The fantasy football season is rapidly passing us by. We’re entering the final stretch 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.
It was a big week for playmakers across the board. Several running backs, in particular, are popping at the right time of the year, so be aggressive with your convictions.
Dynasty Risers After Week 11
Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos were able to squeeze out a close win in Week 11, and Courtland Sutton was a big reason why. He finished as WR14 in PPR leagues, but watching him revealed a dominant performance. He caught four of five targets for 66 yards and one touchdown.
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Everything looked easy for Sutton as Russell Wilson trusted him in the game’s key moments. The question is whether Sutton will get more volume at some point, as he’s finished with more than seven targets only twice all season. But with three top-14 finishes in the last four games, Sutton is giving managers value.
Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
What was Pittsburgh doing, wasting everyone’s time with Najee Harris? Jaylen Warren has been awesome since being named the starter, finishing as a top-14 rusher in three straight weeks. He’s supercharged the unit whenever he gets the chance.
The problem is that Warren isn’t getting more opportunities. He totaled 145 yards on 12 touches against Cleveland, including a massive 74-yard touchdown run that almost spurred the Steelers to a win. We don’t need to bemoan offensive coordinator Matt Canada more than he has been, but his latest malpractice is failing to feed Warren more when the rest of the unit has been struggling.
Hold tight onto Warren if you have him, and he might reward managers throughout the rest of 2023 and into the future with better play-calling and design.
Dynasty Fallers After Week 11
George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Looking back at where we stood with the fantasy landscape a month ago, it seemed that George Pickens would produce almost regardless of how badly Kenny Pickett struggled. He had WR5, WR11, and WR19 finishes by the end of Week 7. Since then, he’s been stuck on managers’ benches.
Pickett is unable to feed Pickens quality targets consistently. His volume has dropped from an average of eight through Week 7 to an average of five over the last month. We’ll have to see what Pittsburgh does at offensive coordinator and quarterback this offseason before putting more faith into Pickens’ value.
Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Is it an overreaction to downgrade Austin Ekeler’s outlook based on an RB30 finish? We know Ekeler dealt with a high ankle sprain earlier in the season and then ripped off three top-six finishes from Week 8 through Week 10. Ekeler saw his targets drop slightly and didn’t score in Week 11, but that’s not why he’s a faller now.
Watching Ekeler run in open space was painful. Even on his 37-yard gallop, Ekeler looked like he was moving in slow motion as Green Bay defenders chased him. That special agility that once made Ekeler a star looks gone, and his long-term value will be down the drain if he’s no longer a special athlete.
Dynasty Buy-Low Trade Targets
Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Although it’s been only a decent season for Josh Jacobs compared to his ADP, there’s been more good than bad, considering how the Raiders offense has functioned. Jacobs has four top-11 finishes in PPR leagues and has only been outside the top 32 backs once. He gets a solid workload, and there’s no reason to think that will change this season.
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Long-term, it’s a little tougher to know Jacobs’ value because he’ll be a free agent this offseason. When factoring in his RB36 finish against Miami, his uncertain 2024 home makes him a good buy-low candidate. We wouldn’t overpay for Jacobs in a deal, but there will be eager managers who see his matchup against Kansas City next week and a bye week coming, and they’ll look to offload the asset while they can.
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
As explosive as the Dolphins are, injuries have limited this offense’s ability to unleash its fleet of playmakers. Jaylen Waddle has been part of the limited crew, and his production has fluttered between solid and bench-worthy. Waddle finished as WR36 in Week 9 and WR34 in Week 11.
Some managers might get a little antsy with that dip in play. Waddle has bounced between six and 12 targets in any contest, making it hard to know how involved he’ll be. We need to bank on his talent if it’s a buy-low opportunity.
The Dolphins face some of the NFL’s weaker secondaries over the year’s final weeks. We know Waddle and Tyreek Hill can coexist as great fantasy options, so keep the faith and don’t fear moving a premium asset for Waddle.
Dynasty Sell-High Trade Targets
DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears look more competent with Justin Fields back and the defense playing better. Although they lost a heartbreaking game against Detroit, despite leading in the fourth quarter, DJ Moore exploded for his best game since Week 5. Moore totaled seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Fields and Moore have a real connection despite the unit not boasting impressive overall numbers. However, Moore may not be playing with Fields beyond this season, and replacing him with a rookie is a gamble. Moore’s WR6 finish might be his last elite game of the year.
Giving Moore away doesn’t make sense, but he’s also not a receiver worth holding onto for a great asset or two.
Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
Getting an RB1 performance is always a welcomed outcome. Saquon Barkley was spectacular in Week 11, catching four passes for 57 yards and two scores. He also toted the ball 14 times for 83 yards.
Barkley now has four receiving touchdowns to only one rushing score. With this in mind, you can already see why he’s a sell-high candidate. Barkley hasn’t reached the end zone nearly enough to justify holding onto if you receive a great offer, and his long-term value is questionable since his days in New York seem to be numbered as his contract expires after the next six weeks.
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