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Week 5 - Buy & Sell Report
By Mike Beacom
Check out the Video Blog Stock Market Report 9-30 There isn’t a harder laboratory than the NFL Draft process, where a bad 40 time or Pro Day can cost an accomplished prospect millions in a blink. Teddy Bridgewater knows this, perhaps, better than any rookie in recent memory, so it was satisfying to see him do so well in his debut as a starter last week. Instantly, Vikings fans knew they had someone who could provide positive results from under center. But whereas few rookie quarterbacks are viable fantasy options, Bridgewater may be an exception. He is a dual threat (27 rushing yards, touchdown) and he looked very sharp throwing the ball against Atlanta (19 of 30, 317 yards). The Vikings have a capable receiving corps and a favorable schedule, in terms of opposing defenses. Bridgewater could be worth adding as a No. 2 passer in most leagues. Here are a few other waiver wire candidates to consider ... WR Andre Holmes, Raiders The Raiders are aw-f-ul and the firing of Dennis Allen is more of an excuse than a remedy. This team gives ‘bad ball’ a new definition. But where there is chaos and ugliness there is often a bright spot, and on Sunday it was Holmes, who hauled in five passes for the second game this season – this time for 74 yards and a score. The 6-foot-4 wideout led the club with 12 targets. Some of his production came when Oakland was out of the game, but these days when is that not the case? WR Louis Murphy, Buccaneers Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans both caught a touchdown on Sunday but it was Murphy who provided the Buccaneers with the most consistent presence in the receiving game (team high 11 targets and 99 yards). Not bad for someone who was fresh into the locker room and hadn’t caught a ball from Mike Glennon before. Murphy will see more reps while Evans is sidelined, so he could be a nice addition in the month of October. WR Brandon Lafell, Patriots When all else fails go to… Lafell!? That was the case in Monday night’s miserable loss to Kansas City in which Tom Brady could not connect with any of his intended targets except for Lafell (six catches for 119 yards and a touchdown). In just two games Lafell has made fast friends with Brady, having been targeted 18 times. The receiving corps is banged up and struggling; Lafell is no savior, but he could be a nice fantasy fill in for those thin at receiver. TE Owen Daniels, Ravens Crazy, but even after Dennis Pitta’s injury Daniels was barely a blip on fantasy radar. He appears in less than 10 percent of ESPN leagues. He has 14 catches in four games and a bright future for October and November action (see Joe Flacco entry below). Don’t delay in scooping him up. 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} QB Joe Flacco, Ravens The road ahead is all roses for the Ravens passing attack. The next seven games include matchups against five matchups against teams that currently rank 20th or worse against the pass – Indianapolis (23rd), Tampa Bay (tied 29th), Atlanta (31st), Pittsburgh (20th) and New Orleans (tied 29th). With Steve Smith and Torrey Smith clicking, and Owen Daniels filling in nicely at tight end, you have to love what the future holds for Flacco. RB Alfred Morris, Redskins Is there a more underappreciated player in the NFL right now than Morris? He is a bright spot for a withering Washington franchise that has one quarterback down and the other struggling. Still, Morris moves the chains, averaging a respectable 4.5 yards per carry. He’s also scored three times in four weeks – a very solid back who can probably be picked up for less than his true value. {SELL} RB Khiry Robinson, Saints Anyone that takes a “lazy” look at the box score will only see that Robinson carried eight times for an impressive 87 yards in the loss to Dallas. What they may not notice is that 62 of those yards came on one carry, leaving 25 yards for his other seven carries – very average. Any back can bust a long run. Plus, this backfield will continue to be crowded the rest of the year. Use Robinson’s misleading statline to your advantage and sell. WR Golden Tate, Lions Some guys you fell and some you don’t. Can’t say I feel Tate yet. The Lions have played mostly against average pass defense up to now, and while Tate has thrived he has also benefitted from Calvin Johnson’s bum ankle. Eric Ebron is now starting to make strides and it’s fair to point out that Tate has yet to find the end zone. Tate has fantasy owners excited, but something is missing. I feel a trade is the best path here. Follow Mike Beacom on Twitter @mikebeacom |
