Home stretch before the fantasy football playoffs! Are you contending, rebuilding or unsure of where you stand? These questions should be answered before taking into account the information provided. It’s important to know the right time to buy, sell or hold on players. Take a look at your team, what is your record right now? Where do you stand in total points and points against? This is more of an indication of where you stand than your record. Decide where you stand and see what you can do with these players. Buying and selling at the right time can help you not only compete today, but ensure you are staying competitive in the future as well.
See previous buy, sell, hold here… NFC East, AFC East, NFC West, AFC West, NFC North, AFC North
Buy – Jameis Winston, QB New Orleans Saints
It has been a bit of an up and down season for Jameis Winston. However, he is protecting the ball better this year than the last time we saw him as a starter. He has only three interceptions and one lost fumble through seven games. Two of those interceptions came in a stinker against the Panthers in Week 2, his only single digit game.
In Week 1 he went berserk and scored five touchdowns, but it came on only 14 (20 attempts) completed passes. Week 5 was similar, where he completed 15 of 30 passes, but scored four TDs. Sean Payton isn’t unleashing Winston. Instead, he is building his game plan around Alvin Kamara. Kamara is seeing the most rush attempts of his career, with Winston as the game manager. This allows Winston to make the plays when he needs to, while preventing turnovers.
The one aspect I find most intriguing about Winston is he doesn’t even have his top WR yet! I can’t wait to see how Winston does with Michael Thomas back in the lineup.
He is one of the cheapest options you can find as a QB2 in fantasy football super flex leagues. You gotta believe he has shown enough to sign back with the Saints. If not the Saints, then one of the other QB needy teams this offseason.
Don’t expect a top-5 finish like we saw in 2019; but Winston is only 27 years old and has a lot left in the tank. He currently sits QB21 in points per game according to fantasydata.com.
One added bonus; the Saints already had their bye week. As long as Winston stays healthy he will be available for you.
I’d be willing to give up a late first to add some depth to my team, even if I have to give up a project player to sweeten the deal. You might not even need to pay that.
Honorable Mention – Michael Thomas, WR New Orleans Saints
It’s hard to say what he will go for in your fantasy football league. Just like Winston, if I am contending, I’d be willing to move my late first for a player of his caliber. A MT manager may not want to move him because he is still IR eligible in most leagues, but do yourself and favor and price check.
Sell – Cordarrelle Patterson, RB/WR Atlanta Falcons
Has there ever been a player who had their stock rise at the age of 30? Let’s be honest here, no one saw this coming. Cordarrelle Patterson currently sits at RB8 in Half-PPR.
Now, a good chunk of his points came in a three touchdown performance in Week 4. However, outside of Week 1, he’s hit double digit fantasy points. Two of those double digit games came without a TD in Weeks 3 and 5.
I hesitate to think this will continue beyond this year. He only signed a one year contract with the Falcons. Does he sign back with the Falcons? Even if he does, what are the chances the Falcons don’t address the RB position this offseason? Mike Davis is 28 and Patterson 30. This team will look to get younger this offseason.
Whether you are competing or not, Patterson is someone I would look to sell. With injuries and bye weeks in full swing, contending teams could be desperate. Take advantage of this. With his age, you are not going to get a king’s ransom, but a couple of seconds, maybe a late 1st if someone is hurting for RB. The bonus here is the Falcons already had their bye week!
Honorable Mentions
Who isn’t a sell in this division? Tom Brady, Antonio Brown, Mike Evans, Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffery, Lenoard Fournette, and Matt Ryan could all be considered here. Some of these names could fetch a good price. You should be looking to move any of these pieces if you’re not contending in your fantasy football league.
Hold – Sam Darnold, QB Carolina Panthers
My guy has been brutal lately! Sam Darnold got everyone excited to start the season, scoring 2 or more TDs in each of the first four games. Surprisingly, he also had five rushing TDs in that span. He protected the ball in the first three games as well, only throwing one interception and losing one fumble.
In Week 4, he threw two interceptions, but saved his fantasy day by scoring four total TDs; two passing and two rushing. This led to his best fantasy football game, but it’s where the bad turnovers began.
In two of the last three games he has scored single digits. He has five interceptions,one lost fumble, and only two TDs in those three games.
In Week 7, he was benched in the fourth quarter for P.J. Walker. Matt Rhule was looking for a spark, but Walker didn’t provide that either. Rhule said in his post game press conference that “Sam Darnold will be our QB next week. He’ll be our quarterback moving forward.”
He shouldn’t be someone you give up on, either. There is too much talent on this team for him not to have success. Christian McCaffery will hopefully be back soon, helping to take some of the pressure off the passing game.
If you didn’t sell off after the first four games, you won’t get the return you want now. We need to remember, even the greats like Patrick Mahomes can disappoint us sometimes. Be patient with Darnold, five of his last nine games are plus matchups. The Panthers paid for his fifth year option, likely locking him in for two years as the starter. He is ranked QB16 in points per game according to fantasydata.com.
Honourable Mention – Ronald Jones, RB Tampa Buccaneers
He’s in Bruce Ariens doghouse, but he shouldn’t be in yours. Be patient, don’t go and sell him for peanuts. There is a chance he could be moved this year before the deadline. If not, he is a free agent. He is an explosive running back, but always has a short leash. He is only 24 years old and has 2nd round draft capital.
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.