You survived the draft. You’ve got your roster set, the beer cans are cleared away, and the first Thursday night game is just hours away. Then it happens. One of your "sleepers" gets downgraded in practice, or your WR2 starts tweeting cryptic emojis about his contract. Suddenly, your "perfect" team feels like a ticking time bomb.
Welcome to the most dangerous window in the season. Fantasy football trade advice week 1 is usually about one thing: preventing you from doing something incredibly stupid.
Most people think week 1 is about finding the next Puka Nacua before the waiver wire opens. Honestly? It's actually about identifying which of your league mates is currently hyperventilating over a bad preseason beat report. That's where the value is. You aren't just trading players; you’re trading emotions.
The Overreaction Economy and How to Profit
Week 1 is basically a fever dream. If a first-round pick like Breece Hall or Bijan Robinson has a "quiet" game where they only get 12 touches because the game script went sideways, half the fantasy world loses their minds. They start looking at the box score like it’s a prophecy rather than a single data point in a 17-game marathon.
Stop looking at the points. Look at the usage.
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If a guy played 85% of the snaps but didn't score, he’s a "buy low" candidate before the season even really kicks off. On the flip side, if a random tight end caught two touchdowns on three targets, he’s the ultimate "sell high" bait. You want to be the person who understands that touchdowns are volatile, but snap counts are sticky.
Fantasy Football Trade Advice Week 1: Buy Low Targets
You’ve gotta be aggressive with your offers right now. People are still attached to their "draft plan," but that attachment is brittle.
Garrett Wilson is a prime example of someone to check in on. If the person owning him is worried about the Jets' offensive rhythm or Aaron Rodgers' age, pounce. The talent is undeniable. His target share is going to be massive. If you can swap a "hot" preseason name and a secondary piece for a tier-one alpha like Wilson, you do it every single time.
Then there’s the "disappointing" veteran. Think about guys like Travis Kelce. If he has a slow start, the "he’s too old" narrative will spread like wildfire. Use that. Kelce in a Patrick Mahomes offense is still a positional advantage that breaks the game. You're buying the floor. You're buying the certainty.
Wait. Don't forget the backfields.
The Cincinnati Bengals backfield with Zack Moss and Chase Brown is going to be a headache for some. If someone is already frustrated by the split, try to snag the one they’re lower on. Historically, according to data from sites like FantasyPoints and Establish The Run, high-powered offenses eventually consolidate their touches. You want a piece of that Cincy offense before they find their groove.
Why Selling Your "Preseason Darling" is Actually Smart
We all have that one guy. The one we drafted in the 11th round who we're convinced is the next big thing. Maybe it’s Jaleel McLaughlin or a rookie like Keon Coleman.
If their hype is at an all-time high, sell them.
It sounds counterintuitive. You drafted them because you liked them, right? Sure. But fantasy football is a game of probability. If you can trade a late-round flyer for a proven, mid-round producer like Chris Godwin or Amari Cooper, you’ve effectively "cashed in" your lottery ticket for guaranteed equity.
Most managers are obsessed with "winning" the trade by finding the next superstar. Smart managers win by consistently upgrading the median projection of their starting lineup. Godwin might not be "sexy," but he’s a target monster in the slot. If someone is willing to give him up because they’re infatuated with your rookie sleeper’s "upside," let them.
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Navigating the "Elite Quarterback" Trap
Let’s talk about the Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes owners. Usually, these managers spent a high pick—maybe a 2nd or 3rd rounder—to secure a weekly advantage.
If they have a bad Week 1? The panic is visceral.
They feel like they wasted their draft. This is the perfect time to offer a "2-for-1" deal. Give them a solid QB2 (someone like Jayden Daniels or Jared Goff) plus a starting-caliber WR. They get the depth they’re suddenly craving, and you get the best player in the deal. In a shallow league, the person who gets the best player usually wins the trade. Period.
Using Psychology to Close the Deal
Don’t just send a blind trade offer through the app. That’s how trades go to die.
Text them. Ask them how they feel about their team. "Man, tough break on [Player Name]'s injury news, you looking to shake things up?" It sounds simple, but building a rapport makes people more likely to negotiate. You want to be the "fixer." You’re helping them solve a problem (lack of depth, injury risk, "bad" matchups) while secretly strengthening your own roster.
Also, avoid "winner-take-all" trades. If you try to fleece someone, they won't trade with you for the rest of the season. Aim for trades that genuinely help both teams but give you the higher ceiling.
Actionable Next Steps for Week 1 Trading
First, go through every roster in your league and identify the "depth-starved" teams. These are the teams that have great starters but absolute garbage on their bench. They are your primary targets for 2-for-1 trades.
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Second, check the injury reports for the late-afternoon and Monday night games. If a starter is a "game-time decision," the owner is likely stressed. Offer them a healthy, reliable starter for their "questionable" star plus a small piece.
Third, look at the Week 2 and Week 3 matchups. If you see a player who had a rough Week 1 but has a "smash" matchup coming up against a bottom-tier defense, that is your "buy" signal. Trade for them while their value is depressed.
Finally, trust your pre-draft evaluations for at least three weeks. Don't let one bad half of football convince you that a Pro Bowl talent suddenly forgot how to play. Stay patient, stay aggressive, and keep your eyes on the volume, not just the scoreboard. Keep an eye on the waiver wire trends on Sleeper or Yahoo—if everyone is dropping a specific player you still believe in, that's your cue to make a move.
The season is long. Week 1 is just the opening act. Don't let the noise drown out the signal. If you can stay objective while everyone else is emotional, you've already won half the battle.