Dynasty Shopping Mall - Week 11

Posted 11/14 by Jeff Tefertiller, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

Just like any other shopping mall, this will have different products at different levels of quality and price. We will shop around at different stores like Bloomingdales, Macy's, Sears, even the Dollar Store and look for products to buy. The focus will be on value. Many times the expensive products are worth the price. Some times they are not. We will examine opportunities to buy at a reasonable price compared to value. The products we are purchasing are fantasy players for our dynasty team.

Every year, there are many players that get injured during the season. Some of these players represent opportunities to but low and some are players to avoid. As stated in the previous article on injured players a few weeks ago, last season saw an ideal opportunity to buy Kevin Jones at a reduced price even though he played very well before injuring his foot. Dynasty owners need to always be on the lookout for chances to buy future starters at a reduced price. Like a major principle in business, most money earned comes from the "buy side". If a fantasy owner buys a stud player at a low price because of injury, there will be an opportunity to sell high when the player is healthy.

Ronnie Brown

The former Auburn star had been considered a disappointment until getting on a roll in week three. He was the top fantasy running back in many leagues for several weeks. Now that he has proven himself to coach Cameron, Brown should still be the back of the future for the Dolphins. The young ball carrier just had his knee surgery and could be back for some or most of the 2008 season. Ronnie Brown may not be back to full strength until the 2009 season, but he is still young.

Outlook: The Dolphins have no other young running backs that could be a threat to Brown. He needs to work hard in his rehab and come back in shape. The one thing that he has struggled with in the past is his weight. The Dolphins are a team with little proven players and will rely on their young ball carrier when he comes back. By that time, Jon Beck will probably be the quarterback. The Dolphins are a team in transition and will need to rely on their star running back to keep them in games.
Store: Macy's
Price: 2008 1st round draft pick or 2008 2nd round pick and a good prospect
Recommendation: This is a tough one because every team in every league has different constraints. If you have the roster space and liked what you saw, Ronnie Brown is a bargain. Players are coming back stronger from knee injuries than they have in the past. This does mean that you utilize a roster spot and you lose a much-needed pick that could add youth. But, the upside that Brown displayed is worth the risk.

Cadillac Williams

The former backfield mate of Ronnie Brown at Auburn has disappointed throughout his career since his rookie season. Through the 32 games in his career, the former first round pick has only averaged 3.8 yards per carry. To further his the point about his ineffectiveness, Cadillac has only ten career touchdown runs in 569 carries. The Buccaneers may still hope the former fifth pick in the draft can came back from his torn patellar tendon, but they traded for Michael Bennett and Earnest Graham has played well. In fact, Graham was getting good opportunities even before Williams was injured on September 30th. Caddy has battled several injuries throughout his young career. Granted, some fantasy players are still very high on him. But, the upside and potential of Cadillac appears limited. He has never played more than 14 games in a season. His top fantasy production was RB19 during his rookie season. Now, the knee injury is another concern.

Outlook: The majority of the Buccaneer offense is older. Jeff Garcia, Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard are arguably the three best offensive players on the team and each is on the downside of his career. By the time Cadillac is healthy and ready, the offense should look radically different. Plus, he might have competition for carries from Graham and Bennett.
Store: Bloomingdale's
Price: 2008 1st round draft pick or 2008 2nd round pick and a good prospect
Recommendation: Let someone else overpay for oft-injured running back. There are many the love the guy and think he has a future. Let them overpay for a back with limited upside.

Deuce McAllister

The former first round pick has suffered his share of knee injuries, with two in three years. The New Orleans Saints are a young offense and looked to the veteran back to help stabilize the running game. Deuce had a very good season in 2006, finishing as RB13. This was while sharing carries with exciting rookie, Reggie Bush. McAllister will turn 29-years old this December and may be relegated to splitting carries for the remainder of his career.

Outlook: The Saint offense needs Deuce to come back healthy. No matter how well Bush plays, he is not the type of back to run out the clock or to rush the ball twenty times a game. The Saints are a young team, led by Drew Brees, Marques Colston and Reggie Bush. Deuce will have his role waiting on him when he comes back from the knee injury.
Store: J.C. Penney
Price: 2008 2 round draft pick a good prospect
Recommendation: Buy if you have the roster space and can get a good deal on the former Mississippi Rebel. He has produced at a high level in the past and can in the future. Many are shying away Deuce and he is a good player to take a risk on. McAllister easily has the potential to be a fantasy RB3 next season.

Javon Walker

Oddly enough, Javon Walker is also suffering from his second knee injury, and surgery, in three years. Walker has produced at a high level in his career. He has two top ten finishes in his last two healthy seasons, with one WR2 finish. The former Florida State star is a true playmaker. He has averaged over fifteen yards per reception throughout his career. Young passer, Jay Cutler, looks to Walker for the big play.

Outlook: The Broncos miss his playmaking ability. The team is void of players who can make the big play. With the Travis Henry suspension (under appeal), Brandon Marshall's arrest for DUI, and Walker's knee injury, the Broncos have some uncertainty for the future. Also, the former Packer was present when teammate Darrent Williams was shot and killed. That has to affect the psyche of Javon Walker.
Store: Bloomingdale's
Price: 2008 1st round draft pick or 2008 2nd round pick and a good prospect
Recommendation: It is hard to believe Walker, who earlier in the season guaranteed the fans he was playing and then sat out. Fantasy owners do not have a good feel for the health, and recovery. If you are a believer in Walker's recovery, this is the opportune time to buy low while there is doubt in the recovery timetable. But, it is a risky proposition. Will Walker be able to make the big plays with the knee in the future? Who knows? He is expected back in the next few weeks.

Laveranues Coles

The former Florida State star has had a very underrated career. He is not the deep threat like many other teams' top receivers. Coles is averaging less than thirteen yards per reception over his career, and less than twelve (ypr) in the last four years. Laveranues has turned into a sure-handed possession receiver. He is a gritty pass catcher that gives it his all.

Outlook: Coles has battled a knee injury for much of the season. In addition, he suffered a nasty concussion on a floater by Chad Pennington. This is the second bad concussion for Coles in two years. This is not good. He was quietly having a very good season as Pennington's "go to" receiver. Now, he could be out of action a couple of weeks and owners should be very wary of third concussion. The quarterback change from Pennington to Kellen Clemens also hurts Coles' upside.
Store: Macy's
Price: 2008 1st round draft pick or 2008 2nd round pick and a good prospect
Recommendation: If you are a Coles owner, I would recommend selling if you can. Concussions are not to be messed with. In addition, it is not advisable to trade for a player whose career could hinge on the third concussion. I like Coles as a player. He is so gritty, making the tough catch. I hope he does not have his career ended like Trent Green, without much notice.

Chad Jackson

Chad Jackson has had some tough luck in his short career. The former Florida Gator suffered a knee injury late in the 2006 season. Before the injury, he only had thirteen receptions. The 22-year old is still young and maturing. He is practicing with the team and could emerge if there is an injury to one of the Patriot starting receivers. Jackson is a very athletic pass catcher with much room to mature and grow as a receiver. One of the major knocks on him coming into the NFL was the Florida offense in which he played in college. But, it is way too soon to give up on the former Gator.

Outlook: The Patriots signed Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth to what will probably end up as one-year contracts. Wes Welker was signed long term. Expect at least one of the two higher profile pass catchers to not be back in New England. The Patriot offense, under the direction of Tom Brady, is a great offense for a receiver like Jackson to flourish. He is now healthy and practicing. Chad Jackson has been activated and practiced with the Patriot offense throughout the bye week. He offers the Patriots another athletic receiver.
Store: Dollar Store
Price: Waiver Wire in many leagues.
Recommendation: Buy if you have the roster space. Jackson offers a good reward for the risk. He is the type of playmaker that Brady could make into a top twenty fantasy receiver.

The players above are just a few that fantasy owners can target with a look toward the future. Ronnie Brown, Deuce McAllister and Chad Jackson are great players to stash on your fantasy roster. They are being undervalued at this time. Not many owners believe in these three. This is the time to buy. There are other players that fit the bill, but the list had to be narrowed. Also, consider: Larry Johnson, Trent Edwards, Adrian Peterson, and Todd Heap.