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If your fantasy football league has no trade deadline or only has one once your playoffs start, consider that an early holiday present!
Not many of you out there can still broker that blockbuster or fleece a fool that will set your fantasy squad up to roll through your league’s playoffs like Christian Okoye used to roll over linebackers, but if you are one of the chosen few then this column is for you! This is probably the last week you can employ the buy-low/sell-high strategy when making your final trades of the season.
Without further ado, here are the buy-low and sell-high candidates for Week 14 of the 2017 NFL season.
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Fantasy Football Buy-Low Candidates
Demaryius Thomas (WR, DEN)
The Denver Broncos are the biggest disappointment in the NFL and have arguably been the worst team in football over the past month, which is saying something considering there is still a winless team in the league. Thomas has been dragged down by his terrible team and the questionable quarterbacks throwing to him. He only has seven receptions for 45 yards over his past two games as his fantasy worth is falling faster than a car driving off a cliff. Thomas could be gearing up for a huge turnaround, though, as three of his last four opponents (New York Jets, Indianapolis and Kansas City) are a trio of the worst pass defenses the NFL has to offer. If someone, ANYONE, can get the ball out to Thomas over the next month, he could be a huge help to people in their fantasy leagues’ playoffs.
Brandin Cooks (WR, NE)
Fantasy owners got stuck with a Cooks clunker last week when New England’s No. 1 receiver blessed them with two measly receptions for 17 paltry yards. That probably ended a lot of fantasy seasons and caused those people to shift their concentrations over to their fantasy hockey and hoops leagues. While Cooks’ target totals have been wildly inconsistent and unpredictable, he should see a heavy dose of Tom Brady passes this weekend with Rob Gronkowski suspended and should well against a Pittsburgh secondary in two weeks that failed to cover A.J. Green, Davante Adams and Rishard Matthews over the past three weeks. If the Cooks owner in your league is looking for a last-minute deal, try trading for him and your playoff push could quickly turn into a Super Bowl push.
David Johnson (RB, ARI)
If you thought there was any chance of Adrian Peterson coming in and causing Arizona’s bellcow back to worry about having his starting spot stolen away from him, those fears have been squashed over the past couple weeks. Johnson will still be the main man in Arizona’s offense in 2018 when he returns with a healthy wrist. If you are in a year-to-year league, this means nothing, but if you are in a keeper or dynasty league and your playoff dreams were dashed as soon you put your fantasy faith in Jay Ajayi and Martavis Bryant, now is the time to trade some unprotectable parts to a playoff team in your league so you can bring back Johnson and make him the centerpiece of your fantasy franchise next year. A team with a chance of winning money and a trophy in your league may mortgage the future and trade Johnson to better his/her opportunity to win a title. If this opportunity comes knocking to acquire Johnson, make sure to answer the door.
Fantasy Football Sell-High Candidates
LeSean McCoy (RB, BUF)
McCoy has had another fantastic fantasy season this year, rushing for 851 yards and four touchdowns while carrying Buffalo’s anemic offense on his back like he is a caveman carrying his woman to a cave. He has added 304 receiving yards and another score on pass plays as well. Even more might be asked of McCoy if Tyrod Taylor’s injured knee means Nathan Peterman, easily the worst quarterback we have seen in the NFL in 2017, has to start this week and in future weeks. Even though his next three opponents (Indianapolis, Miami and New England) do not possess stout run defenses, they will likely stack the line and focus all of their attention on stopping him, especially if Peterman is the QB. Trading McCoy this late in the season with your fantasy playoff hopes hanging in the balance would not be easy, but dealing “Shady” for another premier player could be what puts your fantasy team over the top.
Jermaine Kearse (WR, NYJ)
It pains me to place Kearse in the sell-high section as a card-carrying member of the New York Jets fan club, but there has never been a better time to trade him. New York’s No. 2 receiver behind red-hot Robby Anderson has piled up 16 receptions for 262 yards and a touchdown over New York’s last two shootouts. The days of Kearse running around uncovered through spineless secondaries are about to come to an end, though. Road games at Denver (fourth in pass defense) and New Orleans (11th) will be followed by a home tilt against the Los Angeles Chargers (fifth). Kearse cannot keep producing the way he has been against those teams’ cornerbacks and safeties. Trade him now before he gives you a couple three-catch, 30-yard games that cause you to fall in the fantasy playoffs.
Mike Wallace (WR, BAL)
Wallace was as worthless as a counterfeit $100 bill during the first half of the season, but over his past four games he has rebounded with 18 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns. Consistent and reliable are not two adjectives fantasy owners associate with Wallace, though, and with tough road games up next against division rivals Pittsburgh (second in NFL in pass defense) and Cleveland (desperate for first win of the season), the Wallace train could come off the tracks real quick. If you can trade Wallace for someone you can plug in at another position this week, then ignore what he has done lately and pull the trigger.
