It’s that time of the season. Two weeks are in the books, and you’re staring at your fantasy roster for Week 3, wondering if you’ve got a championship contender or a team destined for the cellar. The overreactions are flying, the panic is setting in for some, and the savvy players are looking to make moves.
This isn’t just about shuffling deck chairs; it’s about making calculated strikes that could define your season. Whether you’re looking to offload a player who’s performing above his pay grade or snatch a stud who’s just getting warmed up, the trade market is where championships are forged. Let’s dive into the trenches and identify the players you should be targeting and those you might want to ship out before their value takes a nosedive.
Buy Targets: Go Get Your Guy for Week 3
Opportunity often knocks softly. Smart fantasy managers don’t just look at the box score; they look at the usage, the target share, and the underlying metrics that scream “breakout ahead!” Here are a few players whose stock is about to soar.
- Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Let’s be honest, the manager who drafted Drake London is probably pulling their hair out right now. Drafted as a high-end WR2, London is currently sitting outside the top 40 in PPR scoring. If that owner isn’t 0-2, they’re likely looking at London as dead weight on an otherwise solid squad. And that, my friends, is your cue to pounce.
Don’t let the slow start fool you; London’s usage is elite. He’s tied for 12th in targets and ranks 9th in target share. The production just hasn’t matched the opportunity… yet. He’s fourth in PPR points under expectation. That’s a ticking time bomb of positive regression waiting to explode.
With a rookie QB in Michael Penix Jr. still finding his footing and a couple of friendly matchups against Carolina and Washington on the horizon, the stars are aligning. Penix has a cannon, and London is his undisputed number one. Make an offer for London now before he reminds everyone why he was a top draft pick. The buy-low window is closing fast.
- Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Panic in Cincinnati! Joe Burrow is down, and the sky is falling on the Bengals’ offense, right? Not so fast. The manager who owns Chase Brown is likely staring at his RB24 ranking and thinking it’s time to bail. This is where you come in.
Brown’s usage has been nothing short of staggering. He leads the entire league in carry share, handling an insane 92.5% of the Bengals’ rushing attempts. He’s also getting involved in the passing game. He’s fifth among all running backs in expected PPR points, but a massive gap between his expected and actual scoring screams that a correction is coming.
But what about the offense with Jake Browning at the helm? Last season, when Browning took over for an injured Burrow, the offense didn’t just survive; it thrived. The team averaged more points and yards per game, and, critically for Brown, the running back target share actually increased. The Bengals’ ceiling might be lower, but their floor is solid. Brown is the workhorse. Go get him from a panicked owner who can’t see the forest for the trees.
Sell Candidates: Cash In Your Chips for Week 3
Recognizing when a player’s value has peaked is just as important as identifying a breakout. These players are performing well, but a closer look suggests their production might not be sustainable. It’s time to sell high.
- Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This one might hurt. You likely drafted Emeka Egbuka as a high-upside rookie, and he’s delivered, sitting as a top-15 WR in PPR leagues. He’s been awesome. But it’s time to have a tough conversation. His value may never be higher than it is right now.
Egbuka has been incredibly touchdown-dependent, snagging three of the team’s five passing scores. That’s a rate that’s almost impossible to maintain. He ranks 13th in points but is outside the top 30 in targets and receptions. He’s outkicking his coverage, and a regression to the mean is inevitable.
The elephant in the room is the impending return of Chris Godwin. Once Godwin is back on the field, Egbuka’s target share is bound to take a hit. Don’t wait for a “meh” week or for Godwin’s return to be officially announced. Package Egbuka in a deal for a more established player whose volume is secure. It’ll feel wrong, but it’s the right move for the long haul.
- Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
If you drafted Travis Etienne, you’re feeling like a genius. An RB1-level scorer from the later rounds is a league-winning formula. But like Egbuka, Etienne’s early success is built on a somewhat shaky foundation.
Yes, the Jaguars’ new offense under Liam Coen is friendly to running backs, but Etienne’s workload isn’t as secure as it appears. He’s only 20th in carry share and 28th in target share among running backs. He’s scoring well above his expected points, a classic sign of a sell-high candidate.
Behind him, the rookie Bhayshul Tuten is already carving out a role, with his snaps and touches increasing significantly from Week 1 to Week 2. It’s more likely that this backfield evolves into a committee than Etienne maintaining this bell-cow production. His name value is high right now. See if you can flip him for a back with a more guaranteed workload before the Jags’ backfield gets more crowded.
