Fantasy Football Buy Low Sell High Trade Targets for Week 5 feat. A.J. Brown, Austin Ekeler and more
Week 5 in the NFL brings our first round of byes. We’ll be without the Chargers, Eagles, Lions, and Titans on Sunday. These byes, along with the rash of injuries across fantasy football, make the trade market even hotter this week. We always try to buy low and sell high, but sometimes that can’t be done. I’m here to tell you it’s OK to buy a guy who is playing well, even if you have to pay a premium price. The name of the game is winning. To win, we need to improve our rosters.
I often hear fantasy players ask me about “winning a trade.” There is no such thing. The bottom line is always: Did the move make your overall roster better? That’s all we care about. This week, there are lots of juicy options in the trade market for us to try and acquire. Target these players and strengthen your team heading into the second quarter of the fantasy season.
Week 5 Fantasy Football Buy Low Sell High Targets
Buy Low Targets
1] A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith (WR, PHI)
If you are in a position of power (4-0 or 3-1), these are the moves that win championships. First, the Eagles are on bye, and their current owners need players to plug their lineups this week. You can accommodate by trading a player of lesser ability to simply fill that gap. Secondly, the Eagles have played like total crap of late. Brown hasn’t played since Week 1. He’s a top 10 wide receiver in fantasy, and right now, his price to acquire has never been lower.
Smith is set to return from a concussion in Week 6. The Slim Reaper is off to a hot start. He’s scored at least 14 PPR points every week he’s played. That’s the production we can count on going forward to help us win a fantasy title. I’m focused on acquiring one of these Eagles receivers at a discount because they possess elite talent, and their schedule is fantastic. Upcoming games with the Browns, Giants, Bengals, and Jaguars will get this Bird's offense flying high again.
2] Austin Ekeler (RB, WAS)
Another player coming off an injury. Ekeler suffered a concussion and missed Week 4. In his absence, we learned that the Commanders can and will support two running backs in this offense. Ekeler’s replacement, Jeremy McNichols, exploded Sunday for 68 yards and two rushing scores. What does this teach us?
Whoever has the RB 2 role in Washington can and will score fantasy points. This is another opportunity to buy a very good player at a discount because his owner isn’t paying attention to what a no-name like McNichols did. Get Ekeler at a bargain basement price today.
3] DeVon Achane (RB, WAS)
Things are bad in Miami. This offense is completely lost without Tua Tagovailoa under center. Rumor has it Tagovailoa could return in Week 8. That’s still three weeks away, and these Dolphins' skill players are killing their current owners. If you are a league-leading team with some depth, go make an offer for DeVon Achane. After his Monday Night Football stinker (15 yards rushing and 14 yards receiving), his owners could be getting nervous. Use your depth to pry Achane away and stash him until Tua returns. This offense will look completely different once their quarterback situation is settled. We know Achane is an elite weapon. Now, he can be yours for pennies on the dollar.
Sell High Targets
1] Dallas Goedert (TE, PHI)
I want you to sell Goedert high this week as we talked about buying low on the Eagles receivers. With Philly going on a bye, he’s no good to you anyway. Trust me, everyone in your league is looking for tight end help. Flip Goedert for a long-term asset, as he likely wasn’t your starting TE to begin the season anyway. Goedert has 19 targets over the last two weeks. Before those games, he had nine total. That number aligns more with what he’ll see after the bye. Once Brown and Smith return, Goedert’s targets are going to vanish like a cheesesteak at 2 am.
2] Jayden Daniels (QB, WAS)
Am I crazy? I’m telling you to sell the hottest player in the NFL. If you need help, yes. This move is for folks who are 0-4 or 1-3. Holding an asset like Daniels while you have holes across your roster is foolish. There are plenty of suitable QB replacements on the waiver wire, like Geno Smith, Sam Darnold, or Andy Dalton, who can be your weekly starter.
The play here is to find someone infatuated with Daniels’ dual-threat ability and sell him at his peak value. Getting a stud receiver or two potential players is how winners win. QB is a very replaceable position in fantasy. Just look at the current top 10 scorers. Names like Justin Fields, Baker Mayfield, and Sam Darnold were never on anyone's radar to start the year. Flip your prized QB and rebuild your roster.
3] Rico Dowdle (RB, DAL)
Last week, everyone told you to add Dowdle. Now I’m telling you to trade him. Here’s why: he stinks. This offense in Dallas doesn’t want to run the ball. Dowdle is 38th in the NFL in carries. He only came through a week ago because of a cheap touchdown. Overall, he’s just not very good. I can see Dallas mixing in Dalvin Cook or anyone off the street more as the season goes on. Dowdle isn’t a special talent, and you can strike while the iron is hot to move him. Everyone watched football on Thursday night and saw him score. Use that TV game to your advantage and say see ya to the player I lovingly, call “Uncle Rico.”