How did your dynasty fantasy football team finish the 2018 season? Did you take down another fantasy championship? Do you feel jaded because you missed playoffs? Are you feeling frustrated because your team just can’t get over the hump?
Whatever emotions you are feeling right now cannot be ignored. As a dynasty player, there is no offseason. This article will share four players you should buy and one you should sell.
Zay Jones (WR – BUF) – Buy
Did you know that Jones scored five of his seven touchdowns over the last five games of 2018? He averaged 52 receiving yards and 8.4 targets per game over that span. This was an improvement over the 36 receiving yards per game Jones averaged during the first 12 games of the season.
| Player Name | Team | POS | GMS | TGTS | REC | PCT | YDS | AIR YDS | TD | PPR |
| Zay Jones | BUF | WR | 16 | 102 | 56 | 54.9 | 652 | 1256 | 7 | 165.2 |
| Kelvin Benjamin | BUF | WR | 13 | 61 | 22 | 36 | 322 | 1050 | 1 | 60.2 |
| Robert Foster | BUF | WR | 13 | 44 | 27 | 61.4 | 541 | 940 | 3 | 99.1 |
| Terrelle Pryor | BUF | WR | 8 | 30 | 16 | 53.3 | 252 | 111 | 2 | 53.1 |
| Isaiah McKenzie | BUF | WR | 8 | 30 | 18 | 60 | 179 | 290 | 0 | 52.5 |
| Deonte Thompson | BUF | WR | 13 | 30 | 17 | 56.7 | 161 | 190 | 0 | 33.1 |
Jones dealt with obstacles heading into last season. These included the infamous Los Angeles residential complex incident and two offseason surgeries that caused him to miss the Bills entire offseason program.
Quarterback Josh Allen threw more passing yards, touchdowns, and increased his QBR by nearly 11 points over the final six games of the 2018 season when compared to his first six games as a starter.
| WK | OPP | Passing | Rushing | PPG | FPTS | ||||||||||
| CMP | ATT | PCT | YDS | AVG | TD | INT | RAT | ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | ||||
| 1 | BAL | 6 | 15 | 40 | 74 | 4.9 | 0 | 0 | 55.97 | 4 | 26 | 6.5 | 0 | 5.6 | 5.56 |
| 2 | LAC | 18 | 33 | 54.5 | 245 | 7.4 | 1 | 2 | 63.32 | 8 | 32 | 4 | 0 | 13 | 13 |
| 3 | MIN | 15 | 22 | 68.2 | 196 | 8.9 | 1 | 0 | 111.17 | 10 | 39 | 3.9 | 2 | 27.7 | 27.74 |
| 4 | GB | 16 | 33 | 48.5 | 151 | 4.6 | 0 | 2 | 36.3 | 5 | 19 | 3.8 | 0 | 1.9 | 1.94 |
| 5 | TEN | 10 | 19 | 52.6 | 82 | 4.3 | 0 | 1 | 42 | 4 | 19 | 4.8 | 1 | 9.2 | 9.18 |
| 6 | HOU | 10 | 17 | 58.8 | 84 | 4.9 | 0 | 0 | 71.69 | 4 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 5.4 | 5.36 |
Allen missed multiple games due to injury, but returned Week 12. His rushing ability gives him a higher ceiling than most fantasy quarterbacks.
| WK | OPP | Passing | Rushing | PPG | FPTS | ||||||||||
| CMP | ATT | PCT | YDS | AVG | TD | INT | RAT | ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | ||||
| 12 | JAX | 8 | 19 | 42.1 | 160 | 8.4 | 1 | 0 | 89.8 | 13 | 99 | 7.6 | 1 | 26.3 | 26.3 |
| 13 | MIA | 18 | 33 | 54.5 | 231 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 71.65 | 9 | 135 | 15 | 0 | 28.7 | 28.74 |
| 14 | NYJ | 18 | 36 | 50 | 206 | 5.7 | 0 | 2 | 44.44 | 9 | 101 | 11.2 | 1 | 18.3 | 18.34 |
| 15 | DET | 13 | 26 | 50 | 204 | 7.8 | 1 | 0 | 89.26 | 9 | 16 | 1.8 | 1 | 19.8 | 19.76 |
| 16 | NE | 20 | 41 | 48.8 | 217 | 5.3 | 1 | 2 | 52.59 | 5 | 30 | 6 | 0 | 11.7 | 11.68 |
| 17 | MIA | 17 | 26 | 65.4 | 224 | 8.6 | 3 | 1 | 114.9 | 9 | 95 | 10.6 | 2 | 40.5 | 40.46 |
The expectation is that the chemistry between Allen and Jones will continue to develop in Brian Daboll’s offense throughout the offseason. Robert Foster generated buzz as a rookie and was more efficient than Jones with his targets. Allen had a QBR of 127.2 when targeting him. It’s possible that some dynasty players may be aggressively targeting Foster this offseason. You should be a contrarian and target Jones.
It is not a coincidence that Jones was more productive once Foster emerged. Both receivers help one another on the field. The Bills front office will target a third receiver in free agency or the NFL Draft. Next season Jones should meet the lofty expectations placed on him after being draft in the second round of the 2017 draft.
Antonio Callaway (WR – CLE) – Buy
The only other Browns receiver with more air yards than Callaway (1,100) was Jarvis Landry (1,729). The rookie started the season slowly, but you may have forgotten that Callaway missed his final college season due to a suspension. As a result, he fell to the fourth round of the NFL Draft, but Callaway has the skill set of a first-round receiver. He struggled early in the season.
| WK | OPP | TGTS | REC | PCT | YDS | TD | PPR |
| 1 | PIT | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | NO | 4 | 3 | 75 | 81 | 1 | 17.8 |
| 3 | NYJ | 10 | 4 | 40 | 20 | 0 | 6 |
| 4 | OAK | 9 | 3 | 33 | 54 | 0 | 8.4 |
| 5 | BAL | 5 | 3 | 60 | 22 | 0 | 5.2 |
| 6 | LAC | 7 | 2 | 29 | 9 | 0 | 4.9 |
| 7 | TB | 2 | 1 | 50 | 14 | 0 | 2.4 |
| 8 | PIT | 6 | 5 | 83 | 36 | 1 | 14.6 |
| 9 | KC | 5 | 3 | 60 | 51 | 0 | 8.1 |
| 10 | ATL | 2 | 2 | 100 | 39 | 0 | 5.9 |
| 12 | CIN | 5 | 4 | 80 | 62 | 1 | 16.2 |
| 13 | HOU | 6 | 3 | 50 | 84 | 0 | 9.4 |
| 14 | CAR | 1 | 1 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 15 | DEN | 7 | 5 | 71 | 35 | 1 | 14.5 |
| 16 | CIN | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | BAL | 7 | 4 | 57 | 79 | 1 | 17.9 |
Things began to trend up for Callaway once Baker Mayfield was under center and Freddie Kitchens was calling plays over the final eight games. His chemistry with Mayfield and the offense should improve heading into the 2019 season as the two work together during the offseason. Callaway has the athleticism to attack defenses vertically and Mayfield has the arm strength and accuracy to deliver the football. He’s in a prime position to break out next season.
Ian Thomas (TE – CAR) – Buy
Greg Olsen’s season-ending right foot injury in Week 13 last season opened the door for Thomas to play more snaps. The rookie tight end caught 20 of 27 targets for 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns over the Panthers last four games.
Christian McCaffrey, Curtis Samuel, and Ian Thomas will be 23 when next season starts. DJ Moore will only be 22. This is the brightest the future has been on offense for the Panthers in a while. Plus you have Trai Turner and Taylor Moton who will be 26 and 25. #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/ssNSzePamF
— The Panthers Fanbase Doesn't Deserve Cam Newton (@TLSPanthers) January 23, 2019
Quarterback Cam Newton has a history of heavily targeting his tight end. Olsen averaged 7.8 targets per game from 2014 to 2016. He became the first tight end in NFL history during that time frame to accumulate 1,000 or more receiving yards for three consecutive seasons. Olsen’s foot injuries have caused him to miss 16 combined games since 2016.
Thomas was drafted by the Panthers in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Tight end Chris Manhertz also signed a two-year contract recently with the team. He will remain with the Panthers through the 2020 season. Olsen is reportedly considering multiple factors about his future including a broadcasting career. Will a return to football be in his immediate future?
The Panthers could limit Olsen’s number of snaps in 2019. This would allow Thomas to see the field more. The Panthers could also incorporate him into two-tight end formations. Now is the time to strike to get the best possible return on your investment with many expecting Olsen to return.
Jalen Richard (RB – OAK) – Buy
Season Review – Jalen Richard
– 866 yards from scrimmage (607 receiving & 259 rushing) with 1 TD
– Tied for team lead in receptions (68)
– Tied w/ Marcus Allen for 4th-most receptions in a season by a Raiders RB
– Per PFF, his 2.26 yards per route run ranked 2nd among NFL RBs pic.twitter.com/5MPN6lrW1i
— Evert Geerlings (@E_Geerlings) January 11, 2019
Richard had the most productive season of his career in 2018. He accumulated 866 total yards on only 123 touches. The only other Raiders with more receiving yards than Richard (605) were Jordy Nelson (739) and Jared Cook (900). He will be a restricted free agent after the 2018 season officially concludes.
The Raiders front office must decide what tender they’ll place on Richard, but other NFL teams will have an opportunity to negotiate with him with the goal of locking him down to a long-term deal. If another team does offer Richard a long term deal the Raiders would be compensated accordingly. The likely scenario is that the Raiders front office place a second-round tender on Richard. It would be prudent for them to keep him because Doug Martin and Marshawn Lynch will also be entering free agency.
Richard could find himself as the starter heading into the 2019 season as the Raiders continue their rebuild. He would still have value as part of a committee as the receiving and change of pace back.
Leonard Fournette (RB – JAC) – Sell
Fournette finished the 2017 season as the RB9 in PPR formats. He finished 2018 as the RB40 in a season marred by injuries and controversy. Fournette’s relationship with Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin is irredeemable. The Jaguars front office is tired of his poor attitude and work ethic.
Leonard Fournette never ran for 100 yards in a game this year. The most yards he gained in a win was 43. This is the guy the Jaguars passed on Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson to draft because they thought you win by running the football. https://t.co/pFtrLlr9xq
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) January 3, 2019
Fournette was suspended one game for leaving the bench and fighting Week 12 against the Bills. This voided the remaining guarantees in his contract. Things have gotten so petty that Coughlin publicly “scolded” Fournette for sitting on the bench the wrong way. The Jaguars have fired many of their assistant coaches. Coughlin, General Manager Dave Caldwell, and head coach Doug Marrone’s futures with the organization are secure. Fournette has filed a contract grievance to challenge the team’s voiding the remaining guarantees on his rookie contract. He now finds himself with a new running backs coach in Terry Robiskie and offensive coordinator in John DiFilippo.
Fournette’s value is tied to volume. Back in 2017 he touched the football or was targeted on 56 percent of his 564 snaps, but averaged less than four yards per carry. Fournette played in less than 30 percent of the Jaguars offensive snaps last season missing eight games due to injuries and a suspension. He has a history of lower leg injuries dating back to college.
Fournette could be traded. Carlos Hyde could cut into his volume if kept. Now is the best time to trade Fournette considering his uncertain future with the Jaguars.
Conclusion
It’s time to put what you learned in action. You’ve learned about four players to acquire to take your dynasty team to the next level. So what’s next?
You should take a look at your team and begin preparing trade offers. Remember, timing is everything when it comes to maximizing trades. Put yourself in the best possible position for success.
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Eric Moody is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Eric, check out his archive and follow him @EricNMoody.
