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Who should fantasy football owners be targeting as a buy or sell candidate entering Week 5 of the 2018 season? Martin Konstantinov examines players whose fantasy value are rising or falling.
One of the toughest parts of fantasy football to navigate is trading with league-mates. As a result of the unique characteristics of every person in a fantasy football league, it is often difficult to find a strategy for trading players that works for everyone in any situation.
Nevertheless, highlighting the performances of certain players helps to create a starting point for fantasy owners. By knowing who to trade or trade for, fantasy owners are able to have a starting point for any trade negotiations that they have.
Each week, the trade values of certain players rise and fall according to their performances on the field. Let's take a look at some players that fantasy owners may want to consider offloading or trading for after Week 3 of the NFL season.
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Buy Low
Jordan Howard (RB, CHI)
Howard has been a solid contributor so far this season, with 64 rushing attempts for 203 rushing yards and a touchdown through the first four games. Howard also has 10 receptions for 78 yards on the year, giving him a solid weekly receiving floor. However, in the team's 48-10 victory over the Buccaneers this past week, Howard only had 11 rushes for 25 yards and zero catches despite the positive game-script.
However, given Howard's performances this season and status as a workhorse back (a rare commodity in today's NFL), as well as the emergence of the Bears offense as a top unit bolstered by an elite defense, the third-year back figures to be a solid RB2 each week with RB1 upside in games where he is used heavily in the red-zone. Hopefully, you can package some flex receiver options or a struggling top running back for Howard's services, as it may pay off down the stretch this year.
Larry Fitzgerald (WR, ARI)
Unfortunately, Larry Fitzgerald has been playing through a hamstring injury for the last few weeks. Usually a target and reception vacuum, Fitzgerald only has 15 receptions for 141 yards. Largely a product of the struggling Cardinals offense, Fitzgerald has been very disappointing for those who drafted him as an upper-level WR2 on the season.
However, we have seen that Fitzgerald usually thrives no matter how his team's offense plays. With over 107 receptions in the last three years, there should be a reversion to the mean once Fitzgerald gets more chemistry with rookie quarterback Josh Rosen. Therefore, now may be the time to get Fitzgerald at his lowest value in order to secure the services of a reliable flex option with WR2 upside in PPR formats going forward.
Sell High
David Johnson (RB, ARI)
Alternatively, if you don't believe in the Cardinals, now may be the time to let go of David Johnson. The running back has three touchdowns on the year and has improved each game this season. Johnson had his heaviest workload of the season, with 22 rushes for 71 yards as well as three catches for 41 yards and a receiving touchdown. However, the veteran running back is averaging 3.3 yard-per-carry and only has thirteen receptions so far this year.
Following his 2016 season with 80 receptions, 13 receptions after a quarter of the year is definitely a disappointment. Unfortunately, the team's poor offense has hindered Johnson's upside. After his "good" performance last week, Johnson should hopefully be able to be traded for some decent options. With RB1 name-value and RB2 stats this season, now is the time to get rid of David Johnson before the Cardinals offense fully implodes.
Tyler Boyd (WR, CIN)
After a rather poor showing in Week 1 (three receptions for 26 yards), Boyd has had three very solid performances in a row. Week 2 saw Boyd record six catches for 91 yards and a touchdown, with a Week 3 follow-up performance yielding six catches for 132 yards and another score. Finally, this past week saw Boyd record a season-high 11 receptions for 100 yards. Boyd is quickly developing into a PPR machine with touchdown upside, and with the injury to tight end Tyler Eifert, Boyd will only increase his market share in the team's passing offense.
A.J. Green and Boyd have been a fantastic wide receiver duo so far this season - however, the Bengals are due for some passing attack reversion and Green will continue to be the focal point of the offense. The past three weeks have shown Boyd's ceiling - now may be the best time to trade him away for a solid RB2 or wide receivers with more potential upside. If Boyd does not perform well in the next week or two, his trade value will likely drastically sink as a result and fantasy owners will lose this golden opportunity to acquire a good player for what was likely a waiver-wire pickup.
