Act Now! What to Do With a Winning or Losing Record

Brett Mitchell advises fantasy owners at the top or bottom of their league's standings to be proactive and make smart trades in order to succeed. He recommends strategies and players to target based on rising and falling stock.

We're still just five weeks into the season so don’t panic!  Ok, maybe you should panic if you’re 0-5 or 1-4, but it’s time to channel that energy into action. There are strategies that are relevant to teams in this situation that you should have already been enacting. The same holds true for the lucky teams on the other side of the coin. The bottom line is that you should be playing according to your record.

The interesting part about these strategies is that the teams that are in these contrary positions make the best trading partners. So read up, send the article to those on the opposite side of the league standings and make some magic by helping each other out. I believe it is a terrible idea to go at it alone, meaning that you don’t trade or work with other teams. It is also a terrible idea to keep waiting to make changes that could save your season or prepare you in advance for the playoffs.

So what the hell am I talking about? Let's see how you should be attacking the trade market now, based on your position in the standings.

Losing Teams (0-5, 1-4)

Ladies and gentlemen, I play fantasy. And so, I hear the hilarious narratives that teams with these records make to justify not panicking. Oh once my player comes back or these guys have great second half schedules and you’re all in trouble….blah, blah, blah. Let me put this in perspective for you delusional losers (I’m sure you’re awesome in real life I’m simply referring to your records). You will need to go approximately 6-2 or 7-1 to get into the playoffs in a 12-Team League. Do you know how hard that is even with a booming team? My point is that you need to hit the button now and risk it all to change your fate by treating every game like you’re in the playoffs. Here are some strategies and moves to make ASAP!

Get Rid of Injured or Underperforming Players

These players have let you down. And the only purpose they are going to have on your squad in a few weeks is playing spoiler when you have zero chance of making the playoffs. It’s time to trade or drop these players. Many of these guys will be painful to let go of, but that’s when you know it’s a meaningful trade that could be crazy enough to change your fate. I’m not going to list all of them, but here are some from the first few rounds that aren’t doing you any favors week in and week out:

Trade or Drop: DeAndre Hopkins, JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner, Joe Mixon, Mike Evans, George Kittle, Adam Thielen, David Montgomery, Stefon Diggs, A.J. Green, Damien Williams, Zach Ertz, Sony Michel, Brandin Cooks, Devonta Freeman, Duke Johnson, Dede Westbrook, Jarvis Landry, D.J. Moore, Calvin Ridley, Mike Williams, O.J. Howard and so on.

But DeAndre Hopkins is the best WR in football! Evans had a pair of monster games and gives me the best chance to win! Nope. Actually, guys like Cooper Kupp, Chris Godwin, or dare I say it, D.J. Chark give you a better chance to win than either of those guys right now. If someone is willing to make those trades you should try and submit NOW. Who cares about talent or what’s occurred in the past? For whatever reason, these guys aren’t delivering, and those guys are.

James Conner, Joe Mixon, David Montgomery or Damien Williams? Again you need to try and remove brand recognition from the equation and get the guys that are performing like Chris Carson and Matt Breida. Trade George Kittle for Will Dissly. Guys and gals, I’m telling you that you don’t have the time to wait for these trends to turn around and there are teams that do so start wheeling and dealing.

Fill your extra bench spot on DST

Instead of holding extra TEs and QBs that you’re not going to start, pick up your streaming DST for the following week. That simple.

Spend your FAAB

Is there a player that will help your team win this week? Is there someone that you would start? Well, if there is, then take what you would bid on them and double it! Oh my god, Brett Mitchell that is insane! No, you cheap bastard. What’s insane is losing out on a player that could help you this week, when you are in a must-win situation because you want to save the money for that sick suit in Week 8. Guess what Jabroni, the wedding is in Week 6 and you’re not going to have anywhere to wear that suit in Week 8. That suit is going to be completely and utterly irrelevant like your fantasy team that is 1-7.

Winning Teams (5-0, 4-1)

You lucky sons and daughters. Take advantage of this good fortune and start prepping your team for the playoffs. I could just tell you to take the advice I’ve given above and flip it, but instead I’ll be a nice chap and summarize.

Trade for Underperforming Studs and Injured Players

See the list above. Trade with losing teams. My key targets for someone in your position are Drew Brees, A.J. Green, George Kittle, Mike Evans and D.J. Moore.

Line your bench with Lotto Ticket RBs

If you read my work you know I am all about #AllBenchRB. That means filling your bench with as many lotto tickets as you can to take advantage of an injury. These are RBs that will boom if the starter goes down. See my last article for all the details, but some top names include Chase Edmonds, Gus Edwards and Ito Smith.

It’s time, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time to look in the mirror and face the reality that at the current moment you are a winner or loser. Now, be responsible and act accordingly, because you may never have the opportunity for redemption.

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