We’re three weeks into the NFL season, and the trade market is heating up. Roles are becoming clearer, usage trends are stabilizing, and managers are starting to overreact to early-season highs and lows. That makes now the perfect time to strike. Here are our top trade targets heading into Week 4.
Players to Trade For
Tet McMillan (WR, Panthers)
McMillan is one of the youngest starting wide receivers in the league, and with that comes plenty of breakout potential. He’s flashed the traits that made him a coveted prospect — strong size, good hands, and an ability to win in contested catch situations — but the production hasn’t fully arrived yet.
Through three weeks, McMillan has yet to score a touchdown, which is keeping his fantasy value suppressed. But that also means this is the perfect time to buy. His snap share and route participation are climbing each week, and the Panthers are steadily giving him more opportunities in high-leverage situations.
When that first touchdown comes — and it will — McMillan’s price is going to spike. He’s the type of young, ascending receiver you want to acquire now and hold as a potential breakout down the stretch.
Omarion Hampton (RB, Chargers)
Hampton is one of the clearest buy-now backs on the market after Najee Harris’ season-ending Achilles injury. In Week 3, Hampton stepped in and played 39 of the final 46 snaps, immediately taking on the lead role. Hassan Haskins mixed in for a few passing downs, but Hampton owned the majority of the backfield.
This isn’t just a short-term opportunity — Hampton was a college star at North Carolina, rushing for 1,660 yards and 15 TDs in 2024 while averaging nearly 6 yards per carry. He consistently produced yards after contact, showing he can handle NFL-level physicality.
Now he lands in a Chargers offense run by Jim Harbaugh, a coach who has historically emphasized a strong ground game. Even if the offense skews pass-heavy at times, the structure of the system and Hampton’s physical style point to heavy volume moving forward.
The efficiency hasn’t clicked yet (just 3.4 yards per carry so far), but rookie backs often need a few weeks to settle in. Hampton has RB1 upside for the rest of the season. Buy him now before his price skyrockets into the elite tier.
Jake Ferguson (TE, Cowboys)
Ferguson has already carved out a steady role in Dallas’ offense, but with CeeDee Lamb sidelined, his value spikes. Lamb’s absence leaves behind a massive target share — over 28% of Dallas’ total passing volume through three weeks — and Dak Prescott will need to lean on his most reliable short-to-intermediate option. That makes Ferguson the natural beneficiary.
Through Week 3, Ferguson has run a route on nearly 70% of Prescott’s dropbacks and has accounted for 17% of the team’s targets, a strong number for a tight end. Even more important, he’s tied for the NFL lead among tight ends in red-zone targets (6), showing Prescott trusts him in scoring situations.
With defenses no longer able to key exclusively on Lamb, Ferguson should see a noticeable increase in volume and high-leverage looks. The tight end position is notoriously shallow in fantasy, which magnifies Ferguson’s appeal. If you can acquire him now, you’ll be locking in a potential top-5 TE rest of season at a fraction of the cost.
Emeka Egbuka (WR, Buccaneers)
Egbuka is stepping into the perfect buy-low window. The rookie has already shown flashes with a steady 17% target share, but now the door is wide open for him to see even more opportunity.
Mike Evans just went down with an injury that will sideline him for multiple weeks, removing the Bucs’ top red-zone weapon and primary target earner. At the same time, Chris Godwin hasn’t played yet this season as he works his way back from a major injury, leaving his 2025 role and production completely unclear. That means Baker Mayfield will be forced to lean more on Egbuka, who can win both outside and in the slot thanks to his refined route running and versatility.
Underlying usage plus a sudden boost in opportunity makes him a prime candidate to break out in the coming weeks. If you can buy him now, you’re not just getting a short-term volume bump while Evans is out — you’re getting a receiver with league-winning upside down the stretch.
TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Patriots)
Henderson’s start to his rookie season has been quiet on the surface, but the situation in New England has swung wide open in his favor. In Week 3’s 21–14 loss to the Steelers, the Patriots turned the ball over five times — and veteran RB Rhamondre Stevenson was at the center of it with two more fumbles, including one at the goal line. Stevenson led all RBs with seven fumbles last season, and the ball security issues are now clearly costing him snaps.
After Stevenson’s second fumble last Sunday, Henderson took over the backfield, logging 26 second-half snaps compared to Stevenson’s seven. He only finished with 7.7 fantasy points, but the usage shift is the real story. Henderson has never lost a fumble across 688 career touches between college and the NFL, and that reliability is exactly what New England’s coaching staff needs.
The Patriots didn’t spend a second-round pick on Henderson — their highest RB draft capital in seven years — to keep him on the sidelines. At Ohio State, he was a workhorse for the National Champion Buckeyes, racking up 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024. He has the size, burst, and receiving chops to be a true three-down back.
Through three weeks, Henderson is averaging just 6.3 carries and 38% of the snaps, but his efficiency stands out: he leads the backfield with 0.32 fantasy points per snap. With Stevenson’s role shrinking, Henderson projects to approach 15 carries and 50%+ of the snaps weekly, and his 10.7% target share and 37% route rate should also climb.
Right now, Henderson’s managers may be frustrated — he’s averaging only 8.0 FPTS per game so far. That frustration makes him one of the best buy-low with league-winning upside players heading into Week 4. Acquire him before his role becomes undeniable.
Drake London (WR, Falcons)
London is one of my favorite buy-low receivers heading into Week 4. The entire Falcons passing attack — London, Darnell Mooney, and Kyle Pitts — has been quieter than expected, but context matters. Atlanta’s first three games came against some of the league’s tougher secondaries, which helps explain the sluggish start.
Don’t let that fool you into thinking the passing game is broken. Rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. has the arm talent to open things up, and I expect him to get back to his aggressive, downfield style soon. That shift should put London right back in the spotlight, especially with a Commanders defense on deck that’s strong against the run but beatable through the air.
London’s usage remains encouraging — he’s seeing steady targets and operating as the clear WR1. The touchdowns haven’t come yet, but the opportunity is there, and it only takes one big game for his trade value to swing upward. This is the week to buy him before that happens.
Mooney and Pitts are also worth monitoring: Mooney drew 11 targets in his return from injury, and Pitts genuinely looks like he’s taken a step forward in consistency. But London is the centerpiece here, and I’d be happy to move a name like Tyreek Hill in a package deal to secure him as a rest-of-season cornerstone.
Players to Trade Away
George Pickens (WR, Cowboys)
With CeeDee Lamb injured, some fantasy managers are scrambling for wide receiver reinforcements and may be tempted to chase Pickens as a “next man up” option. On paper, it makes sense — he’s the presumed WR1 in Dallas and has the big-play profile that attracts attention on the trade market.
But here’s the problem: even with Lamb sidelined in Week 3, Pickens failed to capitalize, putting up a disappointing line despite every opportunity to step into a larger role. His production remains heavily tied to contested catches and low-percentage throws, and the Steelers’ passing game continues to be one of the least reliable in the league.
This creates a sell-high window. Managers desperate to replace Lamb may pay more than Pickens is truly worth, remembering his highlight plays instead of his inconsistent week-to-week floor. Cash out now while the opportunity narrative boosts his perceived value.
J.K. Dobbins (RB, Broncos)
Dobbins has been a true workhorse in Denver, already piling up over 220 carries and scoring a touchdown in each of the first three games. He looks like the centerpiece of the Broncos’ offense, but his injury history makes him a risky long-term hold. The heavy volume that’s boosting his fantasy numbers right now could just as easily lead to durability concerns later in the year.
Adding to the risk, rookie RB RJ Harvey is waiting in the wings, and there’s a real chance his role expands as the season progresses. That would chip away at Dobbins’ touches and lower his week-to-week ceiling.
His value is at an absolute peak right now, which makes this the perfect time to sell high. If you can package him with a depth piece to land a proven WR1 like Davante Adams or a consistent bell-cow like Kyren Williams, you’ll be securing a safer cornerstone for the rest of the season.
Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, Jaguars)
At this point, it’s less about “selling high” and more about getting out before his value dips any lower. I tried to give Brian Thomas Jr. a three-week runway to settle in, but the warning signs are hard to ignore. The rookie just hasn’t clicked with Trevor Lawrence, and through three games he sits third on the team in receiving yards, trailing guys like Brenton Strange and Dyami Brown.
For a player drafted with such high expectations, that’s concerning. The role hasn’t developed, the targets aren’t there, and it doesn’t look like a quick turnaround is coming. If another manager still believes in his upside, I’d move him now — even for an RB like Ashton Jeanty or Chase Brown, who may be frustrating their managers but at least have a clearer path to touches.
Sometimes the best move is cutting bait before the floor gives way — and BTJ looks like that kind of sell heading into Week 4.