Welcome back to my weekly Trade HUB article. Mike Hubbard Jr here, bringing you fantasy football information that can help you get an edge on your opponent and get you those weekly wins on your way to a successful season. Follow me on Twitter (@FantasyHubbard) and Instagram (@fantasyhubbard) for all things fantasy football.
Week 2 of the NFL season is coming to a close and we have seen many players thrive, while others have disappointed. With the season still just beginning, overreactions to player performances are worth taking advantage of. As I will continue to say, one trade could be the difference in winning or losing your fantasy football league. The time is now to sell high and buy low.
PLAYERS TO BUY
AJ Brown – Tennessee Titans
AJ had a disappointing outing this week in a comeback win in Seattle. Despite his 9 targets, he only caught 3 balls for 43 yards. He has had 7 catches on 17 targets for 92 yards and 1 TD this season. Without that TD, I’m sure fantasy owners would be a lot more worried. Take advantage of those who panic and buy low on Brown before he starts looking like the reliable WR1 he is sure to return to.
DK Metcalf – Seattle Seahawks
Like AJ Brown, Metcalf has had plenty of usage, but not the numbers fantasy owners expect from their WR1. Tyler Lockett has been the Seahawks stud WR so far with 3 TD’s and nearly 300 receiving yards in just 2 games. DK is still getting plenty of snaps and targets, so buy low on DK and expect HUGE numbers moving forward.
Austin Ekeler – Los Angeles Chargers
Ekeler had a solid stat line in Week 2 despite not scoring any TD’s. His 9 targets in the passing game are promising after having none week 1. Ekeler is worth buying low with the promise of rushing opportunities, plentiful targets, and goal line carries. As long as he can stay healthy, Ekeler’s usage should only rise. I would aggressively pursue him, especially in PPR leagues.
Jonathan Taylor – Indianapolis Colts
Taylor’s season has not gone according to plan… so far. He is averaging only a bit over 3 yards per carry and around 50 rushing yards per game, despite carrying the ball 17 times in week one and 15 times in week 2. His rushing yards are expected to increase, and his ability to passing game is very promising. Buy him low in hopes of more fantasy production moving forward.
Joe Mixon – Cincinnati Bengals
Mixon is a stud. His workload in the backfield is plentiful and reliable. Over 20 carries a game is exactly what fantasy owners love to see. His week 2 stats were below par for a RB1, which is why it’s the best time to pursue him. Buy low and watch Mixon continue to rack up snaps and rushing attempts, in a probable top 10 RB fantasy season.
Robby Anderson – Carolina Panthers
Anderson has not had the best start to his season. DJ Moore has been targeted 19 times with 14 receptions, compared to Robby’s 9 targets with 4 receptions. If it wasn’t for Anderson’s week 1 touchdown, people’s panic button would be close to being pushed, if not pushed already. McCaffrey and Moore are racking up the targets and receptions, but I still expect Robby’s stats to increase. Buy as low as you can.
PLAYERS TO SELL
Running backs – Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens shocked the favored Chiefs on SNF behind an unforgettable performance by QB Lamar Jackson. The Ravens are notorious for running the football, eclipsing 100 rushing yards for a record 41 consecutive games. That being said, Lamar usually leads the team in rushing attempts and rushing yards. Ty’Son Williams led the RB’s in rushes and yards, Latavius Murray got the only RB score, and Devonte Freeman had the longest run. The uncertainty in this RB committee is only going to get worse if Le’Veon Bell gets opportunities. Sell any of these 4 running backs in hopes of a more reliable starter moving forward.
Rob Gronkowski – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gronk continues to impress with another 2 TD performance. That makes 6 scores in his past 3 games including Super Bowl LV. Gronk might be the steal of the year, going late in many fantasy drafts this year. His history and chemistry with Brady make him a viable TE week in and week out. Averaging 6 receptions, 64 receiving yards, and 2 TD’s seems hard to maintain in an 17-game season, especially with the countless options Brady has in the passing game. That being said, Gronk is worth selling as high as you can. Try trading him for Darren Waller who is averaging 13 targets a game with David Carr returning to MVP form.
Henry Ruggs III – Las Vegas Raiders
Henry’s Week 2 performance was a night and day difference from Week 1. His 61-yard TD is exactly what was needed to be able to unload him while fantasy owners have his attention. Sell him high while you can, as I don’t expect him to be a reliable starting WR moving forward. Ruggs is always a deep threat, but those deep TD catches have been scarce, totaling only 3 TD’s in the 15 games he has played in his career.
Devin Singletary – Buffalo Bills
Singletary has had a decent start to his year, averaging 12 carries and 77 yards per game on the ground. Zach Moss stole snaps and vultured 2 TD’s from Singletary in week 2 after not playing week 1. Singletary and Moss will most likely split snaps more evenly in the future and that isn’t good news for Singletary’s owners. Also, the Bills will most likely pass more than they did this past week assuming that they don’t win by 35. Try to sell Singletary high for a player with more volume.
I will be continuing to provide this article every Monday, giving you the chance to get some trade offers out there before the weekly waivers. Go out there and make some moves to improve your team.