Fantasy Football

Fantasy managers who were able to count on Cooper Kupp for consistent production find themselves in a bad spot for the rest of the season.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay announced this week his star will be placed on injured reserve after having surgery to repair a high ankle sprain.

While McVay didn't rule out Kupp returning before the end of the season, he will miss a minimum of four weeks. The earliest he will be eligible to return is the Rams' Week 15 game against the Green Bay Packers.

Kupp has been the only offensive standout for the reigning Super Bowl champs thus far. He has 98 targets, 75 receptions, 812 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns. The rest of the team's pass-catchers have 219 targets, 146 receptions, 1,337 yards and nine total touchdowns.

If you subscribe to the old fantasy theory that someone has to catch passes in this offense, you might be able to talk yourself into one of the Rams' pass-catchers.

The Rams bet on Allen Robinson during the offseason when he signed a three-year, $46.5 million deal as a free agent.

Robinson got the deal despite coming off the worst season of his career in 2021. Usually one of the most dependable fantasy receivers in the NFL, the 29-year-old had just 38 receptions, 410 yards and one touchdown in 12 games with the Chicago Bears.

He averaged 1,199 receiving yards, 100 receptions and 153 targets over the previous two seasons. No other player on the Bears had more than 61 catches or 631 yards in 2020.

If Robinson's decline was only down to playing for an inept Chicago offense, putting him in Sean McVay's system next to Kupp seemed like reason enough to expect him to get back to those pre-2021 numbers.

Through nine games thus far, it seems Robinson's decline may not be entirely because of the Bears offense. He has 292 yards and two touchdowns on 29 receptions.

Van Jefferson had 802 yards and six touchdowns in 17 starts last season. He ranked 31st overall among all wide receivers in PPR leagues with 118.2 points, per Fantasy Pros. Injuries caused him to miss the first six games, but he has just 27 yards on three catches in three games since Week 8.

Tyler Higbee was a decent sleeper tight end coming into the season. The 29-year-old suffered a knee injury in the NFC Championship Game that required surgery. He racked up 560 yards and tied his career high with five touchdowns during the 2021 regular season.

Given how weak tight end is in fantasy right now, betting on Higbee as a starter isn't a bad option. He was a borderline TE1 in 2021 with 86 points in PPR leagues. He ranks second on the Rams with 385 receiving yards on 44 receptions, though he has yet to find the end zone.

None of these options is especially appealing, even if Matthew Stafford returns this week after sitting out Week 10 with a concussion.

Maybe Higbee's value increases slightly because he's been the No. 2 option after Kupp and fantasy production from tight ends overall in 2022 has been dreadful.

As the fantasy postseason fast approaches, trade deadlines are looming large.

Below, we'll examine the updated trade value chart for this season's top 100 players ahead of Week 11, as managers look to make improvements before chasing titles in December.

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Trade Value: 15

1. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

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Trade Value: 14

2. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

3. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills

4. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

5. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

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Trade Value: 13

6. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

7. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

8. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns

9. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

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Trade Value: 12

10. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

11. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals

12. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

13. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

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Trade Value: 11

14. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

15. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

16. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

17. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

18. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers

19. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

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Trade Value: 10

20. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

21. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots

22. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

23. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers

24. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

25. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles

26. Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears

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Trade Value: 9

27. Marquise Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals

28. Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

29. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions

30. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

31. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

32. Jakobi Meyers, WR, New England Patriots

33. Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans

34. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks

35. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

36. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

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Trade Value: 8

37. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks

38. Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns

39. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

40. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders

41. Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints

42. Allen Lazard, WR, Green Bay Packers

43. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

44. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers

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Trade Value: 7

45. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

46. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins

47. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

48. Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals

49. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Detroit Lions

50. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers

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Trade Value: 6

51. Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

52. Leonard Fournette, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

53. Jamaal Williams, RB, Detroit Lions

54. D'Onta Foreman, RB, Carolina Panthers

55. Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

56. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

57. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

58. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks

59. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

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Trade Value: 5

60. Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks

61. Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings

62. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

63. D'Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions

64. Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys

65. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington Commanders

66. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals

67. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys

68. Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens

69. David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears

70. Devin Singletary, RB, Buffalo Bills

71. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Trade Value: 4

72. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers

73, Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams

74. Dalton Schultz, TE, Dallas Cowboys

75. Gerald Everett, TE, Los Angeles Chargers

76. Gabe Davis, WR, Buffalo Bills

77. Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders

78. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

79. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets

80. Mecole Hardman, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

81. Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings

82. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

83. DJ Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers

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Trade Value: 3

84. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

85. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

86. Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, Miami Dolphins

87. Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins

88. James Robinson, RB, New York Jets

89. Michael Carter, RB, New York Jets

90. Kenyan Drake, RB, Baltimore Ravens

91. Kareem Hunt, RB, Cleveland Browns

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Trade Value: 2

92. Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears

93. Hayden Hurst, TE, Cincinnati Bengals

94. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons

95. Greg Dulcich, TE, Denver Broncos

96. Latavius Murray, RB, Denver Broncos

97. Rondale Moore, WR, Arizona Cardinals

98. Darrell Henderson Jr., RB, Los Angeles Rams

99. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos

100. Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Last week we talked about the "buy low" window being fully closed on Justin Fields. Is it already possible that it might be a good time to sell high?

It's obviously a risk, given that the 23-year-old is on a hotter streak than Pete Davidson at the moment. And if you don't have another elite quarterback on your fantasy roster, why would you trade him at all?

In the event that you do have two elite options at the position and holes on your roster, though, it's fair to question if Fields is going to continue putting up 41 points per game, which is what he's averaged over the past two weeks.

Most total fantasy points scored across all positions over the last 4 weeks:

1. Justin Fields: 131.5
2. Tua Tagovailoa: 92.6

54. Davis Mills: 53.7

So, the gap between Fields and the 2nd highest-scorer is the same as the 2nd and 54th highest-scoring player (38.9 points).

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 15, 2022

In those games, the Chicago Bears QB has rushed 28 times for 325 yards and three touchdowns. If you wouldn't expect a running back to keep up that level of production, why would you expect it from a quarterback?

Keep in mind that Fields didn't rush for over 100 yards in any of his first eight games, and he averaged 15.2 fantasy points per game in those contests. Now, he's trending in the right direction for fantasy players in general, with six straight games of 17 or more fantasy points and four straight with at least 23 fantasy points.

The Bears have adapted their offense to his skill set, and the results have been fantastic.

Justin Fields' weekly quarterback fantasy finishes, Weeks 1 through 4: 23rd, 27th, 31st, 26th

Justin Fields' weekly quarterback fantasy finishes, Weeks 5 through 10: 12th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st, and currently 1st

Weeks 1-4 rush attempts per game: 8.5

Weeks 5-10: 11.7

— JJ Zachariason (@LateRoundQB) November 14, 2022

But it's hard to imagine Fields keeping up this level of production. He might be a top-five quarterback the rest of the way, but his current pace is downright legendary, and these value spikes tend to even out over time.

That doesn't mean you should definitely trade him. It means if it makes sense for you to trade him, his value will probably never be higher.

On the other end of the value spectrum, the tight end position has become a mess, with injuries affecting players like Dallas Goedert, Zach Ertz, Darren Waller and David Njoku, among others. Outside of maybe snagging Cole Kmet on waivers, you might be looking for a value buy at the position.

At this point, Kyle Pitts' value couldn't get much lower. He's averaging a disappointing 7.6 fantasy points in points-per-reception leagues. He's only hit double-digit points three times. His quarterback is still the very meh Marcus Mariota. It's not great.

But...he's nonetheless a big part of Atlanta's offense, with 24 targets the past three weeks. It isn't easy to trust him given his rough season thus far, but if only a few more of those targets connect, a late-season breakthrough is still possible.

And hey, you are buying low here. The 22-year-old is ranked 20th among tight ends in PPR leagues. Nobody's holding onto him with the expectation they'll get blown away by a trade offer.

If you are desperate, there are options with a far lower ceiling, which at this point is almost a glowing recommendation for Pitts given the state of the tight end position.

Almost.

Delayed gratification could be the theme for Buffalo Bills running back James Cook.

Expectations were understandably high when the Bills selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft. Taking a running back that high is a strong endorsement.

And while Cook didn't have a prolific college career (230 carries, 1,503 yards and 14 touchdowns in four seasons), his workload at Georgia meant his best days might be ahead of him.

Instead, the 23-year-old has run for 169 yards and one touchdown on 33 carries. His seven receptions for 96 yards have done little to help his fantasy football value.

The Bills also acquired Nyheim Hines from the Indianapolis Colts in the middle of the season. Through Hines has logged just 10 offensive snaps with Buffalo, that's bound to change because the team wouldn't have executed the trade if it didn't believe he'd play a meaningful role in the offense.

For fantasy football managers with Cook on their rosters, there isn't much reason to consider trading him now unless a rival manager is willing to go above and beyond in the deal.

Devin Singletary is a free agent in the offseason, and his return shouldn't be considered a foregone conclusion.

As well as Singletary has performed through his first four years in Buffalo, the Bills could easily prefer to lean on a younger replacement who also costs less in 2023. And if Singletary leaves, then Cook will be the primary beneficiary.

Should that become a reality, Cook's value will climb significantly ahead of next year. You could either move forward with him as a regular contributor in your lineup or sell relatively high in a trade.

According to FantasyPros, the default 2022 fantasy trade deadline is Nov. 19 in Yahoo and CBS fantasy leagues, while ESPN's is Nov. 30.

If you're looking for a buy-low candidate to help your backfield in dynasty fantasy football leagues, then Los Angeles Chargers running back Isaiah Spiller could be your man.

Los Angeles selected Spiller in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft. In three years at Texas A&M, he ran for 2,993 yards and 25 touchdowns and caught 74 passes for 585 yards and one score.

Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski gave the Chargers a "B" grade for taking Spiller and called him "a bigger (217 lbs) and more physical back to play alongside Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley."

Whereas it looked like Spiller could at least spell Ekeler enough to be a fantasy sleeper or flash big long-term potential, the 21-year-old has been a peripheral figure. He has made just three appearances so far, running for 27 yards on 12 carries.

His highest usage came in a 20-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9, when he logged 13 offensive snaps.

"I thought that he looked calm," head coach Brandon Staley told reporters after the game. "I thought he had a lot of productive runs. He was getting positive yards. I thought he hit of a couple creases."

Staley added Spiller "was seeing the game" and that the Chargers "have to continue to get him more experience and more opportunities."

There are still good reasons to remain bullish on Spiller's upside.

As good as Ekeler is, he's 27 years old and due to be a free agent in 2024. The Chargers might decide at that time they're ready to move on to a younger, cheaper option at running back.

Were that to happen, Spiller is the most logical candidate currently on the roster. Sony Michel might be little more than a one-year stopgap, and Kelley isn't going to be the solution, either.

If you're willing to be patient, then banking on Spiller to deliver in 2023 might be a smart play for the right price.

Expectations weren't that high to begin with, but fantasy football managers are likely feeling underwhelmed with their returns from Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison in 2022.

Through nine games, Mattison has run for 149 yards and two touchdowns. His 16.6 yards per game are nearly half his career average (30.1) and would represent a third straight year of decline.

Entering the season, the 24-year-old at least looked like a valuable handcuff for Dalvin Cook. Based on the fact that he's rostered in just 40 percent of Yahoo Sports leagues, some fantasy managers have lost faith in him even fulfilling that capacity.

Typically, a younger running back might be more valuable in dynasty leagues. If the production isn't there now, it could be in another year or two as his usage grows.

With Mattison, the opposite might be true because Cook isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

The three-time Pro Bowler is signed through the 2025 season, and his performance is giving the Vikings little reason to cut bait. The 27-year-old has run for 727 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 5.0 yards per carry. He has also caught 22 passes for 146 yards and one score.

There isn't anything to indicate Mattison is a star in the making, either, were he to sign with another team when he's eligible for free agency in 2023. He's averaging 4.2 yards per carry through four years and hasn't shown a lot as a pass-catcher (65 receptions, 501 yards and three touchdowns).

If you believe in Mattison's potential, it's a good time to trade for him because his outlook may improve slightly if he's in a different uniform. From the other side of the deal, though, that offers a good reason to wait because his value in the offseason can't be any lower than it is.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris has not lived up to expectations in his second NFL season, leaving fantasy football managers with questions about how to handle him ahead of their league trade deadlines.

Harris is coming off his best game of the year, setting season highs with 20 rushing attempts and 99 yards. It could provide hope of a second-half turnaround after he was limited by a foot injury for most of the campaign.

On the other hand, Week 10 was not a great sign from a fantasy perspective.

Backup Jaylen Warren continued to see a bigger role, tallying a season-high nine rushing attempts while playing 43 percent of snaps, keeping Harris at 60 percent. A 60-40 split going forward would be especially bad for Harris, who played 83.6 percent of the offensive snaps last season as the only true option in the backfield.

Add in Harris' recent "knee discomfort," per ESPN's Brooke Pryor, and it's difficult to imagine he will return to being a three-down back.

Perhaps most importantly, Warren caught three passes, while Harris was held without a catch for the second time this season.

When Harris was a top-five running back in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues last season, he had 74 catches on 94 targets for 467 yards. This season, the former Alabama star is on pace for 45 catches on 55 targets for 212 yards.

Without the elite passing work, Harris is not an RB1 or likely even an RB2.

It makes the 2021 first-round pick someone to sell immediately in fantasy leagues. The quality rushing game in Week 10 might be enough to intrigue some managers, providing an opportunity to land another RB2 or WR2. Terry McLaurin, DeVonta Smith or Miles Sanders could be quality targets.

Warren, meanwhile, is someone who should be added in all leagues in case his role continues to increase or Harris is forced to miss time because of an injury. His 5.0 yards per carry this season, even behind an inconsistent offensive line, provides the hope of him starring in a standalone role.

Of course, fantasy managers shouldn't go overboard in trades for Warren, either in redraft or dynasty leagues. Harris remains the starter, and the Steelers are unlikely to change that if he is healthy enough to play.

Warren could be comparable to AJ Dillon or Alexander Mattison going forward, someone who will be difficult to put in fantasy lineups unless there is an injury. Kareem Hunt represents a best-case scenario, but even that is limited upside in most leagues.

With fantasy trade deadlines happening this week for many leagues, it's a good time to explore the trade value of a few under-the-radar players. Here we'll look at two players orbiting around the otherworldly talent that is Justin Jefferson: Minnesota Vikings wideouts Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn.

Thielen is nothing more than a weekly flex option and his value should reflect as much. He's only hit double-digit fantasy points in PPR leagues four times this season, though he has scored at least nine points seven times.

He'll consistently offer you some production, but his upside is pretty limited at this point. He probably has more short-term value than long-term upside in dynasty leagues, seeing as he's 32, so if you are trading for him keep that in mind as well.

If the goal is to win this year, well, there are probably more impactful options worth considering. If the goal is to fortify your team in the long run, well...there are still probably more impactful options worth considering.

Osborn is a tougher call. He emerged as the team's third receiver last year, catching 50 passes for 655 yards and seven scores. Another jump seemed likely in 2022 but hasn't materialized to this point.

He's the opposite of Thielen. In dynasty leagues, he has more long-term appeal because in the short-term he isn't worth trading for at all. But if you are looking for a long-term stash, only consider paying WR4 prices for him. The hope is that down the line he emerges as the WR2 behind Jefferson.

Because when it comes to Minnesota's passing game, it's all about Jefferson, with a sprinkling in of tight end T.J. Hockenson. Thielen and Osborn are further down the pecking order.