It’s always difficult to properly value the quarterback position in fantasy football for trading purposes. Four weeks into the season, values have shifted dramatically. Unraveling all that we saw in Week 4 and translating it into Week 5 QB trade targets is where fantasy managers can differentiate themselves.
To help you get your head around it all, here are our thoughts on some QBs to buy low or sell high entering Week 5.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and Start/Sit Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
Which QBs Should You Trade for in Fantasy Football?
Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Before you attack me for including a guy who just finished as a top-five QB, I know he isn’t actually a buy low, in the strictest interpretation of the term. The reason he’s included here is because I still don’t think he’s being properly valued.
MORE: Week 5 Trade Targets — RB | TE
At this point, I would consider Anthony Richardson a top-five fantasy QB the rest of the way. I just don’t see him being valued at that level. He now has four rushing touchdowns in three starts. He is really just a souped-up Cam Newton.
I would take him ahead of Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence and Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow, for sure. If you have one of those guys and can flip them for the Colts’ rookie, do it.
Which QBs Should You Trade Away in Fantasy Football?
Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears
After three underwhelming efforts to start the season, Week 4 was finally Justin Fields’ breakout week. He scored 28.9 fantasy points and threw for over 300 yards for the first time in his career.
Fields also benefited from playing the Denver Broncos, who might have the worst defense in the NFL.
The former Ohio State Buckeye still isn’t running. He carried the ball just four times for 25 yards. The prolific passing is not going to continue, so without the rushing, Fields is going to struggle to post QB1 numbers. If someone in your league thinks he’s back, take advantage and move him while you can.
Trending QB 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 Burrow for C.J. Stroud?
If you asked me before the season if C.J. Stroud had a path to becoming an every-week QB1, I would’ve said, “Sure, but it’s unlikely.” If you told me a month into the season that we’d be debating whether he’s more valuable than Joe Burrow, I would’ve said you’re crazy.
Not only has Stroud been the superior fantasy QB, he’s been the better NFL QB. It hasn’t even been remotely close. Stroud has been a solid back-end QB1, averaging 18.5 points per game.
Burrow wouldn’t be averaging 18.5 ppg if you counted all of his stats double. He is averaging a paltry 8.4 ppg. He is currently — quite literally — the single worst starting QB in fantasy football.
It goes without saying that Burrow’s calf has a lot to do with his struggles. But do we envision Burrow actually taking any time off? The only scenario in which I see Burrow missing time is if the Bengals continue losing and they shut him down, throwing in the towel on the season.
With that said, at 1-3, it’s undoubtedly a risk. Given that Burrow is very clearly not 100%, I am extremely confident Cincinnati would shut him down if they became mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Of course, we are months away from that being possible. Nevertheless, it is a concern.
Fantasy managers absolutely cannot start Burrow in Week 5. He needs to show something before he goes back in fantasy lineups. With that in mind, do you ship him off for Stroud?
It depends. Is the Stroud manager valuing him as better than Burrow? How much equity does Burrow still have? How desperately do you need a win now? Taking all of these things into consideration, I would move off of Burrow if necessary. However, selling Burrow as if he’s the worst QB in the NFL is not going to benefit your fantasy team.
If you have Burrow, I think you just have to hold and hope it gets better.
Should You Trade Trevor Lawrence for Kirk Cousins?
Through four games, Kirk Cousins is drastically outperforming Trevor Lawrence. Cousins is averaging 21.1 ppg against just 15.0 for Lawrence.
We know who Cousins is. The 35-year-old veteran is off one of the best starts of his career, but he will likely settle in around 19 ppg, as he does. Cousins is a back-end QB1, who is prone to some massive spike weeks.
Lawrence was supposed to take a step forward this season, possibly ascending to the ranks of the fantasy elite. Instead, he’s regressed. Calvin Ridley looks like a guy who hasn’t played football in two years. And without Zay Jones, Lawrence is relying heavily on Christian Kirk and Evan Engram. It’s not working all that well.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
So, do we abandon ship on Lawrence and take the sure thing that is Cousins? I say not yet.
I’m aware that every week we wait, Lawrence’s status as a mid-QB2 becomes more solidified. But unless Cousins really is going to have the best year of his career and average 20+ ppg, even if Lawrence becomes unstartable, you should be able to find similar production on the waiver wire. For that reason, I’m willing to hold a little longer and see if Lawrence can turn it around.