We are approaching the trade deadline in most leagues.
For many owners, it's the last best chance to make a drastic difference with your roster.
Here's some trade advice to help you with the process:
1. Be personable. Compliment your league's owners whenever you have an opportunity. Reach out when something bad happens like an injury. Keep your opinions to yourself while negotiating. Use rankings/point totals/facts.
2. Buy low or sell high based on strength of schedule.
3. Trade depth for studs. Early in the season, depth is a priority. You'll need it to deal with bye weeks. Be willing to deal depth for the best optimal lineup during the stretch run.
4. Kickers and defenses are always replaceable.
5. Best player wins the deal.
Here's my best bets for Week 11:
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DETROIT AT CHICAGO
Obvious starters: Golden Tate (Lions), Jordan Howard (Bears).
Who to start: Usage continues to sustain the RB2 potential of Ameer Abdullah (Lions), who has scored a rushing touchdown in two straight games. Sign me up for the Lions D/ST against a rookie quarterback. Theo Riddick (Lions) maintains his flex viability in PPR.
Who to sit: Lower your expectations for Matthew Stafford (Lions) who faces a Bears defense that has only allowed two passing touchdowns in the past five games, which means Marvin Jones (Lions) is likely better suited for you bench this week. Wait until rookie WR Kenny Golladay (Lions) sees an increase in consistent targets before you trust him as a flex option. This is also a very bad matchup for Eric Ebron (Lions). Mitchell Trubisky (Bears) is certainly showing signs of improvement, but enough to be trusted in your fantasy lineup yet.
Sleeper: It didn't take long for Dontrelle Inman (Bears) — six receptions for 88 yards — to develop a connection with Trubisky.
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JACKSONVILLE AT CLEVELAND
Obvious starters: Jaguars D/ST, Leonard Fournette (Jaguars),
Who to start: Monitor his knee issues, but Marqise Lee (Jaguars) is a high-floor flex option in PPR with WR2 upside. The Jags have been better against the run recently so temper your expectations of Isaiah Crowell (Browns). His usage should support a flex play. Duke Johnson (Browns) continues to be a high-floor PPR flex option.
Who to sit: Even against a subpar opponent, I hesitate to recommend Blake Bortles (Jaguars). I'm not sure there's a QB in the history of the Browns, let alone DeShone Kizer (Browns), I'd recommend against this Jacksonville pass defense. This is a horrible matchup for Corey Coleman (Browns) in his first game back from injured reserve.
Sleeper: Rookie wideout Dede Westbrook (Jaguars) expects 200 yards in his NFL debut, to give you an idea of where his head is at. I don't believe he gets there, but he should definitely have an impact with Allen Hurns out.
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BALTIMORE AT GREEN BAY
Obvious starters: Ravens D/ST.
Who to start: If Danny Woodhead (Ravens) is activated from IR, he deserves flex consideration. Alex Collins (Ravens) has received double-digit carries in five straight games, earning him flex consideration as well. Jeremy Maclin (Ravens) is good enough to take advantage of Green Bay's poor secondary. He has WR2 upside this week. Davante Adams (Packers) and Randall Cobb (Packers) both maintain flex value and Adams still has WR2 upside despite the quarterback change. 20-plus touches means you need to find a place in your lineup for Jamaal Williams (Packers).
Who to sit: The strong armed Joe Flacco (Ravens) continues his fall from the elite. Tight end Benjamin Watson (Ravens) has surprisingly sustained value in PPR leagues despite Baltimore's messy offense, but this is not a favorable matchup. Woodhead's situation clouds the future role of Javorius Allen (Ravens) so I wouldn't trust him until everything is sorted out. Brett Hundley (Packers) has yet to show any chemistry at all with Jordy Nelson (Packers).
Sleeper: Veteran deep threat Mike Wallace (Ravens) remains a touchdown-or-bust option in this prime matchup if you're looking for a lottery ticket.
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TAMPA BAY AT MIAMI
Obvious starters: Mike Evans (Buccaneers), Cameron Brate (Buccaneers), Jarvis Landry (Dolphins).
Who to start: Veteran signal caller Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buccaneers) is a solid streaming option against a struggling Dolphins secondary. I expect Doug Martin (Buccaneers) to produce his best game of the season against a Miami rush defense that has allowed multiple touchdowns in two straight games. DeSean Jackson (Buccaneers) remains a flex option with WR2 upside. Kenyan Drake (Dolphins) has showcased the big-play ability that made Miami OK with dealing Jay Ajayi. He has RB2 upside this week. DeVante Parker (Dolphins) has established a high-floor in PPR, and there's still another level I expect him to achieve before the season is up. Kenny Stills (Dolphins) has graduated from touchdown-or-bust to low-end flex option in PPR.
Who to sit: It's hard to trust Jay Cutler (Dolphins) even with such a favorable matchup, unless you absolutely have to. Damien Williams (Dolphins) has become more of a change-of-pace option, limiting his fantasy value going forward. Julius Thomas (Dolphins) is a touchdown-or-bust option with a poor matchup.
Sleeper: The Dolphins are weak against tight ends, meaning the Bucs might actually utilize rookie O.J. Howard (Buccaneers) for the first time in a month.
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L.A. RAMS AT MINNESOTA
Obvious starters: Todd Gurley (Rams), Adam Thielen (Vikings), Stefon Diggs (Vikings), Kyle Rudolph (Vikings).
Who to start: Temper your expectations for Robert Woods (Rams) this week. He's a solid flex option in PPR with WR2 upside. Cooper Kupp (Rams) remains a flex candidate as well. The big-play ability of Jerick McKinnon (Vikings) translates to RB2 upside.
Who to sit: Last time Jared Goff (Rams) faced an elite defense — the Jaguars — he passed for 124 yards and one touchdown. I expect the Rams D/ST nice stretch to end this week against the Vikings efficient offense. Sammy Watkins (Rams) home run ability will be neutralized this week. The Rams scoring potential makes it hard to start the Vikings D/ST this week, especially if you can land one of the better streaming options off the waiver wire. There's a good chance Case Keenum (Vikings) comes back to Earth this week.
Sleeper: Latavius Murray (Vikings) receives too many carries to be ignored. Give him flex consideration.
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WASHINGTON AT NEW ORLEANS
Obvious starters: Kirk Cousins (Redskins), Chris Thompson (Redskins), Drew Brees (Saints), Mark Ingram (Saints), Michael Thomas (Saints), Alvin Kamara (Saints).
Who to start: Rookie running back Samaje Perine (Redskins) is flex-worthy, even with the tough matchup. Vernon Davis (Redskins) continues to provided borderline TE1 value. The Saints D/ST have allowed 17 or fewer points in four straight games.
Who to sit: It's becoming harder to trust Jordan Reed (Redskins). Jamison Crowder (Redskins) has yet to score a touchdown this season. A likely matchup with Marshon Lattimore limits the potential of Josh Doctson (Redskins) this week.
Sleeper: We might have a Coby Fleener (Saints) sighting, considering Washington's defense has allowed a touchdown to a tight end in three of the past four games.
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KANSAS CITY AT N.Y. GIANTS
Obvious starters: Alex Smith (Chiefs), Kareem Hunt (Chiefs), Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Tyreek Hill (Chiefs), Evan Engram (Giants), Sterling Shepard (Giants).
Who to start: Eli Manning (Giants) isn't the worst streaming option this week. There's certainly flex potential for Orleans Darkwa (Giants) who has 60 carries over his past four games.
Who to sit: Injuries have softened a once dominant fantasy Chiefs D/ST.
Sleeper: Wide receiver Tavarres King (Giants) has flashed big-play ability over the past two games.
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ARIZONA AT HOUSTON
Obvious starters: Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals), Lamar Miller (Texans), DeAndre Hopkins (Texans).
Who to start: The Cardinals D/ST are a solid streaming option with this prime matchup. C.J. Fiedorowicz (Texans) is a borderline TE1 with this matchup.
Who to sit: Texans haven't allowed a rushing touchdown since Week 1, limiting the potential of Adrian Peterson (Cardinals). Tom Savage (Texans) doesn't deserve to get anywhere near your fantasy lineup.
Sleeper: Even Blaine Gabbert (Cardinals) deserves your attention if he's facing a Texans secondary that has allowed nine passing touchdowns the last three games.
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BUFFALO AT L.A. CHARGERS
Obvious starters: LeSean McCoy (Bills), Melvin Gordon (Chargers), Keenan Allen (Chargers).
Who to start: It appears Kelvin Benjamin's (Bills) potential is capped at flex option until further notice. The Chargers D/ST are a top streaming option this week with their ability to rush the passer. If Philip Rivers (Chargers) makes it through the NFL's concussion protocol, he's a solid streaming option against a weary Bills defense traveling cross country. After Week 10's performance, Austin Ekeler (Chargers) deserves flex consideration in the deepest PPR leagues.
Who to sit: Take a wait-and-see approach with rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman (Bills). The Chargers have allowed three or fewer receptions to opposing tight ends this season in over half their games, making Charles Clay (Bills) a candidate for your bench if you have a better option.
Sleeper: Inconsistent tight end Hunter Henry (Chargers) is a solid streaming option due to matchup.
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CINCINNATI AT DENVER
Obvious starters: A.J. Green (Bengals), Joe Mixon (Bengals), Demaryius Thomas (Broncos), Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos).
Who to start: The Bengals D/ST are a worthy streaming option against a team without a viable quarterback. Tyler Kroft (Bengals) is a borderline TE1 against a Broncos defense that has allowed the position to score a touchdown in three straight games.
Who to sit: My gut tells me the "No Fly Zone" bounces back at home in a major way against Andy Dalton (Bengals). The Broncos are officially using a RBBC, so plan on benching C.J. Anderson (Broncos), Devontae Booker (Broncos) and Jamaal Charles (Broncos) unless you're absolutely desperate for a flex option.
Sleeper: Giovani Bernard (Bengals) maintains value in deeper PPR leagues.
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NEW ENGLAND VS. OAKLAND AT MEXICO CITY
Obvious starters: Tom Brady (Patriots), Rob Gronkowski (Patriots), Brandin Cooks (Patriots), Michael Crabtree (Raiders), Amari Cooper (Raiders).
Who to start: The Patriots are filled to the brim with flex options and various upsides depending on your needs, including Dion Lewis (Patriots), James White (Patriots), Danny Amendola (Patriots) and Rex Burkhead (Patriots). Derek Carr (Raiders) is a borderline QB1 as he goes for his fourth straight game with 300 or more passing yards. Marshawn Lynch (Raiders) is still touchdown dependent, but warrants flex consideration in matchup that should feature a lot of points.
Who to sit: Despite five straight weeks holding the opposition to 17 or fewer points, it's time to fade the Patriots D/ST against a Raiders pass offense that is finally hitting their stride. Tight end Jared Cook (Raiders) has been on fire recently, but New England has only allowed seven receptions for 48 yards to the position over the past three games.
Sleeper: Playmaker extraordinaire Cordarrelle Patterson (Raiders) is the definition of a lottery ticket.
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PHILADELPHIA AT DALLAS
Obvious starters: Carson Wentz (Eagles), Zach Ertz (Eagles), Alshon Jeffery (Eagles), Jay Ajayi (Eagles), Daz Prescott (Cowboys), Dez Bryant (Cowboys).
Who to start: Slot machine Nelson Agholor (Eagles) is due for a big game. Consider him a premium flex option against a porous Cowboys secondary. Without a running game, I imagine Prescott will target future Hall of Fame tight end Jason Witten (Cowboys) more than usual, making him a borderline TE1 this week.
Who to sit: There are much better options than Alfred Morris (Cowboys) out there this week. The Eagles haven't allowed more than 81 yards on the ground this season.
Sleeper: The unknown Rod Smith (Cowboys) is flex-worthy in the deepest PPR leagues.
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ATLANTA AT SEATTLE
Obvious starters: Julio Jones (Falcons), Tevin Coleman (Falcons), Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Doug Baldwin (Seahawks), Jimmy Graham (Seahawks).
Who to start: With the Seahawks secondary missing Richard Sherman, Mohamed Sanu (Falcons) should continue to produce enough to warrant flex value in PPR leagues. Austin Hooper (Falcons) is finally getting the looks — he's been targeted at least six times in five of the last six games — which means he's capable of producing as a TE1.
Who to sit: Matt Ryan (Falcons) has been consistently mediocre this season. The Seahawks D/ST was already showing cracks before Sherman ruptured his Achilles. Stay away from Seattle's running game.
Sleeper: Playmaker Paul Richardson (Seahawks) is big-play dependent, but he's produced week-in, week-out.
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