Fantasy football trade advice, Week 9: Buy-low, sell-high running back trade candidates

Running backs are proving especially important with half of the NFL season over. As owners try to survive bye weeks, having the right or wrong rusher on your roster could make on break your chances of making the playoffs. So which running backs are making the grade? Here are the running backs owners should pick up and trade off for Week 9.

West is the next man up in Kansas City’s run-first defense. The third-string RB replaces Jamaal Charles, who has not been able to recover from his second torn ACL, and Spencer Ware, out under the NFL’s concussion protocol. Both scenarios mean West will see a lot of playing time in the upcoming weeks as the Chiefs’ only healthy back.

The third-year RB looked good taking over the running duties in the second half of Week 8. West had 60 yards of total offense in the win over Indianapolis.

West is advantageous because of how much Kansas City depends on the run regardless of matchup. He is by far the hottest waiver pickup this week and could be a real sleeper for the remainder of the season.

Current standard fantasy average: 3.1 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 7 percent
Next four games: JAX, at CAR, TB, at DEN

Hightower may not be the No. 1 rusher in New Orleans yet, but he made quite a case to take Mark Ingram’s starting job in Week 8. The six-year veteran racked up 102 yards filling in for Ingram, who was benched for coughing up the ball, against Seattle, one of the tougher rushing defenses in the league.

Expect to see more of Hightower going forward as the Saints transition to a rushing committee. He is looking at a fairly favorable schedule — including the league’s worst rush defense, San Francisco, in Week 9 — in the upcoming weeks. Hightower is a no-brainer waiver pickup this week.

Current standard fantasy average: 2.8 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 4 percent
Next four games: at SF, DEN, at CAR, LA

Miller looked sluggish in Week 8 as he played through a shoulder injury. Despite dealing with pain, the Texans starting rusher managed to gain 63 yards of total offense, find the end zone, and receive most of the rushing workload.

The fifth-year back will get a week to rest before facing some average run defenses down the stretch. Miller’s potential is a great selling point owners have for getting a more consistent option in return.

Current standard fantasy average: 11.8 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 100 percent
Next four games: BYE, at JAX, at OAK, SD

Gurley is supposed to be the picture of consistency, but he has not had any breakout games, and he fails to score most weeks. Gurley is averaging 57 rushing yards and has only three touchdowns so far this season. He is also heavily used in the passing game with an average of 24 yards per game.

Since Gurley touches the ball a lot, albeit in what could be considered disappointing turnouts, he has a lot of value for owners hurting at the running back position. He is looking at some tough defenses soon, so best to deal him while he still has value.

Current standard fantasy average: 10.4 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 100 percent
Next four games: CAR, at NYJ, MIA, at NO