For many, the 2024 fantasy football season is either nearing or has reached its halfway point. Seven weeks in, this summer's draft steals and busts have been revealed. Fantasy football rankings are changing and it's on fantasy managers to adapt to whatever circumstances their draft strategies put them in. No matter how difficult the situation before you may seem, the option to put together a blockbuster trade is always an exciting one. Adding that player who you're sure will put it all together in the back half of the fantasy season is a thrilling prospect. If executed correctly, a midseason trade can move an underdog team firmly into playoff contention.
So send that text to a league mate, call the guy occupying last place in your league, and do whatever you can to get a trade together if you have a significant hole on your fantasy roster.
Buy Low
Jaxon Smith-Njigba - WR, SEA
Week 7 Stats - 6 Targets
3 Rec, 9 Rec Yards
35 Pass Yards
Smith-Njigba had a down week. Even worse, he had a poor performance in Seattle's 34-14 blowout against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Seattle boasts the league's top passing offense, averaging 40 pass attempts and 271 passing yards per game. And although Seattle's slot receiver didn't perform well this week, this offense presents enough consistent volume to the point where a bounce-back from Smith-Njigba is a fair assumption.
The second-year wideout ranks second on the team in terms of targets, just behind wide receiver DK Metcalf. If Smith-Njigba and this Seattle offense continue at their current pace, the young wide receiver should continue to see a lot of targets, translating to fantasy production. I trust the talent and the opportunity when it comes to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He could be a league-winner by the time the fantasy playoffs start.
Per: Nathan Jahnke on PFF
DJ Moore - WR, CHI
Week 7 Stats - Bye Week
DJ Moore's fantasy outlook shares a bit of similarity with Jaxon Smith-Njigba's in that they both have received a high amount of targets on a high-volume passing offense. Chicago rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has averaged 33.2 passing attempts per game so far, and DJ Moore has been his top target.
Williams continues to improve statistically with each passing week, so I'm trusting Moore to rebound after a disappointing week against Jacksonville before the Bears' Week 7 bye. His volume should continue to remain steady as long as Chicago's offensive game plan continues to revolve around their passing attack. Adding Moore to move the needle for your fantasy team is sure to pay off as Chicago's offense continues to improve.
De'Von Achane - RB, MIA
Week 7 Stats - 15 Carries
77 Rush Yards, 3 Targets
2 Rec, 8 Rec Yards
Okay, I get it. We've all been burned by the Dolphins in fantasy football, and it's hard to give any of their players a second (or a seventh) chance. But hope is not lost! Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is set to return in Week 8 after a brutal head injury in Week 2 sidelined him for multiple contests.
As a result, Miami's entire offense struggled, leaving many fantasy managers frustrated. One of the most prominent examples of this effect was running back De'Von Achane. In the two weeks his quarterback was healthy, Achane averaged seven targets per game. In the four contests since Tua's injury, the running back has only averaged three targets per game, drastically decreasing his fantasy value.
If Miami's star quarterback is able to return in Week 8, Achane's fantasy production should start to return to normal. It may take a few weeks, but trading for De'Von Achane right now could be a move that pays dividends in the later part of the fantasy football season.
Per: Nathan Jahnke on PFF
Sell High
Alexander Mattison - RB, LV
Week 7 Stats - 23 Carries
92 Rush Yards, 5 Targets
3 Rec, 31 Rec Yards
There's no doubt that Mattison has wrestled the starting running back job in Las Vegas away from Zamir White. He's also seen a massive uptick in volume over the last few weeks. Mattison has firmly placed himself within the Raiders' weekly offensive game plan. The former Minnesota Viking was given a whopping 27 opportunities in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams.
I'm not here to tell you that Mattison's production will completely fall off in the second half of the season. But it's worth noting that Vegas has had a hard time finding a stable answer at the quarterback position. If this continues to result in a poor passing attack, Mattison's receiving numbers could suffer. And when he's matched up against unfriendlier defenses, he may have trouble producing the way he did this past Sunday.
Trading Alexander Mattison in exchange for a running back on a more consistent offense could be your key to unlocking your fantasy team's full potential.
Per: Nathan Jahnke on PFF
Allen Lazard - WR, NYJ
Week 7 Stats - 4 Targets
4 Rec, 58 Rec Yards
New York's wide receivers all seemed to have underwhelming outings in fantasy football against Pittsburgh's defense. Lazard, usually one of quarterback Aaron Rodgers' favorite targets, was only thrown to four times on Sunday night.
Unfortunately, Lazard will most likely see his target numbers decrease as newly acquired wide receiver Davante Adams continues to find his place in this offense opposite star wideout Garrett Wilson.
Trading Lazard, who is coming off of a few solid weeks, is a smart move. This offense will look to revolve around Adams, Wilson, and running back Breece Hall in the weeks ahead.
Per: Nathan Jahnke on PFF
Brock Purdy - QB, SF
Week 7 Stats - 55% Comp.%
212 Pass Yards, 3 INTs
2 Rush TD
I'll be the first to admit that I'm a big fan of Brock Purdy. I like his game, and I trust him to lead this team. Unfortunately, circumstances within the San Francisco offense have significantly worsened Purdy's fantasy outlook.
Firstly, the offense continues to struggle with injury woes. Star running back Christian McCaffrey still appears to be at least multiple weeks away from a season debut. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel has been dealing with an illness. Wideout Jauan Jennings missed this past week with a hip injury. Worst of all, newly-paid wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a season-ending ACL injury against Kansas City in Week 7.
This list combines with the fact that Purdy threw three interceptions and had a poor completion percentage. Overall, Purdy isn't exactly set up for success in an offense full of injured starters.
