RADIO
Who should fantasy football owners be targeting as a buy or sell candidate entering Week 12 of the 2018 season? Martin Konstantinov examines players whose fantasy value are rising or falling.
One of the toughest parts of fantasy football to navigate is trading with league-mates. As a result of the unique characteristics of every person in a fantasy football league, it is often difficult to find a strategy for trading players that works for everyone in any situation.
Nevertheless, highlighting the performances of certain players helps to create a starting point for fantasy owners. By knowing who to trade or trade for, fantasy owners are able to have a starting point for any trade negotiations that they have.
Each week, the trade values of certain players rise and fall according to their performances on the field. Let's take a look at some players that fantasy owners may want to consider offloading or trading for after Week 11 of the NFL season.
Editor's Note: Identify fantasy football draft busts, overvalued ADPs, and key players to avoid so you can draft with confidence this season.
Buy Low
Dalvin Cook (RB, MIN)
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook's comeback following his injury has been less than ideal. Although the second-year pro had a decent performance in Week 9 (10 carries for 89 yards and four receptions for 20 yards), his Week 11 performance left much to be desired. Cook had nine carries for 12 yards and three catches for negative two yards as well as a fumble. The Vikings struggled to get their run game going, something that has happened to the team often this season.
However, Cook's return could jumpstart the team's offense once again and bring more balance once he finds his rhythm again. With several easy matchups to round out the season and Cook's ability as a big-play threat, the Vikings would do well to lean on the young running back once he gets back into form and overtakes Latavius Murray as the team's workhorse. Now is the time to go get Cook while his value is at an all-time low.
Doug Baldwin (WR, SEA)
With double-digit points in half-point ppr formats just twice this season, Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin has definitely had a year to forget. However, much of this season has seen Baldwin hobbled by several injuries which have limited his overall performance and upside. Regardless, Baldwin is still the top option in the Seahawks passing game and looks to be finding his form. With a promising Week 11 performance, Baldwin was able to put up seven receptions for 52 yards and his first touchdown of the year. Fantasy owners have to bet that Baldwin will rekindle his chemistry with quarterback Russell Wilson and begin producing at a high level once again. Although Baldwin is a riskier option to trade for, he is still worth a consideration given the upside that Seahawks weapons tend to have in the back half of the season.
Sell High
Mark Ingram (RB, NO)
With back to back 100-yard games on the ground, Mark Ingram has been a valuable fantasy asset. Ingram has three touchdowns in his last two games and put up 58 receiving yards in his Week 10 bout. Although Ingram looks like a draft steal at his position, the presence of fellow running back Alvin Kamara is worrisome, to say the least. Although both have proven to be hyper-efficient when playing together (see their 2017 stats) and the Saints offense is operating at an all-time high right now, we have seen Ingram lose valuable red-zone work to Kamara when it matters. Additionally, Ingram has limited reception upside, putting a cap on how much value the bruising back can have. Ingram is a solid RB2 with touchdown upside; however, now may be the time to trade him away for backend RB1 value. Ingram is on a high right now, making him the perfect candidate to trade to an RB-needy team for an elite option at receiver.
Stefon Diggs (WR, MIN)
Perhaps the definition of a boom-bust WR, Stefon Diggs has had some fantastic performances this season that has been interrupted by a few less-than-ideal matches in between. Diggs is clearly an elite talent, as witnessed by his Week 11 performance where the veteran wideout had 13 receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown. Diggs has four 100+ yard games this season and five scores to boot, making him a very solid fantasy option for those that drafted him. However, when it comes to crunch time, Diggs does not have the safest floor and therefore is a riskier proposition to rely on entering the critical time of year for fantasy owners. Consider moving on from Diggs for a premium price if you are able to package him with a solid RB for an elite workhorse back or top-five wide receiver.
