Scott Engel is in his 12th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis at The Game Day and lineup rankings on RotoBaller.com.

Injuries have unfortunately struck many top players, as Justin Jefferson, De'Von Achane, Anthony Richardson, and James Conner are all expected to miss significant time. The waiver wire is very competitive and thin in some leagues, and the best way to fill a lineup hole may be to make a trade. 

Targeting elite fantasy players such as Tyreek Hill, Kenneth Walker III or Jalen Hurts doesn't always have to be the solution to your fantasy problems. We offer up other potential acquisitions who can still help you maintain a winning outlook without having to engage in a major blockbuster deal. 

Of course, if you can snag a prime superstar in a good trade, go for it, but there are other guys that can supply satisfying production if you aren't able to nab a pure top-shelf player in a trade. Making moves for the very best players at any position is not the only way to keep a fantasy team on a path to consistent winning. 

Putting together a quality trade offer is often essential to pulling off a successful deal. Offering three of your underperforming guys for one quality player in return usually does not get the job done. Be prepared to give up something of respectable value to get something desirable in return. Put yourself on the other side of the offer and consider if it is realistically acceptable. Yes, if you can complete a one-sided deal, do it, but if that does not work, then be willing to construct an offer that truly makes sense for both sides. 

Analysis leans to Point Per Reception (PPR) formats.

Week 6 Fantasy Football Advice: Trade Targets And Lineup Options

Running Backs

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Isiah Pacheco

The Kansas City running back is emerging as a regular starting option in fantasy football. He has rushed for a touchdown in three consecutive games, operating as a consistent drive-finisher for the Chiefs. His upcoming matchups are very friendly for fantasy purposes. Pacheco faces the Broncos this week and in Week 8. Denver allows the most Fantasy Points Per Game to running backs.

In Week 7, Pacheco and Kansas City will take on the Los Angeles Chargers, who rank 26th in FFPG allowed to RBs. You can lock in the hard-charging second-year man as a fantasy starter for the next three weeks.

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James Cook 

We have not seen the best of the Buffalo RB yet. He is versatile and plays in a high-powered offense, which is ranked fourth in the NFL. Keep the faith in Cook and keep him in your fantasy football lineups for Week 6. The Giants have allowed the second-most rushing yards and rushing TDs (seven) to RBs. The Bills do use other runners near the goal line, but Cook is certainly capable of getting to the end zone on a run or reception from five to 10-plus yards out in this matchup.

TRADE for

Jonathan Taylor 

The Colts' star made his season debut last week and totaled just 34 yards from scrimmage. He reportedly will be eased into more action, so now is the time to make a trade offer for Taylor before his fantasy value gets higher. Zack Moss has rushed for 445 yards, which ranks third in the NFL, and his success demonstrates how successful Taylor can potentially be in the Indianapolis offense when his workload increases. If your team has a winning record, then make a move for Taylor with an eye on his possible production for the second half of the fantasy football season.

TRADE for

Kyren Williams 

The Rams' RB was one of the top waiver wire pickups of the early weeks and he should continue to see many TD opportunities as a finisher for a Los Angeles offense that has outperformed expectations. Last week, Williams was held to 53 rushing yards and no TDs by an Eagles defense that has given up the third-fewest rushing yards and one TD overall. He should bounce back quickly. 

The 23-year-old had six total TDs from scrimmage in the first four weeks. Williams is a viable trade target if you want a guy who can deliver acceptable totals to replace an injured or underperforming player. Los Angeles has the No. 8 ranked offense in the NFL and Cooper Kupp came back in Week 5 to further bolster the outlook. Over the next two games, Williams faces the Cardinals (29th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs) and Steelers (29th in rushing yards allowed to RBs).

Wide Receivers

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Garrett Wilson

Zach Wilson has shown signs of improvement over the past two games, and even though the Eagles are undefeated, they do allow opposing WRs to produce well for fantasy purposes. Philadelphia ranks 29th in FFPG allowed to WRs. Zach Wilson is doing his best to try and keep defenses from totally blanketing his top WR, as he completed passes to six other targets in Week 5. Garrett Wilson might be open more often this week and should be started as a fantasy WR3. Philadelphia has allowed eight receiving TDs to WRs, second-most in the NFL.

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K.J. Osborn 

If the fourth-year Minnesota WR is on your league's waiver wire right now, add him and then come back to this article. Justin Jefferson's hamstring injury pushes Osborn into a more prominent role in the Minnesota passing game. Over the past two seasons, Osborn has caught 12 TD passes, and he already has a comfortable on-field rapport with Kirk Cousins. The Bears rank 22nd in yardage allowed to WRs, so Osborn deserves fantasy WR3 consideration this week, while Minnesota rookie Jordan Addison is also an upside play.

TRADE for

DeVonta Smith 

A.J. Brown has been terrific over the past three weeks, totaling 125-plus yards in every outing. He is naturally going to command much defensive attention as he comes off those performances, and Hurts will elect to get his other top pass-catcher more involved in the offense again. Smith opened the season with TD receptions in two consecutive games and a 131-yard performance. Deal for the "Slim Reaper" this week before he recaptures his better fantasy form soon.

TRADE for

DK Metcalf 

Acquiring a good fantasy WR2 can solve any issues you may be dealing with at the position due to injuries or players not performing as projected so far. Metcalf fits the bill as a guy you should trade for, as he will provide steady production with upside potential in any given week. Metcalf is averaging 14.2 PPR points per game and we may have not seen his best run of performances yet for this season. He had 112 yards in Week 3 and caught his second TD pass of the season in Week 4. As the Seahawks offense continues to gel in the weeks ahead, Metcalf can certainly elevate his fantasy output.

Quarterbacks And Tight Ends

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Matthew Stafford

If you lost Richardson or have been streaming QBs, Stafford is a quality option for Week 6. He ranks fourth in the NFL with 1,451 passing yards and has done a good job of guiding the Los Angeles offense so far this season. With a trio of Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Tutu Atwell at WR, Stafford will continue to challenge opposing pass defenses on a regular basis. The Cardinals rank 29th in FFPG to QBs.

TRADE for

Justin Fields 

Some fantasy players moved on from Fields after the first three weeks and made the impatient mistake of cutting him. Those who pounced on such a hasty move and added the Chicago QB may have a surplus at the position and will be open to trading him. Others might think that the numbers won't get better than in the last two games, as Fields has passed for 617 yards with two four-TD outings. In either type of scenario, attempt to acquire Fields if QB help is needed. He may indeed finish as a top 5 QB this season.

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Logan Thomas 

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound target is coming off a strong performance and he has a good matchup in Week 6. Thomas caught nine of 11 targets for 77 yards and a TD last week, and he faces the Falcons, who allow the second-most FFPG to TEs.

TRADE for

Cole Kmet 

Many fantasy players need help at the thinnest position in the game, and Kmet is a viable trade target. He has three TD receptions in the past two weeks and can continue to produce adequately, as Fields remains aggressive as a passer.

For more fantasy football analysis from Scott Engel, visit The Game Day during the 2023 fantasy football season.