RADIO
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 when a play over- or underachieves, so it's important to take advantage of those opportunities.
With fantasy football trade deadlines approaching, last-minute trades could be key in making that playoff push.
Fantasy Football Buy Candidates
Frank Gore (RB, IND)
Gore has racked up at least 1,000 yards on the ground in each of his last eight seasons with 14 or more games played. In fact, he is currently running on four consecutive seasons with 16 games played and 1,100+ yards. The 11-year veteran is on pace to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark once again, and has already matched his touchdown total from 2014. With Andrew Luck sidelined for the foreseeable future, the Colts could rely on Gore more heavily to carry the offense.
Gore comes out of the Colts' bye week with a matchups against the Falcons, who have allowed 11 rushing touchdowns to date. Furthermore, in Weeks 15 and 16, Gore gets to face the Texans' and Dolphins' defensive units-- both of which rank in the bottom six in rushing yards allowed per game. For an owner looking for depth to solidify a playoff-bound team, Gore can be an excellent mix-and-match candidate down the stretch.
Travis Benjamin (WR, CLE)
After posting 80 or more yards in five of his first six games of the season, Benjamin has failed to reach the 50-yard mark in each of his last three games. He was targeted 45 times in Weeks 3-6 -- the four times Josh McCown took every snap -- but just 19 times since.
Fantasy owners might be down on the struggling Benjamin, so his cost could be quite low. The fourth-year veteran could be due for some big games regardless of who is under center, but especially if McCown returns as the starter. With a soft matchup against the Steelers this week, don't be surprised to see Benjamin return to top form. As a big-play threat, all it takes is one deep connection for Benjamin to make a fantasy impact. If you're looking for a high-upside guy to plug in on any given week, Benjamin is a relatively cheap option to consider.
Eddie Lacy (RB, GB)
Lacy's stock has to be at an all-time low, considering the Packers named James Starks their starting running back this week. Lacy may or may not be fully healthy this season, and he may or may not be the reliable, elite fantasy player owners were expecting him to be on draft day, but his talent is undeniable. If you are an owner who is looking for a high-risk, high-reward player to help you pull off a miracle, Lacy could be your guy.
While Lacy has had some horrible games, including a four-carry, three-yard showing in Week 6, he has also had a couple of impressive performances, such as in Week 4, when he turned 18 carries into 90 yards. His 3.7 yards per carry is only slightly worse than he had been putting up (4.1 in 2013, 4.6 in 2014). Lacy has disappeared for entire games and hasn't found the end zone much, but there's reason to believe those things can change. A couple of big runs, and the former offensive rookie of the year can build some momentum for a strong finish to the season. Again, if you are looking for a high-risk, high-reward player, take a shot on Lacy at the time when he will be the cheapest.
Fantasy Football Sell Candidates
Jeremy Langford (RB, CHI)
I was tempted to do this last week-- even before he played. However, I figured his value was bound to go up after playing against a porous Chargers' run defense. Langford lived up to expectations in his debut as a starter, finishing with 142 total yards and a touchdown.
His presence on this list doesn't indicate a lack of trust as a running back, but it definitely indicates the expectation of a drop-off, as the Bears face a tougher test in Week 10 against the Rams. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, Matt Forte's imminent return will inevitably push Langford back into fantasy irrelevancy--or at least mediocrity. Try to turn Langford's huge week into a player who can be productive throughout the remainder of the season.
Antonio Andrews (RB, TEN)
After managing just nine yards on seven carries in his second career game in Week 5, Andrews has increased his rushing yards total in each of the past four games. He took a career-high 19 carries for 88 yards in Week 9. The Titans have tough matchups against the Panthers and Jaguars (twice) in upcoming weeks, so it may be difficult for Andrews to continue his ascent. In fact, the Jaguars have allowed only one back (Doug Martin, 123 yards in Week 5) to collect more than 80 yards.
Additionally, rookie David Cobb is expected to make his debut this week, and at the very least he will take away a chunk of Andrews' carries. Andrews has played well enough to collect some fantasy value, and I'm willing to bet there is a team in your league desperate for some running back depth.
Cole Beasley (WR, DAL)
After two consecutive weeks without a catch, Beasley had a monster performance against the Eagles. The Cowboys' slot receiver grabbed nine of his 11 targets for 112 yards and two scores. The obvious reason to expect Beasley's big night was a fluke is that he had never eclipsed 70 yards in his career before Sunday.
Next, Dez Bryant's return should force Beasley back into a smaller role. Bryant regained his rhythm in Week 9, totaling 104 yards and a touchdown on five catches. The star receiver should continue to garner more attention from whoever is under center for the 'Boys. Additionally, Bryant will resume the role of primary red zone target--he led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2014.
Beasley is fine to have on your bench, but I cannot imagine a scenario in which the fourth-year wideout would be in your starting lineup. If there is an owner desperate enough to take a shot on someone like Beasley--after all, the playoffs are approaching--don't hesitate to ship him off immediately.
