NFL Trade Rumors: Fantasy Football Players Want These Trades to Happen

The NFL Trade deadline is Tuesday, October 31 and fantasy football players are hoping these rumors come to fruition.
NFL Trade Rumors: Fantasy Football Players Want These Trades to Happen
NFL Trade Rumors: Fantasy Football Players Want These Trades to Happen /

Shortly after Week 8 comes to a close, the focus shifts to the NFL trade deadline on October 31st at 4:00 pm (est). Fantasy football managers would like to see a lot more treats than tricks on Halloween. For the last few weeks, even months, rumors of potential big-name offensive playmakers have circulated on X, Reddit, and throughout the NFL media landscape. But which will come to fruition? We’ll have to wait to find out on Tuesday.

In the meantime, here are the trades we want to happen in order for players to see a boost in their fantasy football value and production.

Davante Adams Traded to the Bills

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams
Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA Today Sports

Michael Fabiano’s Trade Wish:

Raiders superstar wideout Davante Adams, who has floundered in recent weeks.

In fact, he’s the WR37 in the last two weeks while his teammate, Jakobi Meyers, is ninth in points at the position. The Raiders have said Adams isn’t on the trade block, but it sure would be nice to see him move on from the Silver & Black. In a best-case scenario, Adams sure would look good catching passes from Josh Allen in Buffalo.

The Bills have been looking to upgrade at wide receiver opposite Stefon Diggs, and Adams would clearly fit the bill. I wouldn’t be concerned about either of them seeing a drastic drop in value either, as the Buffalo pass attack could accommodate both. It’s an unlikely scenario, but as someone who has multiple Adams shares and is worried about the Raiders quarterback situation, it would be a welcomed move.

Javonte Williams Traded to the Buccaneers

Michael Fabiano’s Trade Wish List:

Broncos running back Javonte Williams’ name has not been among those rumored to be dealt, unfortunately, but it sure would make a lot of sense to move him in the world of fantasy football.

The talented back is currently mired in a three-headed backfield committee with Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine, making it impossible to start any of them with confidence. Over the last two weeks, Williams has played 48 snaps, while McLaughlin and Perine have seen 31 and 24, respectively. If Williams were dealt, that would open up more chances for McLaughlin to emerge into a solid starter.

The team that could most use Williams, in my opinion, is Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers rank fourth worst in the NFL in rushing yards per game, averaging a meager 77.8 and just 3.1 yards per rush. Williams, who has averaged over five yards a rush in his last two games, could improve that. While his presence would push Rachaad White out of a featured role, he hasn’t been a reliable fantasy asset.

Two other potential trade partners are the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, where Williams would also see an increase in fantasy value and create a bigger role for McLaughlin in Denver. In any event, a Williams trade would be a fantasy win.

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Courtland Sutton Trade to the Panthers

Denver Broncos Courtland Sutton
Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Wood’s trade wish list:

Carolina is reportedly in the market for a starting-caliber wide receiver and the Broncos might have one — or two — available. Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton have both been mentioned in trade talks for months now and Sutton might be a match for the Panthers. The 28-year-old leads Denver in receiving this season and has found the end zone in five out of seven games.

His timeline also matches up better with that of rookie quarterback Bryce Young than 33-year-old Adam Thielen, who’s been a revelation in his first season in Carolina. Sutton’s average depth of target is down this season, but he’s been known as more of a downfield threat for most of his career and the Panthers’ passing offense ranks 31st in yards per attempt and 30th in plays of 20-plus yards.

Sutton is a low-end WR2 this season, which is on pace to be the second-best fantasy campaign of his career. He has a chance to build on that if he’s dealt to Carolina, which passes at a higher rate than Denver, and establish a connection with Young.

Hunter Renfrow Traded to the Jets

Kyle Wood’s trade wish list:

Two years removed from a Pro Bowl campaign in which he hauled in 103 catches for over 1,000 yards, Renfrow is now an afterthought in the Raiders’ offense. In the two offseasons since then, Las Vegas welcomed in a new coaching staff, changed quarterbacks and acquired Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, both of whom leapt past Renfrow in the pecking order.

Renfrow’s snap count is down to a career-low 36% and it’s been reported that Las Vegas is working to trade him before the deadline. One destination that makes sense for Renfrow is the Jets, who are currently last in the league in passing yards per game. He could take over Randall Cobb’s role as the WR3 in New York behind Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard and give Zach Wilson a sure-handed target to get the ball out quickly close to the line of scrimmage.

Renfrow might not offer a ton of standalone value in the Jets’ offense, but his presence could help elevate the unit as a whole and might open up more opportunities for Wilson.

Rashaad Penny Traded to the Buccaneers

Jen Piacenti's Trade Wish:

The Eagles are stacked and as a result Penny continues to be a healthy scratch from week to week, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t NFL ready. Look no further than D’onta Foreman for a recent example of that. Penny has been one of the most efficient runners in the league over the course of his career, averaging in incredible 5.7 yards per attempt. Meanwhile in Tampa Bay, Rachaad White has been averaging a mere 3.2 yards per attempt. With the Bucs still in the hunt for the NFC South, Baker Mayfield and the passing game deserve a boost in the run game. Penny is on the waiver wire in most leagues, and he could take managers from waivers to winners- just as he did in 2021. 

Tee Higgins Traded to Lions

Jen Piacenti's Trade Wish:

OK, I know this isn’t going to happen, but this is on my dream list for my fantasy team. Higgins is in the final year of his contract and the Bengals don’t seem interested in extending him, so I’m moving him over to the Lions. Amon-Ra St. Brown is running most of his routes out of the slot, and adding a burner to the outside could make this offense beyond explosive. Josh Reynolds and Jameson Williams are fine, but Higgins takes this team to the Super Bowl, and fantasy managers will feel much better about starting Higgins from week to week. 

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Michael Fabiano
MICHAEL FABIANO

Michael Fabiano is a fantasy football analyst for Sports Illustrated. His weekly rankings and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em articles are must-reads for fantasy players. He is also the co-host of the Fantasy Dirt Podcast on SI. Before joining SI in August 2020, he worked for CBS Sports, NFL Network and SiriusXM. He also contributes to Westwood One Radio. Fabiano was the first fantasy analyst to appear on one of the four major TV networks and is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame.