Welcome back to another edition of my weekly buy, sell, and hold article. A lot has happened in the NFL in the past week, and that’s undoubtedly effected multiple dynasty fantasy football leagues. Last week I featured a few running backs, which you can view here.
Since you’re consuming fantasy football content in March, you know that many things are changing throughout the year. It’s best to stay on top of the news and ahead of your fellow league-mates.
Buy: Rookie Picks 1.04-1.06
For my buy of the week, I want to talk about the rookie picks. Specifically, rookie picks in the range of 1.04 through 1.06. This buy is mainly for SuperFlex leagues.
As we get more information, the rookie draft puzzle starts solving itself. We saw an incredible athletic performance by Anthony Richardson and many other jaw-dropping plays from other projected first-round picks. Looking at the rookie draft board, I assume the first four picks will go something similar to RB/QB/QB/QB.
Anthony Richardson had himself a DAY at the NFL Combine.
Richardson leaped 10’09” in the broad jump, which is a QB record at the combine.
Richardson jumped 40.5” in the vertical jump, which is a QB record at the combine.
Richardson threw a ball at a velocity of 60 MPH, which… https://t.co/0uFVPYMKR2 pic.twitter.com/cD102A4bdy
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) March 4, 2023
I will start with the 1.04. Trade for it now because you can get one of the four elite guys at the top of the draft. I would be ecstatic to add any of the top 3 quarterbacks or Bijan Robinson to my squad, and you should be too. The value of the 1.04 has the potential to continue to accrue value as we get closer to draft season.
If the 1.04 is off the table, try contacting the fantasy manager with the 1.05. You will miss out on my perceived top three quarterbacks (Stroud, Young, Richardson) and Robinson, but you will still have your shot at either Jahmyr Gibbs or Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The most encouraging thing we saw all day was Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s unbelievable performances in the 3 cone drill & shuttle run
Short-area quickness is SO important for slot WRs. The 40 time will be gross, but he showed THE elite trait for his NFL role pic.twitter.com/afrVK2vpfm
— Nico (@elitetakes_) March 5, 2023
Both Gibbs and JSN are elite prospects. Gibbs is in a tier right behind Bijan as the RB2, while Smith-Njigba solidified himself as my WR1.
If the fantasy manager holding the 1.05 doesn’t want to trade, go after the 1.06. It’s the same concept as before. If you have the 1.06, you get the last player available in the top six.
I still like Jordan Addison, Quentin Johnston, and Zach Charbonnet – who would be available at 1.07 – but I would rather get one of the top six guys in this draft.
Acquire one of those top-six picks and solidify yourself in a position to get an elite guy. The price for these picks are only going to go up from here. So even if you don’t wish to acquire one of these players, you’d be able to trade it for a profit come draft season.
Sell: Rachaad White
With the news that the Bucs will release Leonard Fournette at the start of the new league year, this is a great sell moment for Rachaad White. Many individuals in the space want to trade away White just to do so, but I am a little more cautious.
The Bucs will be releasing Leonard Fournette pic.twitter.com/2i3JCS3c8v
— PFF (@PFF) February 28, 2023
While I consider myself a pick snob, I am not trading away White just to get a random pick in the second round of rookie drafts. If I am moving him, I want it to be worth it, and I want to accrue a little value on my initial investment. To put it into perspective, I drafted him in the 2.04-2.06 range last year in a few leagues.
The best-case scenario would be to flip White into a late 1st.. The more realistic outlook would be to acquire an early 2nd in the 2.01-2.03 range. I have no problem keeping him on my roster if I can’t. I think White is in for an excellent sophomore season.
Rachaad White is good
pic.twitter.com/EvcVkM3qSC— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) February 16, 2023
The Bucs will bring in another running back, whether through free agency or the draft. After that, White’s value will drop. If you move him, now would be the time to do that.
Hold: Jakobi Meyers
Jakobi Meyers is underrated every year. The Patriots’ offense has been anemic since Brady left after the 2019 season. However, while targeting Meyers, quarterbacks have an average of 117.1 quarterback rating. He will be a useful option where ever he signs in free agency.
Meyers is a reliable option in the passing game and an asset on your fantasy football roster. If you have Meyers shares, I encourage you to hold him until after free agency. When free agency kicks off, a team will offer Meyers upwards of $15 million annually.
Jakobi Meyers making plays pic.twitter.com/JuvTmuOzgQ
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) February 26, 2023
If a team wants to pay Meyers that much, he will be a big part of their offense going forward. His value will skyrocket if he lands somewhere like the Bills or Chiefs. Even if he decided to sign with Chicago or the New York Giants, his value would still go up.
The worst-case scenario is Meyers returning to the Patriots, where he has averaged 101 targets over the last three years. Meyers is sorely undervalued fantasy football asset, and other managers won’t offer you top dollar for him. You should hold on to him and reap the benefits of a reliable receiver potentially landing in a better situation this offseason.
Joe Arledge
Writer for The League Winners Fantasy Football and Faceoff Sports Network. University of Cincinnati Alumni.