My goal with this article is very simple: I’m trying to isolate players whose values — both perceived and in reality — will be shifting in the near future. I’m always looking ahead, always looking for opportunities to buy or sell every week after I watch all the games, scan all the data, and examine all the schedules.
It’s hard not to list some of the more obvious entries, but I try to think both outside and inside the box, so I’ll sometimes stray from my logical approach and come out of left field every once in a while with a recommendation. Whatever it takes to find an edge in the trade market.
Note: I’m including the FPG given up (PPR) by each opponent for each player’ respective position when I list them as upcoming matchups.
PLAYERS TO TRADE FOR
Lamar Jackson (QB, Bal) — If they don’t turn things around soon, the Ravens are on track to have one of the greatest single-season implosions in NFL history — but that ain’t happenin’ with Lamar. Baltimore has the Rams this week in a game Lamar may miss, and then they have a bye, so he probably won’t help you until Week 8. However, if you’re willing to take on some risk for a major needle-mover, when he does return, he has a stretch of eight games that include mostly choice matchups for the pass. Here are their opponents and the current FPG they’re giving up to QBs: vs. Chi (21.2), at Mia (24.2), at Min (13.3), at Cle (15.0), vs. NYJ (20.0), vs. Cin (20.0), vs. Pit (22.9), and at Cin (20.0). There are seasons within the season, and they are big losers in Seasons 1 and 2, but we still have seasons 3, 4, 5, and 6. Once Lamar is back, they can start over in Season 3 or 4, and a new season is always a fresh start (kidding/not kidding).
Our AI Tool Ball Knowledge agrees with my assessment:
But it does caution:
