includes Ja'Marr Chase, Austin Ekeler, Dalvin Cook, Garrett Wilson, and Rashaad Penny, among others.
If you are in that 0-4 or 1-3 group, you can't afford to lose (m)any more games, but if you're .500 or better, it's easier to trade for injured players who are expected back in the next week or two. Acquiring an injured player is inherently risky, but you can usually get him at a reduced cost. If he does return promptly and can manage to stay healthy, you have a potential steal on your hands, so at the very least, you owe it to yourself to look into the possibility.
MORE FROM FANTASY PROS: Trade analyzer
Remember that trade values change rapidly. Just last week, we listed Javonte Williams (knee) as a "buy-low" player, and now he's out for the year. We also listed DK Metcalf as a "sell-high" candidate, and he ripped off his best game of the year. (Now might actually be a good time to sell high on him, though.) Don't get too infatuated with a specific target. Adapt to usage trends, and don't be shy about pouncing on a good offer. -- Matt Lutovsky
WEEK 5 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups
Week 5 Fantasy Trade Advice: Buy-low trade candidates
By Andrew Erickson, Fantasy Pros
Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals. Last season, Tee Higgins earned a higher target rate per route run than Chase. It’s the same story this season. Higgins’ 22.4-percent target rate per route run is nearly identical to Chase’s this season (22.2 percent). Over the past three weeks, Higgins has a higher target share (25 percent vs. 24), air yards share (38 percent vs. 35), and fantasy points-per-game average (19.6 vs. 11.9). Both guys should be viewed as fantasy WR1s, and Chase should be bought on the cheap if owners are concerned that he is firmly the WR2 on the offense. His 100-percent route participation and standing as the WR2 in expected fantasy points say otherwise.
Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings. Cook didn’t seem limited by his shoulder injury last week, logging 22 touches for 86 yards in London, but Alexander Mattison got the TD scored on just four touches. Woof. Still, Cook's 85-percent opportunity share is a top-eight mark for a running back, so I’d be looking to buy low after he missed out on the TD. The Bears’ run defense – last in yards allowed per game – provides the perfect bounce-back opportunity in Week 5.
Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets. Wilson finished second in targets and route participation in Zach Wilson‘s first start of the 2022 season. Only Corey Davis saw more targets (7), but Wilson ran more routes. Leverage Davis’ TD score and Wilson’s two-catch game to buy low on the talented rookie and his 22-percent target share this season.
For more buy-low targets from Fantasy Pros, click here.
WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 5 Fantasy Trade Advice: Sell-high trade candidates
Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers. Ekeler finished Week 4 with 13 carries for just 60 yards against the league’s worst run defense, but he scored three touchdowns! However, he combined for just three more carries than Sony Michel and Joshua Kelley combined (10). Sell high. Keenan Allen (hamstring) coming back isn’t going to increase his target share.
WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Rashaad Penny, RB, Seahawks. This dude shredded the league’s worst run defense. Next up are the much-tougher Saints, making it the perfect time to sell high on an injury-prone Penny with Kenneth Walker vying to eat into his workload as the season progresses.
For more sell-high targets from Fantasy Pros, click here.