With the trade deadline looming on Election Day, there are a lot of potential deals that could be made, because the disparity of the haves and have-nots in the NFL is bigger this year than usual.
Buffalo, Houston and Kansas City are already locks for their division titles, the NFC North may send four teams to the playoffs, and NFC West has all four within a half-game of each other.
Will the trade floodgates open? Get your popcorn ready.
Fantasy football risers
Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix – The Broncos were criticized for reaching to draft Nix and throwing him in the fire on Day 1. After throwing just one TD pass in his first four games, Nix has thrown seven touchdowns in his last four games and has rushed for 149 yards with two more TDs in that span. Denver is making believers, and Nix is front and center in helping earn that respect.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Cade Otton – When the Buccaneers lost both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in the same game, it seemed like a blow that would gut the offense. Instead others have stepped up – led by Otton. In his last two games, he has been targeted 20 times, catching 17 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns – giving him four games with six or more receptions in the last six games.
Buffalo Bills WR Keon Coleman – In his first six games, the Buffalo rookie was targeted just 20 times. In the last two games, Coleman has been targeted 14 times, catching nine passes for 195 yards (a 21.7-yard average) and a touchdown. If Josh Allen keeps dialing up Coleman’s number, it will be difficult not to start him every week.
Cleveland Browns QB Jameis Winston – Just about all Browns offensive players were unplayable because Deshaun Watson was so bad. In five quarters as Cleveland’s QB, Winston has thrown for 401 yards and four touchdowns. Cleveland’s offense looked as strong against Baltimore than it has at any time this season, and Winston is the reason.
Green Bay Packers WR Romeo Doubs – Doubs was suspended in Week 5 after staying away from practice for two days, because of his frustration with his lack of usage. In the three games since his return, Doubs has been targeted 20 times, catching 14 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns. The organization wasn’t happy about Doubs’ decision, but it appears to have made his point.
Fantasy football fallers
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes – In seven games, Mahomes has more interceptions (9) than touchdown passes (8) and is averaging fewer than 20 rushing yards a game. He was drafted in fantasy leagues to put up big passing numbers and three TDs and five picks over the last four games just isn’t getting it done.
Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow – Like Mahomes, Burrow was drafted to be a thrower, not a dual threat. Burrow has rushed for more than 15 yards in just one game. His last three games have been the least productive stretch of the season as a passer, throwing for just 623 yards and three touchdowns. He’s hard to bench, but he may be a matchup starter now for fantasy teams with another QB option.
Baltimore Ravens defense – The Ravens were one of the first defenses taken in fantasy drafts after they had the best unit in 2023. Baltimore has allowed 23 or more points in seven of eight games, including games with 38, 31, and 29 points allowed in the last four. Baltimore will be available on the waiver wire, because there are better options available.
Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson – In his last four games, Richardson has thrown for just 552 yards and one touchdown. In that same span, he rushed 21 times for 146 yards and no TDs. Fantasy managers are tapping their own helmets looking to take Richardson out of the game, and their request was granted Tuesday with his benching. If possible, stash him for now.
New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers – Rodgers hasn’t been horrible, but in eight games, he has thrown for more than 245 yards just three times, has no 300-yard passing games, offers nothing as a runner, and hasn’t had more than two TD passes in any game. The Jets went all in to acquire Davante Adams, but it hasn’t helped. At this point, the Jets may be playing for next year’s draft when they acquire their next quarterback.
