Buy Low
David Johnson, RB, ARI - Johnson has fallen out of favor in fantasy circles despite a start to the season in PPR leagues that justified his first round draft capital. He should be on the field more often as a receiver with Kenyan Drake aboard to get running back carries and save Johnson some punishment. The Bucs should give up boatloads of points, so Johnson is likely to hit the ground running for fantasy upon his return this week.
Marquise Brown, WR, Mark Andrews, TE, BAL - Defenses are bound to overplay Lamar Jackson as a runner and force him to beat them as a passer as the year goes on. The Bengals defense is porous and could allow big days to both Brown and Andrews on only a handful of targets. Andrews went for 6-99 and Brown didn’t play in the first matchup. The Texans secondary is up next in another favorable spot for Jackson’s two favorite pass catchers.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Odell Beckham, WR, CLE - Mayfield’s value is unlikely to get lower in dynasty leagues right now, except maybe next week if the Bills stifle him this weekend. He was coveted coming into the season and could bounce back to some extent by season’s end. If you’ve coveted Mayfield in the past now is a good time to make an offer. Beckham likewise has bottomed out in fantasy trustworthiness and should be available in both redraft and dynasty for as cheap as he has been in a long time. It just takes one game that Beckham takes over to make him the centerpiece of the offense.
Keelan Cole, WR, JAX - Cole is a bargain basement pickup going into his bye with momentum coming out of Week 9. At one point he was a fantasy underdog story with his arrow pointing up coming out of a triumphant UDFA rookie year. Dede Westbrook is banged up, Chris Conley has been inconsistent, and the Jaguars have a sweet schedule against the pass down the stretch.
Keenan Allen, WR, LAC - Allen has shaken fantasy team confidence and might have opened a crack in the door for a trade offer in redraft and dynasty. He is still at his peak and while his hamstring might be limiting him more than he or the team is letting on, the Raiders are a get right matchup on national television that could slam any buy low window shut.
Robby Anderson, WR, NYJ - Anderson is a seductive talent whose December with Sam Darnold still haunts fantasy teams looking for a shot in the arm at wide receiver. The Giants secondary is prone to the big play and Anderson already reminded us once this year that he can make a fantasy week on one play. Washington, Oakland, Cincinnati and Miami are up the next four weeks to create a nice runway for Anderson’s takeoff.
Gerald Everett, TE, LAR - Everett was drafted to be a receiving specialist and his talents are especially needed now with Brandin Cooks on the shelf. The Steelers have allowed two multi-score games to tight ends already this year, so he could take off and Arizona and Seattle are coming up in Weeks 13 and 14 as possible showcase games for him. He might be moving into the high rent fantasy tight end district.
Jared Cook, TE, NO - Cook has been underwhelming as a fantasy option, but he’ll get Atlanta and Tampa three of the next four weeks and he was coming on with Teddy Bridgewater before getting hurt. Drew Brees return can only help him as the two continue to get acclimated to their relationship on the field. Cook could still be a savior at tight end.
Michael Gallup, WR, DAL - Gallup is a redraft buy low but likely tough to pry away from his team in dynasty. Dak Prescott is continuing to set new heights in his level of play and Amari Cooper is continuing to rack up nagging injuries. It’s not difficult to picture Gallup as the #1 for some important weeks on the fantasy calendar this year.
Sell High
David Montgomery, RB, CHI - Montgomery has strung together two good fantasy weeks, but that doesn’t mean that he or the Bears offense is all of the sudden trustworthy when we are setting our lineups. Jordan Howard would have been as successful as Montgomery from a fantasy perspective if he had gotten Montgomery’s touches the last two weeks, which should give you an idea of Montgomery’s dynasty value.
Buy High
Kenyan Drake, RB, ARI - Drake made a splash in his return, but fantasy players are wary of him and probably factoring in a big hit to his value with David Johnson’s return. The Cardinals might not follow through on the hopes of rational coaching, but it is in the team’s best interests for Johnson and Drake to be on the field at the same time, with Johnson lined up more often as a receiver. Drake looked revived last week and he turned down an extension from Miami, so he probably feels like he has a new lease on his football life.
Damien Williams, RB, KC - Can we just pretend it’s Week 1 again? Williams cost a 3rd-4th round pick back then, and he wouldn’t cost nearly that much now. His 91-yard run redeemed him in the coaches eyes and his role is growing just as Patrick Mahomes II is coming back to soup up the offense and create red zone scoring opportunities, in addition to giving Williams a lot more potential in the passing game.
DeVante Parker, WR, MIA - It’s easy to get stuck on Parker’s history of disappointment and never delivering on raised expectations, but he has actually done it this year, and in a terrible offense on a terrible team. Now he’s poised to be the #1 with Ryan Fitzpatrick winging it and giving him ample chances to have a fantasy impact. He’s still in his prime and could be a fantasy force if a better situation materializes around him and he can stay healthy.
Buy Low or Sell High
Kareem Hunt, RB, CLE - We will look back at this point in Hunt’s career as a temporary low point or high point in his value. Either he is going to look as good or nearly as good in Cleveland as he did in Kansas City and regain a lot of his lost value entering a season that could see him dangled on the trade market if he look good, or he will look ordinary and blend into the group of backup running backs with some promise but no clear path to value.
Opportunity Knocks
Young players with a chance to add to their dynasty value
Ryan Finley, QB, Auden Tate, Alex Erickson, WR, CIN
Chester Rogers, Deon Cain, Ashton Dulin, WR, IND
Kalen Ballage, Patrick Laird, Myles Gaskin, RB, MIA
Tajae Sharpe, WR, TEN
Brian Hill, RB, ATL
