Buy Low
Stephen Anderson, TE, HOU - CJ Fiedorowicz is coming back this week, but he has already had two concussion this year, as has teammate Ryan Griffin. Anderson is free on a lot of waiver wires. He should be owned in tight end premium dynasty leagues. His redraft value is dim, but once Deshaun Watson is back, he could have a role in a very good offense.
Chad Kelly, QB, DEN - Another remind about Kelly. If your dynasty league has extra injured reserve slots, you might want to use one on Kelly. The Broncos aren’t going to activate him this year, and they could/should draft a quarterback in the first round. Kelly could win a fair competition, and he has a very fantasy friendly style of play. He more than hung in the SEC at Ole Miss.
Peyton Barber, RB, TB - Doug Martin and his champion Dirk Koetter are both in freefall right now. It is much easier to imagine a Bucs team with neither of them than one with either of them next year. Barber ran better than Martin last week and he should get ample opportunity to show next year’s coach what he can do, which is worth a roster spot in deep dynasty and redraft. Barber could have been a 3rd/4th round pick if he had stayed another year at Auburn, but he wanted to go pro because his mom was homeless.
Phillip Dorsett, WR, NE - Chris Hogan isn’t ready to play, so Dorsett is going to get more snaps this week. The Denver matchup is still not a great one despite loosening a bit, but remember that Dorsett came to the team at the eve of the season. They have expressed a desire to get him more involved and he should have a chance to play a bigger role in the second half of the season. He could revive some deep dynasty value and even chip in for deep redraft teams.
Devonta Freeman, RB, ATL - Freeman might be hurt worse than the team is letting on, but save for that sad possibility, he’s too good to be kept down for long. Steve Sarkisian’s game-planning and playcalling is an obstacle, but you’re betting on proven talent here. He is probably still almost impossible to pry away in dynasty, but some redraft teams might be willing to talk.
Thomas Rawls, RB, SEA - He’ll be underrated on waiver wires this week. Rawls was a sensation just two years ago and he’s only a young 24. Eddie Lacy is out of the way as an obstacle to touches, and CJ Prosise can’t seem to even get on the field, forget about stay. The Seahawks pass offense is high quality now and Duane Brown was just added to the list. He could be scoring and the toast of fantasy football again before long. Christine Michael was for a bit last year on the strength of scores and Rawls is better.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PIT - At risk of blooming Roethlisberger (Steeler fans are neurotic), I’ll get excited about Roethlisberger as a cheap answer at quarterback for the stretch run. I covered him a few weeks ago, but it’s worth repeating: He’s got an outstanding matchup this week (yes, on the road) with four home games in the next five and a road game but against Houston in Week 16. Juju Smith-Schuster is turning into a real #2 receiver. If Martavis Bryant can follow his lead, the offense could be very, very good with a healthier line and of course, LeVeon Bell.
Danny Woodhead, Alex Collins, Javorius Allen, RB, BAL - Just another reminder to be open to Woodhead as a potential season-saving RB2. The Ravens have terrific matchups in Weeks 10, 11, 15 and 16 and feed their backs when they are nursing a lead. Early signs pointed to Woodhead being a foundational offensive player. Collins could be an even cheaper dart that hits the bullseye. Allen should be added if he is dropped by an owner who sees Woodhead coming and wants to move on. Consider him a high value handcuff like James Conner behind a back who is more likely to miss time due to injury.
Keenan Allen, WR, LAC - Maybe next week will be even better after he is shut down by the Jaguars. It can’t hurt to ask now and plant the seed, and you might get a taker because his owner will see the Jacksonville matchup coming and want to dodge it. Buffalo, Dallas, Cleveland, Washington, Kansas City, and the Jets are Allen’s opponents from Weeks 11-16, which doesn’t look too imposing to me. He has been cold for four weeks, so this is a rare window where a still growing 25-year #1 receiver could be available in dynasty leagues, and his redraft owner can’t be impressed right now.
Cole Beasley, Brice Butler, Terrance Williams, WR, DAL - Williams had his best game as a pro last week, Butler has been eye-catching for a while now in a very small role, and Beasley had sustained value last year. All three are worth looks in deep redraft and dynasty leagues right now. Dak Prescott is playing incredibly well right now and the team might have to switch to a more pass-happy mode if they lose Ezekiel Elliott for six games. Beasley is an alternative to Elliott red zone carries. Butler and Williams could also have paths to more choice opportunity after Dez Bryant hurt his ankle.
Eric Ebron, TE, DET - Ebron looked as focused and confident last week as I’ve seen from him this year. The negativity around him might have sparked something. Matthew Stafford is throwing the ball well and the running game in Detroit up on blocks in the front yard. Ebron could have value yet and he’s only 24 with an added potential growth dimension in dynasty. He might be close to free right now.
Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison, WR, GB - All three receivers are useless in redraft. However, in dynasty, they could be available for a discount because of their current uselessness. Nelson is the best candidate to trade for at age 32, it’s hard to see him as a cap cut next year, but it’s easier to see Davante Adams signing elsewhere or Randall Cobb getting cut with his 8.6 million salary. Nelson’s is only 650,000 more than Cobb’s. He might be the most likely to be playing with Aaron Rodgers next year. While we’re on the subject add Allison, who has looked very capable, in deep dynasty as a potential top three receiver for Aaron Rodgers next year.
Sell High
T.Y. Hilton, WR, IND - Don’t bail in dynasty, but in redraft, Hilton faces a terrible schedule and the reality is that he has only beat up on bad defenses. He might go off on someone else’s roster, but evidence points towards major limitations against legitimate defenses, and with Jacksonville (13), Denver (15), and Baltimore (16) still coming up, that’s hard to swallow. You’ll feel better not having to debate whether to play him.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, HOU - Hopkins was fine against the Colts on the back of volume, but that’s a terrible defense. I would prefer to not trust Tom Savage or T.J. Yates with any part of my fantasy fate this year if I can help it. Jacksonville and Pittsburgh Weeks 15 and 16. Sell to the highest bidder.
Damien Williams, RB, MIA - I was wrong about Kenyan Drake’s progress and he’ll be a good flex going forward with potential for lasting value. Williams still looked ordinary to me despite his touchdown on the back of poor tackling and numerous receptions.
Jared Cook, TE, OAK - Cook has been a tease his whole career, but he has put together his best four-game stretch that I can remember going into his bye. If he’s not your TE1 (and you certainly didn’t expect him to be going into the season), it’s a good idea to sell him to a tight end needy team in all formats.
