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:
Be mutually beneficial
I've witnessed many trades that have been declined this year. I've also witnessed fantasy managers who've become disgruntled in the group chat because of the constant declined trades. “Why won’t anyone trade with me?!”
Hey, here's a crazy idea: have you tried looking at the other team’s roster before sending a trade offer? Trades should be mutually beneficial.
What I mean is, don’t propose a trade offering Lamar Jackson to a team that already has Josh Allen. Why would that team want another elite QB that will probably ride the bench most weeks?
Spend a minute or two looking at the roster needs of any potential trade partners, the key word here being “partner”. Help them help you. Trust me…it goes a long way.
Now let’s get into some buyin’, sellin’, and holding!
Players to buy
Patterns are emerging! It’s time to get out your pocketbook and think about buying:
Cowboys DST
We went contrarian ahead of Week 3 when I suggested that you buy a TE. But Sam LaPorta has been everything I could’ve asked for and more.
This week, we’re going to buy another position that doesn’t feel palatable on paper, but sometimes you just need to stop streaming DSTs. The waiver wire won’t always save us, and I don’t want to grit my teeth every week hoping for a defense to help me out with three to five fantasy points.
If there’s any DST that I trust at such an unpredictable fantasy position this year, it’s Dem Boys. No one’s perfect, but damn…they’re close.
A DST that's currently scoring Christian McCaffrey-esque fantasy numbers? Sign me the f*ck up.
Takeaway: I refuse to let DST waivers rule my life.
De'Von Achane, RB - Dolphins
Is it too late to try to pry away Achane from another team? Probably yes, but will you regret not at least trying? Absolutely.
There are still guys in my home league that think Achane’s production isn’t sustainable. If there's someone like that in your league, I’d be all in.
I didn’t try hard enough last week. So here I am, on my knees, begging for a trade.
I’m about to spend like there’s no tomorrow.
It won’t be cheap, but my Rhamondre Stevenson teams deserve better. If I have a chance at a championship with a stacked team that’s only lacking at RB, I’m targeting Achane. He will fix me…I mean, fix my RB woes.
Takeaway: Better late than never.
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Justin Herbert, QB - Chargers
There are three reasons to buy Justin Herbert:
- The injury scare discount
- The Chargers are on a bye in Week 5 - discount x2
- He quoted Monty Python in his post-game presser
If you can stash him for a week, Herbert is poised to be decently affordable prior to Week 5 kicking off. On top of the bye, some managers are definitely a bit worried about the flesh wound.
Oh wait, I found two more reasons to buy Herbert:
- His 1,106 passing yards through four weeks ranks fifth among QBs and ahead of Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Jalen Hurts.
- Herbert's seven passing TDs is tied for seventh most and is just one less than Mahomes has, by the way.
Even if his non-throwing hand isn't 100% healed after a full week of rest and relaxation, Herbie can still sling it. Seriously, look:
Takeaway: Who needs all 10 fingers anyway?
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.
Puka Nacua, WR - Rams
Cooper Kupp is returning soon. In fact, it’s looking likely that he could be back against the Eagles this wee - Okay, are they gone?
We are not selling Puka. I just needed this headline out there to convince my league mates that they need to sell Puka to me.
I want 100% Nacua rostership. No, I need it.
Who I would consider selling, however, is Tutu Atwell. While Atwell has been serviceable as the Rams’ No. 2 WR in Kupp’s absence, Atwell's floor is likely going to be pulled out from under him upon Kupp’s return.
While I would love to see all three Rams WRs dominate for the rest of the season, it’s unlikely that Matthew Stafford can feed everyone. This isn’t to say that Atwell won’t have some good weeks ahead, but they’re going to be less frequent with Kupp and Nacua sharing the field.
Takeaway: If my friends ask, we are “selling Puka”.
Player 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.
Isiah Pacheco, RB - Chiefs
Like Mahomes said after their Week 4 win against the Jets, “You can win pretty, but you have to win ugly, too, to win Super Bowls.” If we want to win fantasy championships, it might not always be the first-round RBs that get us there.
While you might want to put feelers out there to see what you can get in return for Pacheco, I’m going to trust the numbers and hold.
The memes are fun, but what really matters right now is that Pacheco’s usage has increased every single game this season. His yards after contact has also increased every single week…Yeah, that’s really good, too.
We've been trying to find the Chiefs' next Kareem Hunt for years. I’m holding Pacheco and ready to see where this man can take me this season.
Takeaway: Pacheco is The Punisher of Earth.
Other players to acquire via waivers or trades
Khalil Herbert, RB - Bears
C.J. Stroud, QB - Texans
