TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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

Neemias Queta

Back in Action Friday
Miles McBride

Misses Friday's Game
Josh Hart

Active Against Trail Blazers
Tre Johnson

Out Against Lakers
Khris Middleton

Sits Out Meeting With Lakers
Austin Reaves

Remains Out Friday
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Cleared to Play Friday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Unavailable Friday Due to Illness
Michael Porter Jr.

Won't Play Friday Night
Malik Monk

Returns to Kings Lineup
Russell Westbrook

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Domantas Sabonis

Won't Play Friday Night
Jalen Green

Available Friday Against Cavaliers
Jaylen Brown

Won't Play Friday
Kawhi Leonard

Available Friday
Aaron Gordon

to Be Re-Evaluated in 4-6 Weeks
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Expected to Return Friday
Jacob Wilson

Signs Seven-Year Extension
Diego Lopes

An Underdog At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Set For UFC 325 Main Event
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Dan Hooker

Set For UFC 325 Co-Main Event
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Rafael Fiziev

Returns At UFC 325
CFB

Texas Lands Wake Forest Transfer Sterling Berkhalter
Darius Garland

Remains Out Friday vs. Phoenix
Onyeka Okongwu

Out at Least Through the Weekend
Lauri Markkanen

Resting Friday Against Nets
Cameron Johnson

Could Be Back Before All-Star Break
Samuel Ersson

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Thursday
Pavel Zacha

Exits Early Thursday
Charlie Lindgren

Hurt Versus Red Wings
Jack Hughes

Exits With Lower-Body Injury Thursday
Brad Marchand

Suffers New Injury Blow
Patrick Kane

Becomes NHL's Highest-Scoring U.S-Born Player
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Expected to Miss a Week
Tommy Edman

Will Have Delayed Start to Spring Training, Could Miss Opening Day
Ryan McDonagh

Ready to Rejoin Lightning Lineup
Logan Thompson

Unavailable Thursday
Dylan Guenther

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Shayne Gostisbehere

Ready to Face Mammoth
Anton Lundell

Out Thursday
Elias Lindholm

Won't Play Against Flyers
Evgeni Malkin

Good to Go Thursday
Kirk Cousins

Falcons Expected to Release Kirk Cousins
Chase Brown

Working on Extension With Bengals
Michael Penix Jr.

Hopes to be Ready for Week 1
Isaac Paredes

Not a Lock for Opening Day Lineup?
Dalton Kincaid

Doesn't Need Offseason Surgery
Josh Allen

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Josh Allen

on Crutches, Wearing Walking Boot
Corbin Carroll

a Top Fantasy Outfielder After Joining 30-30 Club
Jonah Tong

Won't Pitch in the World Baseball Classic
CFB

Michigan RB Bryson Kuzdzal Withdrawing from Transfer Portal
James Reimer

Stops Avalanche Wednesday Night
Tim Stützle

Tim Stutzle Collects Two Points Against Avalanche
Ondrej Palat

Enjoys Multi-Point Debut With Islanders
Zach Werenski

Has Fifth Multi-Point Outing of the Month
Travis Konecny

Questionable for Thursday
Rasmus Ristolainen

Doesn't Finish Wednesday's Loss
Blake Coleman

Out Until Olympic Break
Aaron Judge

Appears to be Past his Elbow Issues
Bo Nix

Expected to Resume Training in 4-6 Weeks
Michael Penix Jr.

Thinks he'll be Ready by April
Evan Carter

Establishes a Goal to Steal 30 Bases
Edouard Julien

Traded to the Rockies
Cleveland Browns

Browns Hiring Todd Monken as Next Head Coach
Sahith Theegala

Off to Much Better 2026 Start
Gary Woodland

an Intriguing Option at Torrey Pines This Week
CJ Abrams

Giants Offer "Aggressive Pitch" for CJ Abrams
Andrew Putnam

Hopes to Keep Momentum Rolling This Week
Matthieu Pavon

Seeks to Return to 2024 Form at Torrey Pines
Luke List

Still Looking For Birdies at Torrey Pines
Jake Knapp

Faces Stiff Challenge at Farmers Insurance Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Needs to Play Better at Torrey Pines
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Could Struggle at Farmers Insurance Open
J.J. Spaun

A Steady Option At Farmers Insurance Open
Andrew Novak

Looking For More Success At Torrey Pines
Denny McCarthy

A Wild Card At Farmers Insurance Open
Max Homa

Looks To Keep Resurgence Going At Torrey Pines
Joe Highsmith

Struggling Heading Into Torrey Pines
Wyndham Clark

Looks To Carry Momentum Into Farmers Insurance Open
Tony Finau

Aims To Turn Things Around At Torrey Pines
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Bounce Back at Torrey Pines
Paul Goldschmidt

Yankees Expressing Interest in Re-Signing Paul Goldschmidt
Bo Bichette

Won't Play in World Baseball Classic
NFL

Bill Belichick Won't be First-Ballot Hall of Famer
Carlos Correa

Won't Play for Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Continue Incredible Run at Torrey Pines
Jason Day

has a Good Chance to Keep Momentum This Weekend
Keegan Bradley

has Good Course History at Torrey Pines
Billy Horschel

Isn't a Great DFS Option at Torrey Pines
Aaron Rodgers

Mike McCarthy Says he Wants Aaron Rodgers to Return
Will Zalatoris

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Farmers Insurance Open
Drake Maye

Expected to be Fine for Super Bowl
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Brian Daboll as New Offensive Coordinator
Buffalo Bills

Bills Promote Joe Brady to Head Coach
CFB

Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi Signs with Michigan
CFB

Darian Mensah Reaches Settlement with Duke, Expected to Land at Miami
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Not Drawing Interest on Open Market?
Shedeur Sanders

Named as Pro Bowl Replacement
Framber Valdez

Among Many High-End Pitchers on Free-Agent Market
Jose Altuve

Won't Participate in World Baseball Classic
Harrison Bader

Agrees With Giants on Two-Year Deal
Paddy Pimblett

Drops Decision
Justin Gaethje

Becomes the New Interim-Lightweight Champion
Song Yadong

Suffers Unanimous Decision Loss
MMA

Sean O'Malley Gets Back In The Win Column
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Extends His Win Streak
Derrick Lewis

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Officially Hire Mike McDaniel as Offensive Coordinator
Nathan Eovaldi

Doesn't Expect Any Limitations in Spring Training
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dominates in NFC Championship Game Win
Matthew Stafford

Plans to Return in 2026
CFB

Arthur Smith to Become Ohio State's Offensive Coordinator
Bo Nix

Sidelined for 12 Weeks With Broken Ankle
Jose Altuve

to Mainly Play Second Base

RANKINGS

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