RADIO
Who should fantasy football owners be targeting as a buy or sell candidate entering Week 6 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 5 of the NFL season.
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Buy Low
Dalvin Cook (RB, MIN)
The Minnesota Vikings have a huge need at running back - if anything, the last few weeks without Dalvin Cook have shown that. A poor offensive line and failing to establish a game on the ground has led to too many pass attempts for quarterback Kirk Cousins. Although Cook is nursing a hamstring injury, the second-year pro looks to be coming back sooner rather than later and is expected to add some balance to the Vikings offense as well as a three-down presence and mismatch option for the team.
We have seen what Dalvin Cook can do while he is healthy. If you are willing to risk the chance of an injury for the former FSU running back, now may be the best time to trade for the young football player because of Cook's potential as a workhorse running back to be an elite NFL back. The Vikings are a good team this year, and Cook will be a central part of that team when he comes back. With plenty of opportunities for red-zone touches and a huge workload going forward, Dalvin Cook is a great buy-low option for fantasy owners willing to endure some injury risk going forward.
Sony Michel (RB, NE)
The last few weeks have been a snapshot for fantasy owners of what Sony Michel can become over the course of the rest of the 2018 season. After missing the preseason, Michel split duties with fellow running backs Rex Burkhead and James White following his return from injury in Weeks 2 and 3. However, with Burkhead going to the IR and James White retaining a third-down role (that he has performed exceptionally in), Michel is the only Patriots running back playing on early downs and getting red-zone work.
We have seen what a Pats running back who has a full workload can be in the past, and Michel's last two performances have shown that he is good enough to take advantage of the fantastic opportunity that he has to produce. Michel has had over 100 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns (he could have had several more) in the last two weeks, and his season should only go up from here. Therefore, no matter the cost, try and get Michel before it is too late. We could have a top running back for the rest of our season at an RB2 price on our hands.
Sell High
Robert Woods (WR, LAR)
After a pedestrian Week 1, Robert Woods has been a fantastic option at wide receiver this season. The Rams offense is too good, and Woods, Brandin Cooks, and Cooper Kupp have all played extremely well as the three starting receivers for the team. Additionally, running back Todd Gurley has been a presence through the air over the first few weeks and has nine total touchdowns so far.
There are clearly a lot of mouths to feed in the Rams offense, and Woods is one of those players that needs consistent looks to have big games. With concussions for both Kupp and Cooks, Woods looks like the only receiver left that can make a difference for the Rams this week. This makes him the perfect option to sell high, banking on his short-term upside as a potentially elite option and getting a great player or two in return.
Kenny Golladay (WR, DET)
This may be a controversial decision given Kenny Golladay's great start to the season. Golladay has been a WR1 so far this year and looks to be one of the league's next great receivers. Therefore, his value going forward as an option in fantasy lineups is very high. It makes sense to hold on to Golladay as a starting wide receiver for your lineups. However, there are a lot of other mouths to feed on the Lions offense, specifically wide receivers Marvin Jones Jr. and Golden Tate.
This creates some uncertainty in Golladay's ability to continue being the great option that he has been so far this season. Nobody will fault you for holding on to Golladay, but his performances so far this season could warrant exploring a trade as a package for an elite running back or receiver who has a less congested wide receiver group to rise from (such as Michael Thomas). Regardless, Golladay is a fantastic option, so make sure you account for his upside if you decide to sell high on the second-year pro.
