As we sit one game away from the close of week 9, it’s hard to believe we only have 7 weeks until the fantasy playoff final! You know the drill, once again we look at prime trade candidates you need to be buying low and selling high on.
As Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson displayed their respective MVP chops, Christian McCaffrey reminded everyone that rushers are also eligible for the coveted prize.
Buy
Mark Ingram
Last week we talked about Latavius Murray and selling Ingram’s replacement in New Orleans after a red hot performance. This time around I’m strongly pushing for any Running Back deficient teams to pursue the Alabama product.
The golden rule says: target bell cow Running Backs after down weeks. Ingram went into his week 8 bye with a 5.8 point game against the Seahawks and came out this week with a below average 13.4 points in a brilliant win against the Patriots.
While we can forgive Ingram for those numbers facing difficult matchups against Super Bowl ready teams. Owners needing a leading rusher need to capitalise on these down weeks. If your franchise fits the bill make a raid for Ingram now.
In the fantasy semi-final Ingram faces a Jets defence languishing in the bottom 30% against Running Backs. The grand final will see Ingram travel to an average Cleveland defence that just allowed Phillip Lindsay to run for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Ingram’s route to the knockout stages also includes delicious matchups against a couple of the worst defences against the run: the second worst Chiefs and the third worst Bengals. In fact, San Francisco remain the only tough bout left for Ingram. Yes San Francisco, a team coming off a Thursday night embarrassment dished out by Arizona’s new acquisition- Kenyan Drake.
Remind his owner of the down weeks and the San Francisco matchup in week 13. Kamara’s old running mate could lead your side to the championship.
Terry McLaurin
Scary Terry announced himself to the NFL with 3 touchdowns and 257 yards in his first three games. It looked like the oft mocked Redskins had unearthed the next stud Wide Receiver.
Unfortunately the hot start was slowed down by a hamstring injury and contending with teams now having film available to scheme him out of the game. Despite a number of down weeks, rookie McLaurin still balled out in week 6 and finished with 100 yards and 2 touchdowns in Miami.
Quarterback issues have plagued Washington since Kirk Cousins departed for Minnesota. However, it looks like they are set to move forward with first round rookie Dwayne Haskins. The duo played together at Ohio State and will be looking to bring that chemistry to the NFL.
Aided by an incoming bye week, disgruntled owners will likely be looking to move the early waiver wire lottery ticket. After 3 down weeks since the glorious trip to Miami, now is time to pick up Scary Terry and lock him into your receiver corps.
McLaurin gets to take on the 9th, 10th and 11th worst offences against Wide Receivers straight after his bye. Survive the tough week 14 trip to Green Bay’s mean secondary and a delightful fantasy playoff schedule presents itself.
The Ohio product will be relishing the knockout stages, facing both Philadelphia and the New York Giants at home. The duo sit as the 4th and 3rd worst teams against wideouts respectively.
Trade now with an owner reeling from the incoming bye and you’ll have a playoff stud ready to go. Scary Terry may just take your franchise to the promised land.
Sell
Kenny Golladay
Kenny G has been a hyper reliable receiver for Matthew Stafford since being drafted by the Lions in 2017. Seen as the long term replacement for (the now retired) Calvin ‘Megatron’ Johnson, Golladay has formed a formidable fantasy pass catching partnership with Marvin Jones Jr in Detriot.
Golladay already has 7 touchdowns on the year and sits proudly as the number 7 Wide Receiver in standard scoring. So why are we recommending you trade Babytron?
Golladay still has to face 4 of the meanest 6 defences against Wide Receivers. The week 15 bout against Tampa Bay looks very enticing, until you realise the following fantasy playoff final at Denver could potentially end your season in defeat.
Tampa aside, the Lions schedule features a visit from the mean Dallas secondary and a trip to Chicago to face the stout Bears defence. Warning lights should be flashing for all Golladay owners.
Point out the beatable Tampa Bay semi-final and insist the 20 point weeks confirm that Golladay is now top tier. You could get a genuine number stud receiver to bring silverware to your trophy cabinet.
Trade for: Stefan Diggs, Amari Cooper, Davante Adams
Derrick Henry
Heisman Trophy winner Henry has been unable to consistently translate his college performances to the NFL. Or provide the Tennessee front office with the smash mouth football that they so desperately crave.
Yet, despite a handful of down weeks, Henry has very quietly had himself an excellent 2019 campaign for the Titans. The Alabama product currently sits 5th for all Running Backs in standard scoring.
This past week Henry ran through a weak Carolina defensive line for 63 yards on the ground, 36 yards through the air and 2 touchdowns. His monster 23.4 score will have Running Back needy teams taking note. So deal now.
One look at Henry’s playoff schedule should have owners panicking. While week 15 brings a middle of the road Houston defence to Tennessee. The aforementioned Texans just held AFC South rushing leader Leonard Fournette to just 40 yards in London. Week 16 gets even tougher, New Orleans are currently the 4th best defence against the run in 2019.
After the bye Tennessee do get to face an awful Kansas defence giving up the 2nd most points to Running Backs. Patient owners who fancy a gamble may opt to allow Henry to go off against the Chiefs and sell even higher during his week 11 bye.
Of course, the risk remains Kansas will shut the Titans run game down. Either way, emphasise the Chiefs matchup and Henry’s fantasy consistency and you could upgrade from an average rusher on a bad defence to a true stud bell cow that can take you all the way.
Trade for: Chris Carson, Phillip Lindsay, Sony Michel
The Trade deadline is looming so get the pieces you need now.
Until next week, Keep Rushing.
-Dre @lil_carat
