The old adage “Sell High, Buy Low” just doesn’t do it for me. I’m not convinced it covers enough of the strategy landscape. So what I’ve done is tweak it a little bit to include “Buying High” and “Selling Low.”
There are times when buying high isn’t a bad idea. Players break out- it’s what we’re looking for, really. I feel like everyone is so focused on the “Sell High” paradigm that they will trade a player when he’s doing well just because they feel like they’re cashing in on a profit.
Selling low isn’t desirable but it’s better than the alternative sometimes. You are better off getting something for a player who is underperforming than waiting on him a few more weeks and being forced to drop him, getting nothing in return.
Some of these players will ruin your ability to “Buy Low” because they will put up numbers and raise their price. Conversely some players that have played beyond their means will come back to earth, ruining your ability to “Sell High.” But at the end of the day you should end up with a few players to target in trade and perhaps a player or two on your team you’d like to get rid of.
Buy High
Rashard Mendenhall – Looks like he’s about to put up some digits. Willie Parker has turf toe and it looks like he won’t play. Turf Toe is one of those injuries that nags players and especially for someone like Parker who relies on his burst this could be disaster. Mendenhall’s stock just went up but he hasn’t done anything yet this season so trade now.
Jerome Harrison – Jamal Lewis is doubtful, and James Davis is out for the season. Coming into the season I was really big on Harrison; I targeted him in every draft. Then I drank the “James Davis Kool-Aid” and started sleeper-crushing on him like everyone else. The price may be a little too high now that Davis is out, but if Lewis gets some work soon I’d target Harrison.
Vincent Jackson — His value won’t be much higher than it is now, but there is no reason to think he’s going to slow down. Make your opponent believe he is selling high, because he is!
Cedric Benson — I have to admit he’s looked good, even against a stout Pittsburgh run defense. If you get someone who still doesn’t believe in him grab him up.
Sell High
Darren Sproles – You might be able to get a lot for him. I’ve said over and over that I don’t think LT will stay healthy but anything can happen. With all the injuries a lot of people are freaking out at RB and you might be able to get a high round pick for Sproles. As much as I love this guy I think it’d be worth it.
Willis McGahee – His value is derived from touchdowns and there’s no way he’s going to keep up this torrid pace. The injury concerns have also got to be a factor. I’ve seen him starting to get traded a lot and that’s the play.
Julius Jones – Ranked 12th overall in Yahoo right now. If someone is really hurting for a running back you might be able to get really good value out of him.
Donald Driver – But he made a one handed catch! Yes, I know he did. Right now Driver is 28th overall in Yahoo and I say if you can get anything close to that in value it’s trigger-pulling time.
Buy Low
Larry Fitzgerald – The “freakout fest” has officially begun. Preseason ESPN was declaring that we should all worship Larry Fitzgerald. Now all of a sudden they are putting a smear campaign on him. They are going Tanya Harding on his Fantasy Value. Look to trade for him everywhere. Don’t believe this nonsense. I could go on for a whole column about this but I’ll just stop here.
Kevin Smith — If he doesn’t go against the Bears or if he does and doesn’t get much playing time I would look hard at trading for him. He is good and the Lions offense will continue to improve.
Marshawn Lynch – First week out there the Bills may not give him a ton of carries.
Calvin Johnson – The breakout game is coming folks. I had him on here last week also. Hopefully he doesn’t break for another week giving all non-owners a chance to get him.
Ray Rice — Yes he is losing goalline carries to McGahee, but he still has more overall carries. McGahee could easily be good all season, but Rice can be too, and he isn’t as old, and injury prone. If McGahee goes down Rice will be worth a ton, if he doesn’t, he still will have value.
Sell Low
Frank Gore – I wouldn’t want any part of his injury concerns. You won’t get equal value for him but you should still be able to get something decent and you’d be protected in case he comes back and gets hurt again.
LaDanian Tomlinson – He’s scheduled to play this weekend against Pittsburgh. Hopefully he plays well and looks healthy so you can unload him on someone.
Ryan Grant — He is an every down starter and teams need every down starters, but he is also not explosive and just doesn’t look like the breakout back from 2 years ago. I’d pair him up with a WR for a Ronnie Brown/Kevin Smith type.
