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Buy Low
Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, WR, Brett Hundley, QB, GB - Brett Hundley’s first start was a disastrous passing performance, but the Packers chose to lean on the run in the game they led a good part of the way, and they also didn’t call as many passing plays to the sidelines, where Hundley threw the ball to Nelson and Adams with good accuracy and timing despite relentless pressure from Minnesota in Week 6 after Aaron Rodgers was knocked out of the game. The bye week should bring some rational coaching adjustments to this passing game, although the Packers do face a trio of good pass defenses Weeks 10-12 (Chicago, Baltimore, Pittsburgh), so there could be a second buy low of this pass offense at the tail end of that stretch. For now, the bye week is a buy week, trying to get Nelson or Adams from owners who aren’t sure what they have and Hundley off of the waiver wire (remember he scored a rushing touchdown and his speed showed when he broke the pocket) if you need quarterback help.
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Deonte Thompson, WR, BUF - Taylor played an outstanding all-around coming out of the bye. He found an anonymous group of receivers open downfield with regularity, was aggressive as a runner with hair-trigger instincts and decisiveness on when to run. Taylor has plus matchups left against Oakland (this week), the Jets (Week 9), Kansas City (12), New England (13 and 16!), Indianapolis (14), and Miami (15) left. Even Weeks 10 and 11 aren’t terrible against New Orleans and the Chargers. Starting Taylor from here on out is a viable bargain plan at quarterback. Thompson and Taylor go back to high school and spent a lot of time together in Baltimore. Taylor used the words trust, confidence, and chemistry when describing their connection earlier this week. Why can’t he be their #1 receiver? He’s free on the waiver wire.
Demarcus Robinson, WR, KC - Robinson stays in the buy low column because some might not have taken notice of his productive game against Oakland. Defenses have to contend with Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Kareem Hunt, leaving Robinson with one of the best matchups in an offense with a strong quarterback and playcalling week in, week out. He’s an obvious dynasty stash, but could also have surprising redraft value against a schedule that includes the Cowboys (9), Jets (13), Oakland (14), and Miami (16).
Demaryius Thomas, WR, DEN - The Broncos are losing faith in their quarterback, which means that Brock Osweiler should be back in the starting lineup soon. Osweiler actually riffed well with Thomas in 2015, making him the PPR WR15 during the eight weeks they played together, with only one game coming in under 12.9 and half going for 18 or higher. Denver’s schedule vs. the pass loosens up with New England (10), Oakland (12), Miami (13), the Jets (14) and Indianapolis (15) coming soon.
T.J. Yeldon, RB, JAX - Despite a very strong performance that was clearly better than Chris Ivory last week, Yeldon wasn’t a hot waiver wire pickup. He is a must add in dynasty leagues with his second-round pedigree still in play at age 24, but don’t overlook his potential redraft value. This is one of the best running back situations in the league and he’s behind a hurt starter. He count pass the injury-prone Ivory at any time. Imagine the possibilities against San Francisco in Week 16. Make room for him in deeper leagues, and keep him on waiver wire speed dial in short bench leagues.
Jay Ajayi, RB, MIA - Ajayi is up to the task of touching the ball 20+ times a game every game. He is running with the same energy in the fourth quarter as he does in the first quarter. The team finally got him involved as a receiver and he was smooth and natural in the passing game. Matt Moore is reviving the downfield passing game and the team is winning. You can get him surprisingly cheap considering he is one of the few workhorse backs left in the league.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PIT - He might be surprisingly cheap with a schedule has soft road indoor opponents Detroit (this week) Indianapolis (10), and Houston (16) left, along with four home games between Weeks 11-15, Tennessee (11), Green Bay (12), Baltimore (14), and New England (15). That looks a safe high floor schedule, with the ceiling going up if Martavis Bryant gets his head on straight and Roethlisberger continues to throw the way he did last week against the Bengals, potentially turning some of those numerous field goal drives into touchdowns.
Brice Butler, WR, DAL - While we wait for assumption of rational coaching to take hold and inspire Dallas coaches to use their best big play receiver more often, Butler’s price remains dirt cheap in dynasty and free in redraft leagues. You can’t argue with his efficiency downfield and Dak Prescott is playing at a level that maximizes the value of his targets.
Ted Ginn Jr, WR, NO - I don’t think people are taking Ginn seriously despite his 7-141 last week. He has caught every target Drew Brees has thrown to him over the last three weeks, and the Saints downfield passing game is coming to life with the return of left tackle Terron Armstead. The Saints are indoors for five of six weeks between Weeks 11-16, with the outdoor game coming in Los Angeles. Brees shouldn’t be available because of name brand value, but do a price check just in case with that hospitable home stretch.
Sell High
Deshaun Watson, QB, Will Fuller, WR, HOU - This duo's sell high window should have persisted through their bye. If Watson isn’t your primary quarterback this is a good time to sell. Six teams are on bye, and many teams have taken hits at quarterback, possibly leaving some in your league feeling insecure at the position. Watson could struggle at Seattle and he also has Jacksonville and Pittsburgh in Weeks 15 and 16, which increases the chances of bust weeks when it matters the most. Fuller’s touchdown conversion rate has been astounding. It could continue with another score this week against Seattle, but if it doesn’t and he’s a dud, his trade value vanishes. If you can deal him in a 2-for-1 to upgrade elsewhere, go for it.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, NYJ - Seferian-Jenkins has been an unexpected strong TE1 this year. His yards per catch is still anemic at 6.7 and he has benefited from a very favorable schedule for a tight end thus far. Josh McCown hasn’t been the most durable in recent years, and Seferian-Jenkins is more a 5-6 target a game tight end than the 8 and 11 target player he was in a great matchup against Cleveland and 47-attempt game vs. New England. If he’s not your primary tight end, keep trying to cash him in.
Kirk Cousins, QB, WAS - Cousins has had back-to-back huge games, but most of his offensive line is hurt and he still has matchups left against Seattle on the road and Minnesota and Denver (Week 16) on the road. He might be able to fetch a good price on the trade market to a quarterback-needy team, one worth collecting if you have another solid fantasy quarterback on your roster.
Carson Wentz, QB, PHI - I’m not suggesting that Wentz hasn’t truly broken out, but I’m not expecting him to remain a top three fantasy quarterbacks, especially if he is in the 25-30 attempt range most games. If you have another good fantasy quarterback on your roster, you might get 80-90% of peak Andrew Luck prices from an eager team in rebuilding mode. In redraft, you might get QB1 overall prices with Rodgers out and Brady not blowing away defenses lately.
Mark Ingram, RB, NO - If your team isn’t a contender in dynasty leagues, it’s time to sell Ingram while he’s peaking as a strong RB1. He used to be known for missing multiple games every season, and the Saints would be smart to scale back his workload a bit to preserve him. Even in redraft leagues, you might be able to use him as a main piece to get an elite commodity if you don’t have him as an essential running back due to good depth.