Four players who could get big fantasy football boosts from an NFL trade

Sports

Tyreek Hill suffered one of the more gruesome knee injuries in recent NFL history on Monday night, bringing his season to an abrupt halt. At 31, facing a long and difficult recovery, it does not seem hyperbolic to suggest Hill’s career is at risk.

For the Miami Dolphins, the injury was doubly catastrophic. Hill is an irreplaceable talent, first of all, a unique receiver in this era. Legitimately a tier-of-his-own player in terms of speed and explosiveness. Hill was only one season removed from leading the league in receiving yardage. His injury extinguished any realistic hope that Miami could contend in the AFC.

Also, at the risk of seeming callous and insensitive, Hill was by far the best trade chip on the roster for the Dolphins. Losing him without receiving future draft capital is a nightmare. Hill arguably should have been dealt as soon as the team slipped to 0-2 or 0-3. It’s difficult to believe that Miami was not engaged in trade talks at some level.

With the Hill situation now a fresh cautionary tale, various other non-contending franchises should approach the matter of trading veteran assets with renewed urgency. Injury risk is everywhere, at all times. The NFL trade deadline is only one month away, so seeing the following names dealt in the days and weeks ahead wouldn’t be much of a surprise.

Alvin Kamara: In a just world, Kamara would already be the featured runner for the Chiefs. It’s a move that would address a screaming need. So far this season, Kansas City has given 36 carries to the ghost of Kareem Hunt and another 32 to Isiah Pacheco. Kamara remains one of the league’s most versatile and dynamic backs, an ideal fit alongside Patrick Mahomes. Make it happen, guys.

New Orleans has Kendre Miller waiting in the wings, coming off a game in which he delivered one of the season’s most impressive touchdown runs:

Seriously, Kamara-to-KC would yield nothing but fantasy winners. It would also be a huge favor to those of us who no longer wish to consider Pacheco as a Flex option.

David Njoku: At 29, Njoku doesn’t really fit the developmental timeline of an offense that now features Dillon Gabriel, Quinshon Judkins, Isaiah Bond and Harold Fannin. In fact, he may no longer be the best tight end on the roster. Njoku could thrive in Houston, a team with exactly one playmaker in its receiving corps. He’d be a boost for the Rams or Commanders as well.

Those of us who broke the FAB bank after opening week in pursuit of Fannin are particularly anxious to see Njoku relocate. Let’s please get this done.

Calvin Ridley: Honestly, the Titans should take whatever they can get before Ridley puts another dreadful performance on film. He’s been a drop machine in the first four weeks, catching just 10 of his 24 targets. His receiving success rate is now only 29.2%. Yikes. It doesn’t help, of course, that Ridley is tied to a rookie quarterback who’s been late on so many of his throws. Perhaps a trade to Pittsburgh, Buffalo or New England is the bailout he needs if he has any shot at justifying that sixth-round ADP.

Jameis Winston: Look, a midseason quarterback trade is a mostly hopeless gesture. I get it. But you know what else seems hopeless? Jake Browning at the helm of the Bengals offense, that’s what.

On behalf of fantasy managers and Jameis appreciators everywhere, I formally request Winston’s presence in Cincinnati as soon as possible. It might not be a winning move, per se, but it’s certainly the best path forward for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. If ever there was a receiving corps that deserved to see a dozen YOLO deep shots each week, it’s Cincy’s. It would be an absolute dream scenario. This is truly the trade we all deserve.

Chuba Hubbard expected to miss a prime matchup

Hubbard’s calf injury has prevented him from practicing this week, and he’s expected to miss Sunday’s home matchup with Miami. At this point, you should probably stop reading and check your waiver wire for Rico Dowdle, because that guy will feast in Week 5. He’s headed for a significant workload against a shamefully poor defense. Dowdle is rostered in only 22% of Sleeper leagues as of this writing, yet he’s a potential week-winner. He’s looking like a DFS cheat code, too. You know what to do.

Wait, Kendrick Bourne did what?

Eleven targets, 10 catches, 142 yards. And Bourne looked great doing it. He was phenomenal on Thursday night.

Mac Jones and Bourne spent three unremarkable seasons together in New England, but clearly developed extreme chemistry. After Thursday’s outburst, there is simply no question that Bourne will be a waiver priority heading into next week’s matchup at Tampa Bay. We shouldn’t assume any of Ricky Pearsall (PCL), Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs) or George Kittle (hamstring) will be ready to return.

Matthew Stafford continues to cook

It may have slipped your notice that Stafford, in his 17th professional season, is by some measures having the best year of his career. After Thursday night’s 389-yard, three-TD effort — his fourth straight multi-touchdown game — he’s averaging 8.2 yards per attempt. His passer rating is a career high 107.2. He’s on pace for 5,110 passing yards and 37 touchdowns.

Not bad for a dusty old man with a creaky back. For all the (richly deserved) attention paid to Puka Nacua’s scorching hot start, Stafford’s genius-level quarterbacking has been under-appreciated. He still has throws in his bag that are unavailable to most NFL QBs.

The Commanders are healing

Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels is medically cleared, back at practice (albeit in a knee brace) and looking good for Sunday’s matchup against the Chargers. Deebo Samuel (heel) didn’t officially practice on Thursday, although he worked out on a side field and reportedly made the trip to L.A., a very good sign. Terry McLaurin (quad) has been ruled out for Week 5, but he, too, returned to on-field workouts this week.

All things considered, these are positive developments for the Commanders. Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane remain on the fringes of fantasy viability for another week, but this offense might just be fully operational for the friendly matchups ahead with Chicago and Dallas in Weeks 6-7.

Emari Demarcado and Michael Carter, taking turns

Sharing is caring and whatnot, but the fantasy community would very much like to see a lead runner emerge in Arizona’s backfield. So far, Demercado and Carter are splitting the work in Arizona’s practices:

Dalton Del Don gave you the case for Carter on Thursday, which makes sense. Recent history suggests this team prefers a clear early-down runner and a specialist for passing downs and two-minute situations. Let’s just please appreciate the fact that we know Demercado will own the passing snaps. Any grip Carter may have on early downs is loosely held.

Also, this is a critical PSA: You are not required to chase either of these guys. It’s perfectly fine to avoid a murky situation attached to a team that can’t be trusted. However, fantasy analysts are parsing every comment made by the members of this backfield because the upcoming matchup with Tennessee is so appealing. The Titans’ defense ranks 28th against the run, allowing 141.5 rushing yards per game and 4.8 YPC.

Michael Pittman picks up an injury designation

In case you needed one additional thing to worry about, Pittman is apparently dealing with a hamstring issue of as-yet-unknown severity. He’s been one of the right answers at receiver so far this season, so we’ll need to track this situation closely through Sunday morning. Alec Pierce is widely available and likely to return this week after missing the Rams game with a concussion. Pierce, Josh Downs and Adonai Mitchell would all receive a bump in the ranks if Pittman is sidelined against the Raiders.

(Photo of Alvin Kamara: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)




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