Someplace warm. A place where the beer flows like wine. Where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. I’m talking about a little place called Week 1. It is never too early to buy and sell players to improve your dynasty roster. Here are a few players to acquire/unload as we head into Week 1.
BUY THIS
Embed from Getty ImagesJake Ferguson (TE-Dallas Cowboys)
WHY: Value As Starter & Dak Prescott
Ferguson slides into the starting TE role with Dalton Schultz playing somewhere else in Texas. In addition to dynasty cornerstone, CeeDee Lamb, the TE position was a focal point of Dallas’ passing attack in 2022 with almost eight targets per game.
In 2022, Ferguson was second among Cowboys TEs with 22 targets. However, Ferguson made the most of his opportunities by generating 9.2 yards per reception and two TDs in 19 receptions. The small sample size for Ferguson is still representative of how he can serve as a reliable target for Prescott. As Ferguson is a weapon in both the open field and the red zone.
Ferguson had a productive training camp and further improved his connection with Prescott. On the other hand, the threat of incoming rookie Luke Schoonmaker was stifled with preseason injuries. Widely ranked as a bottom-tier fantasy option among starting TEs, Ferguson is a cheap acquisition to make in the hopes of a Schultz-like target share in 2023.
Trey Palmer (WR-Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
WHY: Opportunity & Rebuilding Offense
After being drafted in the sixth round, Palmer had a productive training camp and looks to benefit from an unfortunate injury to Russell Gage. The rookie steps in as the third starter behind Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, the latter of whom is entering the final year of his contract.
Palmer had a late breakout after transferring from LSU to Nebraska, the latter of which yielded 1,043 yards and nine TDs. Look for Palmer to use his speed to build his resume out of the slot for the Buccaneers in 2023.
More Buys: Van Jefferson (WR-Los Angeles Rams) & Raheem Mostert (RB-Miami Dolphins)
SELL THAT
Embed from Getty ImagesTrey McBride (TE-Arizona Cardinals)
WHY: Offseason Hype & Lackluster Quarterback
From one Trey to another, McBride was the first TE off the board in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. McBride was firmly behind veteran TE Zach Ertz for much of his rookie season. However, Ertz tore his ACL in Week 10 and McBride was thrust into a larger snapshare.
Outside of Week 17 against a porous Falcons defense, McBride finished outside of the top-15 in TE scoring. The Cardinals played trotted out four different QBs throughout the 2022 season: Kyler Murray, Colt McCoy, Trace McSorley and David Blough.
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Despite the Cardinals’ careful approach with Ertz, the team is trotting out one of Joshua Dobbs or Clayton Tune at QB. I trust McBride to retain the starting role as Ertz is in the twilight of his NFL career, but I have concerns regarding the productivity of the Cardinals’ offense as a whole.
Jaylen Warren (RB-Pittsburgh Steelers)
WHY: Role In Offense & Presence of Najee Harris
Everyone loves the next great undrafted player who rises to prominence in the NFL. Warren has locked down the second spot on the Steelers’ RB depth chart behind Najee Harris. Through two seasons Harris has already tallied 579 rushing attempts, and his rushing volume is not expected to be threatened by Warren’s presence.
Warren eclipsed a 50% snapshare only once in 2022, which was primarily to run routes out of the backfield. Despite battling a Lisfranc injury in 2022 Harris maintained his lead RB status for the Steelers.
Warren is an excellent compliment to Harris as he is a capable runner but shines more as a receiver. If a leaguemate views Warren as the one that will dethrone Harris, trade him accordingly.
More Sells: Juju Smith-Schuster (WR-New England Patriots) & Isiah Pacheco (RB-Kansas City Chiefs)
Thanks for stopping by and I will be posting weekly buys and sells throughout the 2023 NFL season. If you have any questions on buys and sells or weekly roster decisions please feel free to reach out on Twitter (X).
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