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Week 4 - Buy & Sell Report
By Mike Beacom
Stock Market Report 9-23 The AFC North clash between Baltimore and Cleveland helped reveal a pair of unknown running backs that head the list of this week’s waiver candidates. Ravens rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro – once fourth on the depth chart behind Ray Rice, Bernard Pierce and Justin Forsett – made the most of his opportunity by gaining 91 yards on 18 carries. True, one third of those yards came on one carry, but that play exposed Taliaferro’s explosiveness to complement his 226-pound frame. On the opposite sideline, Isaiah Crowell averaged 5.0 yards a carry for the Browns, out-dueling backfield mate Terrance West. Cleveland has much more invested in West and Ben Tate than it does in Crowell, but the starting job can be won by any back able to string together a couple of strong performances. Here are a few other waiver wire candidates to consider ... RB Jerick McKinnon, Vikings We’ve heard how much the Vikings like McKinnon but have yet to see that play out on the field. He handled just two of Minnesota’s 22 rushing attempts in Week 3, and has just five carries all season. But we know Adrian Peterson’s days in purple are done, so the Vikings must find an answer and Matt Asiata does not appear to be it (2.9 yards per carry on Sunday, long run of eight yards). WR Kenny Britt, Rams Here’s what’s to like: Britt caught five of the seven balls thrown to him against Dallas for an average of 13.8 yards. The Rams best receiver is one-trick Brian Quick, and the leading weapon on Sunday (Jared Cook) dropped a critical touchdown. All of this gives an old dog like Britt new life. Of course, there is the list of things not to like… WR Jordan Matthews, Eagles The Redskins-Eagles matchup was filled with noteworthy wide receiver performances, but it was rookie Jordan Matthews that made the game’s key catches – a pair of second quarter touchdowns that swung the game in Philadelphia’s direction. It was a big jump for the player who had caught just three balls for 54 yards in his first two NFL games combined. What’s next for the 6-foot-3 target? Fantasy owners should grab Matthews and find out. WR Allen Robinson, Jaguars Fantasy owners have long known Cecil Shorts was the top wideout for this rag-tag bunch, and this preseason they knew Marqise Lee was the best longshot. After Week 1 they knew the name of Allen Hurns, who was fantasy’s most popular no-name pickup. Somehow Robinson has gotten lost in all of this, but now, through three games, he’s the clear leader of the Jaguars receiving corps, coming off of back-to-back weeks of 75-plus yards. WR John Brown, Cardinals It would be much easier to dismiss Brown’s two-touchdown effort against San Francisco had he not caught one touchdown already this season or put up respectable rookie totals in each of his first three games. He has quickly become Arizona’s No. 3 receiver – a title that last year was worth a roster spot. 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} WR Demaryius Thomas, Broncos Thomas has gotten off to a slow start, and on Sunday had his worst performance to date (four catches for 31 yards). Now is a great time to make a trade offer for the Broncos’ No. 1 receiver. The team has utilized Emmanuel Sanders effectively, but the return of Wes Welker will chip into Sanders’ dink-and-dunk action most weeks. And the attention those two demand underneath should help free up some space downfield for Thomas, who thrives when he faces undersized man coverage (not the case with Seattle’s secondary). WR Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers The twin towers of Tampa have not exactly been a spectacle through three games. Jackson has caught just 10 passes, and rookie Mike Evans has yet to find the end zone. So much for the favorable red zone matchups theory. Part of the problem is Tampa Bay’s offense has failed as a whole, but a change to Mike Glennon (assuming Josh McCown’s thumb keeps him sidelined) could help jumpstart the passing game. Glennon had good chemistry with Jackson last year – good enough to gamble on the veteran receiver. {SELL} RB Reggie Bush, Lions Bush totaled 18 touches for 99 yards and a score in Sunday’s win over Green Bay. Any fantasy owners with him should put a big sign on their lawn advertising Bush for sale. The Lions are not going to feed him close to 20 touches most weeks (an average of 11.5 through the first two weeks) and Bush’s inconsistent play is a nuisance. RB Lamar Miller, Dolphins Miller busted out for 132 yards from scrimmage on Sunday but couldn’t find the end zone on 19 touches. It reminded fantasy owners of their 2013 frustrations – 879 yards from scrimmage, two touchdowns. Yards are great, but even in the most yardage friendly leagues that’s not going to get the job done. Sell Miller for someone who logs points, not just yards. WR Michael Crabtree, 49ers Crabtree may be better than ‘mediocre,’ as one of his NFC West foes likes to say, but he hasn’t played up to his name for some time. This week he caught 10 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown against a respectable Cardinals secondary – these are your selling points. But the truth is Crabtree benefitted from the absence of Vernon Davis, and both the 49ers rushing attack and Anquan Boldin were no-shows (not to be expected most weeks). Follow Mike Beacom on Twitter @mikebeacom |
