X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Buy Lows & Sell Highs: Mike Evans, Julius Thomas, Amari Cooper & More

Welcome to our Week 9 buy low / sell high, where we look to provide fantasy football trade advice.

With Week 8 in the books and the NFL season officially more than half way done, the injuries are beginning to pile up. Only a few weeks after seeing Jamaal Charles and Arian Foster go down, Week 8 saw several more top players get hurt with either long term or season ending ailments. That list includes Le'Veon Bell, Reggie Bush, Steve Smith Sr. and Matt Forte - three of which were in the top-15 at their position.

While it's never fun to see star players hurt like that, those injuries have a way of exposing a lack of depth on any fantasy team, and that opens the door for those that happen to have that depth. If you are one of those teams, now is the time to make a move.

Editor's Note: Identify fantasy football draft busts, overvalued ADPs, and key players to avoid so you can draft with confidence this season.

With that said, here are a few players to buy and a few to sell heading into Week 9.

 

Week 9 Fantasy Football Buys

Mike Evans (WR, TB)

Evans has been wildly inconsistent thus far in 2015, and last Sunday was no different. After dropping more than 20 fantasy points on Washington a couple weeks back, the Tampa Bay star put up only 48 yards in Atlanta.

That lackluster performance was made especially sour by the fact that both Vincent Jackson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins were held out, leaving Evans as the only real pass-catcher on the team. His performance is especially disappointing when you consider that the game went into overtime.

There are few things in fantasy more frustrating than an inconsistent player, but a rookie quarterback under center and an early season hamstring pull are a pretty good excuse for it. Easily the top pass-catching option on a growing team with a suspect defense, Evans is worth a buy while his stock is relatively low.

Julius Thomas (TE, JAX)

On a bye last week, owners of Thomas are likely still grumbling about the one catch and four yards that the TE put up in London a couple weekends ago.

That discontent is for good reason too, as Thomas showed a great deal of promise in his first real game of the season in Week 6, only to follow it up with an absolute dud overseas in Week 7. However, if you happen to have a hole at TE - and let's face it, over half of us do - don't let that dud in London scare you. It may be wise to focus more on the former of Thomas' two full games rather than the latter.

Among the top options on an improving Jaguars passing attack, Thomas is a skilled TE with a knack for the end-zone who could quickly climb to TE1 status once he gets fully acclimated into the offense. If the price is right, buy.

Davante Adams (WR, GB)

On a night where Aaron Rodgers threw for less than 80 passing yards and James Jones caught only a couple of them, a healthy Adams was a bit of a silver lining against the Broncos.

That term is used loosely, of course, as the young receiver caught just one pass for eight yards. Adams did look healthy though, and operated predominantly as the Packers' number two receiver. WithRodgers under center and the Broncos not on the schedule again, that fact could be a very, very good thing for the pre-season sleeper.

Jones will likely eat into Adams' targets, and so could Ty Montgomery once he returns, but Adams appear to have a role in this usually lucrative passing attack, and that could lead to solid WR3 or even WR2 production as the season progresses. Now is the time to buy.

 

Week 9 Fantasy Football Sells

Darren McFadden (RB, DAL)

Starting for the first time this season, McFadden pounded the rock 20 times against the Seahawks on Sunday but only managed 64 yards. He did contribute in the passing game though and managed to eclipse double-digit fantasy points for the second straight week.

That's not the reason to sell though. The reason to sell is the fact that when you run a player practically made of glass 20 times a game, an injury is all but imminent. If history means anything, McFadden will get hurt if he keeps running like this, and he'll get hurt soon. When that happens, those who scooped him off the waiver wire last week will have nothing to show for it as his stock will all but dry up.

That's not to say he isn't a solid RB2 with RB1 ceiling right now, because he most certainly is, but if there was ever a sell-high candidate mid-way through the season it's him. Before you end up cutting him due to a significant injury, trade him.

Amari Cooper (WR, OAK)

Cooper found himself stranded on Revis Island on Sunday, finishing with only 48 yards on five catches. It was Cooper's third game of the season with fewer than 50 yards, and the second in his last three games.

While shadow coverage from Darrelle Revis is largely to blame, Cooper's Week 8 output only reiterates an increasingly alarming fact. Yes, the rookie wide-out is tops in the league in terms of yards after the catch, but that may not be a a good thing. Simply put, yards after the catch doesn't help much when you're not catching the ball.

Cooper hasn't eclipsed the five-catch mark since Week 3, a trend that could continue as long as Michael Crabtree keeps producing. He's still a top-20 receiver in fantasy with WR2 appeal, but that appeal could taper off for Cooper as the season continues. Now may be the time to trade.

Ronnie Hillman (RB, DEN)

On the buy portion of this list not very long ago, Hillman's 19 carries for 60 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday night have taken his stock to its peak.

That peak may be a little too high, unfortunately. While Hillman led the backfield in touches on Sunday, C.J. Anderson wasn't far behind and was far more efficient as well. With Anderson now healthy and appearing close to his 2014 form - at least on Sunday - Hillman's hold on the lion's share of the carries in Denver could be a lot weaker than once thought. Couple that with the fact that backs of Hillman's size aren't known for their durability, and a step back could be in the speedster's future.

Until then, Hillman remains a strong RB2, but he likely isn't the RB1 some might see him to be. If you can get RB1 value for him - and you probably can, given all of the injuries to running backs - go for it.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Josh Hart

Plans to Play Through Finger Injury
Indiana Pacers

Monte Morris Inks Deal With Pacers
Roki Sasaki

To Be Activated Wednesday, Pitch Out Of Bullpen
Karl-Anthony Towns

Shuts Down Rumors of Undergoing Offseason Procedures
Cade Horton

Pulled From Tuesday's Start With Back Tightness
Wyatt Langford

Exits Tuesday With Left-Side Tightness
Zion Williamson

Expects to be Held Accountable by New Pelicans Executive Joe Dumars
Kyrie Irving

Recovering Faster Than Expected From ACL Injury
Jonathan Aranda

Could Return as Soon as Thursday
Marcus Semien

Corey Seager, Marcus Semien Shut Down for Rest of the Season
CFB

DJ Lagway Spotted in Walking Boot
Bryan Woo

Won't Make Final Start of Regular Season
Xander Schauffele

Representing Team USA at Ryder Cup
Tyrrell Hatton

Representing Team Europe at Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy

Representing Team Europe at Ryder Cup
Ludvig Aberg

Representing Team Europe at Ryder Cup
Jon Rahm

Representing Team Europe at Ryder Cup
Cameron Young

Representing Team USA at Ryder Cup
MacKenzie Gore

to Miss Rest of 2025 Season
Tyson Foerster

Ditches Non-Contact Jersey
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary Cleared for Action
Brent Burns

Back at Practice on Tuesday
Joseph Woll

Takes Leave of Absence
Drake Batherson

Leaves Practice Early
Macklin Celebrini

Rejoins Practice Tuesday
Vasily Podkolzin

Oilers Sign Vasily Podkolzin to Three-Year Extension
CFB

John Mateer to Undergo Thumb Surgery on Wednesday
Jayson Tatum

Working Towards a Return This Season
Egor Demin

"Limited" With Plantar-Fascia Tear
Darius Garland

Back on the Court, Remains without a Timetable
Xavier Worthy

Chiefs Optimistic Xavier Worthy Will Play "Limited Role" in Week 4
Haywood Highsmith

Plans to be Ready for the Season
Cleveland Cavaliers

Thomas Bryant Agrees to a Deal With the Cavaliers
Kyle Tucker

Does Some Running, Cubs Hope he Can Return Before Playoffs
MLB

MLB to Use ABS Challenge System in 2026
CFB

Mike Gundy Fired By Oklahoma State
Terry McLaurin

Uncertain to Play in Week 4
Jaxson Dart

Giants Name Jaxson Dart Their Starting QB
Mike Evans

to Miss 3-4 Weeks With Moderate Hamstring Strain
Fernando Tatis Jr.

Likely to Miss Multiple Games
Mike Evans

"Expected to Miss Multiple Weeks" With Hamstring Injury
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks
Grant Williams

Not Ready for Training Camp
Josh Green

Misses Training Camp
Derik Queen

Has No Set Return Date
Dejounte Murray

Remains Without Timeline for Return
Herbert Jones

at 100 Percent Ahead of Training Camp
Trey Murphy III

Good to Go for Training Camp
Mark Andrews

Goes Off For 91 Yards, Two Touchdowns in Loss to Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs

Totals 99 Yards, Two Touchdowns Against Baltimore
David Montgomery

Explodes for Career-High 151 Yards, Two Touchdowns Against Ravens
Ozzie Albies

Suffers Season-Ending Left Hamate Fracture Monday
Jordan Addison

Reinstated from Suspension, Set for Season Debut
Andre Burakovsky

Returns to Practice Monday
Liam O'Brien

Week-to-Week With Lower-Body Injury
Barrett Hayton

Out Day-to-Day
Jack McBain

Considered Day-to-Day
Logan Cooley

Labeled Day-to-Day
Alex Pietrangelo

Doesn't Rule Out Return This Season
David Pastrnak

Skates on Monday
Fred VanVleet

Suffers Torn ACL, Likely Out for Season
Kon Knueppel

Poised for Prominent Role in Hornets Rebuild
Sam Hauser

to Step Into Bigger Role With Celtics After Jayson Tatum Injury
Egor Demin

Nets Rookie Egor Demin Poised For Starting Role
CeeDee Lamb

Could Miss 3-4 Weeks
San Francisco 49ers

Nick Bosa Diagnosed With Season-Ending Torn ACL
Adley Rutschman

Back From the Injured List
CeeDee Lamb

Unlikely to Play in Week 4 on Sunday Night
Trea Turner

Could Return for Final Regular-Season Series
Kyle Tucker

Unlikely to Return Until at Least Wednesday
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

to Miss Time With Dislocated Shoulder
Ryan Blaney

Advances to the Round of 8 In the Playoffs After Winning at New Hampshire
William Byron

Earns A New Career-Best Finish of Third at New Hampshire
Chase Elliott

Scores Top-Five Finish at New Hampshire
Kyle Larson

Shows Speed and Finishes in the Top 10 at New Hampshire
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace's Handling Struggles Leaves him Behind the Playoff Cut Line
James Conner

Officially Out for Remainder of 2025 Season
Najee Harris

Out for Rest of Season With Torn Achilles
Ricky Pearsall

Torches the Cardinals Secondary on Sunday For 117 Yards
CFB

ACC Fines Syracuse $25,000 for "Feigning of Injuries"
CeeDee Lamb

Believed to Have a High-Ankle Sprain
Tyler Kleven

Suffers Undisclosed Injury Against Maple Leafs
Nicolas Hague

Injured on Sunday
Logan Cooley

Hurt in Preseason Game
Andre Burakovsky

Misses Practice With Lower-Body Injury
Jared McCann

Considered Day-to-Day
Jalen Chatfield

Unlikely to Play During Preseason
Josh Berry

Recovers from Spin to Finish Second
Joey Logano

Delivers Playoff Speed After Regular-Season Mediocrity
Denny Hamlin

Remains a Solid Bet to Advance in Playoffs
Tyler Reddick

Brake Brakedown Diminishes Tyler Reddick's Playoff Hopes
Ross Chastain

Loses Ground in Playoff Race Despite Top-10 Finish
CFB

Steve Angeli Will Miss Remainder of 2025 Season With Torn Achilles
Puka Nacua

Targeted 15 Times, Goes Over Century Mark in Loss to Eagles
Kenneth Walker III

Finds End Zone Twice in Blowout of Saints
A.J. Brown

Breaks Out of Early-Season Slump With Monster Week 3
Corbin Carroll

Joins 30-30 Club on Sunday
Brandon Woodruff

has Moderate Lat Strain
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena to Get Imaging Done
Yordan Alvarez

Won't Make Final Road Trip
Anthony Davis

Participates in Five-on-Five Games
Trevor Megill

Unlikely to Return Until Playoffs
Brandon Woodruff

Goes on 15-Day Injured List With Lat Strain
CJ Abrams

Out With Jammed Shoulder on Sunday
Ryan Blaney

the Favorite to Win at New Hampshire
Joey Logano

Wins Pole, Is Confident Heading Into New Hampshire Race
Christopher Bell

Is Christopher Bell The No-Brainer DFS Pick at New Hampshire?
Denny Hamlin

Always Strong at New Hampshire
William Byron

has Never Finished in the Top 10 at New Hampshire
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Could Contend at New Hampshire This Weekend
Austin Cindric

Has Potential at New Hampshire
Kyle Larson

a Strong DFS Option, Inconsistency Gives Reason to Doubt him
Chase Elliott

Recent Speed Downturn Could Continue at Loudon
Chase Briscoe

Looks Slower at Loudon Than in the Round of 16
Tyler Reddick

Possibly Distracted by Contract Costs
CFB

Steve Angeli Will Miss Significant Time
CFB

Thomas Castellanos OK After Injury Scare
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Upgraded to Probable for Saturday's Tilt Against Missouri
Jaccob Slavin

Remains Sidelined Saturday
CFB

Behren Morton Ruled Out vs. Utah
CFB

Behren Morton Exits with Possible Concussion
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Upgraded to Probable for Saturday's Tilt Against Missouri
CFB

Eric Singleton Jr. Questionable For Saturday

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP