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Fantasy Trade Questions
In Search Of Running Back Help
Kevin writes: “Do I trade Adrian Peterson, Ja’Marr Chase and Darnell Mooney for Saquon Barkley and Terry McLaurin.
My running backs are Darrell Henderson, Khalil Herbert, Tony Pollard, A.J. Dillon, and Peterson and my wide receivers are Davante Adams, Chase, Rashod Bateman, Mooney, CeeDee Lamb, and Stefon Diggs.”
Previte: I think the trade is okay given you really need running back help and are stacked at receiver. Mooney is a sell-high candidate for me and the trade would leave you with Adams, Lamb, Diggs and McLaurin as your top three receivers, plus a flex. Peterson is almost waiver wire fodder so I have no issues with you offloading him in this trade. I do have concerns about Barkley long term, however. I think you have the right idea here, but you should aim higher than Barkley plus McLaurin.
Low-Ball Derrick Henry Offer
Marc writes: “I lost Derrick Henry and now my running backs are Damien Harris and James Robinson. I was just offered Austin Ekeler and Tre’Quan Smith for Harris and CeeDee Lamb. Do I accept?”
Previte: I think you need to make a trade, but this is not it.
First, you have two very passable running backs, both of which are high-end RB2s rest-of-season with RB1 upside in the right matchups. I understand the concern given Robinson just missed last game and Harris was knocked out of Week 9 with a head injury. I’m no doctor, so take this with a grain of salt, but I don’t think either of those injuries seem serious from what I’ve heard.
In terms of the trade offer, Tre’Quan Smith is a waiver wire-caliber receiver. I have little to no interest in him, especially in light of the Saints’ quarterback situation without Jameis Winston. So what we’re actually looking at is Ekeler for Harris and Lamb. In my opinion, you’re giving up too much. Ekeler is the best player in this trade, but Harris is a solid RB2 as I mentioned and Lamb is a low-end WR1. I understand that you feel the need to trade, but don’t be desperate; this is far too lopsided for me to consider.
The good news is you now know this person is at least willing to deal. I would perhaps counter Ekeler for Harris and a lower-caliber receiver than Lamb and hope they do not lowball you again.
Fantasy Add/Drop Questions
Is Kadarius Toney Droppable On Bye?
Matthew writes: “What do I do with Kadarius Toney in a league with short benches? Do the Giants use their bye week to figure out ways to get Toney more involved in the offense? It seems they never look his way when they have their other receivers but he’s shown flashes of playmaking that the other guys don’t have.
Side note: Daniel Jones only had 69 air yards last week (not nice!) so maybe Toney isn’t relevant either way?”
Previte: Toney is right on the cusp of droppable in a league with short benches in light of the Giants’ Week 10 bye. This is actually a topic I discussed with FantasyPros’ Dan Harris this week on the Fantasy Flex 21 Questions podcast. Dan was a bit more bullish on Toney than me, but we both agreed that if you need the space, we don’t hate dropping him.
The rookie is battling injuries and the Giants’ anemic offense as you mentioned. Last week, he caught his lone target for nine yards as Jason Garrett seemingly forgot he had wide receivers. There isn’t a single receiver I’m truly excited about starting on this team.
Can I Drop Dallas Goedert?
Kyle writes: “Is Dallas Goedert droppable? (I’ve got Dawson Knox and can stream if necessary)”
Previte: No, I am hanging onto Goedert, but I understand the impulse given Philly's offensive struggles. He remains a top-12 tight end rest-of-season and with Knox’s health and the state of the tight end position, I’m not sure there are guys on the waiver wire I’d feel comfortable starting over Goedert. I really do like Knox once he comes back, but I’m not willing to cut bait on Goedert, who is TE13 in half PPR on a per-game basis.
Courtland Sutton Or Christian Kirk?
Pete writes: “What do I do with Courtland Sutton? Is it time to send him to the wire for someone like Christian Kirk?”
Previte: This is a tough one. Personally, I think better days are ahead for Sutton, who was shadowed by Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs last week. He was an afterthought in that game and caught just one pass for nine yards. He will also have to compete with Jerry Jeudy and possibly Noah Fant for targets moving forward.
I would say Sutton has the slightly better matchup in Week 10 against the Eagles over Kirk, who faces my Panthers, though neither matchup is particularly easy. Carolina has been lights-out against the pass, allowing the second-fewest passing yards per game and fifth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this year. Kirk would be the preferred start this week, however, if DeAndre Hopkins misses another week.
Rest-of-season, for me, these guys are kind of a wash. Sutton will likely have a more consistent target share competing with Jeudy, Tim Patrick and Noah Fant against the star power of the Cardinals’ depth chart, which includes Hopkins, A.J. Green, Rondale Moore, Zach Ertz and James Conner if you include him. I’d give the slight lean to hanging onto Sutton over Kirk but it’s very close.
Fantasy Stock Questions
Can Kyle Shanahan Commit to Elijah Mitchell?
Luke writes: “Does Elijah Mitchell have the 49ers backfield locked up? I haven’t forgotten what Jeff Wilson did in the fantasy playoffs last year and was hoping he could get back to that once healthy.”
Previte: I do think Mitchell has this backfield locked up because apparently I have a short memory and am ready to get hurt again by a Kyle Shanahan running back!
In all seriousness, it really does seem like Mitchell is the guy, and it isn’t unprecedented for Shanahan to commit to a bell-cow running back. We saw him do it with Raheem Mostert when he was healthy in the past. Mitchell has seen no fewer than 61% of the snaps and is far and away the most involved running back in this offense. He is coming off of a quiet week against the Cardinals in which he saw eight carries for 36 yards, though no other running back logged more than one carry. Mitchell also tacked on five catches for 43 yards.
If I’m the Mitchell manager, Wilson really doesn’t scare me. There’s a good chance he comes back and has a role, but I think there’s more than enough room for him to operate as a complementary back to Mitchell, which should have a minimal impact on his fantasy value.
Is the Rams D/ST A Must-Start?
Jason writes: “With the addition of Von Miller, are the Rams a must-start D/ST for the rest of the season?”
Previte: There are very few D/STs that are must-starts. Perhaps the Bills and Cardinals would qualify, but the list is lean. I pretty much always stream and play the matchups when I can. Miller will be a nice addition to the Rams’ pass-rush, but they haven’t exactly been consistent. In fact, they’ve only posted a finish inside the top five once this year, and have four weeks outside the top 12. They were lit up against the Cardinals in Week 4 and allowed 37 points (-1 fantasy points) and will have to play them again in Week 14. They also face Green Bay this week, Seattle in Week 15, the Vikings in Week 16 and the Ravens in Week 17 — none of those matchups are particularly easy.
Therefore, I’m going to say no because I reject the premise that any D/ST is a “must-start” rest-of-season.
Fantasy Fallout From Derrick Henry
I Lost Derrick Henry — Now What?
Kenzie writes: “Hi Samantha! I was cruising with Derrick Henry and just barely eked out a win with 55 points. What can I do to save my season? I'm still second in the league for now. Thank you!”
Previte: First, kudos for staying afloat without King Henry and somehow picking up the W with 55 points. It was a brutal week, but I’m glad it worked out for you.
Second, you need to stay diligent on the waiver wire as always. There are diamonds in the rough that may give you RB2/RB1 production in certain weeks with injuries, COVID-19, etc.
Third, I think the most important thing you need to do here is make some trades. Without knowing your roster, I’m going to assume you’re now quite lean at running back. Perhaps package your second RB plus a wide receiver for a mid- to low-end RB1. Austin Ekeler, Aaron Jones, Nick Chubb, Darrell Henderson and D’Andre Swift come to mind as potential targets. Scope out who’s rostering those guys in your league and send out some trade offers. If you’re not comfortable doing that and know the people in your league, I’d actually suggest reaching out and saying something along the lines of, “Hey, what would you want from my roster for Nick Chubb?” Maybe he’s off the table, but it’s important to try. Also, don’t act desperate. They’ll know you’re looking for a Henry replacement and may try to low-ball you. You are savvier than that.
