RADIO
Scott Engel identifies players to target and buy-low as well as those to sell now heading into Week 2 of the 2019 fantasy football season.
It is very early in the 2019 fantasy football season, but many owners will be reactionary and panic after just one week of action and results. You can take advantage by trying to buy low on guys that are much likely to bounce back quickly and deliver better results in the longer term, or through selling players you may have that outperformed expectations in Week 1. Make offers involving these players during this week leading up to game days.
We also offer up some salesmanship points to sway your potential trade partners into hitting the accept button. If you can simply get the other owner to buy into what you are selling, you can get the job done. If you position a deal in a manner in which you are trying to help the other team, while making a sacrifice you may not feel comfortable with, that may increase the odds of executing the transaction. I have often been able to complete trades by acting as if I had some misgivings about it or was not fully comfortable with it. Of course, we provide you with the real truth on these targets and players to unload.
At the end of the day, do whatever you can to earn an advantage. I believe in being ruthless in fantasy football. We are friends outside of the league, but once we are competing against each other for money, I will do whatever it takes to beat you. If I rip you off and the trade is approved or goes through, that is your problem. Of course, not every league has the same stakes. If you are in one of those leagues that consists of family and the intensity is lessened, then you truly may be trying to just help each other out. In those cases, filling apparent needs for both sides works out best.
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Buy ‘Em
Sony Michel, RB, Patriots: His 15 yards on 14 carries and the eight carries from Rex Burkhead may scare the heck out of his current owners. Plus Antonio Brown is expected to be active for Week 2, and you may be able to talk his owner into believing that Tom Brady is going to carry the offense with the passing game. Michel is the same guy that looked like a Fantasy RB1 during the playoffs last year and the Patriots will get him re-established in a good way in Week 2 at Miami.
Nick Chubb, RB, Browns: He totaled just 75 rushing yards and had a TD chance vultured by his backup in the opener as the Browns were blown out. Better times are ahead for a guy who will often play at an RB1 level going forward.
Kerryon Johnson, RB, Lions: He finished with just 62 yards from scrimmage. If you can convince his current owner that the Lions are going to throw more than expected and will be playing from behind a lot, then you might be able to land this high-end RB2 on the cheap. Detroit ideally wants to run the ball to win games, and Johnson should be the main contributor.
Brandin Cooks, WR, Rams: He caught only two passes for 39 yards, and if the owner who has him already lost his first game, he may be feeling overanxious to shake things up. Sell him on the fact that Cooper Kupp is looking good again and the WR picture in Los Angeles is crowded. I always thought Cooks was a bit overrated and does not score enough, but if you don’t have to give away a superstar to get him, go for it.
Geronimo Allison, WR Packers: He was not targeted a single time in the season opener, and everyone who plays Fantasy Football knows it. Allison was facing a tough matchup in his first game back after a long injury layoff. He’ll likely be back in the flow of a more effective passing game in no time and it won’t take much to acquire him. In some leagues, watch for him to get released and then add him.
Jared Cook, TE, Saints: He also caught only two passes for 37 yards in the season opener, but should certainly be a bigger part of the offense going forward. Cook should be a top red-zone target over time for Drew Brees.
O.J. Howard, Buccaneers: He caught four passes for 32 yards in the opener, and a lot of Fantasy players have quickly become discouraged with the Tampa Bay offense. But a down game for Howard may be seven PPR points, as he registered double figures in that format in seven of 10 games last season.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers: There is no way he is as bad as he looked in the opener, even without Antonio Brown. Look for a rebound outing in the home opener vs. Seattle this week.
Sell ‘Em
Malcolm Brown, RB, Rams: Here is the nifty plan if you are higher in the waiver order than the Todd Gurley owner. Pick up Brown on free agency and trade him to that owner. Brown is widely available as a free agent on most sites and obviously the Gurley owners picked the wrong handcuff in the preseason. If you did draft Brown and don’t have Gurley, now is the time to sell him.
Matt Breida, RB, 49ers: If you have good depth in your backfield, you should try to shop Breida in the wake of Tevin Coleman’s ankle injury news. Only do this if you need an upgrade at another position and have surplus at RB. Breida is an admirably tough and tenacious runner, but he may also operate in a timeshare and he tends to get banged up.
DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles: He made a very impressive return to Philadelphia with eight catches for 154 yards and two TDs. But historically, Jackson has been boom or bust throughout his career, and while there are more good outings ahead, he has never been reliable for Fantasy purposes. His value may never be higher than it is now, so see what you can get in return.
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos: He looked good in the preseason and caught five passes for 86 yards and a TD on Monday night. But he has returned early from an Achilles injury and that makes him a risk to go down at any time. Trade Sanders before you’re in a situation where you get nothing for him.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions: If you did draft him, sell Stafford to an owner who is acting needy for QB help after a week. Stafford threw for 385 yards and three TDs in the opener, but the Lions want to run the ball to win games and don’t want Stafford carrying the offense like he has often had to in the past. You may not get much of a return in a one on one deal but he could be part of a package.
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