Buy Low Sell High Fantasy Football
Waiver wire acquisitions aren’t the only way to transform your team after draft day is over. The art of the trade is knowing when to sell a hot hand about to cool and acquire a player with an upward trajectory. The purpose of this article is to identify players whose value has peaked and possibly trading them for a player with brighter days ahead.
Sometimes there’s nothing wrong with staying put, so always keep value in mind and demand more if you’re the owner of a player who is trending upwards. Timing is everything, especially in fantasy, so use this article as a tool to help your team turn the corner no matter where you stand this year.
Fantasy Football Buy Candidates
Lions – Running Back
Swift and the Lions could have gotten off to a much better start if he had caught that game-winning touchdown pass in Week 1. Since then, he’s flown under the radar largely in part to his usage and the addition of Adrian Peterson. However, he has averaged 10.4 points in PPR scoring, with double-digit points in 3 of 4 games while only playing 31% of the snaps. Swifts’ role in the passing game has etched out a nice floor for him despite having a limited ceiling. The cream will rise to the top, and I’d expect the same thing to happen with Swift and his playmaking abilities. Look to grab him in both dynasty and redraft while his stock is much lower than the pre-season hype.
Colts – Running Back
Buying Jonathan Taylor may be easier said than done, especially in dynasty. The long-term potential and the Indy style of offense still has some owners viewing him as the RB1 in dynasty. However, in redraft, particularly in PPR leagues, he hasn’t offered much over the last two weeks with only 22.1 combined points; but let’s look to the remaining schedule. After their bye in Week 7, the Colts will face 6 teams that rank in the top 10 for most points to running backs, including the Raiders (1st) and Texans (5th) in the first two weeks of the fantasy playoffs. Indy takes on Cleveland’s stingy run defense this week, so you may have a little time to get an offer together.
Cardinals – Running Back
While the natural tendency may be to buy Kenyan Drake, I believe that the back whose stock is actually on the rise is Chase Edmonds. Drake has out-snapped Edmonds nearly two to one, but Edmonds has already outscored Drake. Combine that with Drake’s lackluster performance against Carolina’s weak run defense, and his complete lack of presence in the passing game – not even running a route last week. Edmonds is clearly the better back so far this season and also ran 15 routes last week with 6 receptions. Grab Edmonds before he fully takes the reigns of this backfield.
Fantasy Football Sell Candidates
Vikings – Wide Reciever
Adam Thielen becomes the second Vikings’ receiver to make my Sell List in two weeks. Thielen has been boom or bust this season, with Week 4’s 8 catch, 114 yards, and a touchdown performance most recently. While he is definitely the WR1 in Minnesota, his schedule will get tough down the stretch. Over the next two weeks, he will offer matchups against Seattle and Atlanta – both in the top three for most fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. Over the last five weeks over the season, he will face 4 out of 5 teams ranked lowest for fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. Sell Thielen for the price of a top WR1 for a position of need, especially if you have been ravaged by injuries elsewhere.
Cowboys – Wide Reciever
This is definitely not for dynasty purposes, as CeeDee Lamb has shown why he should have been the first receiver off of the board back in April. He has produced double-digit fantasy points in every game thus far and at least 5 receptions. However, his 26-point performance last week was largely in part to being left wide open for a 47-yard touchdown. I’d expect this to be his ceiling this year with so many other mouths to feed in Dallas’ high-powered offense. Those who watch Lamb play see the ability and explosiveness, so try to use this recent performance to obtain a player with a more established role.
Chargers – Wide Reciever
This advice comes only on the contingency that Anthony Lynn is as adamant about Tyrod Taylor returning to the starting lineup as he said. In Week 1 with Tyrod Taylor under center, Allen finished as WR60 with 7.7 fantasy points in PPR scoring. Since Herbert has taken over the helm (Weeks 2-4), Allen has been WR6 with a league-leading 41 targets and 28 receptions. Continue to monitor this quarterback situation, and if Taylor becomes the starter, then prepare to ship Allen out.
Jason Staples, better known to friends as “Stapes,” has been playing fantasy football since he was in high school in the 90’s. He has a 7x Diamond rating in Yahoo Sports Fantasy Football with much credit to his team “There’s No L in Stapes.” He has 13 years of experience in education and currently serves as a middle school Reading Specialist, helping students strengthen their literacy skills. He also coaches middle school football, focusing on wide receivers and defensive backs. His favorite aspect of Fantasy Football is hosting an annual draft party as the commish each year with close friends. Jason currently resides in Virginia with his wife and two dogs.
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