Buy Low/Sell High: Week 5
In this article, we’ll delve into the art of buying low and selling high, exploring the strategies and players that can help fantasy football enthusiasts elevate their game and secure a competitive edge. By understanding the principles and mastering the execution of this strategy, you’ll position yourself to make savvy decisions that can lead your fantasy team to glory.
Buy Low
Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys, Running Back
Pollard may have had just 47 yards on 11 rushes plus three targets, but the Cowboys just didn’t need to use him much last Sunday. They pummeled the Patriots without him and kept him healthy. This is a good thing as they are prioritizing his health for the long-term. Plus, it’s giving you a prime chance to go buy a top-tier running back. I get that you’re worried about his lack of touchdowns but he has 32 red zone touches in four games. He’ll get into the end zone eventually. They’ll likely come in bunches. Make sure he’s scoring those points for your team versus your opponent’s team.
Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars, Running Back
Etienne Jr. had just 55 yards despite 20 carries in London on Sunday. He caught three passes and played on 85% of the snaps. That makes for 23 touches. That’s an insane amount of usage for a running back in today’s time. Plus, the Jaguars offense is slowly getting better. He’s a true bell cow in a season that has very few healthy running backs getting a ton of work. He’s third in the NFL in touches so don’t worry that he had a tough week. Etienne Jr. will break out again soon or get back into the endzone. Take advantage this week or next and get yourself a true RB1 that is getting RB1 touches.
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints, Wide Receiver
Take advantage of the fact that Olave finally had a bad game due to Derek Carr’s injury. He had just one catch for four yards on six targets. However, his six targets had 146 air yards. Those catches will connect soon and it’s great to see that Carr is targeting Olave on deep routes. Those are big-time fantasy points and can often go for touchdowns. He’s one of just seven wide receivers with 500+ air yards this year and you should take notice on him and go try to acquire him. Plus, he has tantalizing matchups the next two weeks against the Patriots and Texans.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins, Wide Receiver
Waddle came back from his concussion and had a decent game despite the Dolphins’ overall struggles. He caught four of his five targets for 46 yards. However, his performance this season wasn’t what you were expecting if you had drafted him in the second or third round of your fantasy draft. So, try to acquire him. See if you can trade a DJ Moore or Terry McLaurin for him. It’s only a matter of time until the Dolphins start getting him the ball often. Plus, the Dolphins have two great matchups in the Giants and Panthers coming up over the next two weeks. Also, Waddle ranks in the top-20 for yards per route run. That means he’s running more deeper routes which will lead to more fantasy points.
Honorable Mentions: Calvin Ridley, James Cook, Deebo Samuel
Sell High
Derrick Henry, Tennesse Titans, Running Back
This should be obvious. After Henry struggled for the first three weeks of the season, we saw a vintage Henry performance when he took 22 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown. He also threw a touchdown, which will be extremely rare. However, this has given you a prime opportunity to sell Henry for another RB1. Tyjae Spears, the supposed backup, saw 53% of the snaps and ran more routes than Henry. This doesn’t bode well for Henry that the Titans are already limiting his usage to under 50% of the snaps in a game that the team was winning and trying to run out the clock. Plus, the Titans just don’t seem to be an offense you want any part of. They are super streaky and it’s a mystery as to which kind of streak they will be until game time.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers, Wide Receiver
Doubs is a great sell. He caught nine passes for 95 yards and has 10+ points in three of his four games thus far. However, he’s going to take a hit in production the more that Aaron Jones and Christian Watson get back into the lineup and used more. That will limit the impact or targets that Doubs is seeing. He saw 13 last Thursday. I’d be very surprised if he were to see that many again this season without someone getting injured. If you can get another WR2 for him, do it. Just as likely as Doubs is to be a flex-caliber player, he’s also likely to fall off the map.
Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts, Running Back
Moss had been fantastic while starting as the Colts’ running back during Jonathan Taylor’s absence. He has had 322 total yards on 72 touches with two touchdowns. That’s great production that would make him an absolute keep IF he were to be the starting running back for the long-term. The word is that Taylor could be ready to start this week or next. The Colts already have opened up his 21-day practice window to return from the PUP. See if you can’t find another owner in need of a running back. Take advantage of that need and trade him for another RB2/3 or a WR if you’re in need of one. Worry more about getting a player with a stable role on his team versus the mystery bag that Moss is stuck in right now.
DJ Moore, Chicago Bears, Wide Receiver
Once again, you should sell high on Moore before the Bears offense completely tanks again. He had eight catches on nine targets for 131 yards plus a strong 28% target share. However, it’s hard to have any faith in this Bears offense or in Justin Fields. If you could trade Moore for another high-end WR2 or even a “down” asset like Ridley or Chase then do it. Moore is going to come back to Earth soon and you don’t want to be stuck holding him when that happens. Plus, if the Bears fire their head coach, there’s no saying how far the Bears will bottom out.
Honorable Mentions: Terry McLaurin, Dameon Pierce, Alexander Mattinson, Khalil Herbert
As always, I’m more than happy to talk on Twitter and Discord. Let me know your thoughts on these players if you managed to trade for/away from them. If you need thoughts on any trade, my DMs are open 18/7. I respond to everyone. Hope you win your week this week. Let’s have a successful fantasy football season this year. We are about to be two weeks into our Championship winning season!
Of course,
May the Force be with You…
