The fantasy football season is rapidly passing us by. We’re past the halfway mark of the year, which means it’s time to look in the mirror about your season with a critical eye. Dynasty managers especially need to know when to buy or sell.
We’re coming off a week filled with stellar wide receiver play and several backs putting up unexpected numbers. This could drive several transactions in your league.
Dynasty Risers After Week 10
C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
It’s impossible to ignore what C.J. Stroud is doing for the Houston Texans franchise right now. Stroud was a relatively easy evaluation coming out of Ohio State because of his dominant pocket passing traits and accuracy.
However, whether he could consistently replicate the playmaking he showed against Georgia in his final career start or if he was more of a traditional statue in the pocket remained an open question going into his professional career.
Thus far, Stroud has found the balance that will lead him to superstardom. The margin for error is smaller for passers who don’t occasionally break the scheme with their legs, but Stroud is on a torrid pace. Despite a mediocre supporting cast, he’s completed 61.6% of his passes for 2,626 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only two interceptions.
Stroud could be the next Joe Burrow, but without the ACL tear and with more mobility. He should be highly valued in all dynasty leagues.
Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders
This week’s top back in PPR leagues was Brian Robinson Jr. We told you to buy low on Robinson earlier this year because of the terrific volume he sees. Sunday, he rewarded managers with 119 receiving yards on a season-high six receptions, plus 38 rushing yards.
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Robinson now has two No. 1 finishes and five top-18 finishes on the season. He’s been below RB30 just once. Forget that he’s averaging only four yards a carry and focus on the continued workload that Washington has fed him.
There doesn’t seem to be an end to Robinson’s continued ownership of the touches, either. Sure, a new regime next year could add competition, but with QB Sam Howell improving, that’s more of a hypothetical situation.
Dynasty Fallers After Week 10
Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans
Dameon Pierce didn’t play in Week 10, marking the second straight game he’s missed with an ankle injury. Pierce has struggled this year, producing only two top-20 finishes despite getting at least 12 touches in each game. But it’s hard not to punish Pierce when his backup, Devin Singletary, produced an RB3 game against the Bengals.
Singletary had a huge workload, touching the ball 31 times and reaching 161 yards with a touchdown. A solid player in his own right, his production hasn’t been efficient, a sign that Houston’s running game isn’t conducive to sustained success. With Pierce struggling to reach Singletary’s peak, it seems likelier than not that Houston looks to upgrade the position with a cleaner scheme fit.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Calvin Ridley is a good player capable of producing a top-10 finish for fantasy managers. Unfortunately, in Jacksonville’s offense, he’s not the priority who has had the scheme tailored to him. He’s been as likely to land outside of the top 50 receivers in a week than to be within it.
Ridley’s speed is good but not what it once was, so the offense’s desire to use him as a vertical threat is misguided. With no long-term contract in place and the offense clearly needing to add another starter in 2024 anyway, Ridley is a good sell candidate.
Dynasty Buy-Low Trade Targets
Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns
We know Nick Chubb will be back in 2024, and the Browns could add another ball carrier next offseason for more competition, but that doesn’t mean that Jerome Ford will be a non-factor. What we’re seeing from the Browns offense was closer to Cleveland’s vision when they acquired Deshaun Watson.
With their punishing offensive line and Watson looking closer to the elite playmaker he once was, Ford can sustain his production even when Chubb is back.
Ford has seven top-25 finishes this season and has been a better bell-cow back than expected. While he’s not a star, Ford will be a high-end RB2 in an offense that will feed him 10 or more touches this season and next. His explosiveness will be accentuated once Cleveland’s line is healthier.
Coming off an RB21 finish and set to face Pittsburgh, Ford might be available for much less than expected from skeptical managers.
Marquise Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Who would’ve thought Kyler Murray’s return would be bad for Marquise Brown? After Brown was terrific through Week 5, he’s nosedived in all but one of the last five weeks. However, the Cardinals offense is transitioning again, and better games are coming for Brown.
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Arizona opted against trading Brown, which hints toward him being extended long-term. A healthier Murray is great news for Brown, and the coming matchups against weak secondaries like those of Houston, Los Angeles (Rams), and Pittsburgh bode well. Buy Brown now for peanuts and reap the rewards.
Dynasty Sell-High Trade Targets
Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris had a terrific week, landing as RB8 thanks to 96 total yards and a touchdown. However, the process didn’t match the result, as Harris was second string to Jaylen Warren in Week 10. Harris already has a low value in dynasty leagues, but losing the starting gig to Warren won’t help it.
Look for managers who might be deceived by Harris’ strong last month. He’s finished as RB22 or better in the last four weeks, meaning he’s an actual asset for rosters. You don’t need to sell Harris for less if you’re contending.
However, it’s always best practice to seek the top trade value. Selling on Harris now accomplishes that, and you can rest well knowing that Harris’ future value will never touch where it is now.
Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers
There might not be a better rental trade target than Deebo Samuel, and dynasty managers in it for the long term should be interested in accommodating such a move. Samuel, whose salary bloats next year right when the 49ers will have to pay others, might be entering the final stretch of his San Francisco tenure. After producing a WR16 week, selling now makes sense.
Samuel’s injury history and future make him a bit of a distressed asset, but he’s been productive enough for other managers to overlook the red flags. He’s a lock to start in virtually every lineup when he’s healthy. But I wouldn’t rely too heavily on that continuing, so sell now.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!