The fantasy football trade deadline has passed for a lot of leagues. However, if you are lucky enough to have another week or two at your disposal, we have just what you need! Let’s look at the running back position to give you our top picks for who you should consider targeting and who you should consider trading away.
If you’re looking for more trade advice, head to our Week 12 Buy Low or Sell High article, where we look at all the skill positions and players you should consider.
Bucky Irving | TB
Buy Low
The Buccaneers have had one of the toughest schedules to start the season. Normally, teams that have lost four straight aren’t very good. But look at their opponents: Ravens, Falcons, Chiefs, 49ers. The last three were all one-score games that really could’ve gone either way.
Now past their bye, things are about to open up for the Bucs. Of their next six games, only the Chargers are a serious threat to force them into a negative game script. That means this offense can really lean on Bucky Irving.
Missed Tackles Forced vs. Yards from Scrimmage per touch
[Through Week 10, via @FantasyPtsData]– Bucky Irving and James Conner clearly the most elusive runners in the league right now
– Gibbs/Henry/Barkley are explosive play demons this year
– Greg Roman loves Gus Edwards pic.twitter.com/Y18Dy9HQYz
— Ryan Heath (@RyanJ_Heath) November 14, 2024
The rookie’s snap share has hovered around the 40% range across the Bucs’ four-game losing streak. Tampa trailing has forced them to utilize Rachaad White more. With a few projected positive game scripts, Irving could be looking at 15 touches per game against bad run defenses with goal-line carries. There is league-winning upside here.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. | NYG
Buy Low
The time to buy Tyrone Tracy Jr. was before the Giants’ Week 10 matchup against the Panthers. But even if you missed out on that performance, it’s still worth it.
Over the next three weeks, the Giants play the Bucs, Cowboys, and Saints. Those three teams entered Week 11 as bottom-six run defenses.
Tracy has already proven to have mid-RB1 upside with four games of 14+ fantasy points in his last six, including two over 20 points. He’s averaging an impressive 5.13 yards per carry. Yet, I don’t think Tracy is being valued as a borderline RB1.
If your team needs an extra jolt for the playoff push, Tracy is the perfect guy to get you there.
Austin Ekeler | WAS
Sell High
I wonder how much name value Austin Ekeler still carries. You should find out.
The veteran running back has been asked to do a bit more over the past couple of weeks with Brian Robinson Jr. nursing a hamstring strain. Well, Robinson returned on Thursday night and went right back into his lead rusher role.
Even so, Ekeler still managed to post RB1 numbers, scoring 17.6 fantasy points. He’s now scored 17+ in three straight games. So, why sell?
Thursday night’s performance by Ekeler was more concerning than not. Yes, the production was there. But it was exclusively through the air. Ekeler’s goal-line role is gone, as is the entirety of his rushing role. He carried the ball a mere two times.
It was just a very weird game where Jayden Daniels couldn’t find Terry McLaurin — or really any receivers — and just checked it down to Ekeler all night, resulting in eight catches for 89 yards.
Going forward, the Commanders should experience more positive game scripts, which means more Robinson and less Ekeler. Daniels will also continue to get healthier and can get back to pushing the ball downfield more. If you can turn Ekeler into one of the “buy” guys like Tracy or Irving, I suspect you will be very glad you did.
D’Andre Swift | CHI
Sell High
I’ve had D’Andre Swift as a sell for multiple weeks now. Obviously, if you sold him, you missed out on his quality outing against the Packers. But if not, the window has reopened.
Swift has been very good over the past two months, scoring below 14 fantasy points just once. Now, the schedule is about to really turn on him.
Four of the Bears’ next five games are specifically against the Lions and Vikings. Both of those teams are top-five against the run.
Swift has been an RB1. He may only be a volume-based RB2. With trade deadlines looming, see what you can get for Swift this week.