Trade Targets for Week 12 (Fantasy Football)

We are entering Week 12, which will be the final installment of this series for redraft leagues before we talk about dynasty trade targets in Week 13. Make sure that you are making moves in your redraft leagues while keeping the playoffs in mind. Look for plus matchups and sell players who have tough matchups. Below, we will review some options to trade for and trade away. Hopefully, these moves can lead to a Footclan title!

Players to Trade For

Cooper Kupp

It’s been a tough year for Cooper Kupp. As a result of battling injuries and the emergence of Puka Nacua, his production has dipped. Kupp has finished as the WR45 or lower in four of six games. Kupp sustained an injury in Week 11 but could play in Week 12. Whether he does or doesn’t play in Week 12, I think he is a good buy-low candidate. Of the games that Kupp has played, two of his worst performances were against Dallas and Green Bay, which are solid defenses against wide receivers for fantasy purposes. Kupp will get some good matchups in the fantasy playoffs, including Week 15 against Washington and Week 17 against the Giants. He gets the Saints in Week 16. I think it’s well worth the risk to attempt a buy-low on a player we know can be a league winner.

Diontae Johnson

When Diontae Johnson returned from injury, he immediately started demanding targets in the Steelers’ offense. Granted, targets in the Steelers’ offense may mean less because they are from Kenny Pickett, but the volume is there. Johnson has had consecutive disappointing weeks but had some tough matchups against Green Bay and Cleveland. I wouldn’t spend up for Johnson, but managers could be looking to move him after those disappointing weeks. Before that, he had at least 10 fantasy points in three straight games.

Derrick Henry

I am hesitantly recommending a buy-low trade for Derrick Henry. I am hesitant because this season has seen a decline in production for the stud running back, but I will trust in “the Yeti” and hope he can turn up the production during the fantasy playoffs, as we have seen before. Henry is coming off two disappointing games, having under five fantasy points in consecutive weeks. The game script had a lot to do with that, and hopefully, the Titans will be able to compete better throughout the playoffs, or this could blow up in my face. Henry and the Titans get Houston in Week 15, then Seattle, and then Houston again for the fantasy championship week. Henry has been touchdown-dependent, but the Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks are near the top of the league in rushing touchdowns allowed.

Players to Trade Away

Saquon Barkley

While I do like Saquon Barkley as a fantasy option, I think it’s wise to see what you can get for him in the trade market. Barkley is coming off a huge performance against Washington, so it’s the perfect time to try selling. Barkley also has a bye week coming up in Week 13, so if you can move him for someone who already had their bye that could help you score some points, it may be worth it if you are still fighting for a playoff spot. With the Giants’ struggles this season, I don’t want to be a part of Barkley’s playoff schedule when the Giants face the Saints, Eagles, and Rams in Weeks 15-17.

Calvin Ridley

You may or may not be able to sell Calvin Ridley because we have seen a large sample, and he has only been serviceable in a handful of weeks, but I would try to see if you can. He was the WR1 overall in Week 11 against the Titans and went for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Ridley is a fine flex option, but if you can pair him with another piece to upgrade a position of need for a playoff run, I would make that move. Ridley and the Jaguars get the Ravens, Buccaneers, and Panthers for the fantasy playoffs.

Breece Hall

I think I am throwing in the towel on Breece Hall this season. While he is one of my favorite players, I do not believe the Jets’ offense will allow him to succeed for the remainder of this season. The Jets have made a quarterback change, making Zach Wilson the third-string quarterback and appointing Tim Boyle as the starter. Maybe Boyle comes in and is a spark for the offense (unlikely), but I want to move on from Breece before I find out. Hall has been solid this season, but I would have liked more production in a four-game stretch that included good matchups for running backs. He gets Miami and Atlanta in consecutive weeks and will face Miami, Washington, and Cleveland in the fantasy playoffs.