Buy David Montgomery? Sell Michael Pittman? More Fantasy Trade Deadline Candidates To ‘Buy, Sell, Hold’
Getty Images. Pictured: Bears RB David Montgomery, Colts WR Michael Pittman
In honor of the rapidly-approaching trade deadline, we're temporarily changing our game of "Play, Hold, Drop" on the Thursday edition of the Fantasy Flex podcast to "Buy, Sell, Hold."
The rules are the same as a familiar game, FMK, which stands for — well, you know. This week, we will review three players at each position — quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end — one of whom we have to buy, one we have to sell and one we have to hold.
Let's dive into this week's edition!
Fantasy QBs To Buy, Sell, Hold
Remaining schedule in parentheses; playoff opponents (Weeks 15 through 17) italicized.
- Russell Wilson, Seahawks (vs. Cardinals, at Washington, vs. 49ers, at Texans, at Rams, vs. Bears, vs. Lions, at Cardinals)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. Saints, at Giants, at Jets, BYE, vs. Washington, vs. Giants, at Washington, vs. Cowboys)
- Aaron Rodgers, Packers (at Vikings, vs. Rams, BYE, vs. Bears, at Ravens, vs. Browns, vs. Vikings, at Lions)
Buy: Jalen Hurts
It hasn't always been pretty, but Hurts has finished as a top-12 fantasy quarterback in all but one game this year. He's averaging just shy of 55 rushing yards per game, which gives him a very safe floor, and he has multiple touchdowns in seven of 10 games.
Hurts also plays in the softest division of the trio, and as a result, has the best schedule for the final stretch. The Eagles face Washington twice and the Giants once between Weeks 15 and 17.
Sell: Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers was unimpressive in his return to action in Week 10. He completed 23-of-37 attempts for 292 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception. I don't love selling guys after an uncharacteristically bad game, but his name alone should garner interest in many leagues.
Rodgers is just QB12 on a per-game basis this year and doesn't have one game with more than 27 fantasy points. He's been reliable, but has also been a far cry from his 2020 MVP campaign.
Hold: Russell Wilson
For starters, it would probably be difficult to flip Wilson for anything right now given his value is likely at its nadir due to injuries and a shaky Week 10 showing. The Seahawks were shut out against the Packers and Wilson completed 20-of-40 attempts for 161 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions.
He has another tough matchup against the Cardinals on deck, but his schedule softens up significantly after that. Better days are ahead for the Seahawks' signal-caller, who is the only one of this group who has already had his bye.
Fantasy RBs To Buy, Sell, Hold
Remaining schedule in parentheses; playoff opponents (Weeks 15 through 17) italicized.
- James Conner, Cardinals (at Seahawks, BYE, at Bears, vs. Rams, at Lions, vs. Colts, at Cowboys, vs. Seahawks)
- David Montgomery, Bears (vs. Ravens, at Lions, vs. Cardinals, at Packers, vs. Vikings, at Seahawks, vs. Giants, at Vikings)
- Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons (vs. Patriots, at Jaguars, vs. Buccaneers, at Panthers, at 49ers, vs. Lions, at Bills, vs. Saints)
Buy: David Montgomery
Montgomery is easily one of the least "sexy" names for fantasy, which makes him a solid buy.
He returned from injury in Week 9 to 13 carries for 63 yards and tacked on two catches for 17 yards. In spite of playing just five games this year, he has two 100-rushing yard games and three touchdowns. And if you were concerned about Khalil Herbert siphoning carries away from Montgomery, you can rest easy as Herbert saw just four carries for 13 yards in the Bears' last contest.
Montgomery has a nice playoff schedule against the Vikings, Seahawks and Giants. And he already had his bye. With this Bears offense looking like it may be turning a corner, Montgomery is a solid trade target for me.
Sell: James Conner
The best time to sell James Conner was last week after his monster three-touchdown performance, but the second-best time to sell him would be now (or after Week 11). Conner found the end zone in Week 10 against the Panthers, though it was a far cry from his electric Week 9 showing.
The Cardinals have a bye in Week 12, and Chase Edmonds could return from his high-ankle sprain in time for the fantasy playoffs, which could make this backfield a committee once again.
Hold: Cordarrelle Patterson
Patterson had his worst game of the year in Week 10 against the Cowboys with four carries for 25 yards and one reception for 14 yards. He was injured in the game, but could play this week against the Patriots.
Patterson has been the fantasy Cinderella story of the year and has been a powerhouse when healthy. He has scored seven touchdowns and has four games this year with 100+ scrimmage yards.
The playoff schedule isn't amazing, but he's worth hanging onto even if he misses the week.
Fantasy WRs To Buy, Sell, Hold
Remaining schedule in parentheses; playoff opponents (Weeks 15 through 17) italicized.
- Marquise Brown, Ravens (at Bears, vs. Browns, at Steelers, at Browns, vs. Packers, at Bengals, vs. Rams, vs. Steelers)
- Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (at Bills, vs. Buccaneers, at Texans, BYE, vs. Patriots, at Cardinals, vs. Raiders, at Jaguars)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals (at Seahawks, BYE, at Bears, vs. Rams, at Lions, vs. Colts, at Cowboys, vs. Seahawks)
Buy: Marquise Brown
Brown was quiet in Week 10 against Miami, reeling in 6-of-13 targets for 37 yards. It's a small blemish on what has otherwise been a very strong fantasy season, though. He is currently WR9 in half PPR on a per-game basis and his targets have increased over the course of the season.
He has seen an average of 13 targets per game since Week 7, which has actually gone up since Rashod Bateman came off injured reserve. Bateman could take away some of Brown's scoring potential, but Brown will remain the No. 1 option in this offense.
Sell: Michael Pittman Jr.
Pittman has been having one of the quietest Year 2 breakouts this season. He's been very consistent for fantasy and has double-digit points in half PPR in seven of 10 contests this year. I do think he has the harder playoff schedule of the three, though, and has the lowest upside given the limitations of Carson Wentz and the Colts' offense.
Pittman also has a Week 14 bye, which could be very dicey if you happen to be on the fringe of making the playoffs.
Hold: DeAndre Hopkins
You can't exactly flip Hopkins for anything good right now since he's missed two games and could be on track to miss another. I want to hold onto him given his crazy high upside when healthy.
He is in the best offense with arguably the best passing quarterback of the trio. He is a major red-zone target and scored seven times in the first seven games of the year. He also has the best playoff schedule of the three against the Lions, Colts and Seahawks, so I'm holding out hope he can return soon, though hopefully you can weather these injury absences and the Week 12 bye.
Fantasy TEs To Buy, Sell, Hold
Remaining schedule in parentheses; playoff opponents (Weeks 15 through 17) italicized.
- T.J. Hockenson, Lions (at Browns, vs. Bears, vs. Vikings, at Broncos, vs. Cardinals, at Falcons, at Seahawks, vs. Packers)
- Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. Patriots, at Jaguars, vs. Buccaneers, at Panthers, at 49ers, vs. Lions, at Bills, vs. Saints)
- Darren Waller, Raiders (vs. Bengals, at Cowboys, vs. Washington, at Chiefs, at Browns, vs. Broncos, at Colts, vs. Chargers)
Buy: Darren Waller
Waller has been a frustrating case for fantasy this year.
After a blazing-hot start in Week 1 in which he saw 19 targets, Waller has crested the double-digit fantasy mark only twice since. He's seeing an impressive target share and has at least seven targets in all but one game all year, but he just isn't producing at the elite level. He should have feasted on the Chiefs' defense in Week 10, but caught just four of seven targets for 24 yards.
He has, by far, the softest schedule down the stretch. I think the production will come in time, so buying him now at his absolute nadir makes sense.
Sell: T.J. Hockenson
Hockenson might be difficult to move after laying a goose egg in Week 10. He failed to catch his lone target in the Lions' Week 10 tie with the Steelers and has more finishes outside the top 12 than inside it.
Detroit doesn't have a particularly difficult schedule down the stretch, but I'm fine deleveraging myself from this offense — especially since it could be led by Tim Boyle, who is taking first-team reps while Jared Goff is dealing with an oblique injury.
Hold: Kyle Pitts
Pitts has been a bit up-and-down, but has shown signs of life in spite of a struggling Falcons offense. Many were eager to write the rookie off after a slow start, but the reality is he is TE7 on a per-game basis — hardly the bust season many are making it out to be.
Pitts has at least six targets in every game but one this year and has two 100-receiving yard games. He has just one touchdown, which also makes me think he could be due for some positive regression.
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