Buy Low
Marquise Brown, WR, BAL - He should be back this week, and on a national stage. While the Ravens offense is likely to be stifled by the Patriots historic defense, if the Ravens focus on taking away Lamar Jackson’s running ability first and foremost, Brown’s speed could come into play against man coverage that meshes with aggressive blitzing to force Jackson to make quick decisions with the ball. Cincinnati and Houston are up next and could be massive games for Brown, while his Week 1 coming out party is small enough in the rear view mirror for him be underestimated going forward.
Nick Foles, QB, Chris Conley, WR, JAX - This former Chiefs duo could be on your waiver wire. There’s still a strong chance Foles is the starter in Week 11 or 12, and Conley should be the #2 target with Dede Westbrook banged up. The Jaguars face a schedule of Tennessee, Tampa Bay, the Chargers, Oakland, and Atlanta as the cherry on top in Weeks 12-16. There should be strong passing numbers there for Foles to rack up. Remember, he recruited Conley to play for the Jaguars.
LeSean McCoy, RB, KC - This has turned into a frustrating committee that is subject to the whims of Andy Reid, but McCoy was emerging as the #1 before an ill-timed fumble last week. Damien Williams was reasonably successful when McCoy was benched, but McCoy has been outplaying him all season. Patrick Mahomes II is coming back soon to restore the punch to this offense, but for now Chiefs backs don’t seem like an essential commodity. That will change.
Jaylen Samuels, RB, PIT - Samuels is a very talented receiving back and he has made strides as a runner already in his young NFL career. James Conner has racked up four different injuries this year, and it feels like only a matter of time before he misses time, maybe even this week. The Steelers face a very weak second half schedule that should allow them to have a balanced offense and scoring opportunities for their running back, and that could very well be Samuels more than Conner.
Sell Low
Matt Ryan, QB, Calvin Ridley, WR, ATL - Ryan was a great fantasy quarterback for us until he got hurt and the Falcons ran into the Rams pass rush. Ryan will return after the bye, but four of his next five games are against the Saints and Panthers, who combine good cornerback play with a formidable pass rush. Ridley hasn’t regained his early season form and isn’t likely to get a lot of deep shots with a piecemeal line trying to protect their skittish quarterback. Look to sell during the bye week if you can get market value.
Sell High
Sony Michel, RB, NE - Patriots coaches rarely air their candid thoughts about player performances, so it was especially notable that longtime running backs coach Ivan Fears would call out Michel for too much east-west running. The Patriots are going to face a much tougher second half schedule that should force the offense to open up more, which might be the high weekly volume for Michel was already due to take a hit. Brandon Bolden, Rex Burkhead, and even for a blink Damien Harris have all looked like viable alternatives to Michel this year, so there’s no obvious corresponding buy low move.
Tevin Coleman, RB, SF - It feels terrible to trade a player like Coleman coming off of the best game of his career and going into a matchup with the cream puff Arizona defense, but that is the wise move unless he is essential to your starting lineup. The 49ers still have a committee in the backfield, and while Coleman is the healthiest right now, he has a lengthy injury history of his own, including an ankle injury earlier this season. If he is drawing an entrenched RB1 price redraft leagues, it is time to cash in.
Buy High
Daniel Jones, QB, NYG - If you’re cruising to the playoffs in your redraft league but haven’t settled on a quarterback and want to add a cheap option, look at Jones, who really came into his own as a passer last week against Detroit. He’s getting Sterling Shepard back soon and all of the sudden has an impressive and varied array of targets. Weeks 14-16 bring Philadelphia, Miami, Washington, and Week 13 he faces the reeling Green Bay pass defense, so Jones could finish this season on a high note a la 2018 Baker Mayfield.
Opportunity Knocks
Young players with the potential to make a mark this week
Brandon Allen, QB, DEN
Mo Alie-Cox, TE, IND
Ty Johnson, RB, DET
