
Buy Low
Aaron Jones (RB-GB) - The Packers smartly abandoned the run last week against Washington. With Davante Adams and Allen Lazard out, Jones should be used heavily as a receiver, which he always does well. Jones should be used the way Austin Ekeler and Christian McCaffrey are used in their offenses. Maybe Matt LaFleur will figure it out when Jones lights up the box score this week.
Daniel Jones (QB-NYG) - Jones had one of the better games of his career in terms of keeping mistakes to a minimum and doing what he could with a backup running back and two backup wide receivers. He’ll get at least some of his top skill players back this week, and against a woeful Kansas City defense on a national television stage. His value may not be this low again for a long time. He’s becoming a resident in the buy low column.
Calvin Ridley (WR-ATL) - Ridley has become a possession receiver this year, lowering his weekly ceiling and rendering him a lukewarm option outside of PPR leagues. That could change with the emergence of Kyle Pitts as a downfield beast. Matt Ryan hit Russell Gage on a long touchdown this week, which proves that he still has enough arm strength to get Ridley going again on the deep post routes that were responsible for juking his fantasy production in the past.
Tee Higgins (WR-CIN) - Higgins got 15 targets last week, and even though he didn’t do much with them, there’s a clear emphasis on his 50-50 ball game, and he should see a lot more single coverage with Ja’Marr Chase setting records on a weekly basis. This pass offense is tough to match up with and Higgins should have one-on-one battles that he can dominate with regularity, like this week against the Jets.
Tyler Lockett (WR-SEA) - Fantasy teams with Lockett have been resigned to benching him with Geno Smith in, but Russell Wilson should be back soon, maybe even in Week 10. Lockett could bounce back this week if the Seahawks actually stop running at stacked boxes, and the Jaguars corners could help him create a big play with their ineptitude. Lockett will be a fantasy asset down the stretch, but a struggling team that needs an option that will come through over the next two weeks might be inclined to deal him for less than they should.
Allen Robinson (WR-CHI) - Robinson just can’t help fantasy teams right now, which could mean you can get him for cheaper than you should be able to in dynasty leagues. He won’t be with the Bears next year, and who knows, if the team loses in embarrassing fashion, maybe, just maybe, he could be freed this year. He hasn’t lost anything and should be among the league’s best again as soon as he (if he ever) gets a competent quarterback.
Sell High
Tua Tagovailoa (QB-MIA) - You have to feel for Tagovailoa, who is continuously undermined by the Dolphins with leaks of their interest in Deshaun Watson. The 2020 #5 overall pick is actually on schedule in his development based on his performance over the last two weeks, and he is a fantasy asset, but he has also had the good luck of facing two of the worst pass defenses in the league. This week he gets Buffalo and Baltimore is up in Week 10 - if Tagovailoa is still the Dolphins starter. Deshaun Watson could be a Dolphins by then, and Tagovailoa could be in Houston or on the bench.
Mike Williams (WR-LAC) - The bye week gave us some distance from a three week stretch when Williams was worthless for fantasy twice sandwiched around a 8-165-2 line in the 47-42 shootout with the Browns. He is still seen as a breakout player on his way to a massive season, but between his injury record, Bill Belichick’s penchant for taking away the top option in the opposing offense - which has been Williams - and the sleeping giant that is Keenan Allen, Williams and Allen’s values should flip at some point. Cash in Williams at low end WR1 value if you can.
Jalen Hurts (QB-PHI) - You won’t get as much for Hurts as you would have a few weeks ago with the buzz building that Gardner Minshew could replace him at some point this year. The Eagles unwillingness to mold the offense around Hurts strengths tells you all you need to know about his future with the team. This week’s game against the Lions could be the knockout blow if Philadelphia gives Detroit their first win on the season.
Sell Low
Christian McCaffrey (RB-CAR) - With the Panthers likely out of the running for Deshaun Watson, we might be staring down the barrel of a lost season for the offense. McCaffrey hasn’t exactly been known for coming back from injuries on time over the last two years, which is another variable that could work against his remaining redraft value. If you are in a redraft league and holding McCaffrey, turning him into assets you can use now might be the difference between missing and making the playoffs. McCaffrey also gets Buffalo, Tampa, and New Orleans from Weeks 15-17, which isn’t the most promising schedule for a running back.