I know it’s a waiver wire column, but today’s topic: Trades. Many fantasy leagues have looming trade deadlines, so I figured I’d share some advice on how to best find and get value. We’ll save the waiver wire info for later—consider this a 2-for-1 deal!

Speaking of 2-for-1 deals, those are great ways for teams to maximize value. For better teams, shipping two players for one better player is good because it can help you upgrade at a position of need. For worse teams, it’s just a way to get more points in your lineups. For example, let’s say a 6-2 team has these players:

RB: Aaron Jones

RB: James Robinson

WR: D.K. Metcalf

WR: Allen Robinson

FLEX: Antonio Gibson

BENCH: David Montgomery

And these are players on a 2-6 team:

RB: Myles Gaskin

RB: Latavius Murray

WR: DeAndre Hopkins

WR: A.J. Brown

FLEX: Travis Fulgham

BENCH: Adrian Peterson

While the rest of these hypothetical teams may impact the trade, swapping Hopkins for Robinson and Montgomery *may* make sense for both teams because it a) gives the 6-2 team an upgrade at receiver and b) it gives the 2-6 team another player to start. It’s a basic concept: Get more points into your starting lineup. If you’re the better team, why leave a player on your bench when you can use him to improve your team? And for the worse team, why wouldn’t you want two players who you could start on a weekly basis? 2-for-1 or 3-for-2 deals can help with that. If you need any advice on trades, reach out on Twitter @ZachCohenFB, but first, make sure your bench is fortified. Perhaps these players could help…

Note: This is primarily for 12-team, PPR leagues with all roster percentages taken from ESPN.

QUARTERBACKS

Derek Carr (QB - LV) | Rostered in 48% of leagues

For another week, I almost didn’t include a quarterback here. That time is coming, but for now, I’ll nervously suggest Carr. The only reason: Consistency. Prior to Week 8, he was averaging 19 points on 35 pass attempts and two rush attempts. He put up a season-low 12.58 points in a less-than-riveting 16-6 win over Cleveland. Again, I’m not touting Carr as a great pickup; this is solely if you need a quarterback. Don’t worry, the rest of the players will be more convincing.

RUNNING BACKS

Zack Moss (RB - BUF) | Rostered in 36% of leagues

At first, I was bearish on Moss. After some more research, I’ve lightened up a bit on the rookie. In Sunday’s win over New England, Moss and Devin Singletary both had 14 carries and one target, while Singletary ran for 86 yards compared to Moss’ 81 yards. The difference? Moss scored twice. It seemed like he was the primary red zone back, as both of his touchdowns came within the 10-yard line. Of course, Josh Allen is also a popular option that close to the end zone, so I guess it kind of renders that point a tad useless. If it wasn’t such a weak fantasy position, I probably wouldn’t be as high on Moss. Now, I think he deserves to be rostered. As a bonus, he carries nice upside if Singletary gets hurt. As long as the duo is splitting work, though, Moss’ ceiling is capped.

Damien Harris (RB - NE) | Rostered in 30% of leagues

Typically, you should target players on good, high-scoring offenses. The Patriots don’t fall into either category, though it shouldn’t take away from Harris’ role in the offense. He’s their ground-and-pound back, and if it wasn’t for pass-catching beasts James White and Rex Burkhead, Harris would be a feature back. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, though Harris sees enough work to be rostered in leagues. Due to the current state of the position, running backs who average double-digit carries are extremely valuable. Just don’t expect too much from Harris.

Gus Edwards (RB - BAL) | Rostered in 4% of leagues

With Mark Ingram out, Edwards saw 16 carries, which is the same amount as Lamar Jackson and one more than J.K. Dobbins. Against a stout Steelers’ defense, he actually put up a good showing. Baltimore has split carries between Edwards, Dobbins, and Ingram all season long, so this isn’t much of a surprise. His lack of involvement in the passing game caps his upside, but Edwards deserves to be rostered, especially if Ingram misses next week, too.

Nyheim Hines (RB - IND) | Rostered in 35% of leagues

Hines isn’t a priority because he’s solely reliant on receiving touchdowns. However, the running back pool is so barren that, if you’re desperate, you have to consider adding him. Hines was second in targets in the Colts’ 41-21 victory Sunday, which led to two receiving touchdowns—and two awesome celebrations. There’s no doubting his role as Indianapolis’ pass-catching back, but Hines’ 21-point performance isn’t sustainable. Only spend a waiver claim on him if you’re absolutely desperate; he’s a boom-or-bust player.

WIDE RECEIVER

Corey Davis (WR - TEN) | Rostered in 36% of leagues

Davis was listed here last week, but it seems like not many people listened. Well, Davis dropped 28.6 points on 10 targets, solidifying his consistency and flashing his upside. Davis is clearly a top option in Tennessee, so scoop him up if you need receiver help. He’s even trending into a weekly start, too. The only thing I can see maybe hindering Davis in fantasy is the Titans’ dedication to the running game—they run on 53% of their plays, sixth-lowest in the NFL. However, that doesn’t count for plays in garbage time, though Tennessee hasn’t had much of it in their last few games. I’m still high on Davis.

Jakobi Meyers (WR - NE) | Rostered in 0.5% of leagues

Meyers is looking like the Patriots’ best wide receiver, which isn’t that significant of a distinction, but hey, it’s important for fantasy football. A week after posting 10.2 points on six targets, Meyers scored 13.8 points on a team-high 10 targets. Meyers was clearly Cam Newton’s favorite target in Sunday’s loss, and expect him to keep seeing more passes as Julian Edelman misses time.

Curtis Samuel (WR - CAR) | Rostered in 37% of leagues

Entering Thursday night’s game, Samuel saw the third-most touches all season among active Panthers players. The reason: Carolina likes to use him as a running back, too. His snap count is a bit inconsistent—it’s ranged from 74% to 47%—yet he’s averaged more than seven opportunities (targets + touches) each game. The return of Christian McCaffrey might put a dent in some of Samuel’s production, but the former Ohio State running back could still see enough involvement to warrant a bench spot, for now.

Marvin Hall (WR - DET) | Rostered in 0% of leagues

You know we’re getting late into the season when I recommend a player who’s available in every league, per ESPN. You should only consider adding Hall if Kenny Golladay misses time, which at this point, is uncertain. Monitor Golladay’s status because Hall filled in very nicely for the star receiver. He tied Marvin Jones for the team’s most-targeted wide receivers on Sunday. (Speaking of Jones, add him if he’s available. He’s a better option than Hall if Golladay is out). Hall has a juicy matchup against Minnesota next week, though I am sorry if you’re resorting to him.

TIGHT ENDS

Dallas Goedert (TE - PHI) | Rostered in 41% of leagues

There’s a chance Goedert isn’t available in your league, but good tight ends are so rare right now that I had to include him. Also, 41% availability is too low for Goedert. While it’s a bit concerning that Goedert—who just came off the IR—only saw one target, he still has a valuable role in the offense. Entering Week 8, no team has targeted their tight ends more than Philadelphia has with 82. That was also true in 2019, and 2018, and 2016. (They were five targets short of the most in 2017, too). Bottom-line: Doug Pederson loves his tight ends, and you should, too.

Trey Burton (TE - IND) | Rostered in 9% of leagues

It feels like forever ago when Burton was playing quarterback, halfback, and wide receiver for the Florida Gators. Fast forward seven years later, and Burton’s versatility has been on a huge display with the Colts. He’s scored on a rushing touchdown in two straight games while also averaging five targets. It’s a little concerning that Burton was one of the Colts’ three tight ends to see at least six points, but it shouldn’t take away from his surprising value. If you need a tight end, I’d shrug and suggest Burton.