NEWS
I like to make fantasy football trades. Really, who doesn’t? We all look at other teams’ rosters, checking out who we might be able to snag without giving up too much, who can make our teams better, who someone might be too low on, etc. Fantasy football trades are fun. Each week, I’ll be writing a column describing some guys I’d be trading for and why. Usually, they’ll be “buy low” guys, but sometimes they’ll just be guys that I might be higher on than most. I’ll also be giving you some sell high guys who you should try to trade away while their values are high. We’re now four weeks into the season and starting to get a better sense of value for guys across the league. It’s a perfect time to start making moves with the rest of the year (and bye weeks) in mind.
Buy Low
Tony Romo (QB, DAL) – FIVE picks. FIVE. But we all realize he’s better than that, right? And that Romo has far too many weapons around him to not be at least somewhat successful the rest of the season? The numbers aren’t pretty so far, but he has no choice except to get better because, really, it doesn’t get much worse than that game against the Bears. I still think Romo will be in the conversation of top 10-12 quarterbacks at the end of the season. With Jason Witten rounding back into form and the receiving corps healthy (for now), Romo’s a good target for teams who have a borderline or low-end starter right now.
Mikel Leshoure (RB, DET) – Yes, he was a sell high candidate last week. And, based off of his week four performance, you probably should have done that. But much like Romo, it can only go back up from here for Leshoure. He has a bye in week five, which will help him to recover from his nagging groin injury. He’s also being used more in the passing game. That’s crucial in this offense that focuses more on the pass than anything else. Owners of Leshoure can’t be pleased with 13 carries for 26 yards and a lost fumble, so take advantage of the opportunity to grab a starting running back while you can.
Antonio Brown (WR, PIT) – This may be a bit of a surprise to you guys. If you look at his numbers, he’s actually having a pretty decent season so far. So why is he the 44th ranked wide receiver so far? Ah, the Steelers had a bye in week four. This isn’t for those of you who morally uphold the game of fantasy football. This is more for those looking to win at all costs. Hope that he’s on a team owned by someone who isn’t quite paying attention. Try to engage this person in a conversation about wide receiver rankings and points totals. Win that argument. Is it sneaky? Absolutely. Honest? Probably not. But it can work. I’ve done it twice this season already.
Fred Davis (TE, WAS) – 19th tight end overall? With how well RG3 has been playing thus far? Owners can’t be happy considering where they must have drafted the highly touted Davis. Here’s some higher scoring tight ends so far: Brandon Myers, Marcedes Lewis and Dante Rosario. What about on his own team? Pierre Garcon, who missed two games, and Leonard Hankerson, who did nothing in week one, both have more points than Davis. So why are you buying? Each of the last two weeks, Davis has finished ninth in fantasy points amongst tight ends. He’s showing signs of life. And he’s just too good to not break out of this. The only real competition he has in the receiving corps should be Garcon, and even then Davis might be more physically talented. Look for Davis and RG3 to get on the same page more and more each week.
Sell High
Joe Flacco (QB, BAL) – As the current sixth-highest scoring quarterback this season, saying Flacco is overrated may be the understatement of the year. Yes, the Ravens have actually come through after saying they were going to change the style of their offense. And Flacco is airing it out with some serious success, but this offense runs through Ray Rice. Literally. Just about any day now, I’m expecting the patented Flacco down-to-earth game where he goes 18-32 for 180 yards and an interception. He’s a borderline starting option the rest of the season, at best.
Alfred Morris (RB, WAS) – Oh, Mike Shanahan. Must you tease us all the time? You have a guy who looks like he could be a stud running back, and yet, you know you’re going to bench him the first time he loses a fumble. At that time, Evan Royster will almost definitely have 100 yards and two touchdowns. Have a scared you enough yet? This is what happens with all running backs in a Shanahan system. Morris is good for the time being, but when he makes a mistake for the first time, just wait for the Shanahan overreaction. It’s coming.
Brian Hartline (WR, MIA) – Quick, name the NFL’s leader in receiving yards. If you had paid any attention to Miami in week four, you’d know it was Hartline. The man went off. 12 catches for 253 yards and a touchdown. That’s just insanity. This is an easy one, though. You know this production won’t keep up, or Hartline would end up having the best season of all-time for a wide receiver. Considering his quarterback is rookie Ryan Tannehill, I’d say the odds are significantly stacked against that. Look for Hartline to be a decent number three wideout the rest of the way, but see what you can get for him while he’s the third-highest ranked wide receiver in fantasy football.
Scott Chandler (TE, BUF) – My man. I’ve been loving this guy since the Bills were talking about him as the best pass-catcher in training camp. Yes, over Stevie Johnson. And I think he could be a decent starting tight end the rest of the season. Really, while Ryan Fitzpatrick is still playing well, what other red zone targets do they have? But I certainly don’t see Chandler finishing the year as the fifth-best tight end in the NFL, which is where he is currently ranked. Also, he may have suffered a concussion on Sunday. See if you can deal him while Chan Gailey and the rest of the Bills’ coaching staff remains adamant that Chandler is “fine.”
Find Dan Croop on Twitter @dancroop
For Week 5 Waivers info chek here: http://www.ffblife.com/Latest/12cotmweek5.html
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