Week 8 Fantasy Football Trades: Stock Up, Stock Down

Jahmyr Gibbs is starting to look like the big-play back fantasy managers were hoping to see, while Bijan Robinson was missing in action.

Here’s a look at some of the fantasy players who had the best and worst performances of the weekend. These players are already on fantasy rosters in most leagues, so take this information into potential trade talks as you try to sell high or buy low.

Stock Up

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions

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Gibbs got the call this week in the absence of David Montgomery, and he finally had the look of an NFL first-rounder. The rookie rushed 11 times for 68 yards and scored on a 21-yard dash. He also caught nine passes for 58 yards and finished with an awesome 27.6 PPR points. The Lions were getting destroyed and a negative game script helped his catch totals, but this is a positive step forward for Gibbs.

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts

Taylor had his first breakout game of the season, rushing 18 times for 75 yards with one touchdown in a loss to the Browns. He also had three catches for 45 yards and was used slightly more than Zack Moss for the first time since his return to action. Taylor also looked like his old self out there on the gridiron, so fantasy managers are hoping this is a sign of things to come. It’s high time to deal Moss if possible.

Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns

Hunt came into the week questionable due to an injured thigh, but he looked no worse for wear against the Colts. The veteran saw just 10 touches, but he made them count with a touchdown and 15.1 fantasy points. He has now scored 31.2 PPR points in his last two games, despite the fact that Jerome Ford has seen a higher touch share in that time. He’ll be on the flex radar against the Seahawks.

Puka Nacua, WR, Rams

Cooper who? Nacua proved that he’s still a huge part of the Rams offense even with Kupp back in the mix, posting eight catches for 154 yards and 23.4 fantasy points in a loss to the Steelers. It was good to see him bounce back, as the rookie put up just 6.6 points on four catches in last week’s win over the Cardinals. If this sort of volume continues (and why wouldn’t it?), Nacua will remain a must start.

Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs

Can dating a superstar singer make an already elite fantasy player even better? I’m not sure, but I sure do like what Kelce has done since he started dating Taylor Swift. He has put up 21-plus points in three straight games, including a 179-yard, 35.9-point explosion against the Chargers. In the five games since he started dating Swift, Kelce has averaged nearly 23 points. He’s no fantasy anti-hero!

Stock Down

Jared Goff, QB, Lions

Goff was being mentioned in the MVP conversation after putting up a solid stat line in last week’s win over the Buccaneers. Well, he went back to his bad-on-the-road trend in what was a blowout loss to the Ravens. Despite throwing the ball 53 times, the veteran still scored just 9.4 fantasy points. He’s now failed to score more than 15 points in all but two of his last 12 road games dating back to last season.

Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns

Watson returned from an injured shoulder against the Colts, but he left after just five attempts after hitting his head and scoring minus-1.8 fantasy points. Watson was ultimately cleared to return, but he never took another snap. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he was trying to protect his franchise quarterback, and he didn’t know if he’d play next week. In fantasy, patience with Watson is wearing very thin.

Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcons

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Robinson was a starter in most fantasy leagues, so it was especially notable that he touched the ball just once in a win over the Buccaneers. Reports during the game suggested the rookie wasn’t feeling well, and that was confirmed by coach Arthur Smith afterwards. There was no word about Robinson’s condition before the game, so fantasy fans had no idea he would be used so sparingly in the contest.

Aaron Jones, RB, Packers

Fantasy fans (like me) were clamoring for Jones to return to action in time to meet the lowly Broncos defense. He did, but the results weren’t great. The veteran was second in touches in the Packers backfield behind AJ Dillon, and he finished with just 8.7 PPR points. The veteran, who has missed time with an injured hamstring, has now scored just 11.7 points in his last two games. He’s a buy-low option.

Davante Adams, WR, Raiders

I mentioned Adams in this spot last week, and I have to do it again after a loss to the Bears. The Raiders, who started Brian Hoyer and replaced him with Aidan O’Connell in the second half, tried to get Adams involved with 12 targets. He finished with just 57 yards, however, and was once again outshined by Jakobi Meyers (13 targets, one touchdown). Adams has now averaged a mere 8.7 points since Week 5.-

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