The waiver wire isn't the only place to change the course of your team. The right trade can make or break your season. The key is to buy low on cold players and sell overachieving players whose values have skyrocketed.
While this is a well-known method, some owners still tend to overreact to a small sample size, so it's important to take advantage of those opportunities.
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Fantasy Football Buy Low Candidates
Russell Wilson (QB, SEA)
Wilson is playing well in 2016, but owners who only look at fantasy points wouldn’t know it. The 27-year-old has thrown for 495 yards over the last two weeks but couldn’t find the end zone in either game. Against Atlanta in Week 6, Wilson moved the ball nicely, but Christine Michael just happened to be the one to cash in inside the red zone. Then, in Week 7 against the Cardinals, neither team could find any offensive rhythm. A strong defensive battle with Seattle’s division rival shouldn’t discourage owners.
Last season, Wilson came out of a mediocre start against the Cardinals and threw 24 touchdowns with just one interception over his remaining eight games. Yes, Wilson’s knee injury affects his ability to run the ball, but he should hold a ton of value nonetheless, and could potentially be had at a bargain right now. A matchup with the Saints should turn things around quickly, so take advantage of this opportunity.
Todd Gurley (RB, LA)
It’s hard to blame anybody for being angry over Todd Gurley’s (lack of) production. The consensus first-round fantasy pick hasn’t even really sniffed the 100-yard mark on the ground in any week, totaling 403 yards and three touchdowns over his first seven games. The Rams’ offensive line is rough, but Gurley trudged for 1,106 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2015 with a similarly weak line. One would have to think the reigning rookie of the year will pick it up eventually.
In order to try to acquire Gurley, one should a) be able to afford to stash him during his upcoming bye week, and b) be desperate for a playoff push. The fantasy playoffs are closer than they may appear, and a trade for Gurley could make or break your season— his draft stock has lessened but it’s not as if he can be had for free.
Allen Robinson (WR, JAC)
Robinson has posted just 49.3 yards per game this year, hasn’t reached 100 yards in a single contest, and actually managed just nine yards on two catches in Week 7. His season has been a colossal disappointment so far for fantasy owners, especially those who took a chance on him in the first round.
However, last season, five of Robinson’s six 100-yard games came after his Week 8 bye. The Jaguars already had their bye this year, and the upcoming schedule looks favorable (@TEN, @KC, vs. HOU, @DET). It’s no guarantee that Robinson will turn it around in 2016, but a deep-league team in dire need of a boost at wideout should be willing to take that chance.
Fantasy Football Sell High Candidates
Melvin Gordon (RB, SD)
Here we are again. Gordon’s 10 total touchdowns (eight rushing, two receiving) are the most in football by a good margin— DeMarco Murray is second with seven. Gordon is fourth among all backs in carries with 138, but he sits just 33rd in yards per carry. Gordon’s touchdown pace simply isn’t sustainable for a player of his caliber. Only 11 times in football history has a running back or receiver totaled at least 23 touchdowns— Gordon is on pace for 22.9. Last season, Devonta Freeman scampered for ten total touchdowns over his first six games, but managed just four scores the rest of the way— and Freeman is a more talented runner.
James White (RB, NE)
White’s ownership has jumped significantly over the last few weeks as he has dominated in the passing game, with 142 yards and three touchdowns. However, those performances came against the Browns, Bengals and Steelers. New England’s next two opponents, the Bills and the Seahawks, have limited pass-catching backs all season— neither team has allowed an opposing running back to claim 60 yards or a touchdown through the air. Jammed right in between those matchups is a Week 9 bye.
Additionally — and perhaps more importantly — Dion Lewis is nearing a return to the field. By the time the Patriots travel to San Francisco for a Week 11 showdown with the 49ers, Lewis may very well have overtaken White for the team’s pass-catching role. Ship him off while the return will be hefty.
Brandon LaFell (WR, CIN)
LaFell has emerged as Cincinnati’s No. 2 wideout behind A.J. Green. The 29-year-old has 27 receptions, 372 yards and four touchdowns in his first year with his new team. All four of his trips to the end zone have come in the last three weeks— his last touchdown before this stretch came in Week 13 of the 2014 season.
Rookie Tyler Boyd has not yet become a key piece for the Bengals, but he has made an impact at times, and could continue to take targets away from LaFell. Additionally, Tyler Eifert is back and should begin to see his role in the offense grow. This essentially leaves LaFell, who could start to get lost in the mix, dispensable and replaceable. This touchdown pace will not hold up over the course of the season, so sell high on LaFell before his value disappears.