Trading Faces: Week 7

Astute waiver wire moves aren’t the only way to strengthen your squad during the season; often, it’s the owner who makes the best trades who winds up laughing all the way to the championship. To help give you a few ideas on potentially profitable trades and complement the Waiver Wire Work column, let’s look at several players who might be available at prices lower than their true value … and a few other you may wish to shop.

Players to Trade For

Trent Green (QB, KC) – Green started to show some signs of life last week against the Redskins. This could be a sign of many good things to come.

Priest Holmes (RB, KC) – Priest had a very tough rushing day but showed that he is still a valuable commodity in the passing game. It is apparent that the Chiefs believe that the offense must go through Priest in order to succeed.

Lamont Jordan (RB, Oak) – Although he’s not necessarily getting a ton of yards, he is getting into the endzone and is seeing many passes thrown his way. His stock should continue to rise with the absence of Randy Moss.

Reggie Wayne (WR, Ind) – He had a strong Monday night game, although still not as good as many were predicting before the season. He is seeing more looks currently that Marvin Harrison.

Torry Holt (WR, Stl) – Holt is somewhat dinged up and Marc Bulger appears to be a question mark, at least in the short term. Perhaps you can find an antsy Holt owner out there. If you can buy him now, he’s leading the league in targets and should continue on this pace for the rest of the season.

Marc Bulger (QB, Stl) – It is a risk to take a chance on a dinged-up player, but this one is worth it. It doesn’t appear that Bulger sustained any type of injury that has long-term implications. Bulger is on pace to challenge many NFL records, including the single-season passing yardage record. If you can get him without breaking the bank, do it.

Peyton Manning (QB, Ind) – Manning very easily could have had a couple more touchdown passes this past Monday night. The 200-yard, two-TD night didn’t look Manningeque per se, but it was still effective and that offense showed that it is still very capable of exploding.

Tony Gonzalez (TE, KC) – Kansas City played a very tough defense in Washington last week and consequently, Gonzalez was held in check. Look for Gonzo and the passing game to start opening up soon.

 
Players to Trade

Daunte Culpepper (QB, Min) – While he didn’t play an absolutely horrible game, it has become clear that Culpepper and Co. needed Randy Moss more than they let on. Wait for one more big game and then cash in on him.

Donovan McNabb (QB, Phi) – For the first time this season, McNabb’s injury was an issue prior to the bye week and his lack of mobility was exposed. This probably won’t be the norm, but now there is a blueprint for stopping him and other defenses will try similar things. He’s still a valuable commodity to shop.

Eli Manning (QB, NYG) – Manning struggled some this past weekend against Dallas but still ended up posting respectable numbers at the end of the day. It is still not a bad idea to shop him around just to see what he could bring.

Kerry Collins (QB, Oak) – Tough call here: Collins has started the year by taking much better care of the ball than in the past and producing nice numbers. The key to that success, however, has been having Randy Moss out there at WR. With Moss now on the shelf, I would expect Collins’ numbers to revert to historical levels and take a downturn.

Kevin Jones (RB, Det) – This offense refuses to turn the corner and Jones is dinged up to boot. Wait for a productive game and then sell him off.

Willie Parker (RB, Pit) – Parker is now firmly entrenched in a running back rotation in Pittsburgh.

Stephen Davis (RB, Car) – Davis and the Carolina running game are starting to sputter more and more. Try and cash him in while he still has value.

Mike Anderson (RB, Den) – Once again, the Denver running back picture is now a muddled mess. Try and sell Anderson while he still has some value.

Kevin Curtis (WR, Stl) – Curtis continues to prosper without Ike Bruce in the lineup. Once Bruce is back, though, look for Curtis to return to his old role as the #3/4 WR.

Terry Glenn (WR, Dal) – No one’s been hotter the past few weeks than Glenn. Both he and Drew Bledsoe are on a torrid pace which is unlikely to continue. Sell him at his highest now.

Laveraneus Coles (WR, NYJ) – Vinny Testaverde was brought in to salvage the season, but that may be a bit much to ask of a 42-year-old QB. Move Coles if you can.

 
Scott Houlding, known to forum regulars as MadScott, set the pace in this year’s Lucky Ladders contest by winning week 1. He’s currently tied for 11th place, just two points out of the top ten.

Questions or comments for Scott? Post your thoughts in the Cafe’s forums!