Buy Low Sell High Fantasy Football
Waiver wire acquisitions aren’t the only way to transform your team after draft day is over. The art of the trade is knowing when to sell a hot hand about to cool and acquire a player with an upward trajectory. The purpose of this article is to identify players whose value has peaked and possibly trading them for a player with brighter days ahead.
Sometimes there’s nothing wrong with staying put, so always keep value in mind and demand more if you’re the owner of a player who is trending upwards. Timing is everything, especially in fantasy, so use this article as a tool to help your team turn the corner no matter where you stand this year.
Fantasy Football Buy Candidates
As the trade deadline and fantasy playoffs draw near, the emphasis of this article will be on buying and selling based upon playoff matchups. Some of the candidates may not be your normal “buy low” candidates, but with the easy playoff schedules, they are sure to see a rise in their stock. It’s never too early to start looking ahead, especially if you have the depth or if you are in a comfortable spot heading into the playoffs.
Bears – Running Back
David Montgomery is my favorite buy. He has great matchups for the rest of the season, including the fantasy playoffs. Week 12 through Week 14, he gets Green Bay, Detroit, and Houston, all in the top 3 for points allowed to running backs according to Yahoo Sports. In Week 16, the fantasy championships for most leagues, Montgomery gets Jacksonville’s poor run defense. Montgomery hasn’t produced huge numbers this year, but he’s unquestionably the workhorse for the Chicago Bears — he’s run the 3rd most routes, is 6th in targets, and 5th in receptions for running backs. If you do buy Montgomery, try not to get buyers’ remorse early, as you’re buying him for the late-season push and glory.
Jets – Wide Reciever
A groin injury kept Jamison Crowder out last week and could be back in Week 9, but he also has a bye in Week 10. Crowder also has a favorable matchup in the fantasy playoffs. The Jets take on Seattle in Week 14, who are giving up the most fantasy points to receivers this year. In Week 15, they take on a tough Rams defense, but I don’t see Ramsey following Crowder in the slot in this matchup. In Week 16, he gets the Browns, who are getting torched this year by slot receivers. When Crowder has been in the lineup, he’s produced, drawing double-digit targets and points in every game he’s played.
Bengals – Wide Reciever
Tyler Boyd isn’t exactly a “buy low” candidate as he currently sits at WR8 in PPR scoring, but he does at least have Tee Higgins stealing some of his thunder as of late. However, Boyd provides the type of consistency you want in the fantasy playoffs. After finishing the last two seasons as a WR2, he is one of the safest bets to finish this season as a WR1 with his easy playoff schedule. He faces the Cowboys in Week 14; no further explanation is needed. In Week 15, he takes on the Steelers, which could actually favor his role due to game flow. Championship week sees Boyd taking on Houston, who can’t stop any team’s best players. Boyd has been the player I’ve been highest on all year, and I expect that he can lead your team to the promised land.
Fantasy Football Sell Candidates
Browns – Running Back
Kareem Hunt had his chance to be the bell-cow back for the Browns over the past few weeks. He was expected to take off as possibly the RB1 and hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations. Nick Chubb could be back as soon as Week 10, which is after the Browns’ bye. I’d look to sell now while Chubb’s return is still uncertain, and you can offer a matchup against Houston in Week 10 as bait. Regardless of Chubb’s return, the Browns take on the Raven’s defense in Week 14, the first week of the fantasy playoffs. This Cleveland backfield could get crowded very soon, and that’s the type of thing I’d rather avoid when it’s win or go home.
Raiders – Running Back
You truly have to believe in matchups if you’re willing to take this risk. Josh Jacobs currently sits at RB11 in PPR scoring and just came off of a 128-yard rushing performance in Week 8. He has a tough playoff matchup though, taking on Indy’s stingy run defense in Week 14. If you survive this week, things will lighten up against the Chargers; but in Week 16 the Raiders take on a very improved Miami defense who just stymied the Rams’ rushing attack. Some weeks, Jacobs has virtually no presence in the passing game, particularly last week with only 1 target and 0 receptions. I’d consider moving him for a safer, less attractive player like Montgomery and another piece, as volume is the greatest asset a player can have in fantasy.
Bills – Wide Reciever
Diggs has provided the type of consistency I normally wouldn’t recommend selling, as he sits at WR6 in PPR scoring, 2nd in yards with 695, and has provided double-digit points in every game this year. However, his playoff schedule is very difficult as he gets Pittsburgh in Week 14, Denver in Week 15, and New England in Week 16. This could lead to Diggs facing Joe Haden, A.J. Bouye, and Stephon Gilmore, respectively. I would only sell Diggs if I knew that I was going to get true WR1 value (such as Tyler Boyd). Opportunity is everything; sometimes the best players lead their teams to victory because they create opportunities for other players, but that’s not the type of thing that helps your fantasy team.
Jason Staples, better known to friends as “Stapes,” has been playing fantasy football since he was in high school in the 90’s. He has a 7x Diamond rating in Yahoo Sports Fantasy Football with much credit to his team “There’s No L in Stapes.” He has 13 years of experience in education and currently serves as a middle school Reading Specialist, helping students strengthen their literacy skills. He also coaches middle school football, focusing on wide receivers and defensive backs. His favorite aspect of Fantasy Football is hosting an annual draft party as the commish each year with close friends. Jason currently resides in Virginia with his wife and two dogs.
