NFL Week 8 Fantasy Football Trade Value Chart (2021): Risers, Fallers, Injury Notes

This trade value chart probably looks different than other charts you’re used to seeing. Most other analysts take their rest of the season rankings, apply arbitrary numbers to each player based on rank order, and call it a day.

I used a value-based drafting Excel tool to create the initial pre-Week 1 values for this chart. Since then, I have made changes based on the results from the first three weeks, FantasyPros Rest of the Season ECR, The Wolf’s Rest of Season Rankings, and my expected fantasy points analysis (updated every Wednesday).

WEEK 7 RISERS, FALLERS, AND INJURY NOTES

Week 7 Stock Watch:

📈Eli M, MCarter, Pitts, CPatt, Gainwell/BScott, Tua, Burrow, KHerbert, Edmonds, AJB, Chase, Gaskin, Waddle, Bateman, Goedert, Ertz, Uzomah, Cox

📉Fields, Darnold, MDavis, Gibson, Aiyuk, ARob, Aiyuk, Sermon, Boyd, St.Brown, DWilliams, Rondale

Who's missing?

— Wolf of Roto Street (@RotoStreetWolf) October 25, 2021

For a more detailed injury breakdown, check out CJay’s Trainer’s Room article that comes out later in the week. I am writing this on Monday night and tried to take the following injuries into account, but stay tuned for updates throughout the week. For a more detailed analysis of specific risers and fallers, I recommend listening to The Wolf’s breakdown here. Injury data is primarily sourced from The Fantasy Doctors and ProFootballDoc.

• Deshaun Watson should be added in all formats given the news that he could be traded before the NFL trade deadline. If he is still on waivers in a Superflex league, I would be willing to spend all of my remaining FAAB. Ian Rapoport reports that Watson has a “good chance” to be traded, and “the indications from the NFL are that he would not be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list”, meaning he could play. He could give you nothing, but upside wins championships in fantasy football.
• Eagles running back Miles Sanders suffered an ankle injury and is week to week according to coach Nick Sirianni. Backup Kenneth Gainwell out-snapped Boston Scott 34 to 23 and looks like a viable starting option as long as Sanders is out, especially in PPR.
• Josh Jacobs left Week 7 with a chest injury, and Darren Waller missed the game with an ankle injury. We could use more information on Waller, but as of now, I am not discounting either player for injury given the upcoming Week 8 bye.
• Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. suffered another shoulder injury and needs surgery, but will continue to try to play. When also considering the injury to Baker Mayfield and OBJ’s ineffectiveness, he has little value remaining in season-long leagues.
• Zach Wilson is expected to be out for 2-4 weeks with a PCL injury. He wasn’t rostered in standard leagues and is probably droppable in 12-team Superflex leagues at this point. The Jets acquired Joe Flacco via trade, so he could be a potential short-term QB option in Superflex. Given the acquisition, I expect Corey Davis and Michael Carter to retain similar value.
• The Dolphins placed running back Malcolm Brown on IR after playing only 5 snaps in Week 7. His absence allowed Myles Gaskin to see 15 carries and four targets. His role has been all over the place this year, but Brown’s injury might be the break he needed to see a consistent workload.
• Bears running back Khalil Herbert dominated in Week 7, playing 51 of 66 snaps. I suggested selling teammate Damien Williams before this week based on split Week 6 usage, and his value is now close to zero.
• Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is ready to return to practice this week and should regain the starting job soon, which is good for Brandin Cooks.
• Other players rising due to impressive Week 7 performances include Cooper Kupp, Ja’Marr Chase, Alvin Kamara, A.J. Brown, Kyle Pitts, Mike Gesicki, and Marquise Brown.
• Other Week 7 fallers include Antonio Gibson, Tyler Lockett, Allen Robinson, and Mike Davis.