Trade deadlines are just around the corner throughout fantasy football leagues. Where does your team stand? Are you a contender, or a pretender? Is your team in need of a rebuild?
Here are a few tips on how to determine where your team is at. First, look at your total points for, and against. This is a better way to determine where you stand, rather than your record. If you have a winning record, but are in the bottom half of points for and have one of the lowest points against, you might not be as close to competing as you think. Or, you might need to make a move or two to help out.
If you are a high scoring team who’s had tough matchups, you will need to determine whether you want to risk adding pieces to make a run. You don’t necessarily need to sell off either, but you will want to take the next point into consideration.
Second, look at your roster. Where are your points coming from? Are your top players consistent, or all over the map? What is the age of your top producers? Some age thresholds to keep in mind when determining the age of your team:
- QB: 33
- RB: 26
- WR: 29
- TE: 29
If most of your top producers are at or past this age and you aren’t competing, you might want to consider selling. Can you package a top player at peak age for a younger piece, plus assets, and still compete?
Last week we looked at fantasy football players to buy as contenders without mortgaging your future. This week, we are looking at players to buy while the price is low, in hopes of their value rising next year.
QB Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield currently sits as the QB22 in fantasy football, and is averaging 14.08 points a game in 4-point passing TD leagues.
He suffered his second injury (knee) of the season in the third quarter of Week 10’s game against the Patriots. In Week 6, he was also knocked out midway through the third quarter (shoulder). He then proceeded to miss Week 7. Kevin Stefanski said that Mayfield is day-to-day and should be back to practice later this week.
In his first three years, Mayfield finished as the QB16, 19, and 17. With Odell Beckham out of the way, is it time for Mayfield to shine?
Last year, we saw Mayfield go on a run after Beckham was injured. Baker’s best season was his rookie year when Bechkam was not on the team. When throwing to Beckham in 2019, Mayfield threw 9 of his 21 interceptions. Then in 2020, 3 of his 8 interceptions came when targeting Beckham.
Mayfield is only 26 years old, and the Browns have chosen to exercise his fifth year option. This means he is signed through the end of next season.
Baker is one of the few starting QBs who could be acquired for a single first round pick or less, in Super Flex formats that isn’t past his peak age. With a weaker 2022 QB class, Mayfield is a great piece to acquire. Or, you can have him thrown into a deal to send away an older QB to a contending team.
QB Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
In his one start this year, Jordan Love scored 12.9 points. It was a disappointing outing for all the Love truthers out there. Many were hoping for primetime magic against a suspect Chiefs defense.
However, that did not happen. This isn’t a bad thing, though. It’s allowed is a cheaper buying period to acquire Love. Aaron Rodgers is all but gone after this season. He has his bags packed and will be out the door at the end once it ends.
The Packers didn’t spend a first round pick on a QB to not give him an honest chance. One game isn’t and shouldn’t be make-or-break for a 1st round QB.
Love is a mobile QB. He has athleticism that can’t be taught. He is raw in a few areas, such as awareness and timing; but those are coachable traits. Remember, the Packers traded up for him. Their history with drafting and developing QBs is worth taking into account. Rodgers sat for 3 years developing behind Farve.
Love is valued around the same level as a late second round pick in Super Flex leagues. He will be the starting QB for the Packers next year and will be a QB2, with QB1 upside in fantasy football.
Instead of trading for that second round pick that will take time to develop and could bust, why not get Love thrown into a deal instead? At least the development years are gone and you will have a startable asset with upside.
Honourable Mention QB Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Just like Mayfield, Daniel Jones is one of the rare young starting QBs who can be had for cheap in fantasy football Super Flex leagues. Through nine games, he quietly sits as the QB17, averaging 16.53 points a game. He has one year left on his rookie deal and the Giants can exercise his fifth year option.
Jones is turnover prone; with three lost fumbles and five interceptions. However, four of those turnovers came in their Week 6 loss to the Rams.
The Giants surrounded Jones with weapons in the offseason, but injuries have taken their toll on the team. He has a nice schedule to end the year. Get him now while his price is down and watch him rise his stocks as the season closes out. He’s only 24 years old, but already in his third season.
RB Ronald Jones, Tampa Buccaneers
Ronald Jones was a second round pick in 2018, though he didn’t play much as a rookie. However, in 2019 while averaging only a 36.8% snap share he the RB26 in Half-PPR for fantasy football. Jones averaged 4.21 yards per carry and scored six touchdowns on the ground. That year he had 31 receptions and caught 77.5% of his targets.
In 2020, Jones was RB16, and averaged 12.3 points a game. He caught 28 passes, but only had a 66.7 catch rate. Jones rushed for nearly 1000 yards (978) and averaged 5.09 yards per rush. On a strong Bucs team he scored eight total touchdowns; seven on the ground and one through the air.
However, an injury late in the year opened up the door for Leonard Fourentte; and the latter never let go of the job.
Many thought Jones would be the early-down back this year; but with drops and fumbles, he’s back in Arian’s doghouse. Fournette has taken over the backfield and Gio Bernard was brought in as the pass-catching back.
Luckily, Jones’ contract is up at the end of the year. Look for him to sign elsewhere and be the early-down back. He has his work cut out for him if he wants to be a 3-down back, but it’s not out of reach.
Right now he is priced between an early 3rd and late 2nd round pick in fantasy football dynasty leagues. There are a lot of teams that could be looking to fill their RB spot, Dolphins, Falcons, Seahawks, Cardinals, and Texans come to mind. Jones has shown when given the chance, he can get the job done. Trade for him now while the price is low and watch him be a steady RB2 for you next year.
RB J.J. Taylor, New England Patriots
James White was RB6 in PPR leagues in 2018 and RB18 in 2019. He did this as the pass-catching back in McDaniel’s offense, with an immobile QB.
Taylor is not built like the other RBs in this offense. He is small, at 5’5, but is 185 pounds and no slouch in pass protection based on his college profile. He is built similarly to Dion Lewis (RB12, 2017) and Danny Woodhead, who both had success in the Patriots offense.
I was hoping he would get his chance once James White went out, but Brandon Bolden has taken that role. It speaks volume that he has stuck around as an undrafted free agent in back-to-back years in crowded backfields.
Taylor is worth an add if he is on your waivers or as a throw-in on a deal. He value currently sits as a late 3rd.
Honourable Mention RB Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
I put Mattison here because of the latest Dalvin Cook news. It wasn’t that long ago that Ray Rice was in a similar situation. However, video evidence was the determining factor in that case.
Cook could find himself in trouble. We don’t know how this is going to shake out, but we do know Mattison has filled in nicely on his opportunities this year. Mattison has scored over 20 points in his two starts in 2021; going over 100 yards rushing in both games and 40+ receiving yards.
He is currently priced at a late second round pick in fantasy football dynasty leagues. He has one year left on his rookie contract before he hits free agency at the age of 25. You might be buying Cook’s backup, but with the legal issues that could arise you could find yourself with a starting RB.
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.