The Best Week 3 Fantasy Football Trades to Make RIGHT NOW: Buy or Sell?

Listed as a potential trade target in exchange for Debo Samuel; positioned as a lower-tier option compared to Courtland Sutton and other receivers in the trade discussion.

49ers QB has posted highest QBR in NFL history (or since QBR became a stat); operates top-three offense in yards per play, points per drive, and EPA per play. The source ranks him in the 7–8 range among NFL quarterbacks and emphasizes preference for wide receivers attached to elite QB play like Purdy's, representing a significant upgrade from earlier season rankings.

Buy-low candidate; ranks 9th in snap share and 6th in target share through two weeks. As a rookie, had one of the best fantasy points per snap seasons ever and was a hyper-efficient player in college; was drafted as RB19 before David Montgomery, DeAndre Swift, and Quinnshot Judkins. Kenneth Gainwell has been basically not involved in the offense, making Irving the lone back.

Lamb got off to a hot start early in the season and is positioned as a potential WR1 candidate. Utilization-for-utilization, Lamb is in the more valuable role for fantasy compared to other Cowboys receivers through two weeks. Benefits from Cowboys' elite passing offense (first in points per drive) and poor run game that forces passing volume; the Cowboys rank dead last in adjusted yards before contact per run attempt (less than one yard), forcing favorable passing game scripts that amplify Lamb's utilization advantage.

Dominant role elevation with Samaj Perine sidelined; not leaving the field basically ever. RB5 rest-of-season projection with elite situation: Bengals now have a good defense and complete team, creating game scripts that will rely on the run game more than ever. In the second half of last season (final 9 weeks), he was RB3 in fantasy points per game. Can easily outscore Derek Henry moving forward due to involvement in both pass game and run game.

Listed as a potential trade target for Debo Samuel; the source expresses skepticism about trading wide receivers for other wide receivers, suggesting Godwin is not a compelling return for Debo.

Watson has been awesome through two weeks and ranks as wide receiver nine by fantasy points per route run since the start of last season. The source notes the Packers have shifted from bottom-three pass rate over expectation to top-12, creating an incredible setup. Watson is winning reps at a high level on inbreakers, slants, and crossers with a developed release package and fast wins on tape. Film evaluation shows significant development in his game that should result in substantially better production. However, the quick-hitting scheme due to poor offensive line may pressure his efficiency; Jordan Love's time to throw has dropped from 2.6 to 2.31 seconds (largest decrease of any QB), and Watson's targets per route run and yards per route run decline when Love gets the ball out under 2.5 seconds.

Emerges as a more equitable trade target for Debo Samuel compared to lower-tier options like Blake Quorum and Kyle Manangi; the source indicates that a package of Sutton and Manangi for Debo represents fair value, suggesting Sutton is closer to Debo's tier than earlier trade suggestions.

Prescott is performing well across two very different game scripts and is projected to be near the top in dropback volume. Cowboys' inability to run the football (dead last in adjusted yards before contact per run attempt, less than one yard) and poor defense force passing situations. Elite passing offense efficiency (first in points per drive) supports high volume projection.

Montgomery is one of the best man-gap runners in the league but faces volatility concerns due to splitting backfield time with Woody Marks and Houston's poor play-calling. He takes approximately 80% of the backfield zone carries, but the source flagged this as part of Houston's scheme decisions. The source cautioned against overreacting to early-season usage patterns. Montgomery's profile is comparable to 2024 Joe Mixon—high-touch games with strong defense and turnovers yield 20+ touches and 21+ fantasy points, but weeks without Nico Collins or negative game script produce rougher outputs.

Buy-low candidate in 49ers offense that ranks top-three in yards per play, points per drive, and EPA per play. Benefits from Brock Purdy's elite QB play (highest QBR in NFL history) and condensed, high-powered offense. Injury context (Jauan Jennings on IR, Demarcus Robinson high ankle sprain) creates target opportunity. In the more condensed offense, Samuel operates with elevated screen and dump-off volume, providing a higher floor than perceived; the offense carries significant touchdown equity.

London has been a non-factor through two weeks due to the Cooper Rush situation but represents a buy-low opportunity if available at round five prices (down from round two ADP). With Michael Penix Jr., London has historically averaged 20.6 fantasy points per game across eight to ten games, with a 40% first-read target share and 33% overall target share. Penix has already adjusted London's role from 80% outside snaps in week one to 57% slot rate in week two, positioning him in his optimal power slot role.

Source would trade Garrett Wilson straight up for Lad McConkey, indicating strong conviction in McConkey's buy-low value relative to Wilson's current market price.

Pickens has adequate target volume but hasn't converted all targets to receptions. Slot rate declined from 15% to 9% and average depth of route remained flat through two weeks, contrary to offseason expectations for increased slot work and shallower routes. Real-life NFL impact is massive but fantasy production has not yet matched opportunity. Benefits from Cowboys' poor defense and high dropback volume (Dak Prescott near top in dropbacks), and the Cowboys rank dead last in adjusted yards before contact per run attempt (less than one yard), forcing pass-heavy game scripts that create an incredible setup for Pickens' skill set. However, role concerns regarding route depth and positioning remain.

Buy-low candidate despite current injury; Seattle is running the ball heavily (40 carries in recent game) and Price was in the driver's seat before injury, with George Holani taking a back seat. Price ranks top five in both missed tackles forced per attempt and yards after contact per attempt; coach stated heading into week two they would put more on his plate. Had 14 touches before injury while backup Emanuel Wilson got 21 carries in a game script that would have been ideal for 20+ carries; would have had strong fantasy output if he stayed healthy.

Historical example of player decline in a short sample size; kind of disappeared in a month-long stretch, illustrating how even drafted players can lose opportunity and production within a season.

Williams is proposed as part of a trade package to acquire Lad McConkey; source would pair him with Devon Vy and Romo Dunay.

Listed as a potential trade target for Debo Samuel; the source notes that Addison's current value is approximately equivalent to Darren Waller (Johnston), indicating a mid-tier option in the Debo trade discussion.

Love has dropped his average time to throw from over 2.6 seconds to 2.31 seconds year-over-year (2025 to 2026), the largest decrease of any quarterback. This is described as 'unlike any version of Jordan Love we've ever seen,' driven by a poor offensive line forcing quick-release concepts. The Packers' passing offense ranks fringe top-five in EPA per drop-back, though the source clarifies this is an offense-level stat, not a player stat. Love's compressed time to throw disadvantages receivers like Watson, Craft, and Golden who typically require 2.5+ seconds to generate their best target and yardage rates, but benefits quick-release specialists like Wixs and Doubs.

Jacobs is expected to return in week seven from injury. The source speculates he could return to 20 touches per game once healthy. The Packers' running game has been poor through two weeks, but Jacobs could be 'free' once he returns, implying potential volume upside if the offense continues to struggle and leans on the run game. Benefits from Packers' shift to top-12 pass rate over expectation (up from bottom three over the previous two seasons) and an awful defense.

Despite leading the Chicago Bears in passing-game snaps in weeks 1-2 (including more snaps than Luther Burden in week two), ranks dead last in separation win rate at 0.0%, indicating severe inability to create separation from defenders; the source expresses strong skepticism that he will remain a fantasy-relevant asset.

Buy-low candidate despite cracked rib; went nuclear in week one before injury. Chargers offense is completely dysfunctional without him, posting 0.22 EPA per play with him on field versus minus-0.6 with him off field in both weeks one and two; appears to be in a Tyreek Hill-caliber role for fantasy. Teams starting 0-2 may not have the luxury to remain patient, but contenders can acquire him at discount.

Golden looks incredible on tape and may end up being the biggest beneficiary of the Packers' quick-hit scheme. He's winning reps at a really high level on fast-developing plays like slants, crossers, and inbreakers—the exact route concepts the Packers are leaning into due to Jordan Love's shortened time to throw (2.31 seconds average, down from 2.6). The source was impressed with Golden's NFL tape for the first time, citing discipline in route running as the key distinction; he's running routes at correct depth with smooth, efficient brakes and no false steps. His developed release package and ability to win on quick-hitting concepts position him as a potential breakout in this condensed receiver rotation. This route-running development should result in significantly better production.

Buy-low candidate despite banged-up status; maintains elite target share (top-three in air yards share) attached to Brock Purdy, who has posted highest QBR in NFL history and operates a top-three offense in yards per play, points per drive, and EPA per play. Recent game vs. Miami saw only 22 pass attempts due to early exit (hip), but offense is condensed and high-powered. Elite receiving talent remains intact despite Demarcus Robinson's high ankle sprain and Jauan Jennings on IR. The source maintains confidence in Evans' elite status in the more condensed 49ers offense.

Injury discount opportunity on a top-5 WR candidate; WR1 for McVay/Stafford who will go nuclear in that role. In week 1 with Stafford throwing only 155 passing yards and zero touchdowns, Nacua posted 23.3 XFP on 20 routes, demonstrating elite efficiency despite poor QB performance. Source values him alongside Z Flowers over highly regarded peers like Jamar Chase and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Filled Zay Flowers' role while Flowers was injured; went off in week 2 as the featured receiver. Playing in the Zay Flowers role with Baltimore running 13 personnel at a top-3 rate, which is ideal for a WR1. Source suggests he may be a secondary acquisition target if Flowers remains unavailable.

Doubs is part of the Packers' condensed receiver rotation and is one of the guys heavily targeted when Jordan Love gets the ball out quickly (under 2.5 seconds). This quick-release role contrasts with the deeper-developing route concepts that benefit Watson, Craft, and Golden, positioning Doubs as a beneficiary of the Packers' current offensive line constraints.

Craft was tight end three by fantasy points per route run since the start of last season. The source expected a slow ramp-up after his injury, but Craft has just hit a career-high in route share, indicating the Packers no longer have the luxury of easing him back in following Jaden Reed's departure. This condensed receiver room and increased role make Craft a buy candidate in the source's view, especially given his elite per-route efficiency metrics. The Packers have shifted from bottom-three pass rate over expectation to top-12, creating an incredible setup for Craft.

Kraft is the actual buy-low candidate among Packers receivers and tight ends. He was tight end three by fantasy points per route run since the start of last season. Expected to have a slow ramp-up after injury, but Kraft has just hit a career-high in route share, indicating the Packers no longer have the luxury of easing him back in following Jaden Reed's departure. This condensed receiver room and increased role make Kraft a buy candidate, especially given his elite per-route efficiency metrics. Benefits from Packers' shift to top-12 pass rate over expectation (up from bottom three over the previous two seasons) and an awful defense.

Marks is playing on approximately 80% of short down and distance snaps in Houston's offense, but the source described him as a player who 'stinks' and is 'like a glorified scatback.' This usage pattern reflects poor play-calling by Houston's coaching staff rather than Marks' actual value, with the source expressing strong skepticism about his fantasy relevance.

Top-5 WR candidate with injury discount; scored 26 fantasy points on just 11 routes in week 1 before injury. Source wants to be aggressive acquiring him despite the injury concern, positioning him as a buy-low target. Playing 13 personnel at a top-3 rate for Baltimore, the ideal setup for a superstar WR1, similar to how Devonte Adams and Puka Nacua were effective in that role last year.