BUYING
Cam Newton QB CAR
Although Seattle's defense may not be the same dominant force of last season, they're still among the best units in the NFL. Newton found that out this past Sunday when he was held to his worst outing of the season - he had a season low 171 passing yards and failed to record a touchdown while turning the ball over twice. He now ranks 18th among quarterbacks in FPPG, but the ankle injury that limited him early in the year is now in the rear view mirror. After averaging just 3.5 carries in his first four games, he's averaged 12 carries over the past three games and has displayed no limitations in his movement. The ROS schedule could not be much easier with New Orleans (twice), Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay all waiting to be scored upon. Newton can be considered a high-end QB1 and a potential ticket to your league's championsip.
Matt Ryan QB ATL
Ryan had the Atlanta offense cooking in the first half versus what has been the NFL's top-ranked defense, the Detroit Lions, before struggling to move the ball in the second half. In the end, 228 yards and two touchdowns isn't damning and was actually his best fantasy output in the past four weeks. Overall, the season has been disappointing for Ryan's fantasy owners as their quarterback sits 19th at the position in FPPG since Week 2. He's still on pace for 4,612 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and just 16 interceptions though and should welcome this week's bye with open arms. Look for Ryan and the Falcons' passing game to get straightened out for the second half of the season, which includes the remaining half of their tasty divisional matchups.
Alfred Morris RB WAS
On Monday night, Morris played what was arguably his best game of the season, rushing for 73 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. He also added a 12-yard reception. He's now on pace for 266-1,026-8 on the ground and 12-102-0 through the air, ranking 14th among running backs in STD and 17th in PPR formats. Expect him to maintain this production at the very least, with a good opportunity to improve after the return of Robert Griffin III III, with whom his career yards-per-carry is roughly one yard higher playing with than without (courtesy of ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcast). Although trading for Morris may not create a big splash, he's a safe RB2 investment with growth potential.
LeSean McCoy RB PHI
While McCoy is on pace for 350+ touches, poor efficiency numbers and a low touchdown rate have ruined his fantasy value. He's currently averaging just 3.69 yards-per-carry, 4.63 yards-per-reception, and has only one touchdown on the entire season. The Philadelphia offensive line, which has been the main reason for those struggles, can be expected to improve. RT Lane Johnson was back in action in Week 5 and he's been a marked upgrade, C Jason Kelce may return this upcoming week, and LG Evan Mathis is on schedule to play when eligible in Week 10. High-end RB1 production is on the horizon and the opportunity to trade for one of fantasy football's biggest difference makers will expire soon.
Marshawn Lynch RB SEA
Over the past three weeks, Lynch has averaged a paltry 59 rushing yards and failed to record a touchdown. He's now on pace for 254-1,102-6.9 on the ground and 39-336-6.9 through the air. The rushing totals would be his lowest since becoming the every down back for Seattle in 2011 and a letdown for his fantasy owners. Even though this season will likely his last with the team, he's by far their best playmaker on offense and there should be no concern within the organization about running him into the ground. Look for him to near 20 touches per game and produce as a strong RB1 as the Seahawks fight for a playoff spot.
Ronnie Hillman RB DEN
Montee Ball struggled to get anything going on the ground before succombing to a groin injury in Week 4. Hillman got the first shot at the lead role and injected life into the Denver running game. In his three starts, he's averaged 94.3 yards and 0.7 touchdowns on 19.3 carries, while adding 24.7 yards on 3.3 receptions - those are elite RB1 numbers. He's shown well in pass protection and as a receiver, which flashed on back-to-back plays the past weekend when he first recognized the blitz and picked up the free rusher before adjusting to a pass that was thrown behind him on the next play. There shouldn't be any discussion as to who the lead back is on the Broncos and even if Ball returns to a complement role, Hillman can be considered a strong RB2.
Brandon Marshall WR CHI
Marshall has been held to 50 or less receiving yards in six of eight games this season and hasn't scored a touchdown in the past four games. He's now on pace for 68 receptions, 768 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. Chicago will be on a bye this week and there should be no reservations about starting Marshall as a WR1 after that. He's just 30 years old and those seven-year averages of 99-1249-8 were not a fluke.
Calvin Johnson WR DET
Over the past three seasons, Johnson's per game averages would translate to 105 receptions, 1,787 receiving yards, and 11.5 touchdowns. He remains the same player and is the undisputed No. 1 wide receiver in fantasy football when healthy. Thankfully, the team held him out of this past weekend's game in London and with the bye week on deck, Johnson should return full health for Week 10. If you can afford to hold him on your bench for a week, now is the time to get him for the best price.
Michael Floyd WR AZ
This past weekend's game versus Philadelphia was easily the most appetizing matchup of the season for Floyd and he finished the game with zero receptions and two drops on just four targets. Conversely, Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown combined for 12 receptions, 279 yards, and two touchdowns on 19 targets. There's nowhere to go but up and Floyd remains the future No. 1 receiver for Arizona. The hope for WR1 production can be thrown out the window for this season, but low-end WR2 production is within reason and the potential for a little more remains.
SELLING
Darren McFadden RB OAK
Over the past few weeks, McFadden has actually looked the part of a respectable fantasy player. He's now on pace for 194-773-4.6 on the ground and 48-261-0 through the air. Don't be fooled though. He's no longer a starting caliber running back, still exhibits a high-degree of injury risk, and Oakland's schedule is about to get exponentially tougher, beginning with the next two games versus Seattle and then Denver. Look to trade the low-upside RB3 before his fate becomes realized.
Steven Jackson RB ATL
As mentioned in the Ryan blurb, Atlanta's schedule does ease up following their Week 9 bye. However, Jackson has done very little with the touches that he's been given, averaging just 3.6 yards on his 95 carries and 6.0 yards on his 10 receptions. He's a touchdown dependent fantasy asset that happens to be coming off of a season-high 18 carries that he rumbled for 60 yards and a touchdown on. The Falcons can't envision him being around much longer and it'd be wise for them to increase Devonta Freeman's snaps.
Brandon LaFell WR NE
After being undrafted in most leagues, LaFell has rapidly developed into a fantasy asset. He's started the past six games for New England, playing on 81% of the team's snaps. During those games, he's averaged a 5-77-0.7 line, which would project to 80-1,229-10.7 over sixteen games. Tom Brady is playing at a high level and can support three receivers, but Rob Gronkowski remains the No. 1 option and targets should begin to swing back in favor of Edelman as the No. 2. A reasonable expectation for LaFell is him setlling in as a WR3/4. If his owner sits on the low end of the spectrum, you may even consider buying him, but his pace of late should fall off.
Golden Tate WR DET
On the season, Tate ranks 7th in STD and 5th in PPR scoring among wide receivers. It's a tale of two different seasons for the breakout player though; in the three games prior to Calvin Johnson's ankle injury, Tate's production would project to 85-1,072-0. In the five games since Johnson's injury, Tate's production would project to 124-1,917-10. Johnson is expected to return following Detroit's Week 9 bye and Tate can be expected to return to, or even a little under, the 85-reception pace, albeit with improved yards-per-reception and a few scores. Consistent WR2 production is still in the cards, but be prepared for that drop-off if you intend to hold onto him.
Keenan Allen WR SD
When healthy, Malcom Floyd is San Diego's best wide receiver. He has flashed his downfield prowess throughout this season and is now on pace for 48 receptions, 940 yards, and six touchdowns. Meanwhile, Allen has been relegated to a possession reciever and more than half of his targets (37 of 63) have been nine or less yards downfield. For those in PPR leagues, Allen's 86-854-2 pace hasn't been a complete disaster. His yards-per-reception and touchdowns should also exhibit some positive regression, but don't expect him to measure up anywhere close to his preseason ADP that placed him 12th among wide receivers. Coming off a strong outing (nine receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown), it'd be a fine opportunity for his fantasy owners to squeeze mid-WR2 value out of him in a trade.
Mohamed Sanu WR CIN
Sanu is in the same boat as Tate, thriving in the absence of the team's No. 1 receiver. In Sanu's splits, his numbers in the three games that A.J. Green has played a full complement of snaps would project to 75-800-5 over 16 games. In the four games that Green has been limited or out, Sanu's extrapolations would rise to 84-1531-8 over 16 games. He's a WR3 with Green in the lineup and may even fall closer to a WR4 upon Tyler Eifert's return, which is now expected to be in Week 11.
Martellus Bennett TE CHI
At the moment, Bennett ranks fourth in STD scoring at the position and second in PPR. However, not every receiver on Chicago can feast and with Marshall fully expected to regain his status as the No. 1 option in the passing game, Bennett's usage and production is likely to suffer. Expect the descent from his current pace for of 94-1,034-10 to begin sooner than later.
WAIVER PICKUPS
Johnny Manziel QB CLE
Cleveland eeked out a win versus Oakland to bring their record to 4-3 and remain in the playoff hunt. Brian Hoyer also bounced back with 275 yards and one touchdown on 19 of 28 passing with no turnovers. The running game that the Browns relied on earlier in the year has come to a screeching halt since the loss of C Alex Mack though and can not be counted on. The limitations of Hoyer should present themselves again and Manziel will be eagerly awaiting his opportunity to shine. Josh Gordon's return is now only a couple weeks away. Those without a clear QB1 should keep Manziel, who oozes QB1 potential, stashed.
Michael Vick QB NYJ
After replacing Geno Smith early in the first quarter, Vick displayed his trademark athleticism while scrambling for his life against a strong Buffalo pass rush. He may have turned the ball over three times and was largely ineffective as a passer, completing just 18 of 36 passing for 153 yards and no touchdowns, but regardless of his real football value, he needs to be on your fantasy radar. With everything gone bad, he still rushed for 69 yards on eight carries and New York has enough weapons around him. Vick is a premier target for quarterback streamers that should contribute as a QB2 with upside.
Bryce Brown RB BUF
As expected, Brown and Anthony Dixon struggled to pick up yards versus the New York Jets this past weekend. Dixon led the way playing on 43 snaps and rushing for just 44 yards on 22 carries. Brown played second fiddle with 14 snaps and rushing for 15 yards on seven carries. It was Brown's first action of the season and he should get more acclimated during the team's Week 9 bye. Neither player is a recommended Flex play as the depth chart stands now, but it's wise to bet on talent and if Brown is able to overtake Dixon for the interim lead role, then he'd be locked in as a strong RB2.
Donte Moncrief WR IND
After his sophomore season, Moncrief was considered a potential first round pick, but an underwhelming junior campaign allowed his draft stock to fall. Indianapolis drafted the Ole Miss product, whose measureables compare to those of Demaryius Thomas, in the third round. With Reggie Wayne sidelined, Moncrief got his opportunity to shine, playing a career high 41 snaps, and flashed his potential. He finished the day with seven receptions, 113 yards, and one touchdown on 10 targets. The bad news is that he did drop two passes, but he's unquestionably better Hakeem Nicks. If Wayne is unable to suit up this week, Moncrief would be in the WR3 consideration.
Justin Hunter WR TEN
With half of the season in the books, Hunter is on pace for just 40 receptions, 702 yards, and four touchdowns. If he isn't able to find his hands (seven drops), then a breakout may never come. Tennessee is willing to give him every opportunity though and after playing on just 74% of the snaps through the season's first four games, his snaps have risen to 94% over the past four. In Zach Mettenberger's first start last weekend, Hunter also saw a season-high 10 targets, managing just four catches for 31 yards and one touchdown. He should continue to be given a chance to thrive and if he begins to click, high-end WR3 production may result.
Kenny Britt WR STL
Brian Quick led all St. Louis wide receivers in targets (37), receptions (25), yards (375), and touchdowns (3) before suffering season-ending torn rotator cuff. Next in line is Britt, who was buzzing in the offseason as a comeback story before taking a back seat to Quick. So far, Britt has played on 65% of the team's snaps (compared to 75% for Quick) and totaled 16 receptions, 249 yards, and one touchdown on 30 targets. There's potential for him to average roughly four receptions per game from here on out and perform as a low-end WR3.
*All snap counts and targets in this article are courtesy of ProFootballFocus.com