Joshua PoniatowskiNov 1, 2026
Poniatowski names several trade targets, predicting Malik Willis underperforms this week against New England, that Omarion Hampton could become a viable RB2 if Adam Gase takes over play-calling, that Josh Downs gets traded (ideally to Kansas City, where they'd be a top-24 WR), that Brian Thomas Jr. could be dealt to the Rams or 49ers, and that Travis Kelce remains a consistent weekly TE.
Published in writing · FantasyProsRead the original
What Joshua Poniatowski said
our reading, beside the words we read it fromIf Downs gets traded to Kansas City and becomes Andy Reid's slot wide receiver, I could easily see him jumping into top-24 WR territory based on his usage.
- Where it was published
- FantasyPros
- The piece
- Fantasy Football Week 9 Early Trade Targets (2026)
- The original
- Read the original
- Read it wrong?
- Tell us and we will look
- SaidNov 1
- GradedNov 11
- 1Josh Downs to move to Kansas City Chiefs“My ideal landing spot would be the Kansas City Chiefs. If Downs gets traded to Kansas City and becomes Andy Reid's slot wide receiver...”
- 2Omarion Hampton to finish RB2 (13–24) at his position, by fantasy points“We are betting that a new scheme could unlock his full potential and make him a viable RB2 in that role.”
- 3Josh Downs to finish top 24 at his position, by fantasy points“I could easily see him jumping into top-24 WR territory based on his usage.”
- 4Brian Thomas Jr. to move to Los Angeles Rams“The ideal landing spot for Thomas would be the Los Angeles Rams.”
Box score
HitCloseMissWaiting| Verdict | Call | Kind | What happened | Score | Naive | Skill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Downs to move to Kansas City Chiefs1 | Trade and Signing Calls | — | 100 | 0 | +161 | |
| Omarion Hampton to finish RB2 (13–24) at his position, by fantasy points2 | Positional Finishes | — | — | — | — | |
| Josh Downs to finish top 24 at his position, by fantasy points3 | Positional Finishes | — | — | — | — | |
| Brian Thomas Jr. to move to Los Angeles Rams4 | Trade and Signing Calls | — | — | — | — | |
| 4 calls · 1 hit · 3 waiting | 100 | 0 | ||||
How each call scored
a naive guessbetter than naive4 checkable claims — 2 positional finishes and 2 trade and signing calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.
It names 7 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
1 of 4 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.
1Trade and Signing CallsJosh DownsKansas City Chiefs
Josh Downs to move to Kansas City Chiefs
VerdictHit100Hit · naive 0100this call−0a naive guess=100better than naive×1.61difficulty=+161skillThink this is wrong?How this was scored
- skill:
- 161
- player:
- Josh Downs
- season:
- 2026
- claimed:
- KC
- was with:
- IND
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- reported:
- traded → KC
- how he left:
- traded
- mechanism:
- traded
- settled by:
- a confirmed report from the crawl (reported outcomes)
- difficulty:
- 1.61
- the naive guess:
- he stays where he is
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- weeks left when called:
- 11
2Positional FinishesOmarion HamptonLos Angeles Chargers
Omarion Hampton to finish RB2 (13–24) at his position, by fantasy points
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
3Positional FinishesJosh DownsIndianapolis Colts
Josh Downs to finish top 24 at his position, by fantasy points
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
4Trade and Signing CallsBrian Thomas Jr.Los Angeles Rams
Brian Thomas Jr. to move to Los Angeles Rams
VerdictWaitingNot settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Who this take is about
Others on the same people
Nate Gosney · Trade and Signing Calls · Daiyan Henley · Miss 0
After the Broncos rescinded the trade, Gosney expects Daiyan Henley to remain with the Chargers for the rest of the 2026 season, but believes the awkward fallout has effectively killed any chance of them signing a new contract with Los Angeles after the season.Noah Compton · Trade and Signing Calls · Josh Downs · Hit 100
Compton expects the rebuilding Colts to keep dealing veterans before the November 10 deadline, naming Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs and Grover Stewart as the likeliest remaining trade candidates, and believes Indianapolis should and likely will move on from quarterback Daniel Jones, while Shane Steichen keeps starting Jones in the meantime.Gilberto Manzano · Trade and Signing Calls · Josh Downs · Hit 100
Previewing the trade deadline, he expects Justin Herbert to stay in Los Angeles despite the Chargers' 0–7 start, thinks the Jets will keep Garrett Wilson and pair him with their young weapons, expects a receiver-hungry Kansas City to be aggressive with Josh Downs the likeliest target, and suggests expiring Eagles contracts Moro Ojomo and Riq Woolen could be dealt for mid-round picks.Adam Schefter · Trade and Signing Calls · Josh Downs · Hit 100
Schefter, as relayed on the show, said they expect Josh Downs to be traded.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
Logan Lazarczyk · Trade and Signing Calls · Kirk Cousins · Hit 100
Ahead of the trade deadline, they float three Raiders moves: shipping Kirk Cousins to Minnesota if the Vikings offer a second-round pick, selling Maxx Crosby to Dallas for a first-rounder plus, and acquiring Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. for a second- or third-round pick.Patricia Traina · Trade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthy · Hit 100
Traina expects defensive tackle to be a top need for the Giants in next year's draft, and suggests the Giants could trade J.J. McCarthy next offseason — or keep both them and Jaxson Dart if the return isn't good enough. They also expect Dart to make a full recovery.Michael David Smith · Trade and Signing Calls · Keenan Allen · Hit 100
Smith suggests the Colts are likely to grant Josh Downs' trade request given their contract situation and their recent sell-off, and that they could also try to trade Keenan Allen.Mike Fanelli · Trade and Signing Calls · Keenan Allen · Hit 100
Fanelli suggested Keenan Allen may be dealt away from Indianapolis, with Week 9 potentially their final appearance for the Colts.Thomas Martinez · Trade and Signing Calls · Daiyan Henley · Hit 100
Martinez argues the Chargers will be sellers at the 2026 trade deadline, predicting Khalil Mack is dealt (for an early-to-mid Day 3 pick) and that linebacker Daiyan Henley could also be moved for a mid Day 3 pick, while suggesting the club acquire edge rusher Malik Herring and blocking tight end Ko Kieft for late-round picks.