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Week 7 - Buy & Sell Report
By Mike Beacom
Wire Tap 10-16 Felix Jones began the year as a handcuff to DeMarco Murray, but many fantasy owners dropped him as soon as they noticed the Cowboys had reduced his role in the offense. Now Jones is suddenly a hot commodity. Murray’s foot injury is expected to keep him out of Week 7 (maybe longer), allowing Jones to take the reins to the offense. He’s had this opportunity before, but was neither productive nor durable. But fantasy owners in need of help at the running back position may as well give him another opportunity; starting backs rarely become available, especially one carrying the load for one of the league’s most explosive offenses. Jones has a favorable matchup ahead (Carolina) and could have a strong finish to the 2012 season if Murray misses extensive time. Here are a few other waiver wire candidates to consider … QB Russell Wilson, Seahawks Consider this: Wilson is owned in 12.3 percent of ESPN.com leagues, as compared to Sam Bradford (44.9) and Kevin Kolb (27.1). Which quarterback would you rather have? Wilson’s passing numbers are light but he has thrown for eight scores (as many as Matt Schaub and Joe Flacco) and runs the ball a handful of times each game. RB William Powell, Cardinals Powell outperformed Larod Stephens-Howling in the first game following Ryan Williams’ season-ending injury. Powell averaged 5.4 yards on his 13 carries and caught the only ball thrown in his direction. From here we expect Powell to be the Cardinals featured back. What that is worth is another matter … RB Cedric Peerman, Bengals Peerman caught eight balls on Sunday for 76 yards. A few weeks ago he had a 48-yard carry against Jacksonville. It’s a long shot for fantasy owners, but the Bengals rushing attack is a mess with Bernard Scott injured and BenJarvus Green-Ellis struggling. The team is looking for options, and will probably continue to test the 26-year-old back. WR Chris Givens, Rams Givens helped to pick up the slack for a Rams receiving corps missing Danny Amendola. He was thrown to seven times against Miami, catching three passes for 85 yards (one that went for 65 yards to set up a first quarter field goal). Givens is the Rams best downfield target, and his role seems to increase each week. TE Steve Maneri, Chiefs With a change at quarterback came a change in tight end preference. Brady Quinn looked to Maneri five times, completing four passes for a team-high 45 yards. It could be Quinn developed chemistry with Maneri during second-team reps; it could be a fluke. But if you’re in need of tight end help, how many choices do you have? The waiver wire isn’t the only way for fantasy owners to improve their roster; a well-crafted trade proposal can help every bit as much as picking up an up-and-coming free agent. Here is a look at this week’s buy and sell candidates: {BUY} RB Reggie Bush, Dolphins There is no better time to buy than when a player has bottomed out, and Bush is coming off two weeks in which he averaged just better than 2.0 yards a carry combined. He is still a back capable of the big week, and certainly worthy of a No. 2 spot in any league. See if the owner holding him is anxious to part ways with Bush. WR Kenny Britt, Titans Britt is always a gamble. He’s injury prone and a head case wrapped into one of the league’s most talented wideouts. He looked good last Thursday, though, and it appears he is on his way back (finally) to the top of the depth chart of a Titans offense ranked among the top 5 in passing attempts. TE Coby Fleener, Colts Next to Reggie Wayne, Fleener is the best fantasy option on this team. So far, though, his production has not added up to many fantasy points (no touchdown catches). Buy now before he reaches his full potential. He is a favorite of Andrew Luck, and he’s caught nine balls over the past two weeks. The best reason to buy Fleener? He has two games left against Tennessee, who have been eaten alive by every tight end they’ve faced. {SELL} RB Shonn Greene, Jets We believe Rex Ryan when he says the team has been trying to get the power running game going. Sunday showed it can work (161 yards for Greene) but not that it’s going to work week after week. Greene lets fantasy owners down more often than he shows up to play, and no one should believe Week 6 was a sign of more good things to come. Someone in your league will buy into Greene’s resurrection. Sell high and walk away. WR Mike Williams, Buccaneers Fantasy owners are trying to determine whether the 2012 version of Williams more closely resembles the 2010 (top rookie) or 2011 (sophomore slump) edition. He’s probably somewhere in the middle, which makes him a fringe No. 2 for most leagues – a suspect flex player. Now would be a good time to maximize Williams’ trade value, as he’s coming off a second straight 100-yard performance (note: those games were against two of the league’s worst pass defenses – Washington and Kansas City). TE Jacob Tamme, Broncos It may already be too late, but if you’re still holding Tamme see if you can get someone to nibble. Peyton Manning has moved away from his one-time Colts tight end and shown more favoritism to Joel Dreessen, who was targeted seven times on Monday night (just two throws to Tamme). At this point, neither player is a viable No. 2 tight end for fantasy owners. Mike Beacom is a contributing writer for FootballDiehards.com. Follow him on Twitter @mikebeacom |
