Between the massive injury bug that hit last week, as well as the looming Trade Deadline, my Hot Potato is going to hit on a few trades that could (and most times should) be made. I'll put it in Power Ranking format to appease those who care about such things, but it will be rankings looking forward, not based on past performance. I may not be heading for the Stevens Bowl like I claimed two months ago, but someone is, so let's see who looks like the odds-on favorite.
1. Ajay
My other Stevens Bowl pick has lived up to the expectations. He rode Freeman and Lewis while Shady and Lamar struggled, and now his biggest RB issue is picking who to start. From a roster perspective, QB is the weakness here. Neither Carr nor Stafford is reliable enough of an option to feel comfortable in a given week, so it's probably worth targeting someone who is.
Mock Trade 1: Ajay trades Lamar Miller and Matt Stafford to Bennett for Ben Roethlisberger and Julius Thomas.
2. Esco
Record aside, this is a deeeeep team that is potentially a move (or injury) away from domination. He has QB, RB, WR and even fucking D/ST covered better than most teams in this league, which just leaves TE as an obvious hole. Reed has played pretty well on the off chance that he's healthy, so I don't think it's worth sacrificing depth just for a minor upgrade at a non-premiere position. My recommendation is to stand pat.
3. Levine
This team badly needs to make a move, because you currently have more startable players than roster spots, and not enough studs to take you over the top. Four legit starting WRs and three RBs should be impossible in this league, but Levine has managed to pull it off. If I'm him, I go for the win this year.
Mock Trade 2: Levine trades Marshawn Lynch and Tyrod Taylor to Alan for Aaron Rodgers.
4. Barnard
The Bell injury obviously hurts, especially when you traded depth for Gronk earlier in the year. At this point you're likely riding things out on the back of Gurley, which is not a bad place to be, and hoping that the Palmer/Fitz duo doesn't turn into a pumpkin. In lieu of trying to flip Gronk, your better bet is likely downgrading at WR and hoping that your relative depth there allows you to pick the right player in a given week.
Mock Trade 3: Barnard trades T.Y. Hilton to Kumpf for Frank Gore and Jordan Matthews.
5. Weissbard
We collectively need to give Weiss props. Not for finally having a decent team, but for drafting what is potentially the most difficult division imaginable. But I also think you will make the playoffs, with a very strong starting lineup. You might need an off week from one of the teams above to earn an extra small Chef's Coat, but if I'm in your shoes, I wouldn't make any major moves.
6. BAM
Your obvious weakness to start the season was at WR, so that Malcom Floyd pickup has the potential to be huge. The lack of studs on this team is an issue, so I'd try to upgrade by trading some of your depth for a potential home run.
Mock Trade 4: BAM trades Chris Johnson and Jarvis Landry to Nick for Dez Bryant.
7. AGD
You guys will likely make the playoffs over one of the teams above, but your roster just screams meh to me. None of your players are really a risk to go off in any given week, which means you need everyone to contribute to get a win. This being my second Hot Potato in 4 weeks tells you how that one can turn out. That said, you've been pretty active on the trade market already, and your depth is solid, so I don't think there is an obvious move to be made.
8. Zacherman
This has to be the worst 7-1 team in fantasy history right? You've almost allowed fewer points than I've scored, which is just insane at this point. Regardless, those wins are banked and you'll probably back into the playoffs, which is impressive given that you've lost Charles and Smitty already. At this point you have one of the worst rosters in the league, so trading is somewhat out of the question. You just need to hope Brees keeps throwing 7 TDs, and you suffer no more major injuries.
9. Nick
I already covered a trade that I think would help you balance your roster a bit and make a playoff push, but I don't hate your teams as it stands either. You clearly have a better roster than Z, but with three fewer wins, your fate is likely not in your control. If this is indeed your swan song, will you go out with the status quo, or in a trading blaze of glory?
10. Gutman
Your roster is a lesser version of Nick's, and you already traded your stud for depth, so that leaves you just hoping for the best. It looks like Fitz is going to start for the Jets, so that helps Marshall, but C.J. Anderson showed enough life last week that I would be worried about Hillman. It would take some serious luck for you to make the playoffs.
11. Bennett
You waited too long to replace an injured Roethlisberger, and now you're "stuck" with two productive QBs. I think a trade with Ajay makes sense, but you need it a lot more than he does, which is not a great place to be.
13. Alan
Alan's spite tour comes full circle, as DeAngelo Williams is once again a viable starter! I feel like your team is one big missed opportunity for trading. At this point it probably doesn't matter, but you had some pieces here that could have been flipped earlier in the year and weren't. Rodgers for a stud RB or WR still makes a lot of sense to me.
13. Kumpf
In some universe, a team led by last year's QB3, the starting RB for Andrew Luck, the starting RBs for two undefeated teams, and Calvin Fucking Johnson would be more than enough to make the playoffs. This is not that universe.
14. Donny
We have quite the showdown this week. The loser is unquestionably in the driver's seat for taking 7 shots before the draft next year, which brings up the possibility of the entire screenplay of Big Daddy being quoted. I can't speak for everyone else, but I'm excited for that either way.
Okay, peace out.
