We are getting to a crossroads part of the fantasy football season, especially in dynasty formats. On the path to your left, you have the real possibility that this just isn’t your year and it is time to begin planning the exit. Are you a “sell the farm” guy, or are you simply catching bad breaks? Do you lack depth and need that bye-week filler that you haven’t had this year? The left path is not where managers want to be, but if you go down it with a plan, there is light at the other end. The path to your right? That’s where you want to be. The lineup decisions have a real impact on future earnings, plaques, traveling trophies, etc. Do you make a move that puts you over the top, or are you confident the late-season waiver wire is where you’ll do damage? By all means, make the move that improves your team, regardless of the path chosen. If you need help with identifying the player trends, we have just the article for you! The everchanging stock market is here, and boy do we have some names for you! RING THE BELL!
High Dollar Stocks Trending Up
LB Roquan Smith: There may not be a more consistent big-name player this year than Smith. He is on an absolute tear, seemingly motivated by the Bears’ lack of interest in extending the linebacker beyond this year. He has 78 total tackles, two picks, and 2.5 sacks in just seven games played. He sits atop all other IDPs and shows no signs of slowing down. We have had some movement at the top over the past four weeks, but Smith now has the edge by 20 total points, so expect more of the same in the following weeks. He’s stock number one currently, deservedly so.
LB Jordyn Brooks: A player not talked about as much as he should be, Brooks is putting together another great season this time even without his former counterpart, linebacker Bobby Wagner. He is currently LB3 and just had his 25th birthday four days ago. He is a very stable asset in dynasty fantasy and likely was a top 3 IDP pick in redraft leagues. Managers of both league types should feel very good heading into this part of the year with a guy like Brooks managing the load.
DE Myles Garrett: Managers should no longer be afraid of the residual effects of his scary car accident from a few weeks ago. Garrett has looked just as good as before since his return and now has six sacks and 20 tackles on the year in six games played. He is liable to go off each and every week and has a case for best pound-for-pound defensive player in this league currently. He has a matchup this week against a Bengals o-line that, while being better recently, still has a reputation for allowing sacks in bunches. Garrett could be feasting even before the Thanksgiving month of November.
LB Pete Werner: Another week, another seven tackles for Werner. Now, it’s important to point out that he has had a dip in point production, but as a 23-year-old linebacker, consistent tackle numbers are a great way to start your career. He has had seven or more tackles in all but one game this year. If that doesn’t mean that you’re a valuable dynasty asset, then nothing will. We will be talking about this stud for many years to come, and if you drafted him or somehow acquired him kudos to you. It’s paying off early and often.
LB Foye Oluokon: It’s not always easy to trust players who change teams. It can sometimes mean schemes that don’t fit, personalities that aren’t suitable for another etc. Foye is dispelling all of this. Even with a stud rookie on his heels, he is picking up right where he left off with Atlanta. He has 70 total tackles and is sitting at LB2 currently. If you rolled the dice and acquired Foye in the early season or preseason, you’re a wizard. If you’re trying to get him now… Good luck! He’s a high-dollar guy producing high-dollar stats. He was a late bloomer, but man has he turned into a heck of a player. Jacksonville has found yet another stud inside linebacker.
High Dollar Stocks Trending Down
LB Devin White: White started the season as strongly as anyone could. In his first two games, he combined for 19 total tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble. Since then, he hasn’t had a single sack and it took him the next three games to eclipse the 19-tackle mark. Right now, he’s the second-best Devin at linebacker… All jokes aside, the inconsistency is concerning, and the Buccaneers as a whole just don’t feel like a team of fantasy contributors like they once were. Is this a result of the Tom Brady drama of the season, or is this just a bad few weeks? No need to panic sell here, but definitely keep your eyes on White.
LB Micah Parsons: Parsons is a great NFL linebacker. Last year he was both a good NFL and fantasy linebacker. This year, he’s been decent at best IDP formats. Currently at LB21, in dynasty rankings, he was almost unanimously a top ten player to have. He isn’t even currently top 20 at his position. It’s too soon to panic sell Parsons, but it’s clear that coaches have watched the film and are trying to take him away from the action leaving him as a sack-dependent outside linebacker. He’s a great boom-or-bust option, and if he can maintain the sack production this trend could be wrong. But if you have more stable options at linebacker, you should begin to look at starting them.
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