Midway through the season, quarterbacks are still the most essential fantasy position, but a good QB is proving to be difficult to hold on to. Matt Ryan withstanding, there are a lot of booms and busts at the QB position and owners can find themselves switching roles weekly based on matchups.
As we head to Week 8, here are the trending QBs that you should trade for and the declining QBs to trade off.
Buy Low
Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills
Taylor was the Bills’ offense in Week 7. The starter led the team in rushing yards and scored all of the Bills’ touchdowns, both passing and rushing. Taylor is on a hot streak with 400 passing yards, over 100 rushing yards, and four touchdowns total in the pass two games alone.
He is a dual-threat QB who puts up really good fantasy numbers week-to-week. That production is likely to increase with Bills leading rusher LeSean McCoy battling injury.
Taylor is still available in a lot of leagues. He has a favorable schedule but tough matchup Week 9 in Seattle. Owners can probably trade a solid RB2 or WR2 to get Taylor at this point.
Current standard fantasy average: 17.6 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 69 percent
Next four games: NE, at SEA, BYE, CIN
Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Winston is another dual-threat quarterback with a favorable schedule in the upcoming weeks. He struggled against Denver and Carolina, two of the better defenses in the NFL, but turned it around in Week 7 against the 49ers. The second-year QB threw for 269 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in the win.
Winston is a situational QB, but the next two weeks Winston faces the worst defenses against pass in league. He should also put up good numbers in Week 10 against Chicago.
If you need a streaming option during a bye week, Winston a good option who should be cheap to get.
Current standard fantasy average: 17.1 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 71 percent
Next four games: OAK, ATL, CHI, at KC
Sell High
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
It has been an off-year for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense in general. However, Rodgers is coming off his best game of the season against the Bears with 326 yards and three touchdowns. He also has favorable matchups in Weeks 9 and 10 against Atlanta and Indianapolis.
Green Bay’s schedule does a 180 after Week 10 and Rodgers will face some tough defenses down the stretch.
Given his struggles, now is the optimal time to deal Rodgers and get another high-yielding QB in return. Most fantasy owners will jump at the opportunity for Rodgers and should offer strong return options.
Current standard fantasy average: 19.9 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 100 percent
Next four games: at ATL, IND, at TEN, at WAS
Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders
Carr is starting to settle down after putting up big numbers in Weeks 4 and 5. The last two games Carr has thrown for just over 400 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Steady numbers for the mid-range QB.
Carr had it pretty easy the first half of the season and is now looking at tough defenses in the next few games. It would be wise to deal Carr before his value tanks under the pressure of difficult matchups.
Current standard fantasy average: 18.2 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 93 percent
Next four games: at TB, DEN, BYE, HOU