We are now in the most important weeks of the fantasy football season. Player values have crystallized. Draft-day cost has given way to in-season performance. Teams are making their final pushes for playoff spots in pursuit of a championship.
Unraveling all that we saw in Week 12 and translating it into Week 13 WR trade targets is where fantasy managers can differentiate themselves.
To help you get your head around it all, here are our thoughts on some WRs to buy low or sell high entering Week 13.
Which WRs Should You Trade for in Fantasy Football?
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
I am very worried about Cooper Kupp staying upright for the remainder of the season. He aggravated his ankle sprain against the Arizona Cardinals but was able to fight through it. My guess is it will be an ongoing issue. That’s not ideal.
Katz’s Other Week 13 Trade Targets: RB | TE | QB
If and when Kupp is forced out of the lineup, Puka Nacua stands to benefit. He caught just four passes for 27 yards against the Cardinals but still saw eight targets.
We already know what Nacua looks like without Kupp. There’s a decent chance we get to see it during the most important weeks of the season. Buy him now.
Which WRs Should You Trade Away in Fantasy Football?
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase managed four catches for 81 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers. On the surface, it may look like he will be okay with Jake Browning. He will not. Chase accumulated over half those yards on two tip-drill catches for which he was just in the right place at the right time. He only saw six targets.
The Bengals do have a favorable schedule remaining. However, Chase was drafted to be an elite WR1. He is a mid-WR2, at best, with Browning under center. If anyone still values him as something more than that, sell away.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
I’ve been blasting Christian Watson for weeks. Credit to him, he stepped up on Thanksgiving and made multiple big-time plays. With that said, are we supposed to believe he’s suddenly this effective NFL wide receiver? Does he just get a pass for the first 11 weeks of the season?
Watson caught five of seven targets for 94 yards and a touchdown against the Detroit Lions. Before that game, he hadn’t caught more than two passes in a single game all season. He now has two games with over 90 receiving yards to go with six games under 40.
Three of the Green Bay Packers’ final five games are against soft pass defenses. Normally, that would be a reason to buy. In this case, because I don’t believe in the player, I would use it as a pitch in an attempt to sell Watson on his name value and the perception he carried with him before the season started.
Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
It had been seven weeks since Jakobi Meyers hit 20 fantasy points before Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Simply put, I don’t buy that his resurgence is anything more than an aberration.
Aidan O’Connell continues to mostly lock onto Davante Adams. Meyers still only saw seven targets. He just happened to have a very efficient six receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.
The Las Vegas Raiders are on bye next week. Then they have two favorable matchups before a rematch with the Chiefs in Week 17. I actually view the favorable matchups as a negative because Adams will be able to dominate, relegating Meyers to the guy who hadn’t hit 50 receiving yards since Week 7 prior to this week.
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Should You Trade Jakobi Meyers for Marquise Brown?
For the first time since Kyler Murray’s return, Marquise Brown had a relatively big game. He caught six of 12 targets for 88 yards. This was the guy we remember from early last season. This was the guy fantasy managers were hoping to see once Murray came back.
It goes without saying we should trust Murray far more than O’Connell. Plus, Brown is Murray’s top target. Meyers will never be O’Connell’s top target with Adams around. With that said, Meyers has still been the more productive receiver.
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Both players still have their byes in front of them, which is less than ideal for fantasy managers chasing a playoff spot. Both have relatively favorable schedules.
This one comes down to personal preference, as the two are very close in fantasy value. I don’t think swapping out one for the other in a trade makes a meaningful difference. It’s one of those rare situations where I would just stick with the guy I have.
Should You Trade Michael Pittman Jr. for Ja’Marr Chase?
I cannot believe this is a real question being asked. My answer is going to be even more disheartening.
Those massive 25-point weeks from Chase are simply no longer in play. Fantasy managers are hoping to merely get to 15. While that’s not bad, it’s not what a guy like Chase is drafted to do. It’s not his fault, but the upside is completely gone.
Michael Pittman Jr. continues to produce. He may not score often, but he’s now caught at least eight passes in four straight games. The Indianapolis Colts have a favorable schedule going forward. If you can sell Chase and get Pittman in return, that is absolutely a move worth making.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!