October football is here and while we still have plenty of time to make trades, it hardly means you should wait too long to make those trades. Make those deals now! We hope our weekly end-of-season rankings help you in that respect, along with our positional trade index.
With the NFL season heading into Week 5, it is quite amazing how quickly things can change in fantasy football. One month in and look at all the new names that suddenly matter in fantasy football … and the many names that might not.
Quarterback
Rankings changes: It remains completely unrealistic to expect Panthers newcomer Sam Darnold to continue scoring rushing touchdowns at a rate of more than one per game, but still, it is fun to point out he is fifth in QB scoring. He has solid players around him. The Giants’ Daniel Jones is sixth in scoring, with both ahead of the Bills’ Josh Allen. No, we still take Allen every single time, but Jones and Darnold move into safer QB2 territory. Jones comes first because his rushing prowess might stick.
Trade for: Keep a close watch on the 49ers because even if Jimmy Garoppolo plays through a calf injury, the Trey Lance era is going to start at some point soon. Get in on the fun if you still can. No other rookies look like stars in 2021, though it is rarely just their fault. The Titans’ Ryan Tannehill makes for a decent trade target, assuming his starting receivers return to health.
Be cautious trading for: Darnold, for an obvious one. The Saints’ Jameis Winston has attempted 86 passes in four games. Yikes. Tom Brady has nearly 100 more. Starting to get a bit worried that Dak Prescott, who always seems to rush for six touchdowns, will not get close to that.
Running back
Rankings changes: Why is the Titans’ Derrick Henry still at the top even though the Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey might be back this week and other pass-catchers such as the Saints’ Alvin Kamara and Giants’ Saquon Barkley look great? Henry is catching passes! More than Kamara so far. Twice as many as Ezekiel Elliott. Anyway, McCaffrey and Barkley do move up, while Dalvin Cook, Jonathan Taylor and others slide a bit. Each Cardinals running back rises. Injured Bengal Joe Mixon falls some. Injured Bear David Montgomery falls some more. Miles Sanders appears healthy, but his volume is not. Nice job, Eagles. The Falcons’ Cordarrelle Patterson, wildly, even sans volume, is now a strong flex option.
Trade for: Well, Barkley for sure. Steelers rookie Najee Harris is safe for volume. The Colts’ Taylor can clearly do more. Same with the Lions’ D’Andre Swift.
Be cautious trading for: Patterson, obviously. What he is doing is stunning, much like Darnold. If you think McCaffrey will just keep getting hurt, then let someone else deal with it. Who knows? The Sanders situation boggles the mind. Tough to trade for him.
Wide receiver
Rankings changes: The 49ers’ Deebo Samuel and Panthers’ DJ Moore keep producing and moving up, while fantasy managers complain about their ignored teammates Brandon Aiyuk and Robby Anderson. The Cardinals remain unbeaten, but DeAndre Hopkins’ fantasy managers are not enjoying it the past three weeks. Nearly 40 wide receivers alone boast more targets this season. The Raiders’ Hunter Renfrow is legit. The Jaguars’ Laviska Shenault Jr. will score a touchdown soon. Farewell, DJ Chark.
Trade for: Titans A.J. Brown and Julio Jones will find health, will play again and will play well. Same for the Seahawks’ DK Metcalf. The Bears’ Allen Robinson II will improve.
Be cautious trading for: Even when the Saints’ Michael Thomas is healthy, will Winston be permitted to throw the football downfield? The Rams claim they must get Robert Woods more involved. Wait until they do — if they do.
Tight end
Rankings changes: Well, this is what we were afraid of with the Buccaneers’ Rob Gronkowski. The team says he might play in Week 6, but the way Gronkowski plays, more injuries and missed games seem likely. The 49ers’ George Kittle looks hurt. Washington’s Logan Thomas is hurt. The Cowboys’ Dalton Schultz and Bills’ Dawson Knox look legit. The Packers’ Robert Tonyan looks ignored.
Trade for: Other than the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce and Raiders’ Darren Waller, it is tough to trade for any tight end as of now.
Be cautious trading for: Everyone else, and that includes Kittle.
