We are now heading toward the playoff push portion of the fantasy football season. Player values have mostly solidified, and draft day cost no longer matters when valuing players.
Unraveling all that we saw in Week 8 and translating it into Week 9 RB trade targets is where fantasy managers can differentiate themselves. To help you get your head around it all, here are our thoughts on some running backs to buy low or sell high entering Week 9.
Which RBs Should You Trade for in Fantasy Football?
Katz’s Other Week 9 Trade Targets: WR | QB | TE
Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
Let me preface by saying that elite RB1 Tony Pollard is not going to happen. He is simply not as explosive or efficient as he was last year. But he’s also not nearly as bad as he looked against the Rams. In a game where the Cowboys scored 43 points, Pollard managed just 55 scoreless yards.
Better days are ahead for Pollard. The real issue in this game was Dak Prescott accounting for all four of the Cowboys’ offensive touchdowns, with the defense scoring the fifth.
Pollard’s role is still strong, and this remains an excellent offense. I would not pay high RB1 prices for Pollard, but if you can get him at the cost of an RB2, that’s a move worth making.
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker III predictably struggled against a stout Browns defense. If not for a first-quarter 45-yard run, his line would’ve been truly awful. This is now back-to-back underwhelming performances for Walker, with 13.1 and 8.0 fantasy points in his last two games.
This week, Zach Charbonnet actually outsnapped Walker for the first time all season. Use this to your advantage as an indication that a split might be forthcoming. I don’t believe it is. I believe this had to do with weird game script.
Walker is still the clear lead back and primary goal-line option for the Seahawks. They are past their bye and have much softer matchups coming up. Walker remains a clear RB1. Even buying him at par value is worth it.
Which RBs Should You Trade Away in Fantasy Football?
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
It goes without saying you can’t sell Aaron Jones high. There is no “high” upon which to sell. But you can sell Jones as if there’s still hope he can be a productive NFL running back. I no longer believe that to be the case.
Pushing 29 years old, Jones’ body has appeared to have betrayed him. His hamstring still isn’t 100 percent, and he’s now being outplayed by AJ Dillon. I am completely out on Jones.
If someone out there is willing to take on Jones as if he’s an RB2, sell away. Jones is an RB3, at best, for the rest of the season. Sell the name value if you can.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
I hate calling one of the seldom few three-down backs in the NFL a sell high. But how much worse can Saquon Barkley’s situation get?
At this point, we have no idea if Daniel Jones is going to return this season. Now, Tyrod Taylor is out for who knows how long. If the Giants have to roll with Tommy DeVito going forward, they may not score any points.
Barkley carried the ball an absurd 36 times for 128 yards against the Jets. Aside from that usage being unsustainable in the modern NFL, Barkley’s receiving and scoring upside will be virtually nonexistent with DeVito under center.
Next week, Barkley has a great matchup against the Raiders. After that, the schedule starts to turn on him. Perhaps the best course of action is to let Barkley smash next week and then try and sell him for plus value.
Trending RB Fantasy Football Trades
Are you considering making a trade in your fantasy football league? Our PFN Trade Analyzer allows you to find the best trades to make in seconds! It also allows us to see trending searches, which we’ve compiled a few of the most popular below.
Should You Trade Joe Mixon for Tony Pollard?
Two weeks ago, I would have scoffed at the notion that you could acquire Pollard for Joe Mixon. Now, I’m not so sure Mixon isn’t the better option.
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The biggest issue befalling Mixon this season has been touchdowns. He’s just been unable to punch in anything short. Mixon was finally able to do so last week, and it resulted in his first 20-point game of the season.
Pollard wouldn’t know much about 20-point games. He hasn’t had one since Week 1. Coincidentally, he’s had the same issue as Mixon — touchdowns. Pollard also hasn’t scored since Week 1.
It is obviously disappointing to see a running back only score 6.5 fantasy points in a game where his team scores 43 points. Pollard has now completely flopped in three of his last four games. Combine that with the bye, and Pollard has been unstartable for four of the past five weeks.
With all that taken into consideration, I still value Pollard ahead of Mixon. The Bengals offense is back on track, so it’s closer than it was a month ago. But if I could move Mixon in a package to get Pollard, or even better, if I could sell Mixon for Pollard and more, I’m making that move.
Should You Trade Saquon Barkley for Bijan Robinson?
Entering this season, I had these two back to back in my rankings. Bijan Robinson was ahead, though. In fact, I was faced with this exact choice in a draft and took Robinson. Would I make that same choice now? It’s really hard to say.
There’s no denying Saquon Barkley has the superior role. But the Giants offense is a mess. Barkley taking 36 carries is not something anyone wants to see.
For all of Robinson’s struggles, his headache game was the only one in which he failed to reach double-digit fantasy points.
Nevertheless, I have grown sufficiently concerned about the competency of the Falcons offense, not to mention the grave concerns I have regarding the head coach. As a result, I would prefer Barkley to Robinson going forward.
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