Fantasy Football Trade and Waiver Wire Targets for Later in the Season

Fantasy Football season is upon us. With Week 1 nearly done and dusted, the attention of fantasy players will shift to the waiver wire and to the trade market. Here’s a look at some trade targets (or waiver wire additions if they’re available in your league) that you should look into.

Some of these players may be candidates to buy low now on and reap the benefits later, but they’re all worth a look.

Michael Thomas

Thomas caught six passes against the Raiders for 58 yards in Week 1. Also, the Saints like to throw the ball—a lot. Thomas may not out-produce Willie Snead, but he could put up big numbers as a rookie in New Orleans. He’s a worthy flex play moving forward and could grow into a WR2.

Jimmy Graham

Yes, he isn’t 100% healthy yet, and yes he didn’t do too much in Week 1, but the Seahawks are going to throw the ball more, and that should generate in more looks for Graham. He won’t struggle like he did last season, and someone may be willing to sell low on the tight end.

Derrick Henry

If Henry takes over for Demarco Murray, the rookie could put up top-10 running back numbers as a starter. He’s that good.

Travis Benjamin

If you need a Keenan Allen replacement, this is your guy. The former Brown made seven catches in Week 1, and should get a healthy number of targets moving forward. He put up some big numbers for Cleveland last season, and could thrive with Phillip Rivers throwing him the ball.

Chris Hogan

Like Thomas, Hogan won’t overtake some of the other receiving options on his own team (Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski) in the pecking order for targets. However, he could easily settle into the New England offense as the number three option. As a flex play, he’s worth a look.

Tyrod Taylor

Taylor has the chance to be a top fantasy quarterback thanks to his ability to rack up points through the air and on the ground. You could get him for cheap following his struggles against the Ravens in Week 1.

Coby Fleener

Like Taylor, Fleener is a buy-low candidate after a quiet Week 1 (one catch for six yards). In a high-octane offense in New Orleans, Fleener could post elite numbers at the tight end position.

Thomas Rawls

Another buy-low candidate, Rawls could be back up to full speed in the not-too-distant future. Christine Michael and C.J. Prosise will be a part of the offense moving forward, but it will be hard to keep the talented Rawls off the field for the Seahawks. Buy low if you can.

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Seahawks vs Broncos Recap: Youngsters Show Potential in Loss

In a game that saw the Seattle Seahawks suiting up without stars/impact performers Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Marshawn Lynch and very little of Russell Wilson, Jimmy Graham and the rest of the starters, the Hawks’ youngsters showed well.

Rookies Step Up

Tyler Lockett showed exactly why the Seahawks used a third-round pick on him. The receiver was electric on kick-returns, racking up 186 yards on the day, including a 103-yard touchdown return. He also added 18 yards on a punt return while displaying the speed and elusiveness that will make him such a vital part of the Seahawks’ receiving corps not only this season, but for years to come.

In addition to Lockett, fellow high draft pick Frank Clark (2nd round-pick) looked sharp up along the defensive line. Clark accumulated a team-high nine tackles, while constantly causing problems along the line. At the very least, he’ll be part of the rotation, if not playing a bigger role as the season progresses.

Thomas Rawls wasn’t drafted, but had almost as much an impact as Lockett and Clark. The running back brought a physicality to the running game that reaffirms the Seahawks preference for hard runners. Rawls scored on a 19-yard reception while also adding 31 yards on nine carries.

Pete Carroll’s Referee Collision Course

If a picture is worth a thousand words, than a video is worth significantly more.

Versatility, Versatility, Versatility

The Seahawks coaches are famous for their experimentation with players’ positions. J.R. Sweezy switched from defensive line to offensive line, and now it seems that B.J. Daniels is making the switch. The now-former quarterback is transitioning to wide receiver/offensive weapon. Daniels caught two passes for 15 yards and returned a pair of punts for 50 yards, including a long return of 35 yards. In addition to his offensive contributions he also contributed a tackle on special teams.

While not playing another position, Rod Smith showed an ability to contribute in both the running and passing game. Smith ran for 18 yards on two carries and hauled in four catches for an additional 29 yards. He’s got an uphill battle with both Rawls and Christine Michael also in the mix for backfield roster spots, but running backs who are receiving threats carry a certain usefulness on rosters. Smith’s definitely got a chance to make the Hawks’ final roster, if not the practice squad.