Making an early-season trade for a proven player who is underperforming because of the situation, game script, or injuries can put you in a much better position to win a championship. Most people fear losing a trade based on production during the first three to six weeks, but the end of the season matters most. Looking only at fantasy points can be misleading and doesn’t always tell the full story. Usage, team environment, and future schedule matter much more.
Last year, through the first five weeks of the season, we had underperformers on a points-per-game basis like Derrick Henry (RB27), Chase Brown (RB34), Tee Higgins (WR29), and Chris Olave (WR31). All four were scoring well below expectations. From Week 6 forward, Henry finished as the RB7, Brown as the RB8, Higgins as the WR9, and Olave as the WR4.
The takeaway is simple. If your studs are underperforming because of the situation and not usage, hold on. More importantly, target those same types of players on other rosters while their managers are panicking.
*It is important to note that this is being written before the Sunday night games and during the 4:00 p.m. games.
- Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Week 4 Early Trade Targets
Quarterback Trade Targets
Brock Purdy (QB – SF)
I rarely condone trading for a quarterback in one-quarterback leagues. However, Purdy is likely sitting on someone’s bench as an extra QB, and he is one of my favorite superflex targets because I still believe he’s undervalued. Over the final eight weeks of 2025, Purdy was the QB2 on a points-per-game basis. Through the first two weeks of 2026, he is the QB4.
In Week 3, Purdy could have had an 80-yard touchdown pass, but Mike Evans caught the pass before a designed shovel to Deebo Samuel. Because of how the play was credited, that production won’t show up in Purdy’s fantasy scoring.
The 49ers face a tough Denver and Seattle defense in Week 4 and Week 5. This could impact Purdy’s value in the short term. Still, I believe in Purdy and this Shanahan scheme. If the manager who has him doesn’t need him, Purdy is a prime trade target.
Running Back Trade Targets
De’Von Achane (RB – MIA)
Achane left the Week 3 game with a knee injury. Early reports are that he will miss multiple weeks and could be placed on IR. Everyone is already fully out on this Miami offense, and with Achane underperforming through the first two weeks, I plan to buy at a discount. Of course, that depends on the injury’s severity.
The Dolphins will have faced three of the best defenses in the NFL over their first four weeks. A healthy 49ers defense, a Steve Spagnuolo-led Chiefs defense, and a Brian Flores-led Vikings defense. After this gauntlet, their schedule opens up significantly.
Over the past three years, Achane has averaged 16 fantasy points per game (RB8). Through the first two weeks of this season, he played 82% of the snaps (RB2), handled 66% of the rushing attempts (RB7), and had a 74% route share (RB1). The big one for me is that he also handled 100% of the goal-line opportunities.
While Miami’s offense will be less than exciting all year, Achane should still have the volume and opportunities when he returns with a more favorable schedule. I don’t see Miami playing much worse than it is right now. I like him even more in PPR leagues. If your roster can afford to wait four to five weeks, I like buying the discount now for the value later.
Chuba Hubbard (RB- CAR)
Jonathon Brooks has been placed on IR and will be out six to eight weeks with a sports hernia. Hubbard will continue to lead this backfield for the foreseeable future. Over the past two weeks, Hubbard has had a 66% snap share (RB12) and 50% route share (RB10). While this isn’t an exciting target because Bryce Young is still the quarterback, Hubbard is a good fit at his cost if you need an RB2.
We just watched the Panthers come back to earth against the Browns, scoring only 18 points and looking anemic on offense. Chuba still finished the day with 110 all-purpose yards. This will happen periodically throughout the season, but a lead back in a Dave Canales offense will see fantastic usage. In Week 3, he played approximately 82% of the rushing snaps and 85% of the passing snaps. His value has not caught up with his usage, which makes him a solid buy for a team in need of running back help.
Wide Receiver Trade Targets
Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)
Flowers is a top-10 wide receiver for the rest of the season when he is on the field. The fantasy community still hasn’t caught up because of his Week 1 hamstring injury. Per Fantasy Points Data Suite, in Week 1, he had a 32% first-read target share (WR12) and a 24% team target share (WR14). While this is a small sample size, let’s think through this logically.
Zay’s biggest target competition is 31-year-old Mark Andrews. He is also playing in a new Declan Doyle-led offense that is projected to finish as a top-five scoring offense in the league. So far this year, Baltimore has a 4.5% pass rate over expectation (10th) and a 57% pass rate (23rd).
In 2025, Baltimore had a -6.7% pass rate over expectation (31st) and a 52% pass rate (31st), and Flowers still finished as the WR14 on a points-per-game basis. With even a small increase in passing volume, he has a chance to easily finish as a top-10 wide receiver. If we see a significant increase in passing and he finds a way to score touchdowns more consistently, I believe he can break into the top five.
Week 3 was played in Brazil, and reports indicated Flowers would be on a snap count, especially given concerns about the field quality. Even though we are 20 minutes into the game, the Ravens haven’t had to throw the ball much, so it is hard to tell if that is true. Either way, if Zay is limited or doesn’t perform well because of the situation, game script, or limited usage, trade for him while you still can.
Luther Burden (WR – CHI)
I still believe in the Burden hype, and the Caleb Williams injury should give us a window to buy low. Per Fantasy Points Data Suite, Burden has seen a 31% first-read target rate (WR13). His biggest issues right now are route participation and Kalif Raymond.
The upside still exists in a Ben Johnson offense, and I am willing to buy at a discount from a manager who has already lost faith. This is a boom-or-bust target, so if you decide to trade for Burden, you need to be willing to accept the risk that he could bust.
Tight End Trade Targets
Tucker Kraft (TE- GB)
Kraft is still only 10 months removed from ACL surgery after tearing it in mid-November 2025. Even with that, he has seen a 63% route share over the past two weeks. While that is just outside the top 10 tight ends in usage, I expect his role to continue growing as the year goes on.
Green Bay has looked like a shell of itself on both sides of the ball. While it is a small sample size, the Packers have been passing at one of the highest rates in the NFL (73%), in large part because their defense has been struggling.
Jayden Reed is potentially out for the season, leaving Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, and Tucker Kraft as the best pass-catching options in this offense. Kraft’s superpower is his yards-after-the-catch ability. In 2025, he averaged over 10 yards after the catch per reception. As he gets healthier, his usage should increase, and he should start getting back to his 2025 form. If the defensive issues persist, it will only make his offensive environment better.
Over the next four weeks, Green Bay plays the Buccaneers, Bears, Cowboys, and Lions. This might be the last window to buy low on Kraft.
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