Puka Nacua Trade Value | Should You Trade Nacua for Jahmyr Gibbs, Josh Jacobs, Alvin Kamara, Kyren Williams or Raheem Mostert?

Fantasy owners often struggle with determining whether a not their trade offers are fair, or if a proposal they received is worth it. 

FantasySP’s Trade Analyzer tool helps determine if the deal is fair and can be used for simple, two-player trades or more complicated, multi-player deals. The trade analyzer utilizes our player ratings, which are adjusted weekly based on performance and future projections.

Much like weekly projections, which are helpful if you are struggling to make a decision on who to start, player ratings are not always spot on, so a player with a lower rating might be the better player long term.

I’m here to try and talk you through some of the offers that you might be struggling to make a decision on. We’ll be discussing Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua, who is part of five of the most popular trades as of this publication. We’ll discuss Nacua and his long-term outlook and then dive into Detroit Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs, Las Vegas Raiders’ Josh Jacobs, New Orleans Saints’ Alvin Kamara, Los Angeles Rams’ Kyren Williams and Miami Dolphins’ Raheem Mostert.

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Puka Nacua Fantasy Outlook

Nacua has been one of the top headlines through three weeks of the NFL season. He leads the league in targets (42), is second in receptions (30) and fourth in yards (338). Despite no touchdowns scored, Nacua is in the top 10 wideouts in terms of fantasy points scored.

Nacua was one of the most popular roster additions in week 1 and 2 after monster showings, but saw his production dip in week 3. With Cooper Kupp also close to returning, fantasy owners that roster him are trying to sell when Nacua’s value is high.

I wrote about Nacua’s trade value heading into week 3 of the season. My suggestion to fantasy owners was to sell him before week 3 or to hold on to him the entire season, as I believe both Nacua and Kupp can coexist on the field. 

After Nacua’s 72 receiving yards on five catches and seven targets in week 3, his stock took a hit. He still led the team in receiving yards and was second in targets. 

Rams’ coach Sean McVay said earlier this week that the team was hopeful to get Kupp back in week 5, so now might be the last time to move Nacua before he and Kupp are on the field together.

Jahmyr Gibbs Fantasy Outlook

Gibbs has already played his week 4 game, so if you do end up dealing Nacua for him, it won’t take place until this week ends. Gibbs hasn’t been utilized as much as many fantasy owners expected so far, with just 179 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 39 attempts.Gibbs does have 14 receptions on 18 targets, going for 70 yards.

His 249 scrimmage yards are third on the team, behind only Amon-Ra St. Brown and fellow running back David Montgomery. Gibbs’ value has dipped because Detroit has utilized Montgomery as the workhorse back so far, and with Montgomery producing how he is, Gibbs’ owners are considering bailing on the rookie.

Gibbs has still produced decent numbers for owners that have started him, but a bigger workload would still be appreciated. As I wrote about earlier, I don’t know if that is coming anytime soon. Gibbs does have a pretty favorable next month of games.

Josh Jacobs Fantasy Outlook

After being one of the top running backs taken in fantasy drafts, Jacobs’ value has dropped rapidly after a slow start to the season.

Through three games, Jacobs has gained just 108 yards on 45 rushing attempts. His 2.4-yard average leaves a lot to be desired, and he hasn’t scored to help make up for the poor yardage total. Jacobs has been a bit better for the PPR owners, as he’s caught 10-of-14 passes for 92 yards.

In October, the Raiders take on the Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and Lions. Only the Lions’ defense ranks in the top half of the league in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, so brighter days could be ahead for Jacobs.

Alvin Kamara Fantasy Outlook

Kamara will be making his 2023 debut after serving a three-game suspension. His return comes at a needed time for the Saints, who already have Jamaal Williams on injured reserve and with quarterback Derek Carr banged up.

A season ago, Kamara accumulated 1,387 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns across 15 games played.

Kamara is listed as the starter over Tony Jones and Kendre Miller, who have filled in. Those two certainly don’t provide the spark that Kamara does, so Kamara should immediately be the featured back and receive the most touches. His stock might take a little hit when and if Williams returns, but Kamara should retain the starting role as long as he’s healthy.

New Orleans plays the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Patriots, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts during October. Only the Jaguars rank in the top 10 after three weeks in fantasy points allowed to opposing backs.

Kyren Williams Fantasy Outlook

Williams has emerged as the No. 1 back for the Rams after the trade of Cam Akers. Through three weeks, Williams has rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns on 39 attempts, with an additional 77 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions and 19 targets.

Williams is soaking up nearly every running back snap, with just Ronnie Rivers left on the roster who has also played, and he’s at only four snaps.

It seems like a great situation for Williams, but he’s coming off a rough week 3 showing, so owners are panicking a bit.

Los Angeles will take on the Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Steelers and Cowboys in October. That makes for a fairly tough schedule, with the exception of the Steelers and Cardinals, at least through three weeks.

Raheem Mostert Fantasy Outlook

I wrote quite a bit about Mostert and his trade value earlier this week. He’s coming off a monster game and led all running backs in fantasy points coming into week 4. 

Mostert has rushed for 240 yards and six touchdowns on 41 carries already. He’s added 79 yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions.

Some reasoning behind why fantasy owners are looking to sell him are due to rookie De’Von Achane outproducing him in week 3 and with Jeff Wilson close to returning. Mostert’s fantasy points are also being heavily boosted by his seven total touchdowns, which isn’t sustainable.

Miami will play the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, Eagles and Patriots in October. It’s about an even an upcoming schedule as you’ll find with a few easier matchups and some extremely tough ones.

Who Should You Trade Nacua For?

As I mentioned before, my suggestion on Nacua going into week 3 was to trade him now or play out the season with him. I’ll say the same thing now before week 4.

I think McVay is a talented enough offensive coach to figure out how to get the most out of Nacua and Kupp on the field together. Nacua won’t produce at the levels he did in weeks 1 and 2, but similar showings to the one he had in week 3, with a touchdown sprinkled in every couple weeks, seems feasible.

With that being said, I see some great value in return in a few of these popular trades. I would be for trading Nacua for Jacobs and Kamara, but against trading Nacua for Gibbs, Williams or Mostert.

I still believe in Jacobs despite his sluggish start, and his favorable next month of play is very appealing to me. He’s not going to lose snaps to any other back and will be the team’s workhorse when healthy. Given how he’s started compared to Nacua, you might be able to snag an additional player on top of Jacobs.

Even though Kamara hasn’t played this year, his history of producing is enough for me to take that deal. Not having Williams around to steal touchdowns for the next few weeks is just an added bonus. You could try and get something along with Kamara, but I think that’s a pretty fair offer as is.

In the case of Gibbs, I’m skeptical that he ever becomes the lead back. I’d rather take Nacua as the No. 2 option in the Rams’ passing game than I would the second option in any team’s backfield.

Trading players from the same team is always tricky. I’m against dealing Nacua for Williams simply because I trust the Rams’ passing game more. When Kupp comes back, the Rams will probably be passing even more, so even though Williams has dominated the running back snaps, I don’t like him over Nacua.

I wrote earlier in the week that I’d trade Mostert if I rostered him, so trading him for Nacua just doesn’t feel right. I think the Dolphins will continue to split the touches in the running back room, and with less touchdowns, Mostert won’t be nearly as valuable. I’d rather take Nacua, as even in a secondary role he will likely outgain Mostert most weeks.