It’s important to know the right time to buy, sell or hold on players for fantasy football. Are you contending, rebuilding or unsure of where you stand? These questions should be answered before taking into account the information provided. Take a look at your team, 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.
Buy – Christian Kirk, WR Arizona Cardinals
We want pieces connected to high flying offences. The Cardinals haven’t scored under 30 points yet. We also don’t want to spend an arm and a leg to acquire them. Why not get the cheapest piece from this WR core?
DeAndre Hopkins is the alpha, and for good reason. Many have their eyes on rookie Rondale Moore. A.J. Green was brought in as a veteran presence (and would be the cheapest option), but I wouldn’t call him a dynasty buy in fantasy football.
With all these pieces, you might ask where does Christian Kirk fit in? Well, he has 15 catches on 17 targets. He turned those catches into 239 yards and two TDs (both in game one). Kirk has Games of 24, 9.5, and 17.4 fantasy points.
Now, we have seen Kirk flash and disappear before. However, we need to remember that he is in a contract year. Players want to get paid, either by their current team or another. This motivation has fueled others to play well in contract years.
The target volume might not be consistent. However, if he can keep being efficient with what he gets, he can be a WR3 or a great flex play all year. Christian Kirk is only 24 years old. Whether he stays with the Cardinals or moves on, he will have many more years to be a fantasy producer.
He is a cheaper piece to add some depth to your fantasy football roster for a potential championship run. Or, a piece to grab in a rebuild, because of his age. I don’t know if he will ever be a true WR1, but he could go somewhere and be the clear second option.
Sell – Chris Carson. RB Seattle Seahawks
Chris Carson is that steady rock in your fantasy football lineup most weeks. 20+ point games happen, but he is a very consistent 12-17 point guy. Injuries have been a minor problem, but what running back hasn’t dealt with them? He is the perfect sell candidate right now if you are not contending, or are unsure.
Carson is 27 years old, but is signed through the 2022 season with a potential out in his contract after this year. It would cost the Seahawks three million in dead cap to release him. That likely means anyone acquiring him would still have him for this year and next.
Carson has started the year well, with three games in double digit fantasy points. He hasn’t been too involved in the passing game yet – just five receptions on five targets so far. After not scoring a TD in week one, he has three TDs in the last two games.
You are not going to get a king’s ransom for him due to his age. However, because of the position he plays, the starting price should be a first at least. The best thing you can do is get a bidding war for him. Find the contending teams in your league, see which one might need the RB depth and have them give you their best offer. Fuel the fire and see if someone will pay up!
Hold – Robert Woods, WR Las Angeles Rams
It has not been the season that many were projecting for Robert Woods. With Stafford coming in, many (including myself) had Woods in their top-12. It’s not happening! Stafford, and his breakfast buddy Cooper Kupp, are making teams look bad!
Selling Woods right now after a few poor games would be a mistake. He’s already an older player, which brings down the price; plus the poor start to this season. Don’t panic. Sit him a few games, but don’t sell low. His first three games he has 19 total targets and 11 catches. That was turned into 124 yards and 1 TD. These are not numbers you want to use to sell! Wait until he has had a few productive games and guys are pushing for playoff spots.
The Rams are putting up points. Teams are going to need to have an answer for Kupp. If you can buy low, do it! However, if I have Woods I am holding right now. He will have productive games. Teams will adjust to Kupp. It’s early, but given his age, if he starts producing and you’re not competing, SELL!
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.
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