Buy Low
J.K. Dobbins, RB, BAL - Chances the team that drafted Dobbins in your dynasty league is still very high on him, but it is possible that they would swap him for one of the impressive rookie receivers or otherwise loosen their grip on him if they are in a title run and obviously haven’t been using him. In redraft leagues, he has been a disappointment after a tease two-touchdown week to open the season. He is on the doorstep of opportunity with Mark Ingram likely out this week and you might be able to get him if you’re willing to overpay based on what his modest speculative value is right now. If the Ravens feature him as a receiver against the Devin Bush-less Steelers this week, watch out.
Devin Duvernay, WR, BAL - The Ravens have been sniffing around for a tight end or receiver to bolster the pass offense, but the answer could already be on their roster. Duvernay has looked explosive on his touches and he can operate from the slot so he remains in Lamar Jackson’s hot throwing zone in the middle of the field. The Steelers might be missing slot corner Mike Hilton again this week and the Ravens have had two weeks to reorganize priorities, which should result in Duvernay getting a longer look. He’s a good add in deep redraft leagues and it might be the last chance to get him before he makes his presence known in dynasty leagues.
Joe Mixon, RB, CIN - Mixon is likely to miss this week and he has been lackluster for fantasy outside of one feeding frenzy against the Jaguars. He did almost have three scores in the game that he injured his foot, but overall has been disappointing. The Bengals offense is looking much improved with Joe Burrow even if the offensive line is not. Mixon is signed long term and in dynasty leagues we might be looking at him as a top five back sooner than later. If a dynasty team is in contention and needing someone good in place of Mixon while he’s out, you might be able to take advantage of a buy low moment.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, NE - Meyers quickly scaled the Patriots depth chart last year to make the team as an undrafted free agent, but got little opportunity to carry that over to the regular season in a struggling offense. Julian Edelman is looking used up and will now be sidelined with a knee injury, it’s possible that we have seen him play his last game in a Patriots uniform. Meyers should step right into Edelman’s role and become the most targeted receiver in the offense. He could rack up cheap PPR points and otherwise establish himself as a cornerstone of this pass offense going forward.
D.J. Chark, WR, JAX - Chark has been a bitterly disappointing player to roster this year, with only one good game, two injuries, and one quarterback playing for weeks with a busted thumb. It’s possible that the team turns to sixth-round pick Jake Luton after the bye, which could doom Chark to another second half in a pass offense under construction with poor quarterback play. All of this means that Chark - who is good and should be a #1 receiver for a while - is possibly available in dynasty leagues if you make a good enough offer. In redraft, he is probably just upside depth.
Mike Gesicki, TE, MIA - Gesicki saw Adam Shaheen sign an extension during the bye, which puts a damper on his claim to most or all of the tight end targets in the Dolphins offense, but he can still function as an oversized slot receiver, and it’s possible that he’ll have the best chemistry of any Dolphins target with Tua Tagovailoa since he worked with the #5 overall pick on the scout team. Tight end is brutal and Gesicki has already shown he has the game to be the #1 overall tight end of the week when he is given the chance. He’s cheap right now, but his value could take off if he and Tagovailoa show a strong connection on the field.
Sell High
James Robinson, RB, JAX - Robinson is a resident sell high player and it’s not because he doesn’t have game. He is the only good thing about the Jaguars offense right now, but the walls are closing in on him as a quarterback change could be coming and this team’s offense collapsed as the motivation to be competitive waned as the season went on last year. If Robinson can be used as a stepping stone to a back in a better offense in redraft leagues, get that done before his bye.
Justin Herbert, QB, LAC - Don’t sell Herbert just because, but if he is your #2 quarterback in redraft or dynasty, be open to dealing him at the top of his value growth. It’s tough to deal quarterbacks in one quarterback leagues, but Herbert has the short and long term appeal to fetch a good player at another position in return. The first time he stumbles or the Chargers just rely on the running game, his trade value will take a hit.
Chase Edmonds, RB, ARI - Edmonds is going to get to start after the bye, and I am excited to see it. Last year, he had three touchdowns the first time he got to carry the load, and the second time he was the lead back, he suffered a hamstring injury that kept him from getting involved in the offense for the rest of the season. Don’t trade Edmonds in dynasty, but in redraft if he is a luxury you lucked into, then the allure of the unknown might represent the peak of his trade value.
Sell Low in redraft, Buy Low in dynasty
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, DAL, Amari Cooper, WR, DAL. Michael Gallup, WR, DAL - Do we have more than name brand value here? I’m not sure. Is that still more than they are actually worth in redraft leagues? Probably. Are dynasty teams built around these Cowboys frustrated? Absolutely. Gallup has no redraft value, but do a price check in dynasty. Elliott can be a stepping stone to a better “name” back in redraft and might be available from a contender in dynasty. Same goes for Cooper.
Sell Low in redraft
Dalvin Cook, RB, MIN - Cook will be back this week and I have no doubt that if the Vikings season wasn’t going awry, I’d want to ride him into the sunset in redraft leagues. With Kirk Cousins floundering and Cook possibly staying hurt once he is hurt, this could be the best time to get out. Tampa, Chicago, and New Orleans also loom on the playoff schedule.