Fantasy Football Trade Value Rankings: Jamaal Williams, Tony Pollard climb; Keenan Allen returns
Eric Karabell ranks players for their fantasy football trade value for the rest of the 2022 NFL season every week until the fantasy football trade deadline (noon ET on Nov. 30). Use the information to propose or assess trades and to optimize the players on your bench for their future potential. Eric’s top 100 can be found below the positions in this column.
Rankings changes: Nothing against Bills star Josh Allen, who continues to supply solid numbers to fantasy teams, but Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes is performing better, and he moves into the No. 1 spot. Mahomes has eclipsed 26 PPR points in four consecutive games and now leads all QBs (and everyone else) in season scoring. Allen hasn’t reached 25 PPR points in any of his past four games. For now, he remains ahead of the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts, Bears’ Justin Fields and Bengals’ Joe Burrow in a fascinating top tier.
As for the next tier, the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson is outside the top 10 QBs in fantasy scoring since Week 4. He drops past the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa, who was on a Week 11 bye. Later in the rankings but closing in, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys embarrassed Kirk Cousins and the Vikings and the result here is Prescott gets back into the top 10, as Cousins falls out. And don’t forget the Browns have only one more game until Deshaun Watson starts.
Trade for: The top seven QBs are the safest and most reliable, and that includes Fields, who hurt his non-throwing shoulder in Sunday’s game and bears watching. As long as he can play, and run, rely on him.
Be cautious: Jackson has played merely average football for two months. The Cardinals’ Kyler Murray isn’t healthy. Cousins has to face more tough defenses the next few weeks. If you wish to trust Watson for December, not knowing how well his new offense will play, go for it. Anyone after that is even more risky. Good for the Commanders’ Taylor Heinicke keeping his starting role, but he’s hardly a fantasy savior. The Falcons’ Marcus Mariota and 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo are far better in fantasy.
Rankings changes: Fantasy managers tend to struggle evaluating running backs in timeshares, but the Lions’ Jamaal Williams and Cowboys’ Tony Pollard sure aren’t acting as if they share touches. Williams keeps piling on TDs. Pollard is doing everything. Each is now firmly in our RB2 range. The Bengals’ Joe Mixon, who left Sunday’s game with a concussion, drops out of RB1 status, but remains valuable. Carolina’s all-or-nothing D’Onta Foreman leaves the top 20.
Later on, the Chiefs’ Isiah Pacheco and Patriots’ Damien Harris ran well on Sunday, but neither are big pass-catchers. Cam Akers is back in play for the Rams, while the Broncos go with Latavius Murray after the stunning Melvin Gordon III release.
Trade for: The Lions continue to set up Williams with golden opportunities to provide fantasy points. Sure, D’Andre Swift scored a TD on Sunday, but he still hasn’t surpassed 10 touches since Week 1. Pollard looks safe, too, even with Ezekiel Elliott back. The Bills’ Devin Singletary is scoring touchdowns.
Be cautious: Just when we start trusting Foreman, look what happens. The Buccaneers didn’t play in Week 11, but it’s just a guess how their touches will divide this coming week. In addition, don’t trust the Chiefs’ options, or those on the Jets, Commanders, Ravens and Rams.
Rankings changes: Not much movement in the top 20. The Chargers’ Keenan Allen finally returned from a hamstring injury to play his third game of the season and delivered his best outing. Cleveland’s Amari Cooper also returned to WR2 status. Rookies George Pickens of the Steelers and Christian Watson of the Packers aren’t quite there yet, but they are closing in. The Chargers’ Mike Williams and Chiefs’ Kadarius Toney are hurt again.
Trade for: You want difference-makers at this point, and the top 20 wide receivers qualify. Don’t forget about the Seahawks that just served their bye week. Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf are WR2 scorers this season. Washington’s Terry McLaurin is safe again.
Be cautious: The Saints’ Chris Olave remains the only safe rookie for now. Do not trade for injured Rams star Cooper Kupp, presuming he helps you in the final week or two. Seems unlikely.
Create or join an ESPN Fantasy Basketball league today and draft your league any time before the first game tips off every Monday. Your league starts fresh with 0-0 records for the new matchup period.
Sign up for free!
Rankings changes: Injuries continue to be the story, as those frustrated by disappointing Falcon Kyle Pitts (knee) can finally move on to someone else such as the Saints’ Juwan Johnson (in the top 10), the Raiders’ Foster Moreau and the Titans’ Austin Hooper.