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:
Know your worth
Now that we're five weeks into the season, you need to start taking inventory and understanding your worth as a competitor. But you also need to understand your worth relative to how strong your roster is when considering potential trades.
Teams that are 5-0 or 4-1 can be more aggressive in their trade acquisitions. In other words, solid teams without many holes can afford to roll the dice and trade for bye-week players or even injured players.
On the other hand, teams that are 0-5 or 1-4 don't have the luxury of stashing players who are injured or on bye. Those teams need immediate production even if it means sacrificing an elite player who'll be back in a few weeks.
Consider your record and try to project for roster needs rest-of-season. Knowing your worth can substantially affect your trade targets as you progress through the season. Know your worth, or you might get wrecked.
Now let’s get into some buyin’, sellin’, and holding!
Player to buy
Patterns are emerging! It’s time to get out your pocketbook and think about buying:
Tyjae Spears, RB - Titans
To be clear, this is not an anti-Derrick Henry message. Once a GOAT, always a GOAT. However, we might be witnessing a changing of the guard in Tennessee.
I’ve been telling you to keep an eye on Spears these last few weeks, and it’s now officially time to get him before it’s too late. This play is similar to buying Breece Hall prior to Week 5 (more on that below).
In a landscape where elite RBs are hard to come by, we’ve got to be ahead of the boom weeks if we want to acquire players before their prices spike. And right now, we’re witnessing a flip right in front of our eyes.
If you blink, you might miss your window.
Henry will still produce, but I want Spears on my roster before the tides of the Titans officially turn.
Takeaway: More work is incoming for Spears. Get him before it's too late.
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Player to sell
Sometimes there’s bad writing on the wall even when a player has been performing. It’s time to think about selling.
Kyren Williams, RB - Rams
AH!! I know, I know. Williams has been a godsend at RB for many thus far on the season, and to proclaim him a “sell” feels like blasphemy.
Even as I write this, I’m hating myself for it. But in Cooper Kupp’s first game back, Williams looked to be the odd man out. His target share really dipped with the targets hyper-concentrated to Kupp and Puka Nacua. And in PPR formats, to put it simply, this is pain for Williams.
Oct 1, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs the ball while Indianapolis Colts cornerback Dallis Flowers (33) defends in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The silver lining is that Williams still has a strong hold on the lead role in this Rams’ backfield. He continued to play the majority of snaps and held the bulk of the rushing share against the Eagles.
However, Williams's efficiency has been lacking.
The combination of his decreased looks through the air and the looming bad omen of lackluster rushing yards over expectation makes me skittish. I’d try to capitalize on selling now before it all comes to a head.
Takeaway: I'm sorry, Kyren. I'm just scared.
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.
Breece Hall, RB - Jets
After three consecutive weeks of failing to reach double-digit points, some fantasy managers may be tempted to sell high on Breece Hall after he finally had a blow-up performance in Week 5. Season-highs, anyone?
Sure, the Jets facing a historically-bad Broncos defense played a role in Hall's performance, but let’s consider the fact that Hall’s talent isn’t a fluke. We’ve been hearing the “If you take away his best plays...” chants since Week 1, but you’ll soon find that Hall can’t be bottled up for much longer.
Not only did he have 69% of the rushing attempts in Week 5, which is f*ckin’ #nice, but his utilization metrics are even nicer.
The Jets are seemingly turning things around on offense even with Zach Wilson at the helm, and Hall can break off some pretty electric plays. If you have him, hold him. <3
Takeaway: We're in it for the long…Hall.
Players to monitor as potential buys
Know your worth.
If your league has an IR spot, I’m talkin’ to you. If your team is 5-0 or 4-1 with no signs of slowing down, listen up.
You’ve got to consult with yourself. You know your league and team better than I do, but there are a few players worth considering as trade targets if you’re in the position to “risk it for the biscuit,” as the kids say.
Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Kansas City Chiefs safety Mike Edwards (21) breaks up a pass to Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Due to lingering injuries and potential question marks on their returns, many fantasy managers who are fighting to make it into playoff contention can’t afford to hold these players with a lot of bye weeks coming up. But maybe you can.
- Anthony Richardson (shoulder)
- De’Von Achane (knee)
- Justin Jefferson (hamstring)
Monitor their health and the desperation of your leaguemates. These fantasy studs could be league-winners in the fantasy playoffs...as long as your team can afford to take some zeroes from them in the short term.
