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October 18, 2011 12:00 PM

Fantasy Trade Targets: Week 7

A look at what players you should target in trade talks and who you should trade away.

Fantasy Trade Targets.jpg


Players to Target

Greg Olsen - Cam Newton finally played like a rookie this past week against the Falcons. He threw 3 interceptions and averaged just 6.8 yards per pass attempt. You would think that would mean you should trade the Panthers offensive weapons. But in the case of Olsen, he's the athletic safety valve that will benefit if they rein in Newton at all. Olsen has been fairly consistent all season and now the Panthers have 3 straight home games including a game against the Vikings a team among the worst against defending tight ends.

Matt Ryan - If Ryan is going to turn his season around now will be the time. He has always thrived indoors and with the next two game coming against the Lions and Colts followed by 3 home games, that makes 5 straight games where weather will not be a factor. Julio Jones will be back soon and I'm certain Roddy White will turn his season around. His ineffectiveness has been a bit overblown as just this past week he was the victim of 2 pass interference calls that robbed him of big points and at least 1 TD.


Fred Davis - No matter if it's Grossman throwing to him or John Beck, Davis should get a lot of looks especially now that Cooley is out of the picture. With the NFC East looking weak and throwing in games against the Bills, Panthers, Seahawks and Vikings the Redskins will have an opportunity to put up points and Davis should be a big part of their game plan.

Jermichael Finley - After a 3 TD breakout game in Week 3, Finley has been relatively quiet. In his last 3 games he has just 8 receptions for 115 yards. Outside of Jimmy Graham he's the most explosive TE in the game and in that Packers offense there's no way he's not going to produce. If you can get a fickle owner to part with this superb talent jump on it.


Players to Trade

Ahmad Bradshaw - Bradshaw just had the game of his life scoring 3 TDs and rushing for 104 yards. But it was against the Bills who ranks 29th against the run. The Giants are also on a bye this week and after that TD vulture Brandon Jacobs will be back. Their next 3 opponents are all above average against the run. They face Miami (12th in the league), then travel to New England (9th and could end up being a shootout) and then they travel cross country to face the 49ers (2nd). Bradshaw should still average somewhere around 80 total yards per game but don't expect to see him reach the end zone many more times this season.

Victor Cruz - Mario Manningham was back to 100-percent this week and took back his role as WR2. Manningham was targeted 8 times compared to just 4 for Cruz. And it was Manningham and Nicks whom Eli looked for at the goal line and not Cruz. He will still have value as a 3rd WR but if you can upgrade to someone like Dwayne Bowe, Steve Johnson or catch someone sleeping with Roddy White he'd be worth dealing.

Maurice Jones-Drew - MJD is 3rd in the league in rushing but has only made it to the end zone twice. Don't expect that to change. The Jaguars are averaging just 11.5 ppg. With so few scoring opportunities he will remain a solid back but not elite.

Adrian Peterson - Defenses are obviously keyed into Peterson but they will place even more emphasis on stopping Purple Jesus if Christian Ponder takes over (benching McNabb seems inevitable at this point). The Vikings schedule isn't particularly daunting but as long as he is the only threat it's going to be difficult for him to produce like a top 5 RB. Look to trade him for Mendenhall and a solid WR2.

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