This is the time of year when desperation sets in. Owners are panicking, and the waiver wire is usually a weak problem-solver when you have a bad record. They need help, and that means finding someone who will at least consider a trade.

That someone needs to be you.

Please note that I didn't say that you needed to make a trade. But you should be willing to discuss every offer. Every player you have should be available. If someone asks if you would consider a deal, you should always say yes. Owners can hurt themselves by making bad trades, but nothing bad ever happened by simply discussing one.

It's easy to forget, but the reason fantasy football is so fun is that we all value players differently. If we didn't, a computer could autodraft for every team. Maybe you were higher on Mike Evans than someone else. Maybe you thought Thomas Rawls had a lock on the running back job. Right or wrong, our different opinions help create challenging (and fun) competition.

That was true in August, and it's true headed into week 6. Another owner might view one of your players much higher than you do. A guy you consider a difference-maker might be expendable to them in the right circumstances. And you'd never find any of that out unless you keep an open mind.

Even if a deal doesn't get done, I still think it helps your team. A lot of owners won't even answer a message like that. They don't want to trade so they ignore that desperate owner. You gave them some respect by at least having the discussion. That kind of goodwill will come back to you when you're the one asking about trades, whether that's two years or two weeks from now.

And you just might make a trade you never thought possible. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and maybe you end up with top-tier talent when it's all said and done. Everyone is expendable.

You think the Rams would never part with Todd Gurley? Well, suppose the Texans offered DeAndre Hopkins, Lamar Miller and J.J.Watt (pretend he's healthy). The Rams would be stupid to not consider that.

But wait, you say. The Texans would be stupid to even offer it. Maybe. But did you think the Vikings would pay a first and a fourth for Sam Bradford? So who knows what goes through the mind of a desperate fantasy owner? Maybe they're not thinking straight. Maybe they're focused on making a big move to right the ship. Maybe it's a dynasty league and they want to win now. Who knows? At least hear them out.

In my leagues, I try to let every owner know that all my players are always available. It might cost more than they want to pay, but I'm always willing to have the discussion. With bye weeks in full swing, and some owners approaching must-win situations, what seemed impossible might just happen.

Of course, being on the other side of the table is a different situation. You might get what you want, but the price might be too high. Don't get caught up in obtaining one certain player. I want you to be on the selling side. The buying side can actually sabotage your team if you get what you think you want.

On the other hand, it's your team. Maybe that crazy trade ends up working out for you. You never know. Some leagues never trade, and I think they're missing out on a lot of fun. Having the discussion fosters league camaraderie. It's part of what makes fantasy football great. And someone else's desperation just might end up helping you grab a title. So keep the lines of communication open. Good luck this week.

Are some players off the table for you? have you ever pulled off a trade you didn't think was possible? Did a desperate owner offer you a sweetheart deal? Share your thoughts below.