Fantasy Football Trade Targets: Week 8

Fantasy Football Trade Targets

Are you having trouble finding some trade targets? Maybe you’re swinging too high, and your trade offers aren’t resonating at the negotiation table. Whatever the case may be, don’t lose hope. No one will give up guys like Derrick Henry or Justin Jefferson. I mean, those guys are cooking for fantasy right now. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other plays to make. So, as we get closer to the fantasy trade deadline, it’s time to get a little savvy in how you’re trading and what you’re trading for.

I have a few players that fantasy managers should be looking to target who aren’t playing at their best right now and whose value is on the lower side. For now, anyway. However, these players can turn it around and add to your team’s fantasy points. Time to get to the negotiation table and get to work. Here are a few guys you should be looking for while they’re cheap.

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Marvin Harrison Jr., WR – ARI

Marvin Harrison Jr is the top target on my buy-low list for Week 8. He’s been a great name as the highly toughed 2024 top rookie wide receiver out of the draft, and despite the Week 1 hiccup, he got right back on track and cooked up some pretty solid performances, scoring 15+ fantasy points from weeks 2-4. But over the last three games, Harrison Jr has hit the skids. From weeks 5-7, MHJ didn’t just fall off a cliff. The guy nose-dived straight into the fantasy shadow realm falling to the WR93! Averaging just 3.6 fantasy points per game over that span, he’s been unplayable heading into Week 8. But that’s why you should target him via trade.

MHJ is still seeing a substantial target share, ranking 29th among wide receivers with a near 22% target share (43 targets). In recent interviews, Kyler Murray has highlighted that while the Cardinals are one of the stronger teams running the ball, he wants to keep the ball in his hands and affect the game. That could mean more pass attempts going forward, which means more targets for the young rookie.

J.K. Dobbins, RB – LAC

Some may feel like Dobbins hasn’t been playing well over the last couple of games after his big start to begin the season. In weeks 1-2, Dobbins posted back-to-back 20+ fantasy point performances but cooled off quickly in three of his last four games. That shouldn’t surprise many, seeing as Dobbins faced off against some of the top run defenses in the league over that span as the Chargers faced off against the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, and Denver Broncos. All of which rank inside the top 12 against the run. While the recent Arizona Cardinals game was a letdown, he has some better matchups on the horizon. The New Orleans Saints are currently giving up the second-most fantasy points to running backs and are the next opponent for the Chargers to face.

“But Will, the Browns, Titans, and Bengals have all been tough against the run too.” And you’re not wrong. But Dobbins is also one of the few dual-threat running backs out there getting a lot of work in the Chargers backfield with Gus Edwards on the injured reserve. Dobbins is currently 12th in rushing attempts among running backs and is averaging 14.7 fantasy points per game. I’d take the chance and buy low on a bell-cow back like Dobbins.

Dalton Kincaid, TE – BUF

Some may fear that the arrival of Amari Cooper could spell the end of targets for Dalton Kincaid, even more so after rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman went off in Week 7 for 16.5 fantasy points against the Tennessee Titans. Coleman’s seven targets were also a season-high in the game. That tells me the Bills are going to throw the ball a bit more than they have in past games. With Amari Cooper on the field, you have to get those extra targets out there, but scheme-wise, this should free up Dalton Kincaid to be used more in the passing game, as opposing defenses were keying in on him as he was the only reliable wide receiver still left over on the roster.

Kincaid has been a solid tight end despite the slow start and he’s still seeing a healthy target share. Over his last three games, Kincaid is averaging 6.3 targets per game and a 19.3% target share. He currently ranks seventh among tight ends in targets heading into Week 8. We just need to get more from Kincaid when he gets into the red zone as the Bills tight end has just one touchdown on the season.

Jerry Jeudy, WR – CLE

Massive changes are coming for the Cleveland Browns. Deshaun Watson ruptured his Achilles, effectively ending his season. Amari Cooper was traded to the Buffalo Bills. Dorian Thompson-Robinson injured his finger on his throwing hand in relief of Deshaun Watson and is expected to miss some time. And Jameis Winston has been named the starter. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is also giving up play-calling duties to Ken Dorsey. Dorsey loves to pass the ball, and that was evident during his time with the Buffalo Bills just last season. These sets of moves could open the floodgates to the Browns’ pedestrian passing game to this point of the season. We know Winston also likes to throw the ball a ton. We’ve seen him do the same back when he was a starter with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and his short stint with the New Orleans Saints.

Jeudy hasn’t been great to start the season despite the off-season hype surrounding him. We could easily point to the lackluster performances by Deshaun Watson who showed repeatedly that he’s not even a shadow of his former Houston Texans days. Jeudy is averaging just 7.9 fantasy points on the season but that number can take a big jump against the Baltimore Ravens, who are allowing the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. If you can get him away from their fantasy manager, this could be the perfect time to do it.

Jonathan Taylor, RB – IND

This one might require a bit more finesse. Taylor is one of the bigger names in the fantasy football community and he’s expected to make his return in Week 8. However, depending on the Taylor owner there may be a deal worth making. Especially if the owner is dealing with multiple injuries and a losing record. Taylor was been dealing with a high-ankle sprain since Week 4. Before he went down with the injury, Taylor was averaging 18.1 fantasy points per game and 4.8 yards per attempt, scoring four touchdowns. Taylor’s buy-low window is shrinking fast the closer we get to Sunday though. If the fantasy manager that owns Taylor is struggling to stay in the race, sending a “solid” two-for-one might get the deal done. However, if a Jonathan Taylor owner has depth at the running back position and wide receiver, you might have to take your ball and go home.

Calvin Ridley, WR – TEN

With the way Calvin Ridley has been playing and the Titans’ offense struggling under Will Levis, I could understand if you didn’t want to try and get this guy on your roster. But there might be a path that can allow him to get back on track. The recent trading of DeAndre Hopkins may allow Ridley to return to being the focus of the Titan’s passing attack. Hopkins’s departure frees up a near 12% target share (21 target) and among the Titans wide receivers, Hopkins was third in targets while on the team. Ridley will likely absorb that share as the Titans coaches continue to work to get Ridley involved early in games.

I like this move for fantasy managers who may be poised for a postseason berth. While his next few games are a bit tougher (DET, NE, LAC, MIN), his playoff schedule looks promising with the Bengals, Colts, and Jaguars slated to be the opponents once the fantasy playoffs begin. Hopefully, the Titans can get their act together but this should be looked at as a potential stash play for when the Titans schedule eases up.