Fantasy Football Week 5: “Tricky Trade” Options
I thought that this week we would change things up a little bit and look at some possible trade options that could put your fantasy football team over the top. When I look for trades, I’m looking to deal a player who has had a big first quarter of the season, but is likely to level off for a known commodity that has not had the ideal start to the season. At this time of the year, many owners start to get nervous and that is a perfect time to lure them into a trade. What you don’t want to do is let go of a player who hasn’t had the ideal start to the season. Here is a look at some fantasy football “Tricky Trade” options.
Sep 21, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) prepares to make a pass during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
QB – Carson Palmer/Tom Brady
Carson Palmer has been out for the last two games with an injury and if an owner is still holding onto him, they might be looking to make a deal. Palmer has two favorable matchups coming with Washington and Oakland. It could set up a nice return for Palmer once rejoining the team.
Are we witnessing the end of Tom Brady? I don’t know, but he has yet to throw a multiple touchdown game and has five turnovers this season. With that said, I just can’t count him out. The Patriots have several favorable matchups coming up and I wouldn’t be surprised if an owner would take a RB4/WR5 at this point for Brady.
RB – LeSean McCoy/Mark Ingram
One of the biggest mysteries of the 2014 NFL season is the disappointment that is LeSean McCoy. However, I really think that some owners would like to replace McCoy with some production. Jamaal Charles taught us a lesson last night; you don’t give up on talent and McCoy has plenty of it. How about offering Ahmad Bradshaw for McCoy and see if the owner takes it.
Mark Ingram is currently out after hand surgery, but he should be back in a couple weeks. Before he was injured, he was running wild and was the focal point of the Saints run offense. They could use an infusion of life to an offense that has looked stagnant lately and Ingram could be that infusion upon his return.
WR – Torrey Smith/Vincent Jackson
Torrey Smith is another commodity who could shine for your fantasy football team. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
With Dennis Pitta out for the season someone else has to catch passes other than Steve Smith Sr. Torrey Smith has had and ultra-slow start to the season, but showed some life last week. I think he becomes more involved as teams attempt to take away Smith Sr. As a consistent long ball threat and having proven his talent in years past, Smith could be quite the add on your fantasy football team.
Vincent Jackson couldn’t be happier about Mike Glennon taking over at quarterback. After an extremely slow start to the season, Jackson will now soak up lots of targets with rookie Mike Evans out for 2-3 weeks. And with how poorly the Buccaneers have been playing to start the year, they should be playing from behind early and often. With some highly favorable matchups in the coming weeks, now is the time to strike.
TE – Jordan Cameron
I think when we look at the next four games, Jordan Cameron will be one of the most productive tight ends in the league. He has four great matchups coming up and should be fully healed after this week’s bye. More than that, when Josh Gordon, and his field-stretching presence, returns later this year, Cameron may find much more space to work with. You might have to give up a decent player to get Cameron, but he should be back into the TE1 category within the next couple of weeks.
Let us know what kind of trades you’re pursuing in the comments below also visit Stripehype.com for our weekly fantasy football posts.