Well, it looks like they let me do this again.
Last week, I offered my version of the “Stock Report”, providing fantasy owners with players I’d be looking to buy low, as well as red hot players I’d look to sell high. We’re three weeks in now, and owners of struggling stars are becoming more and more frustrated. That is the greatest news an opposing owner can possibly hear.
Good … good. Let the hate flow through you.
Of course, there are also the strong-starting guys who force fantasy owners to question whether it is legitimate or a fantasy mirage. We love points, and when we see guys on our roster with a ton of them, we tend to gravitate towards holding onto them. It’s human nature, and I totally get it. But again, sometimes, playing fantasy football is a lot like playing the stock market.
So let’s play.
Buy
Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers- We meet again, Edward. Lacy was in the inaugural stock column here, but another atrocious outing helps find himself back on this list. During Sunday’s absolute shootout against the Lions (sarcasm), Lacy struggled again, carrying the football 11 times for just 36 yards and a fumble. James Starks saw an uptick in snaps after the fumble, but Lacy still finished with more snaps in the backfield. Sure, Lacy has looked flat out bad, averaging just 4.3 fantasy points per game and, according to PFF, 0.13 fantasy points per snap. But look at his opponents, facing the Jets, Seahawks and Lions, three teams who all rank inside the top-five in rushing defense through three weeks. The touchdowns are going to come in this offense and it’s not as if he’s losing carries to anyone. Go get him, folks. He was a top-five fantasy pick for a reason.
Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers- This was supposed to be the week, you guys. Allen against the Bills exploitable secondary that allowed an opposing team’s number one receiver to score in each of the first two games, was in a great spot to have his breakout game. But a surprise groin injury had him questionable for the game, ultimately playing and finishing with just two grabs for 17 yards. He left owners with a bad taste in their mouth, but not as bad as the taste in those same owners who get rid of him for cheap out of frustration. Despite his bad start, Allen has some things going his way. First of all, through three weeks, he still leads all receivers in snaps and his opponents haven’t been the greatest. He’s faced Patrick Peterson, Richard Sherman and Corey Graham, who is currently ranked as the number one cornerback through three weeks, according to PFF. Without Ryan Mathews or Danny Woodhead in the backfield, expect the Chargers to throw a lot more, and with the way Philip Rivers looks, that’s a good thing.
Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers- The recent news that Jackson suffered a fractured wrist, but plans to play through it, is good news for those targeting Jackson in trades. It’s been a disastrous start for the Buccaneers and Jackson, who has caught just 10 balls for 102 yards and one touchdown through three weeks. But better days are ahead, especially if Mike Glennon is under center for Tampa Bay. In 2013, Glennon, a rookie, had three top-12 fantasy finishes, while finishing 13th twice. He also was not afraid to play some huck-chuck football with VJax, averaging almost 10 targets per game alongside Glennon. And if this team continues to play as bad as they’ve looked, they should be throwing the ball quite a bit this year.
Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans- First of all, go check your league’s waiver wire and make sure Sankey isn’t available. A ton of owners are already fed up with him not being the starting running back in Tennessee, so they’ve cut bait. And if he’s owned, trade for him. On Sunday, Sankey played 29 snaps compared to Shonn Greene‘s 14, and he tied Greene with 10 carries. But the rookie looked great against a very good run defense in Cincinnati, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Sooner than later, Sankey is going to be the lead back in Tennessee, behind a very good offensive line. He could have a similar year that Zac Stacy had last year.
Sell
Jamaal Charles/Knile Davis, Kansas City Chiefs- C.D. Carter made an outstanding point that I have echoed as well lately. With Charles hurt, but not seriously, and Davis playing well, it would not surprise anyone if the Chiefs decided to give both of these guys a handful of work the rest of the way. C.D. stated that it is entirely possible to package the two backs (or maybe even just JC), for a high-end running back or wide receiver. Perhaps someone like Le’Veon Bell or Jordy Nelson, for instance. I 100 percent agree, and think it could pay dividends for your fantasy roster.
Darren Sproles, Philadelphia Eagles- Through three weeks, Sproles is surprisingly the number seven fantasy running back in standard leagues. Still, he’s a prime sell-high candidate, as he has already scored two rushing touchdowns on the season. To put that into perspective, in his nine-year career, he’s only scored 13 rushing touchdowns. He’s clearly a big part of this high-scoring offense, and he’ll catch a ton of balls, but his value will never be higher than it is right now. Sproles is currently averaging 0.49 fantasy points per snap in standard league, the 5th-highest among rushers. Sell, sell, sell.
