Fantasy Football: Buying low

10/14/08
fantasy football
By Ryan Chatelain

Fantasy Football: Buying low

Photo credit: Game Face

By Ryan Chatelain

ryan.chatelain@am-ny.com

Unless you’re one of the fortunate few to have a bench loaded with talent, trading in fantasy football is often counterproductive. You might improve your team’s running back situation, but does it make much sense if you’re sacrificing a star quarterback?

That’s why, in an attempt to gain more value than their giving up, fantasy football diehards throw around stock market terms such as “buy low” and “sell high.” They’re trying to predict which players will soon experience a hot streak or a slump.

As the trading season heats up, here are five players who are buy-lows. (Next week: sell-highs.)

Torry Holt, WR, Rams

Usually a sure bet for 90 catches and 1,100 yards, Holt is on pace for just 64 catches and 672 yards this season. But new coach Jim Haslett, who led St. Louis to an upset win over the Redskins on Sunday, might have breathed new life into the Rams. And more important for Holt (pictured), seven of St. Louis’ next eight games are against teams with pass defenses ranked in the bottom half of the league.

Thomas Jones, RB, Jets

When looking at opposing run defenses, no team has an easier schedule through Week 14 – the end of the fantasy regular season in most leagues -- than the Jets. Jones, who scored three touchdowns last week against the Bengals, should shine against foes such as Kansas City, St. Louis, Denver and San Francisco.

Jake Delhomme, QB, Carolina

Carolina faces just one top-10 pass defense through Week 14. Forget about his dismal performance Sunday against Carolina; Delhomme should have big games against aerial lightweights New Orleans, Oakland, Detroit and Atlanta.

Deuce McAllister, RB, New Orleans

Over the first few weeks of the season, the Saints remained cautious with McAllister, coming off two offseason knee surgeries. But New Orleans is utilizing him more now as the Saints face a string of mediocre run defenses.

Zach Miller, TE, Oakland

Miller is the Raiders’ leading receiver. OK, that might not be much to brag about, but his remaining schedule includes games against the Jets, Falcons, Dolphins, Broncos and Chargers, who have all struggled mightily against the pass.

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BYE WEEK FILL-INS

Some options to replace your prized players who may have Week 7 off:

Brad Johnson, QB, Dallas (vs. St. Louis). It’s not often you can grab a starting QB on a very good offensive team that is playing an abysmal defense.

Sammy Morris, RB, New England (vs. Denver). He’s the Patriots’ leading rusher, is a goal-line threat and is facing a defense that has allowed more fantasy points to running backs than any team in the NFL.

Kevin Walter, WR, Houston (vs. Detroit). Walter has been a top-13 fantasy receiver over the past three weeks, and the Lions are ranked 30th against the pass.

Robert Royal, TE, Buffalo (vs. Chargers). San Diego has given up five TDs to tight ends, two more than any other team in the league.

Matt Bryant, K, Tampa Bay (vs. Seattle). Bryant has kicked at least two field goals in five of six games.

Jets defense (vs. Oakland). The Jets have a mediocre real-life defense, but thanks to 10 turnovers and a pair of touchdowns, they have a top-10 fantasy defense.

Photo by Getty Images
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Fantasy Football: Buying low

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