Week 6: Hot Trading Tips

In most leagues these players are already on a team and trading for them may not be an option. If the current owner is looking ahead and believes -- as I do -- that their season is going to take a turn in the right direction, then you would have to give up too much. However, some owners are fed up with the poor performance or inconsistent play and are willing to make a move. If you can find an owner willing to deal at the right price for one of these guys, then go for it. They may not have performed as expected thus far, but that doesn't mean the bad luck will continue all season.

RB Tim Hightower, ARI

I know it's hard to believe this, but Tim Hightower should be a good option at running back in the coming weeks. In three of the next four games the Cardinals will see defenses which are allowing 21 points a game to running backs. I know it seems like the Cardinals do everything they can to not run the ball, but they had to do it to keep opposing defenses honest. Some more good news for anyone willing to take a chance on Hightower is that he appears to be the goal line back. Last week against the Texans, Hightower was the back who got the one yard touchdown. Wells may have stolem some carries, but when it came time for the touchdown it was Hightower who got the call. Also, Hightower was targeted and caught 5 balls last week, while Wells had no receptions. I wouldn't give up the farm here, but if you're looking for a bye week fill-in with some up side then give Tim a shot.

RB Steve Slaton, HOU

Thus far Slaton has not lived up to being a late second round draft pick. Owners who picked him have to be wondering when the Texans' running game will show up. Through the first five weeks Slaton has managed to hit 70 yards just once. Slaton's only good game this season came week 4 against the Raiders, who can't seem to stop anyone. Last week against the Cardinals Slaton owners got some good news. The Texans tried to punch one in from the goal line with Chris Brown and once again he was stopped. Maybe now they'll realize Brown is not the best goal line option and use Slaton instead. In the coming weeks Houston will head to Cincinnati, host San Francisco, head to Buffalo and Indy. These defenses are allowing an average of 18, 19, 22 and 20 points per game to running backs. Slaton should post good numbers against these teams.

WR Devin Hester, CHI

When the season began there were many questions surrounding the Bears' passing game. What we knew was Jay Cutler was a very good quarterback in Denver, but how would he fair in the windy city? In Denver he had a couple of good receivers to throw to. In Chicago the receiving core was lacking a big name receiver. The closest they had when the season began was Devin Hester. Week one Hester showed he could be the big game receiver the Bears needed. Hester caught 4 balls for 90 yards and a touchdown. In a rain soaked game week two, Hester again had 4 receptions, but this time for just 21 yards. In week three he turned things around with 5 receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown, and in week 4 Hester caught 1 ball for 2 yards and suffered a neck injury. The Bears are returning from the bye for a match-up against the high flying Falcons in week 6. Following the Falcons the Bears will see the Bengals, Browns and Cardinals. Each of these teams are allowing at least 22 points a game to wide receivers. If you can pick up Hester and not give away the farm, then now would be a good time to make the move.

WR DeSean Jackson, PHI

Jackson had a rough opening to the 2009 season. In the Eagles' opening game against the Panthers, he pulled in just 2 receptions for 9 yards. He then followed that poor performance with two very good games. In weeks two and three he had over 100 yards receiving and a long touchdown. Then the Eagles went on their bye week and it looks like Jackson started all over again. Last week he had just one reception for 1 yard. Some of the reasons for this horrible performance is that the Eagles were never threatened by the Bucs. In the coming weeks Jackson should have some good numbers. The Eagles will see all 3 of their NFC east rivals. These games should be tight; if Philadelphia is going to win, they'll need to stretch the field and Jackson is just the man for the job.

TE Jeremy Shockey, NO

I find it hard to believe that Shockey is owned in only 81% of fantasy leagues and starting in just 66% of fantasy leagues. I know Jeremy has been injury prone throughout his career, but that was in the past. This year he has been healthy and playing well. In the coming weeks Shockey should post good numbers. Next week the undefeated Saints host the undefeated Giants. This should be a great game. Not only will we see two of the league's best teams, but we'll see Shockey against his old team. Don't think for one moment he wouldn't enjoy putting up huge numbers against the Giants. Following the Giants, the Saints will head to Miami and then host the Falcons and Panthers. In the past, the NFC south divisional games have been shoot outs and this season should be no different.

As I said last week, I like to review and respond to your comments at the end of the article each week. On occasion you will agree with me, and sometimes you won't; either way I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts. In response to one comment I'd like to say I agree that Leon Washington is a very good back in the offense as it stands today. However, I'd like to remind everyone of a certain Lamont Jordan who played very well as a backup in New York and then went on to have a less than mediocre career. Washington and Jordan had different styles of play so it's not an apples to apples comparison -- I realize this -- but you have to keep that in the back of your mind before jumping in head first. As for T.O. and L.T. I agree they are not performing to their name potential. As I said, you need to find an owner who realizes this and make your move. Don't trade away A.P. for one of these guys. Look to move a lesser known player who had a good game. It may be the only good game this player has; whereas the potential for a few good weeks from T.O. and L.T. in the coming games is very good with the match-ups on their schedules.

Remember to read all our columns for this week and use our Who To Start Rankings