One of my favorite all-time movies is "Trading Places."
The culminating scene shows Louis Winthorpe (Dan Aykroyd) and Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) buying and selling orange juice shares at precisely the right time. The plan to seek revenge against the Duke Brothers was perfectly executed (due to insider trading) by taking advantage of vulnerable stock traders who overreacted to false crop report.
That is exactly what fantasy football players in redraft leagues try to accomplish with trade targets.
Identifying which players to buy low and sell high can go a long way towards determining a fantasy championship.
With that, here are four players whom you should be valuing more highly than other owners in your league, and four more you should be willing to let others take off your hands.
Fantasy Trade Targets
RB Jonathan Taylor, Colts
The injury to the Colts’ Marlon Mack was a brutal blow to the team’s leading rusher each of the past two seasons. However, it has cleared the way for a massive role for rookie running back Jonathan Taylor.
The Wisconsin product only tallied 26 of 74 possible snaps (35%) but should be the clear early-down rusher moving forward. The most impressive stat from Sunday? Taylor caught six passes (on six targets) for 67 receiving yards, not bad for a player who had a reputation as a poor pass catcher in college.
The Colts still have the among the league’s best offensive lines and a very favorable schedule. With fellow running back Nyheim Hines having a huge Week 1 (8 receptions, 73 total yards, 2 touchdowns), fantasy owners may actually be concerned about a split backfield moving forward. Take advantage and try to acquire this potential league-winning running back.
WR N’Keal Harry, Patriots
It’s always easy to take advantage of the knee-jerk Week 1 reactions, and after seeing New England quarterback Cam Newton only total 155 passing yards, fantasy owners may be concerned with Harry’s production moving forward. However, after getting on the field for 51-of-64 snaps (80%), the rookie’s playing time has been solidified.
Harry (five receptions, 39 receiving yards) and Damiere Byrd (0 receptions) dominated the wide receiver snaps while veteran Julian Edelman (58%) was eased into action after carrying an injury designation heading into Week 1. Harry also lost a potential touchdown with a fumble through the end zone in the third quarter. There was also some skepticism that he would even play in Week 1 due to a shoulder injury.
The Patriots should see an increase in negative game scripts with upcoming games at Seattle and Kansas City in the next few weeks. With the 34-year old Edelman always nursing injuries, now is the time to trade for the young New England wideout.
WR Jalen Reagor, Eagles
Similar to Harry, Reagor’s status for Week 1 was uncertain. He connected with quarterback Carson Wentz on a 55-yard reception for his only catch of the day. Reagor led all Philadelphia wideouts with 40 of 68 (58%) possible snaps.
The TCU-rookie is the clear WR1 for the Eagles and will see his opportunity and production grow over the next few weeks.
RB Joshua Kelley, Chargers
Anthony Lynn bestowed the highest of praise on the UCLA rookie rusher this week, after the Chargers held on for a 16-13 win at Cincinnati.
Kelley saw 12 carries for 60 yards and a rushing touchdown. Expect his snap count to rise but his short yardage work to remain. He is the clear handcuff to Austin Ekeler and a league-winner in the event of an injury.
Fantasy Sell Candidates
TE Rob Gronkowski, Bucs
In a game with All-Pro Mike Evans was limited by injury, Gronkowski totaled two receptions for 11 yards. With the development of tight end O.J. Howard, there will not be enough volume to support Gronk as a fantasy TE1. Look for trade partners who are living in the past.
WR Sammy Watkins, Chiefs
Watkins went off for 7-82-1 against a Texans secondary that ranked 25th by PFF heading into the season.
He now gets matchups vs. the top-three units over the next three games, as they go on the road against the Chargers (second) in Week 2, Ravens (first) in Week 3, and host the Patriots (third) in Week 4.
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RB Malcolm Brown, Rams
Brown provided a repeat two-touchdown performance of his Week 1 last season. He saw 44 of 73 possible snaps (60%), and the role for rookie Cam Akers will only grow. Time to sell high on Brown.
TE Jimmy Graham, Bears
Graham saw 80% of the snaps, but only contributed three catches for 25 yards. He did catch a touchdown, but it was during a miraculous fourth-quarter comeback that cannot be relied upon.
Expect fellow tight ends Demetrius Harris and Cole Kmet to continue to see an increase in opportunity for the declining Graham.
