The best fantasy football players know that championships can be won and lost on the trading floor. You can sift through the waiver wire trash bins all day long, but sometimes you just have to wheel and deal your way to a championship caliber team (or in the case of my new dynasty league, one that just doesn’t suck so bad).
We asked some of our experts that have contributed their Rest-of-Season Rankings to give us one ‘buy low’ player to target in trades and one ‘sell high’ candidate to dish off before it’s too late. Anyone that swindled Jamaal Charles away from an impatient owner last week knows that timing is everything!
Check out the summary and read on for each expert’s rationale.
Looks like Muntradamus and Michael Pinchan would gladly do a trade involving Steven Jackson. The other obvious thing that stands out is how optimistic the experts are on Jordy Nelson picking things up for the remainder of the season. Each expert’s rationale is provided below…if you like their advice, we encourage you to follow them on Twitter and check out their sites.
Buy Low on Jordy Nelson
“I avoided Nelson in most drafts, as I felt he would indeed show some regression this season and surely fall short of his preseason ADP of 30. Looking ahead though, the Packers have one of the more favorable schedules for wide receivers as seven of Green Bay’s next twelve opponents rank in the bottom ten in term of allowing Fantasy Points to wide receivers.” – Michael Pinchan, RotoInfo
“Green Bay’s offense as a hole is in a bit of a funk to start 2012, and a lot of that has to do with sketchy offensive line play and brutal matchups versus elite defenses in the 49ers, Bears and Seahawks. Things get much easier in week 4 against a leaky Saints defense, and Nelson could be about to pop off.” – Kevin Roberts, NFL Soup
“There are a few players I am aiming at to buy low, but the one that strikes me the most is Jordy Nelson. He has started the season playing SF, Chi, and Sea. All of which are top 12 defenses against fantasy wideouts. Three of his next five games are against bottom 12 defenses. Get him before he blows up against New Orleans.” – Michael Tagliere, TagsFantasyFootball
Buy Low on Steven Jackson
“If Jeff Fisher is known for one thing, it is that he will run his RBs into the ground if it means them having a good season. Look at Chris Johnson the year he ran for 2,000+ Yards and Eddie George throughout his career. The Rams have no choice but to run the ball effectively if they want to win games. After a tough matchup against a good Bears Run defense on the road and less than 100% health, his owners will panic.” – Muntradamus, Beast Dome
Buy Low on Ryan Mathews
“Before his preseason injury, many experts had Mathews ranked inside their top-five fantasy running backs. With the injury that forced him to miss the first two games of the season and a mediocre season debut last week fresh in their minds, his fantasy owners may be more receptive than usual to your offer(s). Act fast, though, as four of his next five matchups are against the Chiefs (twice), Browns and Saints (all of whom rank 22nd or worse against the run).” – Kevin Hanson, EDS Football
Buy Low on Kenny Britt
“Britt’s six receptions for 55 yards in Week 3 were nothing special. However, when we account for his limited routes and playing time (59% of snaps) he looks a lot better. If he can manage 12 targets in that amount of playing time, there is nowhere for him to go but up. Expect more playing time, an expanded route tree and top-20 fantasy numbers for Britt from here on out.” – Sean Morris, Bruno Boys
Buy Low on Cam Newton
“My, how quickly things change in the NFL world. The flavor of last season, Newton is now being derided for his lack of mental acuity in recent weeks. He’ll silence the naysayers real quick with a flick of his wrist and the stomp of his cleats.” – Dorian Colbert, RosterWatch
Sell High on Alfred Morris
“Through Week 3, Morris is averaging more than 20 carries per game and the next closest running back is Evan Royster, who has a TOTAL of five during that span. With what appears to be a rock-solid grip on the featured back role in DC (even after the signing of Ryan Grant today), Morris’ value is unlikely to get any higher and I would cash in before the Shanahans pull the carpet out from underneath you. Regardless of what you may want to believe, we all know deep down inside that will happen eventually.” – Kevin Hanson, EDS Football
“Morris has put up solid numbers all season and he needs to be traded off before owners forget that. The Redkins signed Ryan Grant today, adding yet another competitor for carries to the mix. They face four of the NFL’s toughest defenses to run on in their next five contests. Don’t be surprised if the dreaded Shanahan RBBC asserts itself during that stretch.” – Sean Morris, Bruno Boys
Sell High on Michael Turner
“Though the end result was pleasing, Turner was on the field last week 32 plays to Jacquizz Rodgers’ 34. This can only be a harbinger of things to come in Atlanta. Grab a lifeboat while you can, cause this ship is sinking.” – Dorian Colbert, RosterWatch
Sell High on C.J. Spiller
“As much as I wanted to say Michael Turner, I would have to go with CJ Spiller. I really am in love with Spiller’s talent, and reports say that he may even play this week. Even if not, sell the fact that he is still leading the league in fantasy points and that there is no way that they can take the starting job away after what he has done. In reality, we have no idea what Gailey will do with him and FJax, but I see a 50/50 split when both are healthy.” – Michael Tagliere, TagsFantasyFootball
Sell High on Larry Fitzgerald
“Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy and I think he’ll be fine overall for the year, but you really don’t have a choice due to his spotty quarterback play – especially if John Skelton is the starter again for some reason. Owners everywhere were hoping for a big game in week three to up his value, and that’s exactly what happened. It’s time to cash in and get some quality return for Fitz.” – Kevin Roberts, NFL Soup
Sell High on Philip Rivers
“Rivers has a weak arm that cannot get the ball to his deep threat Robert Meachem. His best WR Malcolm Floyd is not one you can count on for a full season. His #1 target in the passing game Antonio Gates is not 100% this early in the season. Now their star RB Ryan Mathews is getting close to full strength. With a weak defense that can be exposed if the Chargers do not win Time Of Possession battles. It is very possible the Chargers become a run heavy team leaving Rivers with numbers that put him outside of the top 18 QBs nearly every week. Sell now while you can, you will not win your Fantasy Football League with Rivers as your starting QB. Pair him with another player to upgrade your QB.” – Muntradamus, BeastDome
Sell High on Steven Jackson
“It may be difficult to necessarily sell high on Rams Steven Jackson, but selling him is the best option going forward. St. Louis has one of the worse offensive lines in the NFL, they arguably have one of the toughest schedules going forward (Cardinals, and Niners twice, along with a game versus the Jets and Seahawks in six of their next nine games), and add to that Jackson is already banged up. I suggest targeting Fantasy teams that have CJ Spiller, Ahmad Bradshaw (who missed out on Andre Brown), I’d even trade Steven Jackson for Chris Johnson or Michael Turner, if that were possible in your league(s).” – Michael Pinchan, RotoInfo
I want to thank our featured experts for contributing their advice. Good luck with your trading this week and be sure to play our start/sit accuracy game if you want to see how you stack up to the pros.
