Fantasy football managers often overreact to one-week performances, opening the door for sharp trades. This is the time to spot buy-low, sell-high fantasy football opportunities before values shift. Whether it's a slow start, injury recovery or unsustainable production, managers can use the trade market to get ahead. Stay on top of player roles with RotoWire's weekly projections as you evaluate potential deals.
Buy Candidates
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts 
Hurts' start to the year has been uneven, but that creates opportunity. Philadelphia's offense has yet to hit its stride, particularly in the passing game, but Hurts remains a weekly difference-maker due to his rushing upside. The Eagles' upcoming schedule features multiple soft secondaries, giving him a strong chance to rebound. This is a classic case where a superstar's temporary slump opens a small window to buy low.
Running Back
Quinshon Judkins 
Buying a player high is rarely ideal, but Judkins is an exception. He has fewer than 17 PPR points in three of four games while facing tough run defenses like Green Bay, Detroit and Minnesota. Despite that, he's clearly the focal point of the offense and profiles as a three-down back with goal-line upside. With an extremely favorable rest-of-season schedule, Cleveland will continue leaning on him heavily, making Judkins a legitimate league-winner candidate.
Wide Receiver
DJ Moore 
Through four games, Moore has failed to reach 13 PPR points and has had single-digit performances in two of his last three. That said, Ben Johnson's offense was still in its early stages before the Week 5 bye. Expect adjustments now that the staff has a better understanding of Caleb Williams' strengths. Johnson is known for maximizing his playmakers, and Moore's elite talent should reemerge soon, making him an ideal buy before the breakout hits.
Tight End
Trey McBride 
McBride's start has been solid but underwhelming for fantasy managers who expected elite production. His best outing through five games is just 15.3 PPR points even though his role remains strong. With Arizona now thin at running back and facing tougher opponents, they'll need to throw more often. That sets up McBride as a top target for Kyler Murray and a prime buy candidate before his next surge in volume.
Sell Candidates
Quarterback
Jared Goff 
We've seen a clear pattern with Goff's fantasy value over the last two seasons. When game scripts turn pass-heavy, he thrives, but in competitive contests, Detroit leans on its run game and limits his ceiling. Three of his five starts have resulted in 16.4 fantasy points or fewer. Coming off a blowup performance against Cincinnati, this is the perfect chance to sell high before regression returns.
Running Back
Ashton Jeanty 
After a slow start, Jeanty has flashed with strong games against the Bears and Colts. Still, the Raiders' offensive line continues to struggle, and the team's instability limits his week-to-week reliability. His post–Week 8 schedule includes multiple tough matchups that could expose those flaws. If Jeanty delivers one more big performance against Tennessee, use that momentum to maximize your return in a fantasy football trade.
Wide Receiver
McConkey finally found the end zone last week, which may convince some that he's turning the corner. In reality, his production remains limited, as he hasn't topped 49 yards since Week 1 and is averaging just four receptions per game. The Chargers' offense has struggled to create consistency, and McConkey's role hasn't expanded as hoped. With five weeks gone and little sign of a breakout, this is the time to sell after a respectable Week 5 showing while his name still carries optimism.
Tight End
Evan Engram 
Engram's recent stat lines look better than they are, with four catches in each of his last two games and one touchdown. Denver's improving defense means fewer high-volume passing scripts ahead, and wide receivers are increasingly commanding the bulk of targets. His recent touchdown in a high profile contest against Philadelphia could inflate his perceived value. Take advantage now to sell high and don't hesitate to pivot to a streamer if needed.
Conclusion
Savvy managers know when to strike in the trade market, moving off players before decline and acquiring stars on the rise. This week's buy/sell fantasy football window includes names that could define your season down the stretch. Stay ahead of the curve by checking updated NFL depth charts before finalizing trades.
