We are now firmly in the middle portion of the fantasy football season. Player values have mostly solidified, and draft day cost no longer matters when valuing players.
Unraveling all that we saw in Week 7 and translating it into Week 8 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 8.
Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Start/Sit Optimizer and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
Which RBs Should You Trade for in Fantasy Football?
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
I thought the buy-low window slammed shut on Josh Jacobs three weeks ago, but it might just have reopened a bit.
Jacobs has disappointed over the past two weeks, scoring 11.3 and 5.1 fantasy points. Let’s place those two duds in context, though. In Week 6, Jacobs had 25 carries and five targets. In Week 7, Jacobs was dealing with Brian Hoyer at quarterback.
Jimmy Garoppolo is expected back next week. Jacobs’ role in the offense remains elite. Volume is king, and it’s not as if Jacobs is empty volume — he’s legitimately talented. If the door is open to acquire Jacobs, you should do it.
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
I guess I need to keep Bijan Robinson here. It was immensely frustrating for the first 3.5 quarters of the Atlanta Falcons’ win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Robinson was barely playing, and no one knew why. We later found out he wasn’t feeling well.
That’s still frustrating, but at least it wasn’t some random benching. Robinson was sick, and we didn’t know about it. That’s bad luck for everyone who started him. But it’s good to know that he wasn’t benched and wasn’t injured.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
Robinson is still an elite talent. This was his first game without double-digit fantasy points. He should be back in his usual role next week.
If Robinson’s fantasy managers are panicking over what just happened because they don’t know, don’t tell them. Just make an offer for Robinson. Now is the time.
Which RBs Should You Trade Away in Fantasy Football?
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
I went back and forth a bit on whether to include Alvin Kamara here. Ultimately, I settled on Kamara being a sell if you can get someone to pay a premium based on how he’s been producing for fantasy.
Kamara is not the same explosive player we remember from the late 2010s. He’s older, and he’s definitely lost a step. He’s averaging 3.92 yards per carry and has become a heavy between-the-tackles guy.
The reason Kamara’s fantasy numbers are excellent is his massive receiving work. Kamara has seen a whopping 39 targets across his four games. He already has three 14-target games.
Derek Carr can’t stop checking the ball down, even before the play develops. That’s great for now. It’s resulting in Kamara being an elite RB1 in fantasy without scoring touchdowns.
The problem is if it ever stops, Kamara may not even be an RB2. Therefore, if you can get someone to give you RB1 value for Kamara, it’s a trade worth exploring. Just be careful not to misinterpret this as me saying to get rid of him at all costs.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
It pains me to put Jahmyr Gibbs on this list as a sell-high after his breakout performance. Gibbs ran the ball 11 times for 68 yards and a touchdown while also catching nine of 10 targets for 58 yards.
Gibbs definitely would be here to stay if the role was his to keep, but David Montgomery will return, and when he does, he will immediately resume his role as the team’s RB1.
Gibbs’ role will be more than it was over the first half of the season, but he just won’t be the RB1 once Montgomery returns. If you can sell him as an RB1, it’s worth considering.
Trending RB 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 D’Andre Swift for Breece Hall?
This is a really interesting one. D’Andre Swift has been one of the best values in fantasy this season. He’s the clear lead back in one of the league’s best offenses. He’s been an RB1, averaging 15.17 PPG. Swift is not a sell-high. His role is legit. The only risk with Swift is injury.
While I do love Swift, Breece Hall is truly special. Had Hall not torn his ACL, he would’ve been a top-six pick this season. Now halfway through the season, Hall’s confidence in his knee is growing, and the guy we saw last season is starting to emerge.
If you trade Swift for Hall, it’s not because you want to get rid of Swift — it’s because you want to acquire Hall.
The New York Jets are done with Dalvin Cook. They know he can’t play anymore. Hall is going to handle all the touches he physically can. Now on the other side of the bye week, Hall could very well be an elite RB1 down the stretch.
It is undoubtedly a gamble to trade Swift for Hall, but it’s also the upside play. Hall being past his bye is also a bonus. Given Hall’s touchdown upside by not having Jalen Hurts, who steals every carry inside the 2-yard line, I slightly prefer Hall.
Should You Trade Saquon Barkley for Rhamondre Stevenson?
I’ve had Rhamondre Stevenson as a sell for a few weeks now. Since then, he has definitely played better. He’s scored 18.0 and 14.5 fantasy points over his past two games.
However, we are still seeing too much of Ezekiel Elliott. Additionally, the New England Patriots have played surprisingly well in their past two games. This is still not an offense I want to invest in. Of course, neither are the New York Giants, especially with Daniel Jones.
But Saquon Barkley is a truly special player. Even in the worst of environments, he can make it work. Barkley looks to be over his ankle sprain that cost him three games.
There is concern over the Giants’ remaining schedule. It gets especially tough during the playoffs, where the Giants play the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Rams. Nevertheless, Barkley is talented enough and has the role to overcome it. I much prefer Barkley to Stevenson.