Happy almost week 9 of the fantasy football season! Hope everyone’s weekend was filled with football and great vibes. It is now time to prepare for the next week. This is my weekly trade HUB article. Stay positive and keep going regardless of record and get ready for week 9. Mike here ready as always to help you with trade suggestions that can help your chances of winning your fantasy league. Follow me on Twitter (@FantasyHubbard) for all things fantasy football.
The MNF game tonight that will conclude week 8 is between the 3-4 Raiders and the 5-2 Lions in Detroit. Lions are coming off an embarrassing 32-point loss to the Ravens while the Raiders are coming off an 18-point loss to Chicago. Raiders and Lions both have the weapons to score a lot of points so it will be defenses in this game that should make the difference. I think this game could be closer than originally thought, but it’s hard to go against Detroit at home against a frustrated Raiders team. The line favors the Lions by 7.5 with an over/under of 47. Some names to keep an eye on tonight other than obvious studs, would be Sam LaPorta and Michael Mayer. My prediction for this game is 21-16 with the victory going to Detroit. Next week’s MNF game is between the Chargers and the Jets.
It is week 9 so make sure you’re aware if or when your league has a trade deadline. Try to sell and/or buy players with strategy and the use of your persuasion and negotiation skills. Here are some players to buy and sell before week 9 begins. Like I always say, one trade could be the difference in winning or losing your fantasy football league.
PLAYERS TO BUY
Isiah Pacheco – Kansas City Chiefs
Pacheco and the Chiefs suffered a loss at the hands of Denver in a shocking upset. They were favored by 7 and lost by 15. Pacheco had an off day rushing for 40 yards. He did manage 5 yards per carry, but it was the Chiefs playing catch up that hurt his opportunities. But also, he struggled in the pass game. He was targeted 3 times and caught all 3, however he had negative total receiving yards. 8 carries is tied for his lowest in a game this season for him back in week 1, and he hasn’t had negative receiving yards in his career. Pacheco should be good against Miami prior to their BYE week, and then take on the rough Eagles defensive line. After that its good matchups for Pacheco owners. Buy him if you can rather low.
Cooper Kupp – LA Rams
Cooper Kupp returned to the field in week 5 and has played in all 4 games he has been able to. He is averaging over 9 targets per game and had 266 receiving yards in week 5 and 6 combined. However, week 7 and 8 he only caught 6 total passes for 50 receiving yards. The targets are still there but it has to make you nervous. You have Kupp on your bench for weeks and he comes out hot and cools down a week later. Matthew Stafford seems to not be 100% and the rise of Puka Nacua is upon us. Kupp’s stock feels like it’s getting lower and selling him sky high for his name and previous statistics could benefit you if the price is right.
Tony Pollard – Dallas Cowboys
Pollard had an off week based off the expectations we have all had for him since last season’s emergence. First off how has Pollard not scored a receiving or rushing TD since week 1 when he plays for the 2nd highest scoring team in the NFL averaging 28 points per game thus far. If you can get a fair trade for Pollard, you have to take the shot. Some persuasive notes you could add to your offer include that he rushed for 53 yards yesterday and that’s the most since week 3, and the fact that he hasn’t scored is worrisome. Pollard has the Eagles rush defense next weekend so if you want to wait the extra week if he struggles, it makes sense. Buy low if possible.
PLAYERS TO SELL
DeAndre Hopkins – Tennessee Titans
Hopkins had himself a crazy 3 TD performance accruing 128 receiving yards. He caught just 4 passes on 6 targets and clearly made the most of them. Wil Levis put on a clinic for the Titans, but will he stay hot, or will things cool off? I don’t like my chances with DHop going forward. Those were his first scores of the season and the Titans have more than just DeAndre to catch passes. 5 different Titans had 3+ catches in week 8. I would throw out some sell high offers after his huge game because his stock might not be this high again.
Rashid Shaheed – New Orleans Saints
Is Rashid a glitch in the matrix or is his stock growing? He was targeted just 3 times yesterday and caught all 3. Not only did he score a TD, but he had 153 receiving yards on the day. Yes, the math shows that’s over 50 yards per catch. He has scored in 2 of his last 3 games. Olave has 19 more receptions than Shaheed and 39 more targets. That being said Shaheed has 3 TDs compared to Olave’s 1, and Rashid is only about 40 receiving yards less than Olave this season. Saints get Bears and Vikings next 2 weeks so sell him sky high.
Jahan Dotson – Washington Commanders
Dotson popped off against Philly yesterday. The 2nd year WR for Washington set career highs in targets, receptions, and receiving yards in his career. He finished with 8 receptions on 10 targets for 108 receiving yards and a score. Dotson has also been targeted 18 times in his last 2 games combined. Scary Terry was the WR being talked about because he usually can dominate the Eagles, but Dotson stole the spotlight. Dotson’s stock is rising and it’s a good time to get more than you usually could in a sell high situation.