The fantasy football season is rapidly passing us by. We’re at the halfway mark of the year, meaning it’s time to look in the mirror about your season with a critical eye. Dynasty managers especially need to know when it’s time to buy or sell.
Considering the current landscape of the league, let’s examine some players who are increasing and decreasing in value, could be traded for at a lower price, and could be traded away at a higher price in dynasty leagues. Given the constantly evolving market in 2023, the prospects for these players might change drastically, even within a week. We aim to balance judicious and maximizing returns on impulsive decisions.
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!
Dynasty Risers After Week 7
James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
After finishing no higher than RB12 before Week 7, James Cook scored his second touchdown of the season and vaulted all the way to RB7. The Bills have fed Cook a large workload this year, but his efficiency hasn’t paid off with red-zone touches. Until that changes, Cook’s overall ceiling has been limited.
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With 13 carries, three catches for 102 total yards, and his receiving touchdown, Cook set a new season-high for fantasy points. The Bills are using Cook at a high enough clip for managers to be encouraged about his value for 2023 and beyond. The question is whether the offense can help him be better in the red zone.
Cook is 25th in red-zone scoring amongst backs, with only 12 carries and one reception within the 20. Buffalo changes their approach in the red zone, hurting Cook significantly. But this week was a positive development for him.
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs benefitted from a busted coverage that led to a 59-yard touchdown, but he continues to trend upward regardless of a little luck. Indianapolis is prioritizing Downs in its passing scheme, feeding him high-value targets. The injury-related switch from Anthony Richardson to Gardner Minshew has been a big reason why.
With two top-18 finishes in his last three weeks, Downs is a quality play in standard and PPR leagues now. The rookie has made the most of averaging only seven targets a game. His efficiency and chemistry within this offense are real, and adding Downs to your roster would be a wise decision.
Dynasty Fallers After Week 7
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos
The NFL trade deadline is looming, but the Denver Broncos might not be sellers as they just notched another win in Week 7. The prospect of banking on Jerry Jeudy being traded to a team and getting a better quarterback this season was a reach to begin with, but it was likely a better outcome than him staying in Denver. The Broncos may be inclined to keep Jeudy for a playoff push.
Jeudy’s ceiling is clearly capped in Denver, though. He caught all five of his targets for 64 yards. Undoubtedly, he’s solid and likely underachieving, but he’s topped out as WR29 and is without a touchdown this season. With his fifth-year option already picked up, Jeudy may be a rental for a team in 2024, so banking on his dynasty future is a tough sell.
Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers
The dynasty value of a 28-year-old running back will never be significantly high. At least for a short-term option, Aaron Jones had value entering this season. But the 2023 campaign hasn’t justified that thinking.
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Jones has been injured, missing three games, and ineffective when he does play. His Week 7 return against Denver, after a bye week, was supposed to get him back on track to his career averages. Instead, he had eight rushes and three receptions for only 57 total yards.
The odds are stacked against Jones. Jordan Love has been struggling mightily at quarterback, leaving Jones to create more than ever. I just don’t see it happening this year for Jones.
Dynasty Buy-Low Trade Targets
Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Of course, as soon as Austin Ekeler produced an RB3 performance in Week 1, he missed the next three games before the bye week. Since returning, he’s finished as RB32 and 34, combining for only 72 rushing yards and 29 receiving yards. That’s concerning, but the poor play also opens the door for a buy-low opportunity.
It’s hard to imagine the Chargers will give Ekeler two targets again in any week throughout the rest of the season. New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore should quickly realize the Chargers can produce easier offense by relying on Ekeler more in the coming weeks.
An upcoming matchup against Chicago means Ekeler will likely see better efficiency as a runner and receiver soon. His price will spike before a tougher stretch that goes through the fantasy bye week. Now is the time to make a move for Ekeler.
Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Lost in the Sunday news flurry was Fox’s Jay Glazer reporting that the Cardinals want to build around Kyler Murray beyond this season. This is significant, as the Cardinals have been competitive enough this year to likely miss out on either Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in the 2024 class, barring a trade-up. If Murray stays in Arizona past this year, he has dynasty value.
The Cardinals aren’t set up to be an offensive powerhouse right now, but they have many assets to revamp the offense this offseason. There’s enough in place for Murray to be a quality backup. He shouldn’t cost too much since the public has likely missed this latest news.
Dynasty Sell-High Trade Targets
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay offense has been mostly putrid this season, which isn’t a surprise to most of us. The running game has been anemic at times, averaging well under four yards a carry. That’s not the fault of the running backs, but the poor offensive line and quarterback play invariably affects them.
Rachaad White has ranked in the 40s as often as he has between RB12 and 21. He’s been barely playable in fantasy lineups. But with six receptions for 65 yards, White has started to create some momentum that might get a fantasy manager to bite on a trade.
The problem with relying on White is how uneven his receiving usage can be and his lack of red-zone touches. He’s RB34 in the red zone this season, and the Buccaneers can’t sustain drives well enough to get him into a better range. Sell now before the Buccaneers further struggle and White is replaced next year.
Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
While Jeudy is a faller this week, Courtland Sutton has been a winner this season. He’s clearly built a chemistry with Russell Wilson in the red zone, producing five touchdowns on the year. His overall numbers are nothing special, but Week 7 might trick a manager into moving a quality asset for him.
Sutton is a talented playmaker. His WR7 finish in PPR leagues was by far the best of the season, even though he had better production in Week 3. The problem is how unlikely it is that Sutton continues at this touchdown pace, which would equal out to 13 over the course of the year.
Sutton may hit that number, but it’s unlikely, as he’s averaging only six targets a game.