The AFC West was hyped up in the preseason. Mahomes, Herbert, Wilson, and Carr all in one division – it sounded amazing! However, Russell Wilson’s cooking has soured and the Raiders have a new hero in Josh Jacobs. Mahomes and the Chiefs are still winning and putting up numbers without Tyreek Hill around, but only Kelce and Mahomes have been consistent. The Chargers have been dealing with injury after injury, but have remained competitive regardless. Let’s take a look at a few names from division and what we should be doing with them in our fantasy football leagues. If you missed my previous article covering the NFC East, you can find it here.
Buy
Mecole Hardman – WR – Kansas City Chiefs
Coming off a three TD game probably isn’t the best time to be buying, but his price is affordable. Hardman flashed his potential in Week 7 with a 26 point performance against the 49ers. In the two prior weeks, he squeaked in as a top 36 WR in Half-PPR scoring. He scored just over 10 points in each of those games.
Hardman was drafted for his speed. His 4.33 40 time had the Chiefs thinking Tyreek Hill 2.0. He hasn’t become that, nor will he ever. However, what he does offer is a good boom/bust flex option moving forward through bye weeks and injuries.
The Chiefs are using a committee approach to replace Tyreek Hill, and so far it is working. Hardman is still young but is in the last year of his contract. Look for the Chiefs to sign him back, if he doesn’t demand too hefty of a contract.
His price tag is around an early 2023 third. He is that cheap depth option for a run or a developed asset to acquire cheap in a transition year.
Honourable Mention
Jerry Jeudy – WR- Denver Broncos
Trade rumours are swirling around the 23-year old WR. The Broncos signed Tim Patrick and Courtland Sutton to new deals this offseason. Jeudy has one more year remaining on his rookie contract. Don’t know what the Broncos would want in return, but if Jeudy were to be moved to the Packers, Giants, or Bears he would become the main target and increasing his fantasy football value.
He can be had for an early 2023 second right now. Even if he isn’t moved, he has been getting more targets in the last three games; including a season high 11 targets in Week 7. Don’t overpay, and buy for a 1st. However, if you can get him for a 2nd and a bit, I’d take the chance on a young WR.
He is currently WR33 in fantasy football, averaging 9.0 points per game.
Sell
Austin Ekeler – RB – Los Angeles Chargers
I hate to say it, but now is the time to strike while the iron is hot. Injuries have hit the RB market and Ekeler stands on top of the world right now. Four weeks in a row as a top 3 scoring RB after a slow start. He is currently the RB1 in fantasy football, averaging 21.2 points per game.
With his pass-catching ability, there is a good chance he will remain fantasy relevant longer than most backs. Ekeler doesn’t have the wear and tear of other backs his age, but does have an injury history. He also only has one year remaining on his contract.
Winning championships is fun and if you are contending I don’t blame you if you hold Ekeler. However, if you are in a tough spot right now and unsure of where you stand, selling is your best option. 27-year old RBs don’t hold their value. There is a contender in your league ready to pay up for Ekeler.
Honourable Mention
Davante Adams – WR – Las Vegas Raiders
Just like Ekeler, sell if you are not a contending team! If you are going for the ship, you want Adams in your lineup. He is currently the WR6 in fantasy football, averaging 16.6 points per game.
However, if you aren’t contending, now is the time to sell for top dollar. He will be 30 at the end of December. Although he is signed through 2026, his dynasty value has already started to decline. It took a hit with the trade to the Raiders, and will only continue to go down from here. He was the WR6 on KTC on September 18th. Now he sits at WR15; yet he has been one of the most consistent WRs this year.
Hold
Derek Carr – QB – Las Vegas Raiders
The guy will never raise his stock, but is good enough to keep it steady. He is only 31 years old and has the weapons around him to keep producing through his contract – which expires when he is 34.
According to KTC, in the last three months he has held steady between QB14 and 17. I expect him to stay in this range for several more years.
Carr is the QB19 in fantasy football. Being that he is one of the few QBs with a bye week, his 16.6 points per game is the 13th best. That is where he has finished each of the last two seasons.
- 2021 – QB 13 – 15.94
- 2020 – QB 13 – 17.57
Although, it has been a bit of a disappointing season for him after the acquisition of Adams. We have only seen two games with a fully healthy Renfrow and Waller. With the emergence of a run game and a fully healthy lineup, maybe he takes that step forward.
No one wants to pay a 1st for him and he’s too valuable to give up for the early 2nd that he is valued around. If he strings together a few fantasy winning weeks and raise his stock, that might open up a better selling window. However, there is nothing wrong with holding Carr and using him as a safe QB2 in SF leagues for years to come.
Sheldon Hand
Sheldon Hand is an elementary school teacher. He started writing in 2019, and started working with The League Winners in 2021. He has been playing fantasy football for fifteen years, got into dynasty seven years ago and have become a bit obsessed.