Before we get into player specifics, I want to draw your attention to some key concepts to remember when considering who to buy, who to sell, and who to hold on to.
Here’s one for this week:
In a world full of Broncos and Bears, be a Bengal
“Cooter, they only have one win between them all.” Yes, I know, but losing isn’t everything. That is, unless you’re in an eliminator league like me. Then losing is actually everything.
Look, the Broncos have had issues bubbling below the surface bigger than Russell Wilson’s ego for a while now. And the Bears are…well, falling apart at the seams. The fans are down so bad that I won’t even make a Taylor Swift joke about it.
But the Bengals were losing, and you didn’t see them panicking, did you? I bet some of you were even considering trading away Ja’Marr Chase these last few weeks in a moment of weakness, weren’t you?
Don’t sabotage what is still salvageable!
We are only ⅙ of the way through the season. So if you’re currently sitting at 0-3, let the Bengals be a reminder that you sometimes have to be patient in fantasy football. And let the Bears and Broncos be a reminder that it really, truly, could always get worse.
Don’t panic sell. Don’t panic buy. Don’t panic trade.
Now let’s get into some good old fashioned non-panicky buyin’, sellin’, and holdin’ baby!
Players to Buy
Patterns are emerging! It’s time to get out your pocketbook and think about buying:
Tank Dell, WR - Texans
Has his yardage doubled every single week? Yes.
Has he scored TDs in two out of three games? Also yes.
Does his name strike fear into the hearts of your adversaries? It should.
It’s still early enough to jump on the Tank Dell express, but the clock is ticking on his affordable “buy now” window. Your leaguemates might still have a sour taste in their mouth when they see the Texans logo next to Dell's name, and that alone may make a deal for him affordable.
Sep 17, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (3) in action during the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Stop waiting for guys like Jahan Dotson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba to be a thing when Tank Dell is right here in front of you.
Takeaway: Sometimes Tanking can be a good thing.
Marvin Mims, WR - Broncos
I’m being…a little crazy here, I know. Marvin Mims hasn't had many targets to work with thus far.
But the prevailing narrative surrounding Mims is how little attention he is getting and how his production isn’t sustainable. Given that fantasy GMs who have Mims are likely privy to this news and reluctant to hold on after he's seen only nine targets through three weeks, Mims could be a potential reverse psychology trade target.
If those fantasy GMs think that they’re dumping Mims on you, then maybe you can get a discount on him.
Sep 17, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (19) runs for a touchdown against Washington Commanders safety Percy Butler (35) after a catch in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
But to be clear, Mims is a risky acquisition. Denver is sinking, and the Broncos haven't made an effort to get Mims the ball anywhere near enough to make him a safe play. If it weren’t for a special teams TD in Week 3, this would feel even uglier.
Still, I’m willing to roll the dice on the Broncos and bet on Sean Payton figuring out some of their issues and at the very least learn to get Mims more involved.
He’s available in most leagues, and at this point, I’d rather take a shot on Mims as an upside play over some middling production from other WRs sitting on my bench.
So if you’re down for a risky-as-hell TD-dependent WR with a low floor (gulp)…Let’s ride!
Takeaway: Take a stab at Mims, but you don’t need to break the bank.
Player to Sell
Some players are the top dogs on their depth chart, but they just don’t have that dawg in them. It’s time to think about selling.
AJ Dillon, RB - Packers
If you know me at all, you know that this one hurts.
I’ve loved AJ Dillon for a while now, but the numbers simply don’t paint a pretty picture. Many (read: me) thought that Dillon could flourish as the lead back in Green Bay with Aaron Jones out with a hamstring injury the last couple of weeks, but that didn't come to fruition.
While Dillon will always have a place in my heart, I don’t have a place for him on my roster anymore.
Takeaway: It’s not you. It’s me. <3
Players to Hold
Here are some “They did so great, I bet I could get some value for them right now" players that we are not letting go of, no matter what.
Remember, we’re not chasing the next big thing if we already have it.
De'Von Achane, RB - Dolphins
How do I put this nicely…Miami won’t face a disheveled, uncoordinated, and graceless Denver defense every week.
Sound the “temper your expectations” alarms.
That said, De'Von Achane was insanely efficient in Week 3 and plays in one of the most high-powered offenses in the league, if not the most high-powered.
Remember what we wanted Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon to be? This could be it, but in aqua and orange instead of green and yellow. And despite what Clint says in my home league group chat, the Week 3 beatdown of the Broncos wasn't just a flash in the pan.
Sure, we likely won’t see the Dolphins score a near record-tying 70 points every week, but Achane has been touted for months because of his unique speed and skill set, which just happens to fit perfectly in Mike McDaniel's offensive scheme.
“Achane is HIM,” as the kids would say. And you didn’t have to spend an early-round pick on him in your drafts. So unless you’re getting monster trade value handed to you on a silver platter, hold onto Achane.
Takeaway: Follow the signs.
Mike Evans, WR - Buccaneers
File this one under “players I somehow drafted really late”. Mike Evans has quietly scored a TD in every single game thus far on the season and has 297 receiving yards on 17 catches.
I don’t think you can trade for Evans at a reasonable price, but if you’ve already got him on your roster, hold on tight. Just be thankful that everyone overanalyzed his age and Baker Mayfield's ineptitude this offseason and allowed his ADP to fall way too far.
Just beware that Evans has his annual “will-he won’t-he get ejected” matchup in Week 4 against his nemesis, lockdown corner Marshon Lattimore.
Takeaway: Evans could be this year’s ADP darling.
Other Players to Target (Waiver Wire/Trades)
Zach Charbonnet, RB - Seahawks
Tyjae Spears, RB - Titans
