The NFL trade deadline is just a few hours away, and any last-minute moves could have profound fantasy football impacts. With the likes of Brandin Cooks, Kareem Hunt, Cam Akers, Chase Claypool, and Nyheim Hines among the names that could be on the move, the landscape for fantasy could shift considerably.
Let’s examine the potential landing spots for those players and which would be the best and worst destinations for fantasy managers.
Fantasy Impact of Potential NFL Trade Deadline Moves
The NFL trade deadline has been a relatively slow burn in terms of fantasy football impacts. The trade of Christian McCaffrey was a major one, but the other offensive-skill-position moves have yet to really move the needle. However, with rumors swirling, let’s examine the various options and the impact they may have on fantasy managers.
Brandin Cooks, WR | HOU
The will-he won’t-he nature of the Cooks’ situation is somewhat strange. Last year, we were told Cooks was a crucial part of the Houston Texans rebuild. This year, he could be on the move. There aren’t many moves we could see for Cooks that would not improve his fantasy value. Through eight weeks, he’s averaging 8.2 fantasy points per game in half-PPR formats, placing him as the WR49.
The potential destinations that have been mentioned for Cooks include the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams, and Minnesota Vikings. Of those four teams, the ideal landing spot for Cooks’ fantasy value would likely be the Packers.
Aaron Rodgers has lacked that clear No. 1 target, and with all the injury concerns for receivers, Cooks would drop straight into that role. Any move would hurt the upside of the likes of Allen Lazard, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson, but none of those have been that reliable as fantasy assets this season.
The Giants would also be an intriguing landing spot, as they have a void for a WR1. The biggest concern would be whether Daniel Jones is able to support Cooks. Jones would likely represent an upgrade over Davis Mills, but the Giants have the fourth-fewest pass attempts in the league with the fourth-most rushing attempts. Cooks’ arrival might change that equation slightly, but he’s more likely to be a 10-target per-game receiver in Green Bay than in New York.
There’s enough to like about the Rams and Vikings as well. However, in both situations, Cooks would be the clear No. 2 receiver at best. Most likely, we would be talking about a very slight increase in the fantasy value of Cooks. However, the fantasy values of Adam Thielen, Allen Robinson II, and Van Jefferson would be all but decimated.
Two other destinations that could be intriguing would be the New England Patriots or New York Jets. Cooks would most likely be the No. 1 receiver in both destinations, but the concerns over his upside would be similar to that of a move to the Giants. Equally, Cooks’ arrival would be a hammer blow to the fantasy values of Tyquan Thornton and Garrett Wilson.
Kareem Hunt, RB | CLE
There’s been a lot of talk of Hunt being traded after he appeared disgruntled by his situation in the offseason. On Sunday, we heard that the Cleveland Browns are willing to grant Hunt his request to be traded, but how would the potential destinations impact his trade value?
One area that has been discussed is the Rams after they missed out on McCaffrey. Peter King reported on Monday that he does not think the Rams are interested, which would be a shame. The Rams would be the ideal landing spot for Hunt, as he would have a chance to be the lead back. Cam Akers has been openly shopped for a trade, and Darrell Henderson II has been less than convincing. Hunt could have top-15 RB value if the Rams do decide to invest in him.
Perhaps the worst destination for fantasy managers among the rumors we have heard is the Philadelphia Eagles. A move to Philadelphia would essentially be a lateral move. Short-term, it might be a slight increase in value with the Eagles having a more potent offense.
However, when Deshaun Watson returns, the Browns’ offense has similar potential. Additionally, Hunt’s addition would significantly reduce Miles Sanders’ fantasy value.
The Miami Dolphins have also been mooted as a destination, but that would be equally messy. Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds have already been a frustrating pair to trust, so another back in the mix would further complicate it. Hunt would gain limited fantasy value, while both Mostert and Edmonds would likely see a significant decrease.
Cam Akers, RB | LAR
You could make the case that almost any move for Akers would be an increase in value. The Rams appear to be completely out on him, having shopped him for the last couple of weeks and effectively benching him.
Sean McVay has said they will welcome him back, but it would represent a massive 180 to give him significant touches going forward. Additionally, a return for Akers just further clouds Henderson’s value, as well as Ronnie Rivers’ and Kyren Williams’.
MORE: Cam Akers’ Potential Landing Spots
Yet, it’s tough to see a destination where Akers would go and be a starter. He hasn’t proven himself to be at that level, so anywhere he goes would likely be into a confusing backfield.
Perhaps the most intriguing would be the Atlanta Falcons, who find themselves in the mix in the NFC South. However, there’s no guarantee that Akers would push Caleb Huntley and Tyler Allgeier down the depth chart. Plus, there are the imminent returns of Cordarrelle Patterson and Damien Williams to consider.
Chase Claypool, WR | PIT
Update: Chase Claypool has been traded to the Chicago Bears.
All of the same teams that we discussed being in play for Cooks would also be in consideration for Claypool. While he doesn’t have the same pedigree as Cooks, Claypool could be a very effective No. 1 option for either the Packers or Giants.
Claypool’s demonstrated himself to be a safer pair of hands this year in a slightly different role from the pure deep-threat role he had in the first two years. He’s been averaging 6.25 targets per game with the Steelers and returning 38.9 receiving yards per game.
Arriving in Green Bay should see that number rise, while his usage could increase slightly with the Giants. A move to the Vikings and Rams might see a slight decrease in usage and could actually be detrimental to his value.
There are a few more teams in play for Claypool than for Cooks. With a year remaining on his rookie contract at a relatively cost-controlled price, we could see a team that is not necessarily a definitive challenger this year make the investment. That could increase the chance he ends up with a team like the Jets, Patriots, or Falcons. All three of those would see his value remain at least static and maybe slightly increase.
Nyheim Hines, RB | IND
We found out late Monday that there’s a good chance we see Hines traded before the deadline. Hines’ fantasy value is unlikely to see a significant increase because it would be a surprise if he suddenly became a lead back anywhere. At best, Hines would likely continue to be a complementary piece, as he’s been to Jonathan Taylor in Indianapolis.
It’s tough to identify a potential destination where Hines might become a double-digit touch RB. The Rams would be the most intriguing, just because of the mess that their backfield has been this year. However, Hines does not present a clear upgrade and could just be another part of that committee.
Nelson Agholor & Kendrick Bourne, WR | NE
Similar destinations to what we discussed for both Cooks and Claypool are in play here with Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne. But outside of maybe the Packers, it’s difficult to see where they could go and have consistent starting value in 12- or 14-team leagues.
In deeper leagues, arguably, any move where Agholor or Bourne might see consistent playing time and targets would be an increase in fantasy value. The usage for both in New England has been patchy at best. Each player has seen just one target per game in the last three weeks. They appear to have been phased out of New England’s offense. Therefore, any move would likely be positive for their usage.
Albert Okwuegbunam, TE | DEN
There was so much hope for Albert Okwuegbunam this year. After six targets in Week 1, that optimism grew. However, since then, Albert O has just five total targets and has been a healthy inactive for each of the past two weeks. Therefore, it would not be a surprise to see him moved ahead of the deadline.
The intriguing part is where he might land. The Tennessee Titans stand out as an option, with Austin Hooper having not provided the value they would have hoped when they brought him in. However, the Titans’ offense is a run-first one that has yet to commit to the passing game. Maybe Okwuegbunam’s arrival changes that, but it would be hard to trust.
Elsewhere among challengers, the Giants would make sense. They lost Daniel Bellinger for an extended period of time to an eye injury. Albert O would become an intriguing deeper-league option to consider stashing if that trade were to materialize, but it would be unlikely to have an instant impact.