Looking to improve? Go with trade route

There are only two teams with byes this week, but both the Lions and Saints have significant starters to replace at a few key positions.

In addition, some notable injuries make the race to the waiver wire as frenetic as usual. The free-agent pool doesn’t have many appealing options this week, though, so if you need to fill a major need, try first to make a trade. Running backs Mike Davis, Seattle: He does split carries with Chris Carson but his running mate is oft-injured and Davis seems to be the preferred goal-line option for the Seahawks. He has three rushing TDs in his past two games. Seattle has a renewed emphasis on the running game, so Davis should be rostered even as a part-time RB. Wendell Smallwood, Philadelphia: The Philadelphia runners have been beset by injuries, most importantly to Jay Ajayi, who is done for the season with a knee injury. Smallwood carried 10 times for 56 yards and a TD and caught three passes for 35 yards when he was last asked to step forward for Ajayi in Week 3. Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay: The Buccaneers have the worst rushing offense in the league and though the rookie has dealt with blitz-pickup and receiving issues, he still can be dynamic with the ball in his hands. Tampa Bay desperately needs to establish some sort of a running game to take pressure off Jameis Winston. Wide receivers Christian Kirk, Arizona: The Cardinals’ rookie has registered double-digit fantasy performances in point-perreception leagues in two of his past three games. On Sunday, he caught a 75-yard TD from Josh Rosen against the 49ers. Kirk is starting to emerge as the team’s top receiving playmaker, which has been needed with Larry Fitzgerald underperforming. Tre’Quan Smith, New Orleans: Another rookie, Smith announced his pro arrival with three receptions for 111 yards and two scores Monday night. Drew Brees does spread the ball around, but the Saints have been high on Smith ever since he arrived at training camp. Tight ends Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay: Winston is back at QB for the Buccaneers, and O.J. Howard is out, so that means opportunities for Brate to thrive, at least in the near future. He has scored in each of his past two games and in the previous two seasons, he caught a total of 14 TD passes working heavily with Winston. C.J. Uzomah, Cincinnati: With Tyler Eifert out, Uzomah has been announced as the preferred TE of choice for Andy Dalton and the Bengals. On Sunday, he caught two passes for 43 yards, and better times are ahead. Quarterbacks C.J. Beathard, 49ers: He takes sacks and commits turnovers, and you will not start him in a one-QB league, but Beathard is proving to be a capable fantasy backup because the 49ers will be playing from behind frequently. In his past two games, he has thrown for 647 yards and four touchdowns. Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay: He might not win a lot of games but Winston has options in the passing game, a lack of run support and a bad defense that will force him to trade blows with opposing offenses quite often. There is going to be a lot of passing volume for Winston, and the high-scoring fun begins Sunday in Atlanta.