Fantasy Football Buy Candidates
DeMarco Murray (RB, PHI)
DeMarco Murray could be considered the biggest fantasy disappointment to date, with just 47 yards on 29 carries in three games. As abysmal as he has been running the ball, we know what he is capable of doing, and it is only a matter of time before he hits his stride.
In Week 4, he ran for a season-high 36 yards on eight carries. Those 4.5 yards per carry would be 13th best in the league, proving he can still run, even if it's a small sample size. Murray desperately needs more carries, which will hopefully come as the Eagles' offense continues to click. Sam Bradford has improved with each of his last three games, so the offense as a whole should begin to fuse. If your team is struggling, taking a shot on a proven commodity like Murray makes a lot of sense.
Alfred Morris (RB, WAS)
Some owners might be growing tired of Alfred Morris' inability to find the end zone thus far in 2015. Take advantage of that frustration and trade for him before those owners realize how valuable Morris truly is. Washington's premier back is one of just five players with at least 1,000 rushing yards in each of the past three seasons, along with Marshawn Lynch, Jamaal Charles, Matt Forte and Frank Gore. Morris also hasn't lost a fumble in over 350 touches.
Maybe he won't often post that gut-punching 25-point performance, but you can rely on him week in and week out. If he won't cost you much, Morris can be a great addition via a trade.
Mike Evans (WR, TB)
Mike Evans was non-existent in his Week 2 debut, had a monster, seven-catch, 101-yard showing in Week 3, but then disappeared again in Week 4, reeling in just three passes for 32 yards. However, as the clear best weapon on a struggling Bucs offense, Evans should start to get a lot more looks. Additionally, as Jameis Winston finds his rhythm, there should be a lot more production to go around in Tampa. Evans' cost should be as low as it ever will, so jump on the second year wideout while you can. He caught 12 touchdown passes as a rookie last year-- the scores are coming soon.
Honorable Mentions: C.J. Anderson (RB, DEN), Sammy Watkins (WR, BUF), Zach Ertz (TE, PHI)
Fantasy Football Sell Candidates
Devonta Freeman (RB, ATL)
I can't remember a sell-high candidate stronger than Devonta Freeman in all of my years as fantasy owner. The second-year back has scored six touchdowns in the past two weeks. The last player to find the end zone three times in two consecutive games was LaDanian Tomlinson in 2006. More incredibly, these two games were the first two starts of Freeman's career. He became the first player to rush for at least three scores in each of his first two starts since the AFL and NFL merged in 1970.
So, it's safe to say Freeman's stock is as high as it possibly could be. However, it is unlikely -- almost impossible -- for him to maintain this pace. First of all, his 30 carries in Week 3 are unsustainable throughout a season. Secondly, before Week 3, he had yet to display any ability to shred defenses. He managed just 291 yards and two touchdowns on 87 carries prior to this stretch. In his first three games in which he received double-digit carries, Freeman averaged just 1.7 yards per carry. Finally, with Tevin Coleman returning from injury,
Freeman is the better goal line back, and should still grab his fair share of touchdowns as the season carries on, but his overall production will be undoubtedly affected. Sell high like you've never sold high before.
Dion Lewis (RB, NE)
Okay, you've had your fun. Did you really think Bill Belichick was going to stick with one running back on a weekly basis? In 2014, five different backs led the Pats in rushing in a given week. For the first two weeks of 2015, Lewis was the guy, but LeGarrette Blount took the reigns in Week 3. It won't be long before Travaris Cadet handles 20+ carries and breaks the 100-yard mark. Don't take this as a knock on Lewis-- he is one of the more talented back the Pats have sent out in recent years. It's more of a statement about the organization. On a different team, Lewis could be a solid featured back. As long as he lines up behind Tom Brady, however, Lewis remains a roll-of-the-dice fantasy play. Ship him off before he loses his value.
Larry Fitzgerald (WR, ARI)
At age 32, Larry Fitzgerald seems to have re-emerged as an elite fantasy receiver. I'm not buying it. The targets are there, and his chemistry with Carson Palmer is undeniable -- and I'm not downplaying his talent -- but he has been playing well above what he projects to do over the rest of the season. Five receiving touchdowns in two games is incredible, but take a closer look. Those five scores came against the Bears and the 49ers-- two of the bottom four teams in terms of points per game allowed. He hasn't scored in either of his other two games. Fitzgerald should, without a doubt, continue to be a productive fantasy player going forward, but it is unrealistic to expect him to sustain these numbers. If the return is great enough, don't hesitate to part with the former superstar.
Honorable Mentions: Chris Ivory (RB, NYJ), Travis Benjamin (WR, CLE), Coby Fleener (TE, IND)
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