Happy Halloween, Nerds! The fantasy football season has reached its breaking point, and Week 9 is when contenders separate from pretenders. Injuries, bye weeks, and unexpected breakouts have turned the trade 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 Trade Advice column is your roadmap to buying low, selling high, and timing the market before league deadlines hit.
The Week 8 Trade Advice helped managers prep for bye weeks—the Week 9 Waiver Wire helps you find hidden value.
Players to Trade For | Week 9 Fantasy Football Trade Advice
Aaron Rodgers | Steelers | Week 9 Quarterback Fantasy Trade Target
Last week, I highlighted Sam Darnold as a trade 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, who are all among the top 12 in fantasy points allowed to the quarterback position.
I would start negotiations with a 2026 2nd, but would also offer a 1st-for-2nd swap as a true contender (move back 6-8 spots). Remember, chances to win a championship are few and far between, and it just 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 Target for Contenders
With the gruesome injury to Cam Skattebo, it is now the next man up for the New York Giants. I mentioned in my waiver wire article that Devin Singletary was a name to pick up, as he was rostered in only 38% of leagues. As Rich mentioned on our risers and fallers podcast, Tyrone Tracy thrives in the passing game, and when he took over as the starter in 2024, he finished the year as the RB16. This is a perfect trade window for a rebuilding team looking to unload Tracy for a 2nd round pick to a contending team now in need of a running back.
Gunnar Helm | Titans | Week 9 Tight End 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 ability in contested catch situations. Unfortunately, during the NFL Combine, Helm twisted his ankle during his 40-yard dash and completed the rest of his combine drills which did cause him to fall in the NFL Draft to the fourth round.
Helm has played at least half the team’s offensive snaps in three of the last four games and caught his first touchdown pass on Sunday which was also National Tight Ends Day. While other rookie tight ends are going to cost significant capital to obtain, Helm is still fairly cheap. I would be actively sending 2026 third round picks for Helm or tiering down from an older tight end like Zach Ertz.
| Player | Team | Position | Trade Value | Reason | Ideal Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Rodgers | Steelers | QB | 2026 2nd Round Pick (or 1st-for-2nd swap for contenders) | Top-24 finish in every game; soft schedule ahead vs IND, CIN, CHI, BAL, MIA, DET | Contenders needing playoff QB stability |
| Tyrone Tracy | Giants | RB | 2026 2nd Round Pick | Takes over after Cam Skattebo injury; strong receiving profile | Contenders replacing injured RBs |
| Gunnar Helm | Titans | TE | 2026 3rd Round Pick (or tier down from Zach Ertz) | Rookie TE playing 50 % of snaps; athletic red-zone option | Both contenders & rebuilders seeking cheap TE depth |
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Players to Trade Away | Week 9 Fantasy Football Trade Advice
Dillon Gabriel | Browns | Week 9 Quarterback to Trade Away
Well, let’s see if I can make it three in a row. First, I said trade Justin Fields before he was benched, and then the following week, Fields was benched in favor of Tyrod Taylor. Last week, I said to trade away Spencer Rattler before his eventual benching. Well, enter Tyler Shough as the Week 9 starter in New Orleans. The Browns are on a bye in Week 9, which will lead to two weeks of Head Coach Kevin Stefanski fielding questions regarding Shedeur Sanders. While Gabriel has not been playing bad football outside of Sunday’s game against New England, the Browns’ win-loss record is not in his favor. Cleveland will need to see what they have in Sanders ahed of the 2026 NFL Draft. You probably did not high draft capital on Gabriel so now is the time to get a positive ROI on Gabriel.
Isiah Pacheco | Chiefs | Week 9 Running Back To Trade Away
Isiah Pacheco has yet to top 60 rushing yards in a game this season and has not rushed for 100 yards in a game since 2023. Previously, I mentioned Brashard Smith as a trade target, and now Pacheco is dealing with an MCL sprain that will probably sideline him against the Buffalo Bills. Kansas City has a bye week in Week 10. If Pacheco misses games, his starter role could be in jeopardy. Pacheco is a declining asset.
Jordan Mason | Vikings | Week 9 Running Back To Trade Away
Week 8 saw the return of Aaron Jones to the Minnesota Vikings lineup. In comparison, the split of carries saw Jones receive five, while Jordan Mason received four. Moving forward, I expect this to remain a split backfield. Many hope that Mason is the future of the Vikings’ backfield, given that Jones is 31-years old. However, I would not rule out Minnesota taking a running back early in the 2026 Draft. Mason still holds value, as shown below by the recent trades in the Dynasty GM trade browser.
| Player | Team | Position | Trade Value | Reason | Ideal Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon Gabriel | Browns | QB | 2026 3rd Round Pick (return positive ROI) | Facing QB competition from Shedeur Sanders after bye week | Rebuilders selling before benching risk |
| Isiah Pacheco | Chiefs | RB | 2026 3rd Round Pick | MCL sprain; KC bye Week 10 may open door for timeshare | Contenders avoiding injured asset |
| Jordan Mason | Vikings | RB | Early 2nd or Late 2nd Round Pick if manager needs RB help | Split backfield with Aaron Jones; limited future role but short-term production appeal | Managers cashing in on short-term value |
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🧠 FAQ | Week 9 Fantasy Football Trade Advice
Q1: What are the smartest fantasy football trades to make going into Week 9?
A: The top Week 9 trade moves include buying Aaron Rodgers, Tyrone Tracy, and Gunnar Helm before their values rise. Each offers strong short-term production and playoff upside for contenders.
Q2: Which fantasy players should managers unload before the Week 9 trade deadline?
A: Dillon Gabriel, Isiah Pacheco, and Jordan Mason are ideal sell candidates. Their roles face volatility from injuries, usage splits, or upcoming competition that could sink value.
Q3: How aggressive should dynasty managers be with 2026 draft picks in Week 9 trades?
A: Contenders can confidently move a 2026 2nd rounder for a difference-maker like Rodgers or Tracy, while rebuilders should use picks to acquire younger assets or injured players whose values will rebound next year.
Q4: Is there a strategy difference between SuperFlex and 1-QB formats for Week 9 trade targets?
A: Absolutely. In SuperFlex leagues, quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers carry premium value, making him worth an extra half-round of draft capital compared to 1-QB formats. Skill positions remain similar across both.
Q5: How can fantasy managers navigate bye weeks when trading in Week 9?
A: Leverage the chaos. Teams desperate for starters will often overpay. Trading away healthy depth pieces for draft capital or upgrading positions during heavy bye weeks is one of the best dynasty plays.
Q6: What’s the general fantasy football trade deadline for most leagues this season?
A: Most leagues close trades around Week 13 or Week 14, but true dynasty degenerates—especially those in Dynasty Nerds community leagues—often play with no trade deadline at all.
