Happy Halloween, nerds! The fantasy football season has reached its breaking point and in Week 9 the contenders separate themselves from the pretenders. Injuries, bye weeks and unexpected blowouts have turned the trading market into pure chaos and opportunity. Whether you’re pushing for a playoff berth, trying to salvage your season, or starting to build for next year, this Week 9 Fantasy Football Trading Advice column is your roadmap to buy low, sell high, and time the market before league deadlines hit.
The Week 8 Trade advice helped managers prepare for the bye weeks – the Week 9 Waiver thread helps you find hidden value.
Players to trade for | Week 9 Fantasy Football Trading Advice
Aaron Rodgers | Steelers | Week 9 Quarterback Fantasy Trade Target
Last week I highlighted it Sam Darnold as a trading target for contending teams. This week, let’s add Aaron Rodgers to the list. Rodgers has quietly put together a fantastic season and is currently QB13 heading into Week 9. Rodgers has finished as a top 24 quarterback in fantasy points in every game played this season and has upcoming games against Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Chicago, Baltimore, Miami and Detroit, all of which rank among the top 12 in fantasy points allowed for the quarterback position.
I’d start negotiations with a 2026 2nd, but would also offer a 1st-for-2nd swap as a real contender (going back 6-8 spots). Remember, the chances of winning a championship are very slim and it only takes one injury for someone like Rodgers to lose all value, so it’s a calculated risk.
Tyrone Tracy | RB | Week 9 Running Back fantasy goal for contenders
With the gruesome injury on Cam Tax Houseit’s now the next man up for the New York Giants. I mentioned that in my waiver thread article Devin Singletair was a name to pick up as he was included in only 38% of competitions. As Rich mentioned on our podcast for risers and fallers, Tyrone Tracy thrives in the passing game, and when he took over as starter in 2024, he finished the year as the RB16. This is a perfect trade window for a rebuilding team looking to trade Tracy for a second-round pick to a contending team that now needs a running back.
Gunnar Helm | Titans | Week 9 Tight fantasy trade target for contenders and rebuilders
This will be my cheapest trade target of the week and will benefit contenders and rebuilders. Going into the NFL Draft, I was a big fan of Gunnar Helm. At 6’5″, Helm shows impressive athleticism, along with his skill in contested catching situations. Unfortunately, at the NFL Combine, Helm twisted his ankle during his 40-yard dash and completed the remainder of his combine drills, falling to the fourth round in the NFL Draft.
Helm has played at least half of the team’s offensive plays in three of the last four games and caught his first touchdown pass on Sunday, which was also National Tight Ends Day. While acquiring other rookie tight ends will cost significant capital, Helm is still fairly cheap. I would actively send 2026 third round picks for Helm or move back from an older tight end like Zach Ertz.
| Player | Team | Position | Trade value | Rode | Ideal fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Rodgers | Steelers | QB | 2026 2nd round pick (or 1st-for-2nd trade for contenders) | Top-24 finish in every game; soft schedule ahead vs. IND, CIN, CHI, BAL, MIA, DET | Contenders in need of playoff QB stability |
| Tyrone Tracy | Giants | RB | 2026 2nd round pick | Takes over after injury to Cam Skattebo; strong reception profile | Contenders replace injured RBs |
| Gunnar Helm | Titans | THE | 2026 3rd round pick (or lower than Zach Ertz) | Rookie TE plays 50% of snaps; athletic red zone option | Both contenders and rebuilders looking for cheap TE depth |
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Players looking to trade | Week 9 Fantasy Football Trading Advice
Dillon Gabriel | Brown | Week 9 Quarterback to Trade Away
Let’s see if I can make it three in a row. First, I said trade Justin Fields before being benched, and the following week Fields was benched in favor Tyrod Taylor. Last week I said we should trade Spencer Rattler before his eventual benching. Well, come in Tyler Shough as a Week 9 starter in New Orleans. The Browns have a bye in Week 9, which will lead to two weeks of Head Coach Kevin Stefanski answering questions about Shedeur Sanders. While Gabriel hasn’t played bad football outside of Sunday’s game against New England, the Browns’ win-loss record isn’t in his favor. Cleveland will have to see what they have in Sanders heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. You probably didn’t put high capital on Gabriel, so now it’s time to get a positive ROI on Gabriel.
Isiah Pacheco | Leaders | Week 9 Back to trading
Isiah Pacheco has yet to top 60 rushing yards in a game this season and hasn’t rushed for 100 yards in a game since 2023. I mentioned earlier Brashard Smith as a trade target, and now Pacheco is dealing with an MCL sprain that will likely sideline him against the Buffalo Bills. Kansas City has a bye week in Week 10. If Pacheco misses games, his starting role could be in jeopardy. Pacheco is a declining asset.
Jordan Mason | Vikings | Week 9 Back to trading
Week 8 saw the return of Aaron Jones to the Minnesota Vikings lineup. By comparison, the split of carries saw Jones receive five, while Jordan Mason got four. Looking ahead, I expect this to remain a divided backfield. Many are hoping Mason is the future of the Vikings backfield as Jones is 31 years old. However, I wouldn’t rule out Minnesota making a move early in the 2026 Draft. Mason still has value, as shown below by recent transactions in the Dynasty GM trading browser.
| Player | Team | Position | Trade value | Rode | Ideal fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon Gabriel | Tanning | QB | 2026 3rd round pick (positive ROI return) | Facing QB competition from Shedeur Sanders after the bye week | Rebuilders who sell before taking risks |
| Isiah Pacheco | Leaders | RB | 2026 3rd round pick | MCL sprain; KC bye Week 10 may open the door for timeshare | Contenders avoid injured assets |
| Jordan Mason | Vikings | RB | Early 2nd or Late 2nd Round Choose if manager needs RB help | Split backfield with Aaron Jones; limited future role, but short-term production attractive | Managers capitalize on short-term value |
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🧠 Frequently asked questions | Week 9 Fantasy Football Trading Advice
Question 1: What are the smartest fantasy football trades to enter Week 9?
A: The main trading moves of week 9 include buying Aaron Rodgers, Tyrone TracyAnd Gunnar Helm before their values rise. Each offers strong short-term production and playoff advantage for contenders.
Question 2: Which fantasy players should managers cut before the Week 9 trade deadline?
A: Dillon Gabriel, Isiah PachecoAnd Jordan Mason are ideal sales candidates. Their roles face volatility due to injuries, usage splits or emerging competition that could reduce value.
Question 3: How aggressive should dynasty managers be with 2026 draft picks in Week 9 trades?
A: Candidates can confidently apply for a 2026 2nd rounder for a difference maker like Rodgers or Tracywhile rebuilders should use picks to acquire younger assets or injured players whose values will rebound next year.
Question 4: Is there a strategic difference between SuperFlex and 1-QB formats for Week 9 trade targets?
A: Absolutely. In SuperFlex leagues, quarterbacks love Aaron Rodgers have a premium value, making him worth an extra half round of draft capital compared to 1-QB formats. The skill positions remain the same for both.
Question 5: How can fantasy managers navigate the bye weeks when trading in Week 9?
A: Take advantage of the chaos. Teams desperate for starters often pay too much. Trading pieces of healthy depth for draft capital or upgrading positions during tough bye weeks is one of the best dynasty plays.
Question 6: What is the overall fantasy football trading deadline for most leagues this season?
A: Most leagues are making trades Week 13 or week 14but the real dynasty degenerates – especially that in Dynasty nerds community competitions – play with them often no trade deadline not at all.
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