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Four weeks into the 2016 season and it is much of the same with this year’s crop of top fantasy wide receivers. Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, and A.J. Green are among the league leaders in points so far and that is a surprise to absolutely no one.
For the fantasy owners who do not have the luxury of having one of these three players on their roster, what wide receivers should they be looking to acquire or get rid of in the trade market?
Buy Low
Mike Wallace, Baltimore Ravens
After a lackluster 2015 season with the Minnesota Vikings, Wallace seems to be playing at a higher level in his first year with the Baltimore Ravens.
He is currently second on the team in targets with 28 and he has already made three trips to the end zone this season. Not only is his average of 15 yards per catch leading the Ravens right now, but it’s the highest his average has been since his 2011 Pro Bowl season with the Pittsburgh Steelers (16.6).
Wallace will likely remain a favorite target of Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco this year and he should come at a fairly cheap price for fantasy owners looking to acquire a receiver.
Current standard fantasy average: 10.7 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 72 percent
Next four games: WAS, at NYG, at NYJ, Bye
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
When he was drafted by the Saints in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the team’s hope was that Thomas would eventually turn into a solid contributor in the near future.
Well, the rookie wide receiver is exceeding any expectations he was given before the start of the season as he currently leads the team in catches (21) and is also tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions with two.
Any receiver that has Drew Brees throwing him passes should be enough to entice fantasy owners to acquire him in a trade. Thomas’ price tag could rise quickly, so it may be best if a move is made sooner than later.
Current standard fantasy average: 8.7 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 54 percent
Next four games: Bye, CAR, at KC, SEA
Sell High
Golden Tate, Detroit Lions
When a player gets benched in real life, there may be no better indication that fantasy owners should look to shop that player.
Well, that is exactly what happened to Tate last Sunday against the Bears. The Lions have seen their receiver’s play this season fall to a level they have not been accustomed to since he joined the team in 2014.
In addition to his benching, Tate has yet to score a touchdown in 2016 and his total receiving yards on the season have not even surpassed 100. The time may be now for fantasy owners to try and get something in return for the receiver while they still can.
Current standard fantasy average: 2.7 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 77 percent
Next four games: PHI, LA, WAS, at HOU
Willie Snead, New Orleans Saints
It is Snead’s current injury that should have fantasy owners concerned. He is dealing with a toe injury that made him miss the Saints’ Week 3 game against the Atlanta Falcons.
After a blazing hot start to the season (nine catches, 172 yards, one touchdown in Week 1), Snead’s high production may have been just a tease.
With an injury that could linger for who knows how long this year, a bit of a struggle could be in order for the remainder of the season for the young New Orleans receiver. That’s something fantasy owners should take into account when deciding if they should put him on the trade market or not.
Current standard fantasy average: 12.3 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 90 percent
Next four games: Bye, CAR, at KC, SEA