Buy Low
Kyler Murray, QB, Christian Kirk, Larry Fitzgerald, WR, David Johnson, RB, ARI - Seattle, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and the New York Giants are up in the next four weeks. There will be more lapses by these defenses and this offense will show more of its capabilities in upcoming games, catch the wave before it arrives.
Justice Hill, RB, BAL, Damien Harris, RB, NE, Darrell Henderson, RB, LAR - These rookie running backs arrived with a lot of hoopla, but have barely gotten the chance to contribute. The buzz has worn off in dynasty leagues and they might be available for less than you think due to disappointment. Mark Ingram is reminding us how good the Ravens running game is for efficiency, Sony Michel isn’t looking like a big obstacle to Harris’s future opportunity and Todd Gurley doesn’t look like a back who will ever be the player we were in awe of for the last few years again. The reality is that from a mid and long term perspective, these backs have all had positive developments in their outlooks. Short term is dictated more by injury, which can strike like lightning at any moment. Don’t let these backs sit on the wire in redraft leagues if you can help it.
Byron Pringle, WR, KC - Patrick Mahomes II is a fantasy value factory. Yes, Tyreek Hill will return soon, but Sammy Watkins isn’t known for durability. Injuries happen. Pringle could matter this year yet. More importantly from a dynasty perspective, Demarcus Robinson is a free agent next year, Sammy Watkins the year after that, and you never know about Hill and off-field stories. If Pringle sticks, a larger role with Mahomes should be in his future.
Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson, RB, LAC - This is the moment to pounce on Ekeler in dynasty leagues. He has proven to be more than capable as a lead back and the Chargers are surely going to give him that job next year. Jackson has also performed well and will carry Ekeler injury and second contract/role upside. Melvin Gordon’s return will be a temporary dip in their values. Gordon is a decent trade target in dynasty leagues if his team started 0-3 because of his absence.
James White, RB, NE - White needs more competitive games to matter more for Tom Brady. They are coming in the second half of the year. Julian Edelman is banged up, White is probably the team’s best goal to go back right now, and while we hope Josh Gordon stays on the field, it’s not a given. White is going to matter in PPR leagues again soon. He’s a cheap way to patch a hole at running back.
Phillip Dorsett, WR, NE - Dorsett has come into his own as a core target for Tom Brady, and Antonio Brown isn’t around to take targets and snaps from him. As mentioned above, Gordon and Edelman could disappear at any time and concentrate even more of the offense on Dorsett. He’s cheap and more useful that the fantasy hive mind realizes.
Corey Davis, WR, TEN - If you’ve coveted Davis in a dynasty league, his team is going to be as disappointed with him as they’ll ever be. He’s lineup kryptonite and there’s no quarterback savior in sight. Ryan Tannehill might perk things up a little and Davis has shown enough ability to believe that eventually someone is going to turn it into consistent production.
Darius Slayton, WR, NYG - Slayton has the deep threat role and it looks like he has a quarterback to create something out of it. Once Saquon Barkley is back, he’ll get to benefit from safeties playing more often in the box, and they have to worry about Evan Engram in the middle of the field. He could surprise if his hands are consistent.
Kenny Stills, WR, HOU - He is riffing with Deshaun Watson downfield and we all know Will Fuller’s injury history. It’s only a matter of time before he’s starting and getting Fuller’s deep targets.
Sell High
Wayne Gallman, RB, NYG - Gallman is a quintessential NFL backup running back. He has enough burst, toughness, and passing game prowess to be a functional player when pressed into duty. He might harvest value from goal-line opportunities or favorable game scripts, but he’ll never be a team’s best running back for long. He has value for now but soon will fall back off of the radar.
Jameis Winston, QB, TB - Sure, Winston got over on the Giants defense, but the Rams, Saints, and Panthers are up next and they won’t be as accommodating as the Giants were. Quarterbacks are usually hard to trade, but there have been enough injuries to make a potential market in both redraft and dynasty leagues.
Jared Goff, QB, LAR - Maybe Daniel Jones cracked the Bucs defense, but I’m not forgetting their impressive two games to open the season. Goff faced a toothless Browns secondary last week and was only modestly successful for fantasy. The rushing touchdown that put him over the top against the Saints was this close to being a Cooper Kupp score. Cash him in on the reputation of last year if there’s a market.
Buy High
Marquise Brown, WR, BAL - His value rise got a little breather when Lamar Jackson couldn’t find him open deep a few times vs. the Chiefs. This offense is set up to manufacture chances for him to get open deep against tentative defenses and the big games will come and make any valleys worth it. Make an aggressive offer for him.
Opportunity Knocks
Players still on the upslope of their career arc with a chance to see more snaps and opportunities to touch the ball this week
Diontae Johnson, WR, PIT - Still overshadowing James Washington, although the quarterback change makes this less exciting
KeeSean Johnson, Trent Sherfield, WR, ARI - Damiere Byrd’s injury and Michael Crabtree’s release open the door here, although Andy Isabella is looming if the team wants to try him outside.
Dawson Knox, TE, BUF - Consider him a buy low. The team used him on a carry, in the end zone, and downfield, where he looked like Vance McDonald against the Bucs last year.
Auden Tate, WR, CIN - He has overtaken Damion Willis. A tall, slowish receiver who is hard to beat at the catch point.
Antonio Callaway, WR, CLE - Back from suspension next week and Rashard Higgins isn’t getting healthier.
Deon Cain, Zach Pascal, Parris Campbell, WR, IND - There’s no reason for T.Y. Hilton to play this week with Kansas City up next and a bye after that.
Hunter Renfrow, WR, OAK - Ryan Grant’s release could mean more snaps and targets.
Brian Hill, RB, ATL - If Ito Smith can’t clear protocol, although he’s on track to
Kelvin Harmon, WR, WAS - If Terry McLaurin has a problem with his hamstring
Anthony Miller, Javon Wims, WR, CHI - If Taylor Gabriel can’t clear protocol, and he has a short week to do it
Devin Smith, WR, DAL - Continued opportunity with Michael Gallup out
Robert Tonyan Jr, TE, GB - We’re waiting for the team to accept what Jimmy Graham is, and Graham is hurt. Patience may be necessary here
Mack Hollins, WR, PHI - Continued opportunity with Desean Jackson out
Justin Watson, Scotty Miller, WR, TB - Could see snaps if Chris Godwin is out
