We are now in the final playoff-push portion of the fantasy football season. Player values have solidified, and draft day cost no longer matters when valuing players.
Unraveling all that we saw in Week 12 and translating it into Week 13 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 13.
Which RBs Should You Trade For in Fantasy Football?
Devin Singletary, Houston Texans
Devin Singletary had a mere 18 yards on six carries against the Jaguars. He also dealt with negative game script throughout.
Fantasy managers with Singletary may be concerned about his usage on the ground, but his overall volume was actually quite encouraging. He saw a season-high seven targets, catching six for 54 yards, and a lot of them were designed screens.
Most importantly, Singletary was the clear RB1 ahead of Dameon Pierce. If he scored a touchdown, he would’ve posted RB1 numbers. Take advantage of that if you can and buy him for the stretch run.
D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles
It’s definitely disappointing for D’Andre Swift not to even reach double-digit fantasy points during a game the Eagles scored 37 points in. Plus, the next two weeks are not going to be pleasant against the 49ers and Cowboys.
Katz’s Other Week 13 Trade Targets: WR | TE | QB
This one is specifically for teams that are locked into a playoff spot. Swift’s playoff schedule is fantastic. He gets the Seahawks, Giants, and Cardinals. That is the stuff dreams, or should I say, fantasy titles, are made of. He could be an elite RB1 over the final three weeks of the season. Get him now.
Which RBs Should You Trade Away in Fantasy Football?
David Montgomery, Detroit Lions
Ever since Jahmyr Gibbs established himself as capable of being a lead back, David Montgomery’s volume hasn’t been the same. He’s no longer seeing over 70% snap shares or 18+ carries.
Montgomery’s carry counts since returning from injury are 12, 12, and 15. He’s caught a whopping two passes over that span, as Gibbs is the clear receiving back. Yet, Montgomery has topped 15 fantasy points in all three games. Why? Touchdowns.
Montgomery has scored in three straight. Had he not scored, his numbers would look a whole lot worse. This would be fine if he were the primary goal-line back … but he’s not. He’s been splitting the role with Gibbs.
Fortunately, the Lions’ offense is good enough that Montgomery will still score his fair share of touchdowns. He’s not going to fall off a cliff. But eventually, there will be a game when he doesn’t score. That is not going to be fun for his fantasy managers.
In Weeks 16 and 17, Montgomery faces the Vikings and Cowboys, both on the road. These are two of the toughest run defenses in the NFL. Don’t give Montgomery away, but if you can sell him as an RB1, do it.
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson is very good at football. In a better situation, he would be a screaming buy. But alas, Stevenson plays for one of the worst offenses in football and is extremely touchdown-dependent.
Stevenson now has 20 carries in consecutive games, but he’s only amassed 23 receiving yards on eight catches over that span. Fortunately, he’s scored in two of his last three. However, it’s hard to bank on a Patriots running back scoring consistently. Selling him as an RB1 is a wise move if you can pull it off.
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Should You Trade Rhamondre Stevenson for Jaylen Warren?
Since Week 6, Stevenson has actually been quite good. He has just one game below 13 fantasy points over that span. Additionally, the Patriots have a very soft running back schedule for the remainder of the season. Stevenson is not a screaming sell. I just don’t want any part of this Patriots offense.
Jaylen Warren was coming off three excellent outings before last week’s dud. If anything, fantasy managers should use that to their advantage.
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The Steelers looked infinitely better offensively, with literally anyone not named Matt Canada running the offense. They have a very soft schedule going forward as well. Warren can be a weekly RB2 for the rest of the season. I am not sure the same can be said about Stevenson.
The best part is Stevenson should still carry more perceived value than Warren. If you trade Stevenson away, don’t do it for Warren straight up (never make 1-for-1 same-position trades in general). Instead, get Warren and another piece.
Should You Trade D’Andre Swift for Travis Etienne?
Here, we have two clear fantasy RB1s. One of them was mostly expected to be. The other has been a complete surprise. Regardless, fantasy managers have been pleased to have either back on their team.
From Weeks 5-8, Travis Etienne enjoyed an incredible stretch of production. He was putting up Christian McCaffrey numbers over that span, never scoring fewer than 23 fantasy points. Since then, however, he’s posted games of 6.4, 8.9, and 12.6.
Swift is also experiencing a bit of a lull, with sub-10 point outings in two of his last three, plus the bye week mixed in.
Going forward, Swift has the more favorable schedule. However, Etienne still has the more favorable role, with much greater touchdown upside in light of his quarterback not taking 100 percent of the carries from inside the 2-yard line.
I like both of these backs. But if you could trade Swift and a small piece to acquire Etienne, that is a worthwhile upgrade to make.
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!