We have officially passed Week 4 of both the NFL and College Football season. With all of this new information flooding in, let’s take a look at some buy-low candidates for the fantasy season, on top of looking into a couple of sell-high players, trade targets, and waiver wire additions you should make!
Buy Low Candidates
NFL:
- Anthony Richardson – Quarterback
Anthony Richardson just suffered a hip injury that could end up causing him to miss time. On top of that, he’s not done all that well from a fantasy perspective. With all of that being said, Richardson might be back sooner than anticipated and fantasy managers might sell him at a low price. If that happens, he has the chance to live up to his high expectations down the stretch of the season, and he’s worth the flyer.
- Kareem Hunt – Running Back
Kareem Hunt just participated in his first game with the Kansas City Chiefs after signing with them not long ago. He was stuck behind Carson Steele on the depth chart, but Steele fumbled early, and Hunt didn’t let him forget about it. He had 14 carries after Steele took a back seat and turned them into 69 yards. It’s clear that the Chiefs love what Hunt brings, and he’s likely to get more touches until Isiah Pacheco returns.
- Garrett Wilson – Wide Receiver
Garrett Wilson had a season low in fantasy points this weekend in a very low-scoring game against the Denver Broncos. And many are worried about his connection with Aaron Rodgers. However, he’s still the number one option in this New York Jets offense, and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before he gets it going with the future Hall of Famer.
- Pat Freiermuth – Tight End
Pat Freiermuth hasn’t had flashy numbers that jump off the page at you. However, he’s been consistently good all season long, while playing a position that just isn’t very deep right now. In all four games, Freiermuth has had at least four receptions, with his first touchdown coming over the weekend. He’s going to keep on producing as he gets comfortable with Justin Fields.
College:
- Rocco Becht – Quarterback
Rocco Becht had just 11 fantasy points over the weekend with Iowa State cruising to a shutout victory against Houston. Moving forward, they have a couple of games that are on the more difficult side of the spectrum, which will likely force Becht to air it out a lot more. He’s already surpassed 20 fantasy points in two games this season, and he could be in line for more of that.
- Jo’quavious Marks – Running Back
Jo’quavious Marks had a season-low in rushing yards this weekend with only 63, though he did have a season-high in rushing attempts with 19 of them. It’s also the second straight week that he hasn’t found his way into the end zone. In the first two weeks, he scored three times, so it’s only a matter of time before he finds pay dirt once more, and the boatload of carries he’s getting only makes him more of a fantasy threat.
- Kamdyn Benjamin – Wide Receiver
This one is a bit interesting. Kamdyn Benjamin has racked up at least nine targets in all but one game this season and is the unquestioned number one weapon in the Tulsa passing game. However, he hasn’t scored a touchdown in three games, nor has he surpassed 100 yards in any of them. This is a perfect buy-low candidate.
- Mason Taylor – Tight End
Mason Taylor is one of the most consistent tight ends right now. He had just three catches for 43 scoreless yards last weekend for LSU, though he’s consistently racked up at least five targets in every game aside from the most recent one. Taylor should be snagged off the trade block.
Sell High Candidates
NFL:
- Matthew Stafford – Quarterback
Matthew Stafford has been doing everything in his power to make sure the Los Angeles Rams remain competitive. The reason that he’s struggling is that he still doesn’t have Puka Nacua or Cooper Kupp available to him. With both of those guys gone, it’s worth selling on Stafford due to his below-average receiving core.
- D’Andre Swift – Running Back
D’Andre Swift was averaging around one yard per carry in the first few games of the season. This weekend, he exploded for 30 fantasy points, getting the job done on the ground and through the air. This was a pleasant surprise for the veteran running back, though the Chicago Bears offensive line won’t be getting any better down the line. Things might revert immediately back to how they were for Swift.
- Brandon Aiyuk – Wide Receiver
People are still waiting for Brandon Aiyuk to have his huge breakout performance, but it’s clear that his absence from training camp is limiting his game on the field. He’s producing to some degree, though it’s nowhere near what other top-tier wideouts or even second-tier wideouts are doing.
- Mark Andrews – Tight End
We’re at the limit now with Mark Andrews. The guy just hasn’t looked good all season long. At first, it appeared like the opportunities were being limited, but now, it’s clear that Andrews is struggling to capitalize on the chances that DO come his way. He had a brutal drop on what would have been a solid game late in a blowout win over the Buffalo Bills, and that was the highlight of the night. The only reason he’s still on a sell-high list is because he’s a recognizable name.
College:
- KJ Jefferson – Quarterback
KJ Jefferson passed 30 fantasy points for the first time this season in a game that UCF was trailing from the very beginning. UCF is a run-first offense that would rather get the ground game going rather than the air attack. Because of this, it’s a solid bet that Jefferson returns to his usual performance, which is good, but not great.
- Samuel Brown – Running Back
Samuel Brown could be enticing considering that he’s scored three touchdowns in his last two games. However, he hasn’t passed 70 rushing yards in a game this season, and he’s only had one target and one reception in the passing game. With limited upside, Brown might be better traded high now that he scored a touchdown in back-to-back games.
- Omarion Dollison – Wide Receiver
Omarion Dollison isn’t owned in many fantasy leagues, though he could be a useful trade piece given his explosive play history. He’s averaging over 28 yards per catch this year with three touchdowns in four games, with over 80 receiving yards in two of them. He’s a big play waiting to happen, it’s just too inconsistent.
- RJ Maryland – Tight End
RJ Maryland caught three passes for 30 yards and two touchdowns last weekend. The problem is that he’s only scored three times in five games, and this recent performance was a season-high in targets and yards. He’s just not been productive, and trading him after a flashy game like this could be a good move.
Strategic Insights
The best way that you can identify buy-low opportunities is to look for players that other managers seem to be bullish on. Players that might be on a cold stretch, or have gotten injured recently, look at their potential down the line. As for sell-high opportunities, if you foresee a player potentially dropping in production soon, then take advantage of their current value and ship them off for a great return rather than waiting and getting nothing when they drop off.
An example of a buy-low strategy would have been last season. Let’s say you see Puka Nacua get drafted and you had high hopes for him in the NFL, but the manager that owned him didn’t feel that way. You could aggressively try and trade for him because you see past his draft position and look at his potential. Then, Nacua has his breakout season, and you got him for almost nothing. The same goes the other way, if you have Tyreek Hill who says that he’s going to retire around 31, and you know he’s getting up there despite being a top player at his position, you can trade him away at peak value before he retires and get a great return.
Trade Targets
NFL:
- Baker Mayfield – Quarterback
Baker Mayfield is going to remain on the top trade target list. He continues to put up great numbers on this Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense that just loves to throw the ball down the field. We’ve seen him put up great fantasy points in all but one game this season, and there’s no sign of this group slowing down anytime soon.
- Jonathan Brooks – Running Back
Jonathan Brooks is going to soon enter a Carolina Panthers offense that has watched Andy Dalton significantly ramp up the fantasy scoring around him. Chuba Hubbard has scored over 20 fantasy points in each of the last two games with Dalton at the helm, and Brooks can become the next dynamic threat in the offense when he finally gets on the field.
- Amari Cooper – Wide Receiver
This is a bit of a stretch. Amari Cooper has been severely underwhelming this year while also having the most dropped passes by a longshot. Fortunately, his name is being floated around in trade rumors, with him even being linked to the Kansas City Chiefs. If a trade does take place with Cooper, he could become immediately fantasy-relevant again.
- Travis Kelce – Tight End
Travis Kelce finally showed a glimpse of what people were hoping out of him before the season began. However, this might be the last chance you have to make a trade for him before other managers stop budging on the matter. Kelce will continue racking up targets from this point on, especially with Rashee Rice potentially out for the rest of the season
College:
- Eli Holstein – Quarterback
Given that Eli Holstein is owned in 60 percent of leagues, it feels like people don’t exactly know what they’re getting with him. Holstein has thrown 12 touchdowns and rushed for two more while passing for just under 1,200 yards in four games. He’s been unbelievable for the Pittsburgh Panthers, and if a manager isn’t starting him weekly, then you need to work the phones and lock in a deal.
- Jalen White – Running Back
It took some time, but Jalen White finally turned it up a notch this weekend. He had 22 rushes for 114 yards and two touchdowns. This was a season-high for him in attempts and yards, and it’s a sign of good things to come. He also out carried OJ Arnold 22 to 11, so he’s clearly going to get a ton of opportunities moving forward.
- Omari Kelly – Wide Receiver
Omari Kelly has become one of those extremely volatile players that you should at least look into obtaining. In his three underwhelming games, he’s seen 20 targets while bringing in nine of them for 58 yards and no touchdowns. In his other two games, he’s seen 20 targets and brought in 15 receptions for 413 yards and three touchdowns. Talk about hot and cold.
- Brant Kuithe – Tight End
It’s not surprising that Brant Kuithe is churning out consistent production at a position that has really struggled to produce this season. Kuithe has consistently seen targets and as a result, he’s consistently hauled in passes. He’s had five targets in each of the last three games, with over 50 receiving yards in each of them. The touchdowns haven’t come often lately, but they will.
Strategic Insights:
The best advice that I can give regarding trades is to be respectful to the other managers. Don’t horrendously lowball somebody for a player, and don’t insult them to make trades. Be nice and respectful and understand the value that you’re going for. Your first offer should be just thrown out there to see what happens, but both you and the other manager should just slowly throw offers out to see what works for each of you.
Waiver Wire Watch
NFL:
- Justin Fields – Quarterback
With each week that passes, Justin Fields gets more comfortable in the Pittsburgh Steelers offenses. This weekend, he had a huge performance thanks to his ability to make plays with his legs. It’s the same ability that helped him become a top pick in fantasy with the Chicago Bears not long ago. If he keeps developing his arm strength, then Fields is a must-have.
- Tank Bigsby – Running Back
Tank Bigsby has been a very curious story this season. He took seven carries and turned them into 90 yards this weekend, seemingly stealing snaps and touches away from Travis Etienne. Etienne exited with a shoulder injury, so even if he’s active, Bigsby is in line for a bigger workload.
- Dontayvion Wicks – Wide Receiver
Dontayvion Wicks finds himself in an improved situation. Christian Watson might miss time with his ankle injury, which moves Wicks further up the depth chart, and with quarterback Jordan Love healthy and in the starting lineup once more. That combination spells positive news for the young receiver, who scored two touchdowns last week after Watson exited the game.
- Tucker Kraft – Tight End
Tucker Kraft is seemingly cementing himself as the Green Bay Packers starting tight end. He had 53 receiving yards this weekend with a large snap share of just under 90 percent. Kraft will have a high upside as a number one tight end option for a Packers offense that loves to throw the ball down the field.
College:
- Kevin Jennings – Quarterback
Kevin Jennings has fully started in back-to-back weeks now for SMU, and we’ve gotten to the point where Preston Stone seems to be fully benched. Jennings has taken the starting job and isn’t looking back after throwing three touchdowns last weekend. He only really has one more difficult game ahead against Louisville, the rest should be manageable matchups that he can take advantage of.
- Jaden Nixon – Running Back
Jalen Buckley likely isn’t going to be returning to the field anytime soon. If that’s the case, then you have to go out and grab Jaden Nixon. Nixon has surpassed 100 yards in each of the past two games, averaging 20 touches per game as well. Unless Buckley returns, Nixon should continue to feast on opposing defenses.
- Ted Hurst – Wide Receiver
Ted Hurst has found a way to rack up double-digit targets in each of the last two games, exceeding 80 yards in each of the last three games also. He’s on a hot streak at the moment, and it’s only a matter of time before people start to catch on.
- Jake Newell – Tight End
Jake Newell might be worth a shot on the waiver wires this week. The Akron tight end had 11 targets last weekend and scored a touchdown for the second time in three weeks. He had nine receptions during their loss to Ohio, and with Akron being dead last in the nation in terms of rushing the football, they will need to keep airing it out.
Strategic Insights
The easiest way to prioritize waiver wire claims is to simply rank the players you want before going after them. Take them one at a time and understand that you’re not going to get all of them. Waiver wire claims usually go based on the order you place them in, so target your top guys first.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it is very important to keep up with things every week, otherwise, key players can slip through your fingers. Be sure to consistently search for buy-low, and sell-high opportunities, relentlessly look through the waiver wire markets, and don’t be afraid to shoot out a couple of trade offers if you’re interested. Use all of the above information to keep yourself at the top of the standings.