The Fantasy Impact of the Trade Deadline

This year’s trade deadline featured a flurry of moves that will undoubtedly have an effect on playoff races everywhere, both in the NFL and in your fantasy league. Although we did not see the Packers acquire a WR (honestly, c’mon man) or the Rams acquire a RB, there were a flurry of moves that will affect player output for the remainder of 2022 and beyond.

Let’s take a look at some of the Fantasy winners and losers of the 2022 NFL trade deadline.

Winners

WR Chase Claypool (Traded from PIT to CHI)

Chicago Tribune

There are not many QB situations in the NFL that would be considered a downgrade from the Bears current situation but Pittsburg is one of them. Before the trade, Claypool was stuck behind veteran WR Diontae Johnson, TE Pat Freiermuth, up-and-coming rookie George Pickens and RB Najee Harris as the 5th option on the lowest scoring offense in the NFL. He was a small fish in a smaller pond.

Now, Claypool joins a Bears team that is playing better than expected and is looking to provide weapons for their young QB. Claypool should immediately slot in as the team’s “X” receiver, pushing Darnell Mooney over and Equanimous St. Brown off the field completely. 

Although this hardly vaults him into a superstar, Claypool’s opportunity is almost certain to increase after the Bears gave up a second round pick for him. The upgrade in the quality of those targets is also significant. Fields is currently 22nd in True Throw Value (a Broto exclusive stat that measures the fantasy value of a QB’s throw), a giant upgrade over Mitch Trubisky (32nd) and Kenny Pickett (36th). 

TE T.J. Hockenson (Traded from DET to MIN)

Since QB Kirk Cousins was traded to the Vikings, they have been looking for a playmaker at TE. After emerging playmaker TE Tyler Conkin signed with the Jets following a solid 2021 season, they planned on leaning on their third-year former second round pick Irv Smith Jr. this season. Unfortunately for both parties, Smith has spent more time on the IR than on the field in his professional career.

Enter former division-rival TJ Hockenson. Hock had his best season as a pro in 2020, making the Pro Bowl after recording 723 yards and 6 TDs on 101 targets but regressed back to his rookie season numbers in 2021. In the Lions offense, Hockenson was often the forgotten target, giving way to DeAndre Swift, Amon-Ra St. Brown and company while being used in pass protection way more often than fantasy managers would like.

Hockenson has a chance to break out in Minnesota if used correctly. Since 2018, Cousin’s first year with the Vikings, TEs have received just under 17% target share in the Vikings offense. 

RB Nyheim Hines (Traded from IND to BUF)

It is clear that the Buffalo Bills want a 3rd down RB very badly and Nyheim Hines might be the best in the league in that role. After getting spurned by FA JD McKissic and drafting the so-far-underwhelming RB James Cook in the second round last season, the search seems to finally be over with the addition of Hines. 

Since being drafted before the 2018 season, Hines has the 5th most targets and receiving yards of any RB in the NFL, while ranking 6th in catches. He now joins a high-octane offense that still has room for another weapon. 

Hines may not care about fantasy football but it is time for our fantasy teams to start caring about this satellite back extraordinaire.

WR Calvin Ridley (Traded from ATL to JAC)

This does not have any impact on the current fantasy season but this is a win for Calvin Ridley. When he returns, the Jaguars will be awarded a sorely needed outside weapon. For Ridley, a change of scenery with a former No. 1 pick at QB should make a strong comeback even more likely.

Some winners from before the trade deadline: RB Christian McCaffrey, RB James Robinson, WR Kadarius Toney

Losers

RB Zach Moss (Traded from BUF to IND)

Fan Sided

Moss is familiar with the bench from his days in Buffalo and should get acquainted with the pine in Indy. Once a fantasy darling, Moss fell out of favor with the coaching staff after he played his way out of a starting role for the second year in a row, despite numerous opportunities.

Now, Moss becomes a handcuff for one of the best RBs in the league, in one of the worst offenses in the league. 

RB Raheem Mostert (RB Jeff Wilson traded from SF to MIA)

HC Mike McDaniel has brought the pair he had success with in SF across the country to Miami looking to recreate the running attack that was so effective for the 49ers. During their time together, Jeff Wilson was the ultimate goal line hawk. The last time the two played a full season together, Wilson scored 4 TDs, capping Mostert’s TD potential.

Mostert is still a RB2 rest of season but his goal line potential is capped by the arrival of goal line hawk Jeff Wilson. 

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By Tim Petropoulos