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BUYING
Tony Romo QB DAL
Since 2007, Romo has averaged 271 passing yards, 1.91 touchdowns, and just 0.91 interceptions per game. Through the first two weeks of the season, he has fallen well short of those averages with 229 passing yards, 1.0 touchdowns, and 1.5 interceptions per game. The schedule remains tough through Week 7, so expect his value to remain relatively low until then, perhaps even dropping a bit further. For those without an elite QB1, Romo is quarterback to target that can lead you through the second half with plenty of matchups that will place him inside the top-12 for the week.
Eddie Lacy RB GB
Lacy continues to fit in perfectly with the preseason plan; he's averaging under 40 rushing yards per game with no touchdowns to his name. The light at the end of tunnel is beginning to poke through, but he's not out of the woods just yet. After limiting opposing teams to just 3.26 yards-per-carry at home in 2013, the Detroit defense is stuffing the run again, holding running backs to a measly 2.18 yards-per-carry this season. Don't let Lacy struggles fool you as he remains a high-end RB1 and will begin to produce like one. Look to trade for him now, but keep in mind that his owners used a premium selection on him. If they aren't willing to part just yet, give them a call in a week after another tough day at the office for their stud running back.
Matt Forte RB CHI
Forte picked right up where he left off last year in the season opener with 17 carries for 82 yards on the ground and eight receptions for 87 yards through the air. Week 2 was another story though as he could only muster 21 yards on 12 carries and 15 yards on five receptions. He is also still waiting on his first touchdown in 2014. Forte will challenge for the NFL lead in touches at the year's end and is a sure-fire top-three running back to go along with that. Look to trade for him now, but if you're not able to wrest him from his current owner, a stout New York Jets' run defense may give you another opportunity after Week 3.
Marques Colston WR NO
It's hard to stomach a player not getting into the box score and posting zero fantasy points for the week, especially if it was the difference between a win and a loss. After racking up 110 yards on five receptions in the openor, Colston did not even record a target in Week 2. The epitome of year-to-year consistency, he has averaged 5.2-71.3-0.54 per game in his career. As the No. 2 option in the explosive New Orleans' passing attack, look for him to get back on course in no time and perform as a low-end WR2.
Jeremy Maclin WR PHI
After losing DeSean Jackson and with the arrivals of Darren Sproles and Jordan Matthews, the distribution of Philadelphia's targets was cloudy. The picture is starting to clear up though and Maclin stands as the No. 1 option - although he only has four receptions in each game, he was targeted 11 times in both of them. It would be easier to trade for him if he didn't find the endzone in both games, but thanks to the erratic accuracy of Nick Foles, plenty more fantasy points have been left on the field. Maclin is trending upwards and is a worthy WR2.
Torrey Smith WR BAL
There's no denying that Smith has been among the biggest disappointments through the early part of 2014. The dreams of him taking the next step this year can officially be squashed and it's likely that he could finish third on the team in receptions, behind Steve Smith and Dennis Pitta. So why is he in the buy column? Perhaps I'm stubborn, but this is the same player that has finished inside the top-24 wide receivers in standard scoring in each of his three years in the NFL and he did that while averaging a modest 54.7 receptions per season. The big-play ability hasn't gone away and there will be a few monster weeks along the way. The inconsistency leaves him better suited as a WR3, but don't give up on him. He's still the receiver to own in Baltimore.
Victor Cruz WR NYG
While Cruz' usage was up from two receptions on six targets to five receptions on 10 targets, he still only managed 60 yards and did not find the end zone either. He also added two more drops to his season total and now leads the NFL with four. His gaudy numbers of the past may have led him to be overrated as a player, but his status as New York's No. 1 receiver remains unchanged. Rookie Odell Beckham Jr still has no timtable to return and Jerrel Jernigan's season has come to an end. Enough volume will be there for Cruz to perform as a low-end WR2 in STD and mid-WR2 in PPR.
Rob Gronkowski TE NE
If you didn't draft Gronkowski, this may be your last chance to trade for his services. New England has been careful with his snaps so far, limiting to just 43% through the first two games - that can be expected to rise to around 75%, which creates a lot more opportunity. An early lead last week also made it unecessary for him to play in the second half. Overshadowed by the starts of Jimmy Graham and Julius Thomas, he should become more involved and when full strength, there isn't a tight end better than him.
SELLING
Bernard Pierce RB BAL
After being so quick to pull Pierce due to an early fumble in Week 1, Gary Kubiak trusted him enough to hand him the lead role this past weekend. With Ray Rice no longer on the team, that could have been fueled by knowing that the team will need him and wanted to instill more confidence in him. Make no mistake about it, this will be a full blown committee with Pierce and Justin Forsett. Pierce did get more snaps (39 to 29) and touches (23 to 12) than Forsett, but continued to look like the inferior talent. Coming off those 23 touches for 103 total yards, the time to sell is now.
Giovani Bernard RB CIN
There may never be a better opportunity to sell high on Bernard, whether it's redraft or dynasty. He was drafted with the 37th overall pick just last season, remains only 22 years of age, and currently ranks as a top-six running back in STD and PPR leagues. He also happens to be coming off of a career game where he racked up 169 total yards and a touchdown on 32 touches. The use of a second round pick is a clear indication that Cincinnati does not see him as a workhorse back. The lowly 3.33 yards-per-carry that Bernard managed on his 27 carries versus the porous Atlanta defense is also a takeaway that should not be discounted. On 223 carreer carries, including the playoffs, his yards-per-carry is an unimpressive 3.94. Hill toted the ball 15 times this past Sunday for 75 yards and a score, while also proving effective in the passing game with 22 yards on two receptions. While Bernard's use as a receiver is enough to merit RB1 value in PPR, Hill has earned more playing time.
Stevan Ridley RB NE
It would take a leap of faith for owners to buy-in after one week, so it's unlikely that you'll get much for Ridley now. The Patriots play Oakland next week though, which would seem to be a Ridley type of game when trying to get inside Bill Belichick's head. Houston got up early on the Raiders last week and Arian Foster cruised for 138 yards on 28 carries. If Ridley is able to string together a second good game, look under every rock for a potential deal.
Terrance West RB CLE
Through what is now nearly two full games as the lead back in Cleveland's run heavy offense, West has proven competent, but not been spectacular. Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer has reported that HC Mike Pettine stated Ben Tate "probably" won't be back for the upcoming game versus Baltimore. With a Week 4 bye on the schedule, that can be contstrued as a hint of optimism for Tate to return in Week 5 and there should be no doubts that he'll return as the No. 1 running back. The Ravens' rush defense won't be a cake walk and so unless you're in need of West as a starter for Week 4, the time is right to send him packing before he settles back in as a handcuff.
Zac Stacy RB STL
After playing just 31 of 70 snaps and totaling only 43 yards on 11 carries in the openor versus Minnesota, Stacy saw his playing time rise to 42 of 63 snaps and managed 71 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Benny Cunningham, who had 33 snaps at running back in the first game, saw his total snaps drop to 18. He won't be going away though and will see his usage increase in games where St. Louis falls behind. With an enticing Week 3 matchup versus a Dallas defense that has allowed nearly five yards-per-carry to opposing running backs so far, Stacy should be started with confidence. Look to unload him soon after that or during the Week 4 bye; his schedule will be among the NFL's toughest through season's end.
Steve Smith WR BAL
One game can easily be a fluke, but two games is a trend. S. Smith has seen a team-high 25 targets so far, totaling 189 yards and one touchdown on 14 receptions. He's the been the first read in the offense and is the front-runner to lead the team in receptions. However, Torrey Smith has still out-snapped him in both games and remains a vital part of this offense. When T. Smith is not catching passes, he's stretching the field and should remain No. 1 on the depth chart with production to eventually follow. S. Smith is a fine WR4 and may very well finish as a WR3, but regression is coming soon.
WAIVER PICKUPS
Donald Brown RB SD
Ryan Mathews has succombed to yet another injury, this time a sprained MCL with a four to five week timetable. San Diego signed Brown to a three-year, $10.50 million contract this past offseason and plans to hand him the reins with confidence. With one less back to share touches, Brown may even eclipse the volume (13.5 touches per game) that Mathews earned in the first two weeks. Playing behind what has been below-average offensive lines in Indianapolis, Brown has maintained a 4.31 yards-per-carry on his 551 career rushes. As the lead back and with goal line carries, he can be immediately inserted into lineups as a low-end RB2.
Khiry Robinson RB NO
Playing behind both Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas, Robinson has only seen 26 snaps through two games. He has made the most of that playing time though, recording 59 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Ingam is now expected to miss a few weeks with a broken hand and so Robinson is about to step into increased playing time. He's a candidate for 15-20 touches while handling the goal line duties in a potent offense. With Minnesota and Dallas on deck, the extra burn has come at an opportune moment, vaulting him into RB2 status.
Knile Davis RB KC
Week 1 aside, for the most part, Andy Reid is willing to run his lead backs into the ground. Jamaal Charles suffered an anle injury that is expected to sideline him for at least one week, but possibly longer. More information on that should be known soon. In the meantime, Davis will handle the load. On 111 career carries, including the playoffs, Davis has averaged a meager 3.52 yards-per-carry. With suspect run blocking and a non-threatening passing game, Davis' value will be reliant on volume. There should be plenty of touches headed his way though; in the three games where Davis handed the keys to the offense, he's averaged 27.3 touches.
Aaron Dobson WR NE
If there was any concern that Kenbrell Thompkins would maintain a role in the offense after Dobson returned, that was washed away with Thompkins deactivation last Sunday. Dobson stepped in as the split-end and played 31 of 57 snaps, although he only caught one of two targets for 13 yards. The 15 completions and 22 passing attempts for Tom Brady will lkely go down as a season low. If you're in need of wide receiver depth, Dobson has the potential to become a WR3 as he rounds back into form.
Davante Adams WR GB
After passing Jarrett Boykin in snaps played (37 to 35) versus the New York Jets and outproducing him (5-50-0 to 1-6-0), it seems that Boykin's time as a fantasy football commodity has run it's course. Adams has a clear talent advantage and should eventually push Boykin completely out of the picture. For now, Adams should be picked up and rostered. When he does earn the full-time No. 3 receiver role, he would ascend to WR3/4 territory. Although you may not start him at that point, if anything were to happen to either Jordy Nelson or Randall Cobb, then you'd be looking at a full fledged WR2.
Jeremy Kerley WR NYJ
If you're desperate for a wide receiver, especially in a PPR league, and need someone to start for Week 3, then Kerley should be on your radar. Already locked in as the No. 2 receiver for the New York Jets, he has seen 12 targets through two games, catching eight of them for 62 yards. He was also the receiver who saw his leaping, 36-yard touchdown negated by the timeout debacle on Sunday. If Eric Decker, who is suffering from a hamstring injury, is unable to play on Monday night, Kerley would may find himself as the No. 1 option and knock on the WR3 door.
Larry Donnell TE NYG
Donnell has burst out of nowhere to lead the New York Giants in targets (17), receptions (12), and receiving yards (137). At 6'6", he's also a much needed red zone threat. Outside of the top-six or so tight ends, there's a mosh pit of up to twelve borderline TE1 types. Donnell has worked himself into that conversation and so far, he's been among the most consistent. If you've been streaming tight ends, make some space for Donnell. He's likely to regress at least a little, but there's the opportunity for him to maintain more consistency than most others in that group.
What to do with Gordon
Josh Gordon WR CLE
All indications are that he'll receive a 10-game suspension, which is lengthier than most assumed and would make him eligible to return for Week 12. His value will only increase as his return nears, but if you have him and are in danger of falling out of contention, don't hesitate to trade him away early. If you don't have him, but are confident that you can get to the playoffs with him on your bench, then it might be wise to target him now. Please keep in mind that if the owner who does have him starts to slip in the standings, you may also have the opportuniy to ride in on a white horse and get him at a discount.
*All snap counts and targets in this article are courtesy of ProFootballFocus.com