It’s important to know the right time to buy, sell or hold on players in 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 – Micheal Gallup, WR Dallas Cowboys
I had Michael Gallup as a buy before the injury and I thought about taking him out. However, we are playing dynasty! Gallup is a free agent after this year and could find himself as a team’s true WR1 or WR2 next year. If anything, the injury might help you get him cheaper!
Gallup proved in week one that he can, even as arguably the number three target in this offense, be fantasy relevant. Gallup began the game with 7 targets, 4 catches, for 36 yards, before leaving late in the second half with calf injury. Although those numbers aren’t eye popping, he was targeted seven times in a high flying offense.
In 2019, Gallup put up 1107 yards on 66 catches (113 targets). He only started 12 games that year, and played in 14. Six TDs helped him finish as the WR22 that year in fantasy football PPR formats. Even with rookie Ceedee Lamb in the fold last year and an injured Dak Prescott, he finished with 857 yards on catches (105 targets) and five TDs. That placed him as WR38 in PPR formats, nearly a WR3 with some bad QB play!
Michael Gallup’s value is low because he’s seen as the third target at best on his current team. You could pay WR3 prices or lower, but have yourself a true WR2 for many years if he moves on. With new contracts to both Prescott and Amari Cooper this offseason, the Cowboys aren’t likely to re-sign Gallup. If they let him go, there will be teams lined up to sign him. Buy him now, while his price is low!
Sell – Jalen Hurts, QB Philadelphia Eagles
The offseason hype has many people believing Jalen Hurts will be a top-10 QB in fantasy football. With his rushing upside there is a chance this could happen. However, we have to consider the long term value of a player and when we can get peak value for them. I believe that time is now for Hurts.
Unless Hurts brings the Eagles to the playoffs, he could be on his way out the door. The Eagles have two first round picks next year, their own and the Miami Dolphins. They also have a conditional second round pick from the Colts that could become a first. That is a lot of draft capital to potentially move up for a QB or put together a package for another QB – Deshaun Watson maybe? However, according to a report by Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790am in late August, Watson has no interest in waiving his no trade clause for the Eagles. That could change if the Eagles can show they can be a competitive enough team this year.
Hurts came in late last year and looked really good in one game against the Cardinals. He threw for three TDs and ran for another. However, in two full starts he had games of 20 points against a tough Saints defense and 17.5 points against a lousy Cowboys defense. He played 75% of the last game against the Washington Football Team and had 15 points (two rushing TDs) before being pulled in the Eagles attempt to lose the game.
Why am I telling you to sell a potential top-10, young, fleet footed QB? It’s simple – he’s at his peak value.
We have a very small sample size that got people very excited, which has driven up his value. However, in all these games Hurts was 1-3. He only completed 52% of his passes, fumbled nine times, and threw four interceptions. Those aren’t exactly numbers you want to see from your “franchise” QB. Teams will now have film on him and that could make things tough for the sophomore QB.
Many Hurts truthers think a Lamar Jackson 2019 MVP season is a possibility. I wouldn’t count it, and I would use that hype to sell where I can. Find the Hurts truther in your fantasy football league, I am sure there is one, and capitalize on his peak value.
After a great week one against a bad defense (Falcons) you have even more fuel to get someone to pay up. The Eagles brought in Gardner Minshew to backup Hurts. This is significant. The Eagles won’t hesitate to turn to him if things aren’t going well, and Eagle fans will call for Minshew if things go south quickly.
See if you can flip Hurts for a more established QB and other parts. This can be done as a contender or a rebuilding team. Use this hype to get max value while you can. Although his start of the season schedule is quite nice, he ends the year with two fantasy playoff games against the Football Team in Weeks 15 and 16.
There are three possible scenarios for Hurts. He balls out and becomes the Eagles franchise QB. He could get traded and start for another team. Or, he actually isn’t that good of an NFL QB (just a freak athlete) and he is riding the bench next year, and possibly even as early as this year. You might hate me or thank me later, but I’d look to see what I can get for him.
Hold – Daniel Jones, QB New York Giants
Daniel Jones is the perfect hold. I don’t think his fantasy football value is worth a sell, and do you really want to buy Daniel Jones? The Giants have done everything they can to help Jones develop this year.
The Giants brought in a true alpha WR in Kenny Golladay this offseason. They backed that up by bringing in WR Kadarious Toney with their first round pick. Also, the team added a veteran TE in Kyle Rudolph to help in protection. The offensive line, which ranked 30th overall by PFF in their year-end-review, were young and could take a step forward. One other big factor is the health of Saquon Barkley. If he can stay healthy, his presence should help take pressure off Jones.
After throwing 24 TDs as a rookie, he struggled last year with only 11 TD and 10 interception. Not only that, but Jones has 29 combined fumbles over the last two years, losing 23 of them. He is one bad year away from the Giants possibly looking elsewhere. It makes it tough to buy. Most people are not going to give away a young starting QB, regardless of how poorly their play is.
He had a decent week one, playing against a tough Denver defense. Jones completed nearly 60% of his passes, threw, and ran for a TD. He didn’t have an interception, but lost a fumble in the third. Hold him for now. You won’t get the value you want. As a buyer, I wouldn’t want to risk paying the price to acquire a young QB that I wouldn’t trust in my lineup too often. Maybe with the weapons in place and a healthy Saquon he can turn a corner.
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.