Whether you’re buying or selling, here’s a list of players to consider making a move on before it’s too late.
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Players to Buy
Davante Adams (WR – GB)
After not finishing a game with less than 16.0 PPR points during the entirety of the 2018 season, Adams had what is likely to be his worst game of 2019 in Week 1. In fact, it was his worst game since Week 7 of 2017. Aaron Rodgers was rusty in Week 1 and it just so happened they were playing against the best defense in the NFL. You’re not going to get Adams for cheap, but you’ll get him for cheaper than he was a week ago.
Julio Jones (WR – ATL)
He had one of the tougher matchups he’ll have all season in Week 1 against Xavier Rhodes. He did score late in the game, but his owners won’t feel they got a good return on their first-round investment. Knowing the Falcons are playing 13-of-16 games inside of a dome this year, Jones should be in line for a big year. Don’t let his somewhat-of-a-dud scare you off him.
Nick Chubb (RB – CLE)
His Week 1 game was a brutal matchup and the gamescript went negative really quick, limiting the upside for the Browns run-game. Still, Chubb totaled 19 of the 25 touches for Browns running backs, highlighting just how much of a workhorse he is. If someone drafted Chubb in the first round, they may be panicking, allowing you to swoop in and low-ball them. There will be much better days for the Browns offense.
David Montgomery (RB – CHI)
During the preseason, Montgomery’s draft price rose all the way into the early fourth-round, and sometimes late third-round. That price assumed he was the starter for the Bears, but after their first game that was on national television netted him just seven touches, many are panicked, with some even dropping him in shallow leagues. He will be the Bears feature back sooner rather than later, leaving you with a window to buy low. You can likely wait another week considering the Bears play the Broncos tough defense in Week 2, but you’re risking him taking on a bigger role and allowing some of the draft-day regret to fade.
Baker Mayfield (QB – CLE)
After a disastrous Week 1 performance that had him throwing interceptions on three straight drives, owners may be re-thinking the idea that Mayfield was ready for a breakout season. The offensive line is a problem, but Mayfield may have been concussed during that game right before halftime, which could of led to his second-half breakdown. There’s not many quarterbacks who have the weapons he does, so expect him to bounce back in Week 2 against the Jets who have little-to-no cornerback talent.
Players to Sell
Amari Cooper (WR – DAL)
There’s likely no bigger Amari Cooper supporter than me, but his plantar fasciitis is going to be concerning. It didn’t seem to bother him against the Giants weak defense, but it’s an injury that can flare up at any time. With Ezekiel Elliott being eased back into the offense, it was another reason for the passing game to shine. Cooper is a solid fantasy asset, just not as good as some think after his Week 1 performance.
Todd Gurley (RB – LAR)
There were tons of questions surrounding Gurley prior to Week 1, and though he wound-up with 101 total yards, he lost a ton of work to his teammate Malcolm Brown, who scored twice. Of the 27 touches that Rams running backs totaled, Gurley had just 15 of them. He’s still a starter in fantasy football and sometimes those touchdowns will go his way, but it’s clear as day that this will be a full-blown timeshare in 2019.
Allen Robinson (WR – CHI)
Robinson shouldn’t be someone you’re actively shopping, but you should be willing to listen to offers. Yes, he totaled more than 100 yards in a game Mitch Trubisky played horribly, but it’s important we remember he threw the ball 45 times in that game, something the Bears don’t want to happen very often. Not just that, but Anthony Miller played just 15-of-71 snaps, and was targeted just once. Robinson was a favorite of ours during the draft process, but if you find someone valuing him as a borderline WR1, you should be willing to move him.
Tarik Cohen (RB – CHI)
After the Bears Week 1 game, most believe Cohen is the most valuable Bears running back. The issue with assuming his production continues is because he essentially acted as the Bears slot receiver while Anthony Miller was limited. 40 of his 51 snaps included a route run, which is unsustainable.
Lamar Jackson (QB – BAL)
There’s a whole lot of late-round quarterback drafters who were jumping for joy in Week 1, and rightfully so. He threw five touchdown passes and didn’t even play the full game. If you watched the game, it was an embarrassing debut from the Dolphins defense, who even allowed Robert Griffin to walk on in relief to complete 6-of-6 passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. There was always plenty of value to be had with Jackson, but here’s the thing… if you’re able to trade him for someone who was drafted in the top five or six rounds, you’ll be able to snag another late-round quarterback on the waiver wire. You’d be getting double the value on your late-round investment. You don’t have to sell, but it’d be wise to see what your leaguemates are willing to give up.
Players to Hold
Sammy Watkins (WR – KC)
Many will jump forward and say Watkins is a sell-high, though you shouldn’t be so quick to get rid of him. Tyreek Hill is going to miss a few weeks and was already due for regression. Watkins appears to be as healthy as he’s ever been and he posted 198 yards and three touchdowns against the best cornerback unit in all of football. He’s now the No. 1 receiver for Patrick Mahomes.
Adrian Peterson (RB – WAS)
Now that Derrius Guice is dealing with another knee injury and slated to miss a few weeks, Peterson suddenly has value again. The team needs to get Trent Williams back on the offensive line, as not many would be able to gain yardage behind their starting unit. If he does, we witnessed Peterson rush for over 1,000 yards last year, making him a middling RB3 as long as Guice is out.
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Mike Tagliere is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeTagliereNFL.