BUY LOW
Josh Allen, QB, Devin Singletary, RB, BUF - Allen has an easy schedule coming up with Miami, Philadelphia, Washington, Cleveland and Miami again. He should be a viable QB1 to get us to the verge of the fantasy playoffs and has been forgotten about after his scary concussion vs New England. Singletary looked like an instant star at running back in the first two games before his hamstring injury and the Bills were smart to let him rest through the bye. He’s practicing in full and should make a few highlight plays against the morose Dolphins defense.
Cam Newton, QB, CAR - Newton’s value isn’t going to get any lower now that the specter of him being benched for Kyle Allen even when he is healthy has been raised. A healthy Newton has always been a fantasy stud. Perhaps we won’t see that player again, but if we do, you’ll be glad you acquired him while everyone else is leaving him for dead in redraft and dynasty leagues.
LeSean McCoy, Darrel Williams, RB, KC - The Chiefs need to figure out their backfield. LeSean McCoy looks like the best between the tackles runner and Darrel Williams is the best all-around back in the offense. Damien Williams should be relegated to a passing game role player. While Patrick Mahomes II is ailing, the backfield isn’t producing the huge numbers we’ve seen for years now under Andy Reid, but that is just a temporary condition. Get a share or two of this backfield at bargain basement prices.
Jared Goff, QB, LAR - Goff and the Rams offense isn’t playing well right now, but that hasn’t been a hindrance to their numbers, and it shouldn’t be this week vs. Atlanta. Or next week vs. Cincinnati. Baltimore, Arizona, and Seattle are all good matchups to target left on his schedule. He can help fantasy teams win if you time his starts right.
Ronald Jones, RB, TB - There’s a slim chance the Bucs reprioritize their approach in the backfield during the bye and use Jones as a lead back going forward, but that isn’t a good enough reason to get him redraft leagues with his offense crumbling around him. In dynasty, this is the time to pounce as he has shown enough to be very optimistic about his future even though his numbers and usage don’t show it.
Le’Veon Bell, RB, NYJ - Bell was actually only a mild fantasy hit in the Jets upset win over the Cowboys. Hopefully Adam Gase uses him more as a mismatch against the Patriots linebackers this week, and then the schedule gets very easy in the second half of the year. That should present Bell with numerous scoring opportunities against lighter boxes that have to account for Sam Darnold and his downfield passing threats.
Jordan Wilkins, Nyheim Hines, RB, IND - Wilkins looks even better than he did last year and continues to show a gaudy yards per carry that portends better things if he gets more opportunity. Marlon Mack has showed a physical edge finishing runs this year, but can his body hold up all year? That’s how the opportunity could come for Wilkins. Hines looks like one of the 5-10 fastest players in any offense and the Colts should be trying to find ways to use him more as a receiver. Both players are still very much on the upside of their career arc with room to grow.
Dante Pettis, WR, SF - Just another reminder to get Pettis before his stock bounces back. Deebo Samuel is banged up and the 49ers are facing a very beatable Washington pass defense, with a delicious Arizona/Seattle/Arizona sandwich coming up in Weeks 9-11.
SELL HIGH
Devonta Freeman, RB, ATL - Freeman looked renewed in Week 6, but the Arizona defense will do that for players. The Falcons offense is still going to be stuck in pass first mode and the rest of the schedule features brutal NFC South run defenses and Jacksonville. There might be an opening to sell Freeman to a running back needy team.
Kyle Allen, QB, CAR - Allen hasn’t been as good as his undefeated record as a starter indicates. While there has been talk of him taking over as the Panthers quarterback permanently, the smart money is on Cam Newton returning to the lineup when he is mentally and physically ready. Cash Allen in if you don’t absolutely need him in 2QB/Superflex leagues.
BUY HIGH
Josh Jacobs, RB, OAK - The Raiders are chugging along with their power running game, and they should get Gabe Jackson back soon. Don’t expect Jon Gruden to back off of Jacobs usage now that he proved himself against a stout Bears defense in Week 5. Jacobs is surging and the Raiders schedule should allow them to remain stubbornly committed to a conservative, run-first game plan.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
Young players with a chance to enhance their dynasty stock this week:
Miles Boykin, WR, BAL
Auden Tate, WR, CIN
Josh Oliver, TE, JAX (Monitor Status)
Jason Moore, WR, LAC
Mark Walton, RB, MIA
Jakobi Meyers, WR, NE
Zay Jones, WR, OAK
Foster Moreau, TE, OAK
Cedrick Wilson, WR, DAL
Allen Lazard, Darrius Shepherd, WR, GB
Darrell Henderson, RB, LAR
