Someone in your league is 1-4 and competitive: They still have fantasy playoff hopes, and realize that this is a "win-or-go-home" week. Their starting QB--or #1 RB, or #1 WR--is on a bye. They have to have a short-term view.
Some of you, on the other hand, might 3-2 or better. Losing would hurt, but it wouldn't doom your playoff chances. You can afford to give up a good QB (if you have a good backup) or a #2 RB or a #2 WR--someone much better than what's available on waivers--for a better long-term player.
For example, WR Mike Wallace has a fantastic matchup and is probable to play. If your opponent has Dez Bryant--someone who's likely to be worthless if he falls to 1-5--they might be willing to part with Dez and a throwaway player for Wallace and, say, Philip Rivers. Or they could hand over a questionable Andrew Luck and a throwaway for, say, Blake Bortles and Chris Johnson.
These are win-win trades, in a sense: Your opponent will be more likely to remain playoff-viable, and you'll be better positioned if you reach the playoffs.
In current news, Randall Cobb recently acknowledged that his bum shoulder could be problem all season. It's not a reason to panic about fantasy's 13th highest scoring WR. But realize he's been a more TD-dependent fantasy option. In three games he's caught five balls or less. In his last two games he's been irrelevant. Any thoughts of Cobb being a mid-end WR1 should be abandoned. He's a fantastic WR, but I'm always wary of TD-dependent players. Aaron Rodgers distributes the ball a lot more than he did last year, to Cobb's detriment.
I mentioned Luck above for a reason: He and T.Y. Hilton should be heavily targeted in trades. Sure, there's plenty of risk if Luck's shoulder ailment is more serious than the Colts are letting on. But I can't imagine them even considering starting their franchise QB if this were a potentially season-ending or season-altering injury. Hilton is tied for 32nd among WR fantasy scorers. If Luck remains healthy going forward, T.Y. will be in the top 20 by season's end--and quite possibly in the top 15.
Some of you, on the other hand, might 3-2 or better. Losing would hurt, but it wouldn't doom your playoff chances. You can afford to give up a good QB (if you have a good backup) or a #2 RB or a #2 WR--someone much better than what's available on waivers--for a better long-term player.
For example, WR Mike Wallace has a fantastic matchup and is probable to play. If your opponent has Dez Bryant--someone who's likely to be worthless if he falls to 1-5--they might be willing to part with Dez and a throwaway player for Wallace and, say, Philip Rivers. Or they could hand over a questionable Andrew Luck and a throwaway for, say, Blake Bortles and Chris Johnson.
These are win-win trades, in a sense: Your opponent will be more likely to remain playoff-viable, and you'll be better positioned if you reach the playoffs.
In current news, Randall Cobb recently acknowledged that his bum shoulder could be problem all season. It's not a reason to panic about fantasy's 13th highest scoring WR. But realize he's been a more TD-dependent fantasy option. In three games he's caught five balls or less. In his last two games he's been irrelevant. Any thoughts of Cobb being a mid-end WR1 should be abandoned. He's a fantastic WR, but I'm always wary of TD-dependent players. Aaron Rodgers distributes the ball a lot more than he did last year, to Cobb's detriment.
I mentioned Luck above for a reason: He and T.Y. Hilton should be heavily targeted in trades. Sure, there's plenty of risk if Luck's shoulder ailment is more serious than the Colts are letting on. But I can't imagine them even considering starting their franchise QB if this were a potentially season-ending or season-altering injury. Hilton is tied for 32nd among WR fantasy scorers. If Luck remains healthy going forward, T.Y. will be in the top 20 by season's end--and quite possibly in the top 15.