IDP Stock Market: Week 9

It is the Spookiest week of the year! Trick or Treat! I can assure you that the NFL has its fair share of both. There’s always been something about this time of year where it feels like time is speeding up. Maybe it’s the darkness coming early or the holidays rapidly becoming a focus of our minds; whatever the case, if time is speeding up, that means we need to speed up with it. We are getting closer and closer to trade deadlines and even the fantasy playoffs. Our moves may scare us, but we can't let the fear of All Hallows Eve stop us from making those moves. So today, let’s ring the doorbell and see what treats we get from the IDP Stock Market Week 9.  

Fortune 5

Stock Up: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh

You don’t need me to tell you this, but T.J. Watt is still at the top of his game. Despite being the dreaded 30, Watt is having as good a season as ever, and each time he has had a bad game (just two this season), he has exploded the next week. Week 5, he had 8 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble coming off his first bad game. This week, coming off a bad Week 7, he has seven total tackles, two sacks, and a forced and recovered fumble! He’s pacing to achieve above-average tackle numbers for him, and he is showing us an ability to get after the quarterback still. He’s still on a shortlist of must-have players at the edge position.

Stock Up: Bobby Okereke, NY Giants

Managers nervous that Okereke was potentially bottoming out must feel good looking at his stat sheet this week. He had arguably the best game of his career on Monday night with 14 total tackles, a forced and recovered fumble, and a half-sack. He was beginning to get on the radar for players that need to be benched until we saw something, and thankfully, we've now seen something. I think the midseason woes are probably closer to who he is now in this phase of his career, but Okereke is still a player that needs to be on your roster if you have him. I doubt his value in a trade is worth what you get, and if anything, he is good depth. There are worse options that can be played at this position, so hang in there.  

Stock Up: Will Anderson Jr., Houston

Anderson was a candidate for the clichéd sophomore slump, but over the last three weeks, we are finally seeing something out of him. He has more sacks and tackles in the last three weeks than the previous five! Normally, a variance like this makes me want to further evaluate a player, but we all know what Anderson is capable of, so it is time we believe in his abilities again. Players like Anderson are hard to find, and you likely were always starting him in lineups despite the poor play. It must feel much better this week and will continue to feel this way moving forward.

Stock Up: Edgerrin Cooper, Green Bay

Who doesn’t like to hype up a rookie linebacker?! The possible candidate for defensive rookie of the year for IDP Fantasy Football must be within reach for Cooper this season. While I wouldn’t argue against you if you prefer rookie Safety Tyler Nubin, I believe the consistency is easier to see out of a linebacker and Cooper is showing us that here lately. He's had 5+ tackles in four of his last five games and is also showing us an ability to get to the quarterback! He has 2.5 sacks on the season, has forced a fumble, and has defended passes. There isn’t much he can't do, and we are seeing this benefit not just the Packers but fantasy teams as well. It may be time to consider a call-up from your taxi squad.

Stock Up: Ernest Jones IV, Seattle

If this is the type of play Jones is going to have after a trade, then by all means, trade him again! The only player I know who has ever been traded twice in the same season. It isn’t exactly a great thing for a player to move teams midseason, and we usually expect a bit of a dip when they’re feeling their way out, but Jones had as good a game as he has had all year! Fifteen total tackles against the Bills. Just like that, Jones may be fighting for a top spot in IDP once again. He’s 24 years old, so as a dynasty asset, he is a buy. If you're a manager who suffered through both moves, you have to feel like he's found a real home here in Seattle.