9 Trades To Make Before Week 3

AJ Brown is sidelined for a minimum of six weeks following ankle surgery. Given the extended recovery timeline, he is a candidate to be traded for healthier, active players to maintain roster competitiveness.

Alec Pierce is out for four to six weeks, creating a significant target opportunity for Josh Downs.

Brian Thomas Jr. is suggested as a potential trade asset to acquire Matthew Golden, reflecting his status as a player who can be moved to improve roster depth or target higher-usage players.

Christian Watson is a primary target in the Packers' offense and is considered a buy. Mattek notes that the passing offense is dedicated to Watson and Dontayvion Wicks, with Watson likely seeing more red zone and end zone targets than Wicks.

Dalton Kincaid is a recommended target and one of the biggest risers at tight end. He is preferred over Tucker Kraft, alongside other options like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Sam LaPorta, Cole Kmet, and Tyler Warren. Isaiah Likely's outlook is complicated by his new quarterback situation with Jameis Winston, and Jayden Reed is out for the season with a neck/back injury, which may further concentrate targets for other Packers pass-catchers.

Jakori Kroski Merritt compares TreVeyon Henderson to David Montgomery, noting that Montgomery is in a clear 50/50 timeshare and possesses similar usage, though Merritt prefers Henderson for his higher explosive play potential.

Mattek recommends selling De'Von Achane, arguing that his fantasy production is capped by the Dolphins' poor team performance. Achane is the only running back in the last 10 years to play over 80% of team snaps while averaging fewer than 17 fantasy points per game. Mattek notes that running back fantasy production is downstream from the overall quality of the rushing offense and prefers Breece Hall, Javonte Williams, and Bucky Irving over him.

Dontayvion Wicks is a strong buy who has earned an every-down role with 82-86% snap shares and high target shares (30% in week one, 20% in week two). While Christian Watson remains a primary target with superior red zone potential, Wicks is firmly established in the Packers' passing offense, whereas Tucker Kraft is a clear sell as a distant third option whose route participation is further threatened by the need to block due to offensive line injuries.

Mattek views Jameson Williams as a player who generates high preseason excitement but fails to produce consistently, offering only occasional spike weeks alongside low-floor games. Mattek prefers Matthew Golden over Williams for the rest of the season due to usage and offensive context.

Jayden Reed is out for the remainder of the season following a severe neck/back injury. This absence significantly impacts the Packers' target distribution, potentially increasing the concentration for other receivers like Dontayvion Wicks.

Josh Downs is a primary buy candidate following an 83% snap share and nine-target performance; he is expected to be the Colts' primary pass-catcher with Alec Pierce out for four to six weeks.

Jakori Kroski Merritt notes that Kayshon Boutte saw five snaps for the Patriots in their recent game.

Mattek recommends a buy-low strategy for Luther Burden, despite characterizing his preseason hype as 'a load of crud' and acknowledging he may only finish as an average WR2. Mattek is actively sending trade offers, noting that public sentiment is extremely negative due to a difficult upcoming matchup against the Eagles and potential quarterback instability with Case Keenum. Mattek plans to re-evaluate his stance in a month but currently labels him a star.

Matthew Golden is an every-down player for the Packers, logging 82% and 86% snap shares, and is viewed as a high-upside buy candidate. He is preferred over Jameson Williams due to his usage and offensive context. Managers can consider trading assets like Brian Thomas Jr., Terry McLaurin, or Rome Odunze to acquire him.

Rachaad White is viewed as more dependable than Jakori Kroski Merritt, having played significantly more snaps. While Mattek acknowledges Merritt is a better early-down runner, White's lack of fumbling issues makes him the more reliable option in the current Commanders backfield.

Rhamondre Stevenson remains locked into third-down duties for the Patriots due to his superior pass protection skills compared to TreVeyon Henderson, even after fumbling and losing early-down work.

Mattek suggests Rome Odunze as a trade asset to acquire Matthew Golden.

Terry McLaurin is identified as a trade asset that could be leveraged to acquire Matthew Golden, as managers look to capitalize on his value to secure players with higher immediate usage.

Mattek identifies TreVeyon Henderson as a clear buy, citing his early-down rushing explosiveness as a special trait. Despite concerns about his limited receiving usage and pass protection compared to Rhamondre Stevenson, Merritt ranks him above several notable players including Jaylen Warren, Terry McLaurin, Brian Thomas Jr., Stefon Diggs, Chris Godwin, DK Metcalf, and Blake Corum.

Jakori Kroski Merritt identifies Trevon Henderson as a clear buy, citing his early-down rushing explosiveness as a special trait. Despite concerns about his limited receiving usage and pass protection compared to Rhamondre Stevenson, Merritt ranks him above several notable players including Jaylen Warren, Terry McLaurin, Brian Thomas Jr., Stefon Diggs, Chris Godwin, DK Metcalf, and Blake Corum.

Mattek labels Tucker Kraft a clear sell, noting he is relegated to third in the target hierarchy behind Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks. His route participation is threatened by the need to stay in and block due to offensive line injuries. Mattek prefers Dalton Kincaid, Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Sam LaPorta, Cole Kmet, and Tyler Warren over him.

Tyler Warren is preferred over Tucker Kraft for fantasy rosters, though Josh Downs is expected to out-target him for the remainder of the season. Warren remains a viable depth option, but his usage is secondary to the primary pass-catchers in his respective offense.

Mattek identifies Zay Flowers as a primary trade target and projects him as a top-20 fantasy player for the remainder of the season. The Ravens' passing offense is designed to funnel targets to Flowers in creative ways, and Mattek prefers him over Nico Collins, Drake London, Ladd McConkey, Jaylen Waddle, Rashee Rice, Tee Higgins, Garrett Wilson, Christian Watson, and Malik Nabers, citing his high-end speed and change-of-direction ability.