There have been a lot of surprising developments this season. Some good, and of course, some bad. We have seen John Ross, yes that John Ross, look like maybe he isn’t a complete bust. We have even seen the re-emergence of Rex Burkhead in New England. With these incredible feats in mind, let’s take a look at another list of moves to try to make in Week 4. And hopefully, we can help get you to a fantasy championship.
Sell High:
Saquon Barkley| RB| New York Giants
Sure. Selling an injured player may be tough. But this is Saquon Barkley. The name still triumphs over conventional wisdom. There is sure to be someone in your league who thinks he will be back in four weeks and not eight. That owner will see the five games after this as reason to trade for him. Don’t expect to get the same deal you would have in Week 1. But getting a mid-level running back and wide receiver is great value. If Barkley misses the expected eight weeks, this will include the Giants bye week in Week 11. This means he will come back in Week 12. By this time, if you hold on to him, you may already be out of the playoff hunt. When he does come back, it may take him a week or two to get to full strength. This does not mean good things.
If you can trade Barkley four a deal to get say Devonte Freeman who has disappointed owners and a wide receiver like Larry Fitzgerald? I would make the move. The names may not be sexy. But it is not the sexy names who help you win championships. It is the supporting cast. And at least with players like this, you have a supporting cast. Instead of a placeholder on the bench.
Austin Ekeler| RB| Los Angeles Chargers
This sell is more so for after this week. I mean, he does play the Dolphins. So don’t sell him yet. With the news on Wednesday of Melvin Gordon willing to come back sooner rather than later, it would behoove you to get out on Ekeler while he has value. He has been a monster so far this season. As long as he is the guy there this will continue. But when Melvin Gordon comes back, he will move far down. Sure, he has carved a role out. But Gordon is too talented to take a back seat on this team. Even if he does deserve it for staging the worst timed hold out in history.
Knowing what we do now about both of these backs, a committee is likely to be employed for the Chargers. This should keep Gordon from his annual injury to close the season. But it also hurts both as neither will get the work to provide true number one upside. After he lights up the hapless Dolphins on Sunday, the Austin Ekeler value will only go up even further. If you can take this love and turn him into a player with more staying power. Do it in a heartbeat. Don’t settle for a mediocre deal, but if you can get Le’Veon Bell or another stud? Pull the trigger.
Buy Low
Davante Adams| WR| Green Bay Packers
It has not been pretty so far for Adams or the Packers offense, this is for sure. Luckily, the Packers finally got rid of Dom Capers and have a defense in Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers came out this week and said he needs to get Davante Adams more than four targets. After we all collectively said “no crap!” We then said “good, at least he realizes it.”
After being the only receiver in the NFL with 12 or more touchdowns the past three seasons, Adams came into this season with a ton of hype. It is still justified. Once the offense does get clicking, he will take over the elite play we have seen from him in recent seasons. There is no better week than week 4 to start against a pitiful Eagles secondary.
The Adams owner in your league is likely concerned. Maybe they are 0-3 or 1-2 and want to make moves to improve. They are angry Rodgers has not found Adams more, And they want out. Throw them an offer! Not an insulting one, but something maybe slightly below value and see if they bite. Maybe you have Stefon Diggs and you pair him with another piece to go get him.
Davante Adams is set to break out. He is worth getting on your roster. He will not go the entire season with no touchdowns, and he is going to remain the number one threat on an improving Packers team. Unlike last season, Green Bay will be in the playoff hunt until the end. This means Adams will not be sitting out to save his health with nothing to play for. This is exactly the type of situation you want in a buy low candidate. If you can get it done, go and get Adams now.
Dante Pettis| WR| San Francisco 49ers
Ah, how times have changed. After two weeks of dreadful play it all turns around with one catch at the end of a game. Yes, the game was closer than it should have been, but that is beside the point. He was still able to finally produce and in fact win the game for the 49ers with the touchdown grab. This catch, although not making up for everything, will give the second-year receiver a lot of confidence. And confidence is king in the NFL. Both confidence in yourself as well as your coach’s confidence in you.
The 49ers are on a bye this week. This means his value may be even more minimized if you can nab him now as you will have to sit on him a week. He was dropped in quite a few leagues as well so if you can get him from waivers or as a free agent, this is even better. You may even be able to look at your wire after all moves get processed as he may have even been dropped this week to make room for a pickup. It happens. Decisions need to be made and a lot of times players on bye are the sacrificial lamb to go.
Whether Dante Pettis is on a team or not, it will not cost a lot to get him. If the owner is unrealistic? You move on. No harm, no foul. But if they are willing to trade him for a player like MVS or Mohammed Sanu, why not take the upside of a potential number one receiver on an offense that looks better than expected?
