FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Week 11 Buy Low + Sell High Running Back Targets (Ep. 1835)
Date: November 11, 2025
Host: Ryan Wormley
Analyst: Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the critical running back buy low and sell high trade targets for Week 11, as most fantasy leagues approach their trade deadlines. Ryan and Andrew provide actionable advice and strategic insights to strengthen your roster for a playoff push, analyze trending running backs, and answer listener trade questions. With the regular trade-centric format wrapping up for the season, this is a pivotal time to make your final, league-winning roster moves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL News & Monday Night Football Recap (02:14)

• Defensive Dominance: Ryan laments missing the game, but Andrew assures him it was a defensive slugfest with both teams’ O-lines struggling due to injuries, notably Lane Johnson's return for the Eagles.
• Fantasy Takeaways:
  • Devonta Smith continues to outshine A.J. Brown, supported by per-route efficiency stats.
  • Saquon Barkley saw usage split with Will Shipley and Tank Bigsby but flashed as a receiver.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Smith has just been better all year long over A.J. Brown…out of the bye week you think, okay, they're probably going to get AJB going. Three targets. He had one target in the second half which was on fourth down...” – Andrew (04:07)

2. Buy Low Running Back Targets

★ Aaron Jones – Minnesota Vikings (06:15)

• Workload: 72% snaps, nine carries (47 yards, TD), six targets as a receiver last week.
• Rest of Season Value: Top 20 RB in full healthy games with J.J. McCarthy.
• Playoff Schedule: Favorable matchups vs. CHI (Week 11), plus positive matchups during fantasy playoffs.
• Concerns: Injury history and inconsistent offense with rookie QB McCarthy, but the pass-game role offers a floor.
• Notable Quote:
  • “When [Jones] is healthy he's been very effective at scoring fantasy points this year and I like some of these matchups down the stretch. So he would be my buy…” – Andrew (07:53)
• Trade Value: Ranked RB27; considered a smart value buy, though unlikely to be a "league-winner".

★ Jalen Warren – Pittsburgh Steelers (12:18)

• 2025 Role: Emerged as the more efficient Pitt RB, RB18 in expected points/game.
• Touchdown Outlook: Only two rushing TDs all year; positive regression expected.
• Matchup Boost: Faces Cincinnati (worst vs RBs) this week, plus several favorable games over next month.
• Performance Profile: RB2 floor with a realistic RB1 ceiling if usage increases – notably, potential for more goal-line work as team phases out Kenneth Gainwell.
• Notable Quote:
  • “He’s been efficient this season and he’s due for some touchdowns. Jalen Warren, for me, buy low.” – Andrew (16:01)
• Long-term Value: Great for teams needing to push into playoffs, could surge down the stretch.

3. Sell High Running Back Targets

✖ Rashad White – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20:49)

• Role Concerns: Recent weeks show nearly even split with Sean Tucker (23 carries vs Tucker’s 21 over two games).
• Goal Line & Efficiency: Tucker matching White in red zone touches, and not much standalone efficiency (hasn’t averaged 4+ yards/carry since Week 2).
• Impending Return: Bucky Irving’s return post-bye could further erode workload.
• Trade Strategy: Target the Bucky Irving manager, leveraging their uncertainty.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Just don’t want it to go unnoticed that Sean Tucker is becoming a bigger part of this Bucs offense… All the value White has left could vanish when Irving returns.” – Andrew (22:44)

✖ Alvin Kamara – New Orleans Saints (26:41)

• Underwhelming Production: Despite a 25-touch outing, Kamara hasn't cracked RB15 all year in half-PPR scoring.
• Role Issues: Sharing receiving and red-zone work with rookie Devin Neal and Taysom Hill.
• Game Script Dependency: Only produces with positive scripts; risky for fantasy playoffs.
• Recommendation: Sell for anything usable—Kamara was a drop candidate a week ago in some formats.
• Notable Quote:
  • “If this is [Kamara’s] touch ceiling and it’s RB16 on the week… that’s just not enough… This might be your last chance to get any value for him.” – Andrew (27:39)

4. Audience Questions & Q&A (31:32)

a. T. Higgins/Manungai vs. AJ Brown/Crosby Merritt (31:32)

• Preferred Side: Higgins/Manungai
• Insight: With Burrow possibly returning, but even Flacco’s play is maximizing ceiling already.

b. Trade: Stefan Diggs for Chase Brown (34:24)

• Advice: Keep Chase Brown; RB depth is more valuable according to the roster context provided.

c. Bijan Robinson: Hold or Trade? (36:00)

• Advice: Don’t trade away, look to acquire. Only CMC, JT, and Gibbs are valued clearly above him. His talent and usage will force a strong finish.
• Notable Quote:
  • “I would not be trading [Bijan] away. I would be looking to trade for him. That’s the way I see it.” – Andrew (36:41)

d. How to Encourage League Trades? (40:46)

• Strategies:
  • Use FantasyPros’ Trade Central for mutually beneficial deal ideas.
  • Focus on team needs over player-for-player “winning.”
  • Consider league rule tweaks like limiting waiver claims or deeper benches to increase trade necessity.
  • Offer incentives (waiver bucks, points) for making trades.
• Notable Quote:
  • “So many people are trying to win the trade... rather than making your team better. It drives me nuts.” — Ryan (41:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On trade communication:
  “Sometimes in trades, we become so fixated on this player for this player, when it’s ‘Let’s target the manager.’” – Andrew (23:35)
• On end-of-season defensive matchups:
  “Defense, especially run defense, is really about effort at the end of the day... I’m less scared in those situations than I am early in the year.” – Ryan (15:57)
• On season transitions:
  “It feels like playoff season comes up so quickly, but it’s an exciting time.” — Ryan (01:09)

Important Timestamps

• 02:14 – Monday Night Football Recap & Injury Note (Lane Johnson)
• 06:15 – Buy Low: Aaron Jones Analysis
• 12:18 – Buy Low: Jalen Warren Analysis
• 20:49 – Sell High: Rashad White
• 26:41 – Sell High: Alvin Kamara
• 31:32 – Listener Q&A
• 36:00 – Bijan Robinson Trade Value/Strategy
• 40:46 – How to Get a League to Make Trades

Advice Summary

• Trade for: Aaron Jones (if you’re playoff-bound), Jalen Warren (especially if pushing for playoffs), Bijan Robinson (pay up, only top 3 RBs above him).
• Trade away: Rashad White (especially to Bucky Irving manager), Alvin Kamara (get whatever you can).
• Q&A themes: Value context and roster needs over simple one-for-one rankings, and encouragement to focus on process, not “winning” the trade.
• Trading approach: Meet your league-mates’ needs, propose “win-wins,” and consider fun league rules to foster more trading action.

For your final playoff push, act fast—these are the last prime weeks to buy low or sell high before league trade deadlines!