2 weeks Ago By Maurice Moton
Midway through the NFL season, you can acquire a league-winning asset with the right offer and go on a November run—all the way to a championship victory. Fantasy market traders have heard about Christian McCaffrey's imminent return. What would it take to acquire him? In real-time, NFL trades can impact the fantasy market.
Last week, the Kansas City Chiefs acquired wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Did his stock rise or fall over the last week? As we head into the second half of the season, keep an eye out for potential season-ending injuries. Potential replacements and backups could take full advantage of new opportunities with a chance to climb the depth chart.
Looking toward Week 9, this midseason trade market report could help you jump-start a postseason or title run. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers Week 8: N/A 2024 Season: N/A By now, you should have sold your Jordan Mason stock and, over the next two weeks, try to swing deals for McCaffrey. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport , the three-time Pro Bowler may be back on the field for the 49ers after their Week 9 bye.
He would draw a favorable matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who allow more than five rushing yards per carry. McCaffrey missed the first two months of the season because of bilateral Achilles tendinitis. Assuming he practices and is ready to suit up in November, the 2023 rushing champion should be atop your list of trade targets.
Buy McCaffrey for: Breece Hall, Alvin Kamara, Joe Mixon Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans Week 8: 4 catches, 35 yards, TD 2024 Season: 24 catches, 229 yards, 2 TDs; 6 carries, 30 yards The Texans' wide receiver room may be a little less crowded in the coming weeks. Stefon Diggs suffered a non-contact knee injury during the team's previous outing. Wide receiver Nico Collins is eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 10, though his return still leaves enough targets for Dell to get back on track with quarterback C.
J. Stroud. The 24-year-old hasn't accumulated more than 62 receiving yards in a game this season, but that could change with Diggs' long-term status in question and Collins needing time to work his way back from a hamstring injury.
Buy Dell for: Calvin Ridley, Jaylen Waddle, Zay Flowers DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs Week 8: 2 catches, 29 yards 2024 Season: 17 catches, 202 yards, TD Hopkins posted a modest stat line in his Chiefs debut, but he'll have more productive outings in the upcoming weeks. Patrick Mahomes will continue to look in tight end Travis Kelce's direction more than anyone else's among Chiefs pass-catchers, though Hopkins can quickly become the go-to wideout in the offense. Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown will be out for the regular season with injuries.
Hopkins will compete with rookie Xavier Worthy and oft-injured eighth-year veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster for targets. Averaging at least 12.2 yards per catch in three of his last four campaigns with a 71.
4 percent catch rate this season, Hopkins can be a reliable chain-mover in an offense that needs firepower. Buy Hopkins for: Davante Adams, Tee Higgins, Khalil Shakir Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins Week 8: 9 carries, 19 yards, 2 TDs; 1 catch, 11 yards 2024 Season: 45 carries, 158 yards, 2 TDs; 5 receptions, 39 yards De'Von Achane is the only Dolphins running back who should be on your radar because of his dual-threat capability and uncanny speed. In Week 8, Mostert split most of the carries with Achane on the ground, but he'll likely become touchdown-dependent for high-scoring fantasy finishes in the second half of the term.
Early this season, Mostert missed multiple games because of a chest injury. He's 32 years old and on a 2-5 team, with rookie running back Jaylen Wright behind him on the depth chart. In any given week, the Dolphins may want an extended look at Achane's future running mate in the backfield rather than an older veteran at the end of his career.
Sell Mostert for: Jaylen Warren, Rachaad White, Tyrone Tracy Jr. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots Week 8: 20 carries, 48 yards, 2 TDs; 3 catches, 17 yards 2024 Season: 104 carries, 422 yards, TD; 18 catches, 61 yards Stevenson briefly lost his starting job in Week 5 because of ball-security issues. With a foot injury, he sat out Week 6 but reclaimed the lead role in Week 7.
Though the 26-year-old finished fourth among running backs in fantasy scoring because of his touchdown production last week, he could lose the lead role at any time with a fumble. Stevenson fumbled in four consecutive games to start the season. He hasn't given up a possession since Week 4, but his volatile role should make you a bit nervous with Antonio Gibson in the mix and rookie quarterback Drake Maye's potential to emerge in the passing game.
Sell Stevenson for: Najee Harris, Bucky Irving, Alexander Mattison Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans Week 8: 10 catches, 143 yards; 1 carry, 3 yards 2024 Season: 22 catches, 326 yards, TD; 4 carries, 32 yards, TD Ridley nearly matched his catch and receiving yard totals from the team's opening six games in the first quarter of the Titans' Week 8 matchup with the Detroit Lions. While his production looks promising for the second half of the season, remember Titans head coach Brian Callahan plans to start Will Levis once he recovers from an AC joint injury. Ridley expressed frustrations with his target frequency and volume after Levis' last start.
Despite DeAndre Hopkins' departure, the 29-year-old isn't necessarily due for a sustainable uptick in production with the quarterback's probable return. Sell Ridley for: Darnell Mooney, Jauan Jennings, Jakobi Meyers Kayshon Boutte, WR, New England Patriots Week 8: 3 catches, 46 yards 2024 Season: 11 catches, 185 yards, TD Drake Maye suffered a concussion in the Patriots' previous outing, but he's elevated the team's passing offense when healthy. He threw for 243-plus yards in his first two starts.
Averaging 16.8 yards per catch, Boutte could emerge as the Patriots' big-play receiver once the rookie quarterback returns to action. Maye can stretch the field with his arm.
In his first start, Boutte had his best outing as a pro, hauling in three passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. New England drafted rookie wideouts Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, but Boutte, in his second year, has made a case for a bigger role in recent weeks. Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers Week 8: 4 catches, 34 yards, TD 2024 Season: 22 catches, 211 yards, 3 TDs According to ESPN's Adam Schefter , Diontae Johnson has been mentioned in trade discussions among teams interested in a wide receiver.
When asked if the Panthers' decision to keep Johnson out of action because of trade discussions, head coach Dave Canales couldn't give a definitive answer and deferred to the front office. If the Panthers move Johnson before the deadline, Legette will likely see more opportunities in the passing game, even if Adam Thielen returns from a hamstring injury in the next week or so. At the least, Legette would have a secure No.
2 role at wide receiver. For now, hold on to the rookie first-rounder until you find out about Johnson's short-term future. Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers Week 8: 4 catches, 38 yards; 1 carry, 39 yards 2024 Season: 7 catches, 59 yards; 1 carry, 39 yards Deebo Samuel Sr.
has struggled to shake the injury/illness bug. So far this year, he's dealt with calf and wrist injuries, and he's also recently spent time in the hospital with pneumonia. In the fourth quarter of the 49ers' previous outing with the Dallas Cowboys, Samuel exited with a rib injury.
Brandon Aiyuk's season-ending injury could create opportunities for a third wideout to post solid stat lines, especially with Jauan Jennings (hip) and Samuel (ribs) banged up. If Pearsall stays healthy, he could take advantage of an increased workload. Based on his first-round draft status, he may be in line for a sizeable role in three-receiver sets.
Looking for more insight to prep for your draft or make some tough roster decisions? Check out all the latest B/R Fantasy Football essentials here . Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton .
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