Four weeks into the NFL season, it may be time to start looking into fantasy football trades.
Whether you’re 0-4 and looking for a shot in the arm, or you’re 4-0 and trying to prey on the desperate teams, there is a large enough sample size to start some serious conversations about how to move forward. Injuries have left plenty of managers short-handed, as have disappointing starts from some notable stars.
Fantasy football trades are always tough to get across the finish line, so it could take a while for a deal to come together. Before Week 5 gets underway, it’s time to take stock of where certain players of note stand — like A.J. Brown, Drake London and Brian Thomas Jr. DraftKings is here to break down who could be worth moving, with Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase next on the docket.
Ja’Marr Chase Fantasy Value
While there wasn’t a consensus No. 1 overall pick in 2025, Ja’Marr Chase was the closest we got. He was the top-ranked receiver in 2024, after all, on top of scoring the fifth-most fantasy points at any position. Chase won the triple crown, leading the NFL with 1,708 yards, 17 touchdowns and 127 catches.
Chase has not lived up to the hype through four games this season, already putting up three lackluster performances. Going against Denzel Ward and the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, Chase reeled in just two of his five targets for 26 yards and zero touchdowns. He put that behind him in Week 2, racking up 14 receptions, 16 targets, 165 yards and a touchdown versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. Midway through that game, however, star quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a serious toe injury. In the two weeks since, Chase has totaled 10 catches and 73 yards on 14 targets without a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos.
It isn’t as if Jake Browning has been completely unable to get Chase the ball – the majority of his production in Week 2 came courtesy of the backup signal-caller. Both Chase and Tee Higgins have struggled, though, as has running back Chase Brown. Cincinnati’s offense has gone from juggernaut to bottom-tier since Browning took the reins, dragging Chase’s value down in the process.
Should I trade Ja’Marr Chase?
If you took Chase No. 1 overall, you probably aren’t in the best spot in the standings. On top of the Cincinnati superstar flopping, you didn’t have another pick until No. 20 or No. 24, limiting your top-end production.
Chase is sure to finish higher than the No. 25 receiver in fantasy, where he is now, but the ceiling just isn’t there without Burrow. And while Burrow could return to action in December, that means Chase will have to chug along with Browning through the entire fantasy regular season. Chase has started slow before, but he doesn’t have Burrow to help dig him out of a hole this time. In nine career games without Burrow, Chase has averaged 10.6 fantasy points per game. In 57 career games with Burrow, he has averaged 20.7.
Fantasy teams that started 1-3 or 0-4 don’t have the luxury to wait for Burrow to revive the Bengals’ offense, so moving off of him is perfectly defensible.
In the lead-up to their Week 10 bye, the Bengals aren’t going against any particularly stingy defenses. Compare that to the Vikings and Broncos, who rank first and fifth in limiting receivers’ fantasy production. As a result, Chase could slowly start to return to form in the coming weeks. So if you are looking to bring new life to your roster, the best path forward could be to put out feelers this week, then try to pull the trigger once Chase has another solid outing.
What trade package could Ja’Marr Chase fetch?
Dealing Chase for a first-round pick who has hit – such as Puka Nacua or Amon-Ra St. Brown – doesn’t seem realistic at the moment, unless you’re in a dynasty or keeper league. At the same time, there has to be some kind of star power that comes back in any Chase trade.
Look for teams that hit on Jaxon Smith-Njigba and see if you can get them to throw in a rising running back like Omarion Hampton or Quinshon Judkins. Emeka Egbuka, Quentin Johnston, George Pickens, Javonte Williams, Kenneth Walker III or Kyren Williams could be had as part of larger packages, too.
Don’t sell too low – this is still Ja’Marr Chase we’re talking about – but don’t be afraid to revamp your team, either. The first step in winning a fantasy championship is reaching the playoffs, and the longer you hold out for Chase to turn it around, the less time you’ll have to stage a comeback.
