If it feels like the first set of fantasy football trade deadlines snuck up on you, don't worry — our experts are here to guide you through the top players to target.
They reveal which fantasy wide receivers worth looking to make deals for ahead of trade deadlines, including "buy low" players.
WRs To Buy Low In Fantasy Trades
Amari Cooper, Cowboys
Chris Raybon: After smashing the Vikings for eight catches, 122 yards and a TD on 13 targets with Cooper Rush at the helm in Week 8, Amari Cooper has been quiet since Dak Prescott returned, catching only six passes for 83 scoreless yards over the past two weeks.
After posting back-to-back duds and with Michael Gallup returning, it’s a perfect time for forward-thinking managers to pounce on one of the go-to receivers in one of the NFL’s top passing attacks.
Cooper has already had his bye and faces the 10th-most favorable schedule for WRs the rest of the way, according to 4for4’s schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed (aFPA). That includes a Weeks 15-17 slate (at N.Y. Giants, Washington, Arizona) that rates as the seventh-easiest at his position.
Note: After this piece was initially published, Cooper was placed on the COVID list and will miss Week 11, with sitting out Week 12 a possibility, as well. I would pivot to targeting Michael Gallup, who had a shot at WR3 value in the high-powered Cowboys offense even before Cooper’s status was in doubt.
Brandin Cooks, Texans
Chris Raybon: After he bursted out of the gates with averages of 7.7 catches, 107.3 yards and 0.33 TDs over his first three games, Cooks cooled off, posting an average stat line of 5.7/53.2/0.17 over the next six games. However, Cooks is averaging 9.4 yards per target with Tyrod Taylor compared to 6.9 with Davis Mills, so Cooks' prospects are looking up now that Taylor is back in the lineup after missing much of the season with a hamstring injury.
Moreover, Cooks has already had his bye and now returns to a remaining schedule that aFPA rates as the the fifth-easiest for WRs.
Elijah Moore, Jets
Samantha Previte: I get it — it probably seems counterintuitive to “buy low” on a guy who has scored three times in the last two weeks. The best time to buy Moore was probably Week 8, but the next best time to buy him would be now. He had a very strong performance in spite of very subpar quarterback play from Mike White, who tossed four interceptions in his best Zach Wilson impression.
Moore — who has at least six targets in four straight games — hauled in three passes for 44 yards and a touchdown in a brutal matchup against Buffalo’s secondary. His schedule softens up significantly, as the Jets face the Dolphins, Texans, Eagles, Saints, Dolphins again, Jaguars, Buccaneers (and Bills again if you play into Week 18) to wrap up the fantasy season. Moore has WR2 potential rest-of-season.
Marquise Brown, Ravens
Samantha Previte: Brown was quiet in Week 10 against Miami and reeled in six of 13 targets for 37 yards. It's a small blemish on what has otherwise been a very strong fantasy season. He is currently WR9 in half PPR on a per-game basis and his targets have increased over the course of the season.
He has seen an average of 13 targets per game since Week 7, which has actually gone up since Rashod Bateman came off injured reserve. Bateman could take away some of Brown's scoring potential, but I think Brown will remain the No. 1 this year.
Mike Williams, Chargers
Sean Koerner: It's been a roller coaster season for Williams, who was the No. 1 WR after five weeks, but ranked WR80 from Weeks 6-10. However, I'm expecting him to bounce back as he still carries a ton of upside with Justin Herbert under center.
Only seven other players have seen seven-plus end-zone targets and 14+ targets 20+ yards downfield. As long as Williams continues to get high-value targets, the big games will come.
Right now is the perfect time to buy low.
Tee Higgins, Bengals
Sean Koerner: Ja'Marr Chase is off to a historic start to his career, and it's allowing Higgins to fly under the radar a bit. Higgins has been targeted at a higher rate (24.6% targets per route run) than Chase (22.6%).
Big games are on the horizon for Higgins, especially considering he hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 2, despite seeing four end-zone targets. He should provide mid-range WR2 value the rest of the way, but you may be able to snag him at a discounted price.
