Trade Targets - Week 9

Well, I guess we should talk about Randy Moss. I own Moss on four teams and when I heard about the mean things he said to that caterer, I wanted to cut him and tell him, "Not only did the Vikings release you, but so did four wonderful fantasy teams. You were poison in our hypothetical fantasy locker room." But of course, that would be crazy.

First, Moss's release hurts all Vikings except Visanthe Shiancoe who should regain his top 12 TE starter status. Favre and Harvin are dealing with injuries and now lack the coverage-magnet that is Moss. Harvin pre and post-Moss is like night and day.

Chris Johnson gets a big boost because Moss makes it very hard for defenses to stack the box against him. If there was any doubt before, it's now clear that CJ2K is the #1 most valuable player in fantasy. The acquisition is bad news for the health of Kenny Britt who could be out until the end of fantasy playoffs. Titans fans must be titillated by the prospect of Kenny Britt and Randy Moss running downfield with CJ in the backfield heading into the NFL playoffs. Vince Young gets a slight boost, but this run-first offense will not suddenly become the New England Patriots. It's hard to say what this does to Randy Moss's value because we didn't have a firm grip on Randy Moss's value on the Vikings. Anyway, Randy Moss is still an every-week starter, and you probably don't want to race out there to trade for him, nor should you sell-low on him. There won't be enough pass attempts to make Moss a top 5 option, but at the same time, he does get the #1 best schedule for a WR in the remaining games. 

Trade Targets (Buy-Low)

Vince Young, Chris Johnson, Visanthe Shiancoe (See Above)

Phil Rivers (SD QB)
He's not exactly a buy-low as he has more fantasy points than any player at any position. But with all the injuries at WR on San Diego (Floyd, Naanee, Davis), the owner may be willing to part with Rivers for another top QB. I would rather have Rivers than any QB in the league, however, for 2 reasons: 1) He has the 4th easiest fantasy remaining schedule for QBs, and 2) He can make due with crappy receivers for a bit and soon will have Malcolm Floyd and Vincent Jackson - what a terrifying duo.

Ryan Mathews (SD RB)
I know, I know - he's been on this list so many times and is yet to break out. But you know you can get him for cheap now, and he has the #1 easiest remaining schedule for an RB. Plus, Mike Tolbert is nicked up. You may have noticed that Mathews also had to briefly leave the game with an injury, but it was just a cut on his face, unrelated to his previous injuries.


DeSean Jackson (PHI WR)
Fraction Jackson passed his concussion test and signs point to him starting this week. The timing is perfect because Michael Vick returns to the field this week too. When Vick and Jackson are on the field together, it's a beautiful thing.


Jacob Tamme (IND TE)
He's a trade-target or alternatively, a waiver pickup. We neglected to mention him in our Waiver Column because it was drafted before Monday Night Football. Tamme looked great and most importantly, he was used like Dallas Clark was, lining up out wide. The announcers commented on the high level of trust Peyton manning exhibited in Tamme. And guess what - Tamme has the 3rd easiest upcoming schedule for TEs.

Unload (Sell-High)

Kenny Britt, Percy Harvin, Brett Favre (see above)

Matt Ryan (ATL QB)
I'm not knocking Ryan at all; I just want to point out that he has the hardest remaining schedule of all QBs. After a big week before the bye, if you can get a top 8 QB for him, go for it.


Cedric Benson (CIN RB)
Again, not knocking Benson, but he has the number one hardest remaining schedule for an RB.


Fred Jackson (BUF QB)
Similarly, FJax has the second hardest remaining schedule for an RB. Plus, Spiller may steal a few more carries in the near future.