Like NFL teams gearing up for playoff races, you are probably starting to see separation in your fantasy football league standings.

At this point in the season, most managers know if they are pushing for a playoff run or pivoting toward 2025.

At the same time, several players on the mend could return in the next few weeks. They can help you make a playoff run or become assets as you stockpile draft picks and players for a rebuild.

Regardless of where you stand from a competitive perspective, this week's fantasy trade market can help you identify which high-profile players to acquire and trade before they return to action.

Buy These Players Now

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Week 7: N/A

2024 Season: 72 carries, 349 yards, 4 TDs; 6 catches, 77 yards

The Colts didn't place Taylor on injured reserve, so they didn't think he would miss four or more games. He's sat out the last three weeks with a high ankle sprain.

The 25-year-old hasn't practiced since the injury, so he could face an uphill climb to suit up for Week 8 against the Houston Texans.

Nonetheless, Taylor can still change the trajectory of a win-now fantasy team in November and December. Upon his return, he's likely to reclaim the lion's share of carries out of the Colts backfield. He averaged 18 rush attempts through the first four weeks of the campaign.

Buy Taylor for: Garrett Wilson, Jordan Mason, Javonte Williams

Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans

Week 7: N/A

2024 Season: 32 catches, 567 yards, 3 TDs

Before Collins went down with a hamstring injury, he led the NFL in receiving yards (567), and no one passed him until Week 7. He still averages the most receiving yards per game (113.4).

The Michigan product has to miss at least two more outings on injured reserve, though he's worth the wait because of his target share in correlation with his production.

Collins averages nine targets per game, and he's the Texans' big-play threat in the aerial attack, averaging a team-leading 17.7 yards per reception. Once he's back on the field, expect a strong finish to the campaign with C.J. Stroud under center.

Buy Collins for: Drake London, Terry McLaurin, George Pickens

Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Week 7: N/A

2024 Season: 4 catches, 35 yards; 1 carry, 7 yards

Nacua hasn't played since Week 1 because of a PCL injury. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport told NFL GameDay Morning (h/t NFL.com's Christian Gonzalez) that he could be out until Week 9.

The Rams have yet to designate the 23-year-old for return from injured reserve, but he's likely to serve as their top target when he's back on the field. Remember, in 2023, he led Los Angeles in targets (160).

When Nacua is healthy, he can rack up 100-plus yards in any game. He did it seven times in 17 contests last season. He is a league-winning asset, assuming he returns to action this season.

Buy Nacua for: George Pickens, Chuba Hubbard, Romeo Doubs

Sell These Players

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins

Week 7: N/A

2024 Season: 40-of-62, 483 yards passing, 2 TDs, 3 INTs; 3 carries, 28 yards

Tagovailoa can provide a much-needed boost to the Dolphins offense. According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, he could return to action for Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Though the 26-year-old's toughness is admirable, he's suffered multiple concussions and may face a career-threatening situation with another head injury.

Also, he didn't play particularly well before his injury in Week 2.

Between Tagovailoa's history of head trauma and a lukewarm start to the season, the risk in acquiring him isn't worth the gamble. Managers should try to sell his stock for a mid-to-low-tier starter or future starter.

Sell Tagovailoa for: Kirk Cousins, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Week 7: N/A

2024 Season: N/A

McCaffrey has not played a down this season because of bilateral Achilles tendonitis. Between 2022 and 2023, he logged 516 carries and became the focal point of the 49ers offense after he was acquired from the Carolina Panthers. Perhaps head coach Kyle Shanahan wore him out.

Nonetheless, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 49ers could hold the three-time Pro Bowler out until after their Week 9 bye, which sets up a potential return date on November 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If Schefter's source has an accurate timeline, managers should make offers for McCaffrey before the team gives a firm date for his return.

Sell McCaffrey for: Jonathan Taylor, De'Von Achane, 2025 2nd-round pick

Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Week 7: N/A

2024 Season: 18 catches, 147 yards, TD; 2 carries, 10 yards

Unlike fellow Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, whose stock is on the buy list, Kupp has a lengthy injury history, primarily because of recurring ankle issues.

Over the last three seasons, he has missed 17 contests. At 31 years old, he's unlikely to get healthier, and the Rams may lighten his workload to preserve him for the remainder of the season.

Sell Kupp for: Jordan Addison, Jameson Williams, Xavier Worthy

Hold These Players for Another Week

Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers

Week 7: N/A

2024 Season: N/A

Managers who have Brooks at the end of their bench should keep him there for at least another week.

No one knows how the Panthers will use the 21-year-old, who's a rookie coming off a torn ACL.

Nonetheless, in his final collegiate term at Texas, he flashed the ability to catch passes out of the backfield to complement his big gains on the ground.

Brooks will split touches with Chuba Hubbard, though he could be an immediate asset in points-per-reception leagues if he takes over the third-down pass-catching role.

Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints

Week 7: N/A

2024 Season: 14 carries, 77 yards, 2 TDs; 2 catches, 2 yards

This season, Hill has dealt with multiple injuries that have sidelined him for four games. Yet he could return to a versatile role in the Saints' depleted offense.

New Orleans lost wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (knee) for the season, and running back Alvin Kamara has played through rib, hip and hand injuries over the previous few weeks.

When healthy, Hill may handle goal-line opportunities and see a fair number of targets in the aerial attack. If he's back before quarterback Derek Carr (oblique), don't rule him out for a start under center.

Hill is still a fantasy cheat code in an offense that's riddled with injuries.

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings

Week 7: N/A

2024 Season: N/A

In 2023, Hockenson racked up a career-high 960 receiving yards, though he posted those numbers with Kirk Cousins under center.

Sam Darnold has played well through six starts, throwing for 1,370 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions, but he hasn't established a rapport with the 27-year-old in regular-season action.

Based on Hockenson's production in head coach and offensive play-caller Kevin O'Connell's system, the two-time Pro Bowl tight end will likely carve out a role in the Vikings' passing attack. Still, managers should take a wait-and-see approach with a new signal-caller at the helm.

Looking for more insight to prep for your draft or make some tough roster decisions? Check out all the latest B/R Fantasy Football essentials here.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.