Trading is the quickest way to take your team from sitting on the bubble of a playoff berth to a championship contender, or vice-versa if you make the wrong deal, which is why it is so important to make sure you are targeting (and selling) the right players at the right time.
And yes - every player has a price. It doesn't matter whether they are the best player in fantasy football or a dwindling kicker - every player has a price that they should be traded away for or should have something given up to get. If you don't know what the value of your players is, head over to our Trade Charts!
For people in leagues that are more active in trading, this is for you - these are our top 5 trade targets based on the "buy-low, sell-high" approach with players highlighted likely to see an increase in value in the near future due to easy matchups, surrounding injuries, improving/changing scenarios, etc:
1. DJ Moore - WR, Chicago Bears
Ever since an underwhelming Bears' debut in Week 1 (2 for 25 yards, 4.5 points), DJ Moore has been one of the more stable WRs in fantasy, posting six straight 10+ point games from Weeks 2-7 before a down 9.5-point performance in Week 8. Even with a Division II-rookie QB in Tyson Badgent in place of the injured Justin Fields, Moore has been serviceable, going 17 for 160 yards and 33 points (on 23 targets) in 3 games.
Justin Fields will be returning in the coming weeks and given his combination of weekly volume (6+ targets & 4+ catches in 7 straight games) with a down performance in Week 8, Moore appears a potential 'buy low' option, costing mid-WR2 value but likely presenting fringe-WR1 value (and top-5 upside) the rest of 2023.
2. Marquise Brown - WR, Arizona Cardinals
Brown could easily be a league-winner in 2023.
Hollywood has been nothing short of solid through the first half of 2023, currently standing as the WR21 in PPR scoring, even despite rather underwhelming QB play with Josh Dobbs under center and a 25.8% target share (17th).
The good news is help is coming for Brown. Kyler Murray will be returning either in Week 9 or Week 10 from the PUP List and will likely be a driving force for a strong second half of the season. With Murray at QB last year (and with Brown serving as the WR1 with Hopkins suspended), Brown ranked as the WR5 in PPR scoring and was 4th in the NFL in targets, connecting with his college QB for 12+ points in each game.
If the return of Murray isn't enough for you, Brown draws the 5th-easiest remaining schedule among WRs and the 2nd-easiest playoff schedule.
Even off a game where he saw 6 catches and a TD (15.3 points), Brown still appears a definite buy as he approaches what should be his most favorable stretch of the season, offering likely top-15 value the rest of the way for what will likely command a low-WR2 price tag.
3. T.J. Hockenson - TE, Minnesota Vikings
Hockenson was already going to be on this list without Kirk Cousins at QB, but now with the addition of Joshua Dobbs for the remainder of the season, he looks even better.
Now is the PERFECT time to swing big for an upgrade at TE if you have a mid-to-low TE1 option, specifically for Hockenson, who, even after a 20-point performance, will likely be available at a discount due to the narrative around losing Kirk Cousins.
Losing Cousins may be a blessing in disguise for Hockenson's fantasy outlooks this year, likely seeing an enlarged target count with more pass-friendly game scripts. That doesn't even factor into account the Vikings' new QB in Joshua Dobbs, who LOVES to utilize the TE position, giving the position a 31.5% target share during his time as a starter (3rd-highest) compared to a league-average 21.1% to TEs.
The volume will be there, neither the efficiency (2.204 FPPT, 21st of top-40 TEs) nor reliance on TDs is there (15.4% TD Dependency, 25th of top-40 TEs) are there to warrant tons of concern for Cousins' absence, Justin Jefferson's status remains uncertain for the coming weeks, and the remaining schedule is amazing for Hockenson (4th-easiest SOS over next 4, easiest remaining SOS, 2nd-easiest playoff SOS).
Everything indicates Hockenson is a buy. The replacement of Cousins with Dobbs is one that may seem like an overwhelming negative to most (and will likely drive down the asking price for the TE), but in reality, it shouldn't negatively affect Hockenson much, if all.
4. Tony Pollard - RB, Dallas Cowboys
Pollard has been solid, but nothing spectacular so far in 2023 - something that those that don't own him would look at and be comfortable taking on but something that those that own him (and spent either a 1st or 2nd rounder on) would be left with a sour taste in their mouths with.
He's gone for 15+ points in four of seven games, posting 8+ points in all but one game - last week. Now is the perfect time to make a 'buy low' run at Pollard - he's coming off his worst game of the season (13 touches, 53 yards, 6.5 points) in which he was used relatively scarcely due to the blowout early, and he hasn't found the endzone since Week 1, something that is very difficult to imagine continuing for very long.
The consistency (especially without TD production) is enough to make him a worthwhile buy, but the upside that we know he offers beyond what he's already shown makes him a priority target this week. I am heavily targeting Pollard as a mid-RB1 option that likely will command a low-RB1/high-RB2 price tag.
5. DeVon Achane - RB, Miami Dolphins
Achane is nearing an anticipated return in Week 11 (after a Week 10 bye), making this likely the last opportunity to get him at somewhat of a discount.
Prior to the knee injury that saw him placed on IR, Achane had taken the Dolphins' backfield by storm, getting eased into the offense in his debut in Week 2, then going crazy with 22 touches for 236 yards and 2 TDs in Week 3, 11 touches for 120 yards and 2 TDs in Week 4, and 12 touches for 165 yards and a TD in Week 5. In his three weeks of healthy action, he not only was a dominant producer, posting historic efficiency levels but took control of the Dolphins' RB room, leading the backfield in touches all three weeks.
With the backfield being rather average the last two weeks (no RB eclipsing 50 yards), there's definitely reason to believe Achane will step right back into the lead role and continue being a highly productive fantasy RB.
Now's the last chance to get him at an RB2 (or even mid-to-low RB2) price tag while he still sits on one of your league-mates' bench.