Shop them while it's hot

Photo credit: Game Face

Braylon Edwards has struggled this season and has a tough schedule ahead. (Getty Images)

By Ryan Chatelain

It can be difficult to let go, especially when one of your fantasy players is performing well or has an All-Pro reputation.

But as I wrote last week, predicting any sudden rises or falls in a player’s value can be an important ingredient on your way to building a championship team.

The following players will have a difficult road throughout the remainder of the fantasy regular season. It’s time to at least consider cashing in on their recent success or big-name status by trading for a player with a rosier future.

Braylon Edwards, WR, Cleveland

Edwards, who has treated footballs like hot potatoes this season, has failed to reach 60 yards receiving in five of his six games. Although he has nice matchups in two of his next three games (against Jacksonville on Sunday and against Denver in Week 10), he also faces four top-10 pass defenses before the end of the fantasy regular season (Week 14 in most leagues).

Edwards’ 154-yard performance on “Monday Night Football” in Week 6 might have been just the ticket to raise his trade value. But act fast before he turns in another stinker.Ryan Grant, RB, Packers

There’s no better time to trade Grant than before his next game. (The Packers have a bye this week, so you have a nice-sized window to move him.)

Sure, Grant has rushed for at least 80 yards in his last three games and finally had a 100-yard effort this past Sunday against Indianapolis. But considering his last three opponents were the Falcons, Seahawks and Colts – all have poor run defenses – and that Grant is averaging just 3 yards per carry in his last two games, it’s evident the Giants castoff is still struggling.

Once Grant returns from his bye, he will be in for quite a challenge as he squares off against three straight top-10 run defenses (Tennessee, Minnesota and Chicago).

Matt Schaub, QB, Houston

Schaub is averaging 318 yards and two touchdowns over his past three games. But those games have come against Jacksonville, Miami and Detroit, who all ranked in the league’s bottom 10 in defending the pass.

In fact, in his only two games against quality defenses — the Steelers and Titans — Schaub struggled mightily, throwing one touchdown and five interceptions.

Now five of Schaub’s next seven games come against top-10 pass defenses – and don’t overlook the fact that there was a quarterback controversy brewing in Houston when Schaub wasn’t playing well earlier this season.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati

There's plenty of reason to believe Houshmandzadeh's season will get worse.

First of all, quarterback Carson Palmer is reportedly considering season-ending Tommy John surgery, meaning Harvard alum Ryan Fitzpatrick would remain the starter in Cincy.

But more important, when looking at pass defenses, no team faces a tougher schedule through Week 14 than the Bengals. In fact, after Cincinnati returns from its Week 10 bye, it will go up against Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Indianapolis – all top-10 pass defenses.

All of the above can be applied to Chad Ocho Cinco as well.

BYE WEEK FILL-INS

Some options to replace your prized players who may have Week 8 off:

Matt Cassel, QB, New England (vs. St. Louis). Tom Brady’s replacement is coming off a three-TD outing and is facing the Rams, ranked 25th against the pass.

Maurice Morris, RB, Seattle (vs. San Francisco). Morris was on his way to a big game Sunday in Tampa (56 yards on six carries) before the trailing Seahawks scrapped the run.

Kevin Curtis, WR, Philadelphia (vs. Atlanta). Returning from a sports hernia, Curtis, an 1,100-yard receiver in 2007, is expected to be reinserted into the Eagles’ starting lineup Sunday.

Billy Miller, TE, New Orleans (vs. San Diego). Jeremy Shockey is hinting that he won’t play in London, and Miller is averaging 57 yards over his last three games.

Matt Bryant, K, Tampa Bay (vs. Dallas). He’s averaging multiple field goals in his last five games.

San Francisco defense (vs. Seattle). Surprisingly, the 49ers are a top-10 fantasy unit and are playing a Seahawks offense that is ranked 28th in the NFL.

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Delicious
• Digg
• Stumble Upon