The wide receiver position is a fruitful position. I say this meaning you do not necessarily need a top guy to make a championship run. Do not get me wrong. The top guys definitely help. However, if you miss on some and your team consists of solid WR2s, then you may still have a strong chance. There are plenty of wide receivers between the WR20-WR30 range that could grant heavy upside. Because of this, selling top tier assets for smaller contributing pieces is always something I might look to do. Depending on my team build. Here is a list of wide receivers I am trying to sell high or buy low right now.
Sell High
Las Vegas Raiders- Davante Adams
Yes, Davante Adams has reached over 1,300 yards 4 out of the past 5 seasons. Yes, Adams has caught 100 or more passes 4 out of the past 5 seasons. This is not a sell Adams due to a dip in talent. This is “sell” due to possible lack of opportunity. Adams is going to start alongside his third Quarterback in three years. Jimmy Garoppolo is not a bad Quarterback. He just is not Aaron Rodgers or Derek Carr. Last year Garoppolo completed 37% of his passes to his Tight End & Running Back. His best Wide Receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, saw 114 targets with 78 receptions for 1,015 yards and 8 touchdowns. Adams with Carr saw 180 targets with 100 receptions for 1,516 yards and 14 touchdowns. The last time Adams saw close to the amount of targets that Aiyuk received was in 2017. Adams had 117 targets with 74 receptions for 885 yards and 10 touchdowns through 14 games. Adams is the unquestioned WR1 on the team.
Let’s say Adams gets 125 targets with Garoppolo roughly 10 more than Aiyuk saw. If Adams maintains his 55% catch rate then that would equate to 69 receptions. Last year he averaged 15.16 yards per catch. An outlier year for him. Let’s say he has that exact same luck this year. That would put him at about 1,046 yards for the season. We will say he dominates the end zone better than Aiyuk. He gets 11 touchdowns. If Adams saw just north of the targets Aiyuk saw last season with 69 receptions for 1,046 yards and 11 touchdowns, then he would not even be top ten at his position for 2022. Adams is a great talent, but his new Quarterback scares me. Mix that with him being over 30 this might be the time to sell at a high. If you can get a projected 2024 early first for him, I would accept. If you can get a younger wide receiver like D.J. Moore or Michael Pittman I would accept. If you are a team needing a running back, I would accept offers for Najee Harris or Tony Pollard for Adams.
Seattle Seahawks- Tyler Lockett
Lockett has now been the second-best receiving option for his team the past three seasons. However, this year Seattle chose to draft arguably the best wide receiver in the class, Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN). Lockett does have the pro experience over JSN, but is JSN the better talent? JSN was part of a dynamic offense at Ohio State University. An offense that included last year’s rookie star Wide Receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. While in that offense JSN looked better than both Wilson and Olave. Lockett has been the field stretcher for Seattle through the years. JSN brings a form of explosiveness and ability to separate. This may cause him to see the field more, or even just more looks from Quarterback Geno Smith.
Seattle also drafted UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet. They do have Kenneth Walker already starting at Running Back. Charbonnet is a through the tackles runner, but he also brings pass catching talent. This could bring less targets towards Lockett. There is a world where he is the third receiving option on the team. This might be the time to sell him as a WR2. If you can get a 2024 2nd for him, accept that. I would also accept a straight up deal for someone like rookie Wide Receiver Marvin Mims.
Buy Low
Dallas Cowboys- Brandin Cooks
The reasons I’m buying Dak Prescott is a reason I’m buying Cooks. I find myself just wanting a part of this offense. Losing Running Back Ezekiel Elliott tells me this offense might explode this season. They still have Running Back Tony Pollard. Pollard showcased his explosiveness last season. It it his time to shine, but he is more expensive than Cooks. Star wide receiver Ceedee Lamb has kind of been untouchable unless you drafted him. If you did not, then you are paying a bag of riches to acquire him. Wide Receiver Michael Gallup has showed signs of chemistry with Prescott. Honestly Gallup could probably be acquired for cheaper than Cooks. I have injury concerns for Gallup. In the past two years he has missed 13 games. The Tight End group to me right now is a dart throw. We do not know who will emerge as the pass catching Tight End.
Which leaves us with Cooks. An underrated reliable wide receiver. He has seen over 1,000 yards in 6 of his 9 seasons. He is consistent. He is not a wide receiver that will explode every week. He is a solid depth piece. If anything were to happen to Lamb, then Cooks is likely the WR1 for the Cowboys. He is a nice receiving option that could get you a consistent 10+ fantasy points per week. If you can get him for a couple of third round picks, I would send that. I would also trade wide receivers like Romeo Doubs or Skyy Moore for Cooks right now.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Chris Godwin
This is a buy the talent. Even if we see a slight dip in production this season. If I am competing, I am not necessarily buying Godwin right now. The Quarterback room does scare me. (I would buy any of the Quarterbacks super low though. Check my Buy/Sell: Quarterback edition article.) Mike Evans is the alpha here. He is likely harder to acquire than a younger Godwin. Godwin is a solid option to have even if you are rebuilding. He has shown talent to be a WR1. He has missed at least 2 games in each of the last 4 seasons. However, when he is on the field, he is efficient.
Last year was the first of his career seeing less than 11 yards per catch. He also saw his lowest touchdown total since his rookie year. The Buccaneers may be a pass first time this season. They have pass catching Running Back in Rachaad White. They do not have much depth behind him outside pass catching back Chase Edmonds. Which means Godwin could be in for a bigger year, or brighter future! If these Quarterbacks do not pan out, then next year’s class is already looking promising. I would trade a couple of second round picks for Godwin. I would trade Marquis Brown or even Running Back Cam Akers for Godwin too.
Buy Super Low
Houston Texans- Robert Woods
The Texans are full rebuild. Even then the team needs a leader. Woods is a leader in the locker room and on the field. He also gains the respect from Quarterbacks, He has the ability to stretch the field, grant separation, and reliable hands. The Texans Wide Receiver room is unknown. We want Nico Collins to take a step forward. If John Metchie is fully healthy, he may be great. Rookie Tank Dell is explosive, but a bit undersized. Rookie Xavier Hutchinson is promising but rough on the edges. The only true threat right now is newly acquired Tight End Dalton Schultz. Woods will have opportunity to come out hot. He may be the first target for rookie Quarterback C.J. Stroud. Woods should be fairly cheap to acquire. Maybe send a fourth for him. I am not mad at giving a projected late third for him, but that might be a slight over pay. Also check your waivers he may there.
Los Angeles Rams- Van Jefferson
Cooper Kupp seems to be healthy. The team traded Allen Robinson. Leaving Jefferson as the possible WR2. Reports have said rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua is looking great in camp. Even then the WR2 position runs through Jefferson. Matthew Stafford‘s injured shoulder may scare people from wanting any part of this receiving core. Leaving an open window for Jefferson. We thought his breakout season would happen last year. Maybe we were a season too early. If you can trade a fourth-round pick for him, I would. I would also trade players like Parris Campbell or Jets Running Back Michael Carter for him.
Carolina Panthers- Adam Thielen
The reason I’m buying Robert Woods is the reason I’m buying Theilen. Like Woods, Theilen is also experiencing a new offense. An offense in rebuild mode. Without knowing what the future holds for the rookie wide receivers in Carolina, there is no immediate threat for targets. Miles Sanders is possible, but I expect them to run the rock with him mostly. Theilen may become a safety target for rookie Quarterback Bryce Young to start the season. It is also possible Theilen leads this team in targets. Either way he should help you get off to a fast start. If you can trade a late third for him, I would. I would also try to send Tight End Tyler Higbee for him. If you are lucky, send Wide Receiver Greg Dortch for him. Maybe people think Dortch will be the WR2 in Arizona. I do not see that.
Those are buy low and sell high targets for the Wide Receiver position. The market is different if you are competing versus if you are rebuilding. If you are rebuilding, try to sell your older aces for younger studs. If you are competing, try to acquire some of these guys for the depth they can bring.
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