20 Fantasy Football Players to Trade For or Trade Away (Now and Later)

During his rookie season with Aaron Rodgers, Christian Watson was utilized on a heavy diet of runaway routes, including shallow crossers, over routes, and Yankee concepts.

Braelon Allen is identified as a depth player whose involvement is necessary for team morale, which complicates the projection of Breece Hall as a pure bellcow; the coaching staff must keep Allen and Isaiah Davis bought in throughout the long season to maintain team buy-in.

The source recommends trading for Breece Hall as an undervalued asset poised for a massive workload in a run-first, aggressive offense with a projected top-10 offensive line. Hall's target volume suffered last season due to poor play from Justin Fields (48 targets in 2024 vs 95 in 2023), but he is expected to benefit from a more favorable QB situation, as Geno Smith historically targets running backs more frequently. While the source cautions that coach speak about Hall being a 'bellcow' is tempered by the need to keep depth players like Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis involved, he remains a high-priority target due to a soft early-season schedule against Tennessee, Green Bay, Detroit, and Chicago, and favorable matchups later against Miami, Las Vegas, and Buffalo. The primary indicator for his value will be early-season snap share, with a target of 80% usage.

The source expects a slow start for Brian Thomas Jr. due to a grueling early-season schedule featuring elite cornerbacks like Denzel Ward, Patrick Surtain II, and Christian Gonzalez, with some analysts suggesting he could become a waiver-wire drop. However, the source argues against projecting him to face shadow coverage every game, as he is primarily utilized as an X receiver while the offense's movement and mismatch creation are centered around the slot.

Brock Bowers is identified as a specific 'trade-for-later' candidate, suggesting he is a player to target for future production rather than immediate impact.

Cam Akers is currently attempting to return to full health, which the source notes may contribute to a slow start to the season.

The source is very high on Cam Skattebo, advising managers not to panic if he starts with a 45% snap share due to injury recovery. The source expects him to eventually secure a bell-cow workload with significant pass-game involvement and recommends buying if the limited snap share persists for two or three weeks.

CeeDee Lamb is used as a statistical comparison for Malik Nabers, with the source noting Lamb averages 15.6 fantasy points per game.

The source identifies Christian McCaffrey as the 'ultimate bellcow,' defined as an every-down back who commands a high percentage of snaps, carries, and targets.

Christian Watson is a major stock riser and trade target, as the Packers are expected to move away from their wide receiver committee. He has historically averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game when his route share exceeds 66-75%. He is position-proof, with yards per route run over 4.0 from the slot and 2.5 from X last year, and is expected to see more valuable shallow routes and screens.

The source defines a 'workhorse running back' as one who receives a high volume of touches, primarily carries rather than targets, citing Derrick Henry as a historical example.

Drake Maye is a trade-for target for later in the season, as he faces one of the toughest early-season schedules for a quarterback. He is matchup-sensitive, and a potential slow start against teams like the Seahawks, Steelers, and Bills should be viewed as a buying opportunity. He is projected to have a strong Week 1 performance against a depleted Seattle secondary missing key players like Kobe Bryant and Riq Woolen. Long-term, he could potentially smash expectations and perform as a top-three quarterback throughout the season.

Drake May faces a tough early-season strength of schedule and has shown matchup sensitivity in the past, though he is expected to have a strong performance against a depleted Seattle secondary. Drake May is projected to have a strong Week 1 performance against Seattle because the Seahawks' secondary is severely depleted, missing key players like Kobe Bryant and Riq Woolen, with other defensive backs dealing with injuries.

The source notes that Geno Smith historically targets the running back position much more frequently than other quarterbacks, implying a potential positive impact on Breece Hall's receiving usage.

George Kittle is labeled an 'Exodia' (a player to avoid or trade away) due to his age and injury-prone status; the source specifically notes he is coming off a major injury.

Isaiah Davis is noted as a depth player whose buy-in is required by the coaching staff, impacting the potential for a singular bellcow workload for Breece Hall; the coaching staff must keep depth players like Davis and Braelon Allen involved to maintain team morale.

Ja'Marr Chase is used as a statistical comparison for Malik Nabers, with the source noting Chase averages 83 yards and 18 fantasy points per game.

The source classifies Jahmyr Gibbs as an 'ultimate bellcow,' meaning he is an every-down player who dominates backfield snaps, carries, and targets.

The source identifies Jeremiah Love as a high-risk bust candidate, noting he is coming off an injury, faces competition from Tyler Allgeier, and is a rookie who may struggle with the playbook and NFL speed. There is a real chance he could be viewed as a poor draft pick by week six.

The source uses Jonathan Taylor as a historical benchmark for a 'workhorse running back,' defined as a player who handles a heavy load of carries rather than targets.

Josh Allen is used as a benchmark for elite fantasy quarterback performance, with the source noting that Jackson Dart's per-start average would have exceeded Allen's if not for a specific low-volume game.

The source attributes Breece Hall's career-low 48 targets last season to the poor play of Justin Fields, noting that Hall's target volume was significantly higher in previous seasons (95 targets in 2023, 76 targets in 2024).

Justin Jefferson is used as a statistical comparison for Malik Nabers, with the source citing 43 yards and 8.3 fantasy points per game.

Malik Nabers is a high-upside draft target whose ADP fell to a ridiculous level, making him an easy click. While he is recovering from an ACL injury and may start the season limited—with some reports suggesting he may not be 100% at any point this year—he becomes a prime mid-season buy-low candidate if he gets off to a slow start.

The source expresses concern that Mark Andrews may be washed, noting that he recorded under two yards per route run (1.33) for the first time in his career last season, a significant drop from his usual top-three status.

The source compares Christian Watson's draft value to Mike Evans, noting that they are typically drafted in the same round, making it difficult to acquire both in non-auction formats.

The source references Nick Chubb as a historical example of a workhorse running back who specialized in high-volume carries.

Parker Washington is a high-upside target in Liam Cohen's offense, which is designed to move the slot receiver around to avoid premier perimeter cornerbacks. He is difficult to shadow because he moves frequently between the slot and the perimeter, making it impossible for defenses to consistently match him with a specific cornerback. Expect a fast start from him.

The source uses Puka Nacua as the primary statistical benchmark for Malik Nabers' elite production, noting that almost no one else compares to Nabers' recent averages of 22 fantasy points and 100+ yards per game.

The source is less optimistic about Quinshon Judkins, noting he is returning from a significant injury and may experience a slow start with efficiency struggles early in the season.

The source holds a high ranking on Saquon Barkley, citing a favorable early-season schedule against Washington, Tennessee, and Chicago, and the return of a healthy offensive line including Lane Johnson, Cam Jurgens, and Landon Dickerson.

Tank Bigsby is mentioned as a player the speaker liked at his ADP, based on a conversation with Ryan Pagani.

Trevor Lawrence is a prime trade-for target, especially if he struggles early due to a difficult strength of schedule. He was the overall QB1 over the final 14, 7, and 4 weeks of last season, averaging 30.7 fantasy points per game in his final four weeks. His late-season surge was bolstered by increased rushing assertiveness, averaging 33.5 rushing yards per game from Week 11 onward; only Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen have more rushing touchdowns than him over the last four years.

Tucker Kraft is considered an 'Exodia' (a player to avoid or trade away) on ESPN platforms; the source notes he is coming off a major injury.

Zay Flowers is a recommended trade target due to his versatility, high usage in the Ravens' offense, and a very soft early-season schedule against teams that struggle to defend the slot. The team plans to increase play-action usage, which serves as a cheat code for Flowers, and he is expected to be force-fed the ball, especially if Mark Andrews shows signs of decline.