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Buy Low
Adrian Peterson, RB, MIN, Ray Rice, RB, FA - Now that the furor has died down, these two players might be easier to acquire in dynasty leagues. I totally understand if you have sworn them off because of what has been revealed about their off-field actions, but if you haven’t this is likely as low as their value is going to get. Both have a lot left in the tank and are likely to resume their careers next year. Being banished permanently from the NFL is a draconian action that seems unlikely unless Peterson and Rice otherwise let themselves go, and that doesn’t seem to be in line with what we know about them.
Jordan Cameron, TE, CLE - Last chance to get back on before Cameron reminds everybody why he is one of the best commodities that you can own at tight end in dynasty and redraft leagues alike. The well-oiled machine of a running game will keep safeties up and expose a soft underbelly that Cameron can attack, assuming competent quarterbacking from Brian Hoyer.
Isaiah Crowell, RB, CLE, Cody Latimer, WR, DEN - Weekly reminder to get Crowell and Latimer before their real potential in their offenses is revealed.
Trent Richardson, RB, IND - Everyone has emptied both barrels of insults and laughter at Richardson’s expense, but his yards per carry still exposes a back that is not getting the most out of his opportunity. Still, that opportunity isn’t drying up for at least this season, and its enough to make him a low-end RB2, ie useful. And if he gets some confidence and decisiveness back, you might massively profit from acquiring Richardson right now in dynasty leagues.
Travis Kelce, TE, KC - This could be the last chance to get Kelce, if last week wasn’t it. Anyone who has another tight end to play might think they are being clever by “selling high” on a player who is only in on about half of the snaps. That clearly won’t be the case for much longer.
Eric Decker, WR, NYJ - Decker is hampered by a lingering hamstring issue that could threaten a long stretch of his 2014, but when he was healthy-ish, he looked like a legit #1 receiver who will be a quality WR3 in fantasy leagues no matter who his QB is, if not more with a good QB (don’t laugh). This is a momentary lull in his prime to acquire him at a slight discount.
Andre Ellington, RB, ARI - Ellington is getting healthier, and with no Jonathan Dwyer, he could get the opportunity to be the most valuable of fantasy commodities, an everyweek stud RB1. He can break long plays, contribute a ton as a receiver, and now Ellington should be a goal-line back. He has demonstrated the physical edge finishing his runs to convert and hold onto that role as long as he is given a chance.
Sell High
Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, BAL - Taliaferro scored again in a blowout win over the Panthers, but he didn’t look as effective, and he is very likely to be a committee with Justin Forsett even if he does retain a stable role. His redraft and dynasty upside is capped. Sell while he still looks promising.
Montee Ball, RB, DEN - Ball didn’t look all that hot to begin the season, and he heads in an promising trio of matchup against Arizona, the Jets, and San Francisco over the next three weeks. He’s not going to approach the RB1 numbers that were expected from him this year.
Larry Donnell, TE, NYG - Don’t get rid of Donnell just because, but if he was a waiver wire gift for a team that already had a strong starting TE, his value is never going to get higher. He is a solid player, but the rate of touchdowns to tight ends for the Giants has been ridiculous and Donnell should come back to earth, especially with the addition of another viable target in Odell Beckham.
Andrew Luck, QB, IND - I’m not saying to trade Luck, but this would be a good moment to look into using him to fix a major flaw in your team in dynasty and redraft leagues. He is far and away the #1 fantasy quarterback right now, but he has faced some weak defenses and his offensive coordinator is still Pep Hamilton. Quarterback is the easiest position to get by without a stud, so if Luck can bring an elite player at a position of need, you should think about it.
Steve Smith, WR, BAL - Smith is going to remain at least a strong WR3/Flex, but his torrid start to 2014 culminated with a fluky deflection touchdown and put him at an unsustainable WR1 level of produciton. If he is part of an embarrassment of riches for your team, it’s a good idea to dangle him to WR needy teams this week.
