The NFL trade deadline has come and gone, and Fantasy Football managers are left scratching their heads. While some moves were expected, others left us wondering what could have been. Let’s dive into the fallout, starting with the big trades that reshaped the Fantasy landscape—and the ones that didn’t happen but maybe should have.
Rashid Shaheed is now a Seattle Seahawk, and Jakobi Meyers has joined the Jacksonville Jaguars. These were the headline-grabbing offensive trades on Tuesday, but here’s the kicker: they weren’t exactly the moves Fantasy managers were hoping for. But here’s where it gets controversial: Did these trades actually improve their Fantasy value, or are we just settling for what we got?
Take Breece Hall, for instance. Despite the Jets trading away what felt like half their roster, Hall stayed put. He’s still a solid No. 2 Fantasy running back, but imagine if he’d landed with a powerhouse like the Chiefs. And this is the part most people miss: His value could have skyrocketed in a more dynamic offense. Instead, we’re left with a ‘what if’ scenario that’s hard to shake.
Then there’s Tony Pollard, who stayed with the Titans despite trade rumors. And let’s not forget the tight ends—David Njoku, Chigoziem Okonkwo, and Michael Mayer—who remained in their current roles despite whispers of potential moves. Their Fantasy value stays the same, but it’s hard not to wonder if a change of scenery could have spiced things up.
For Shaheed, the move from the Saints to the Seahawks doesn’t drastically alter his Fantasy outlook. He’s still a reliable No. 3 receiver in most leagues, but there’s a silver lining: he’s reuniting with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, and with a better quarterback in Sam Darnold, he might see more touchdowns. Bold prediction: Shaheed could surprise us in Seattle, especially with his recent PPR performance of at least 11.8 points in three of his last five games.
But here’s the downside: this trade is a gut punch for Tory Horton, the promising rookie who was on the rise after scoring two touchdowns in Week 9. Now, he’s a boom-or-bust No. 4 option, best suited for deeper leagues. Thought-provoking question: Is Horton’s potential completely stifled, or could he still emerge as a sleeper pick?
On the flip side, Chris Olave gets a slight bump with Shaheed gone from the Saints. He’s now the undisputed No. 1 option in their passing game, though his Week 9 performance with Tyler Shough was underwhelming. Still, his prior streak of three consecutive games with at least 14 PPR points is hard to ignore.
Juwan Johnson also stands to benefit from Shaheed’s departure. With three straight games of at least 10.3 PPR points, he’s a low-end No. 1 Fantasy tight end worth rostering. And in deeper leagues, keep an eye on Devaughn Vele, who could see more opportunities now that Shaheed is in Seattle.
In Jacksonville, the addition of Meyers is a much-needed boost, especially with Travis Hunter, Brian Thomas Jr., and Dyami Brown sidelined by injuries. Meyers had a slow start with the Raiders, but his history of averaging at least 12.9 PPR points per game over three seasons suggests he could rebound. Controversial take: Is Meyers a short-term fix or a long-term asset? His value will likely dip when Hunter and Thomas return, but for now, he’s a solid pickup in 10-team leagues.
Speaking of Jacksonville, Parker Washington is a name you shouldn’t overlook. With 19 targets in his last two games, he’s becoming a favorite of Trevor Lawrence. Even if Thomas and Brown are out in Week 10, Washington could be a low-end No. 3 receiver against the Texans. Question for the audience: Is Washington the real deal, or is his success just a product of injuries?
In Las Vegas, Tre Tucker is the big winner with Meyers gone. He’s been consistent, scoring at least 11.1 PPR points in three of his last six games, and should now be the No. 2 pass catcher behind Brock Bowers. Bold statement: Tucker has the potential to be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver for the rest of the season. And in deeper leagues, Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. are worth a flier as part of the Raiders’ youth movement.
Finally, let’s not forget Adonai Mitchell, who was part of the Sauce Gardner deal between the Colts and Jets. He could emerge as the No. 2 receiver behind Garrett Wilson, making him a solid add in deeper leagues and dynasty formats.
Final thought-provoking question: With all these moves (and non-moves), who do you think will be the biggest Fantasy surprise—or disappointment—down the stretch? Let’s hear your takes in the comments!
