Week 13, where if you started Jake Browning, Ezekiel Elliott, Alec Pierce and Harrison Bryant you can more than double your opponent’s score if they started Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen and Gerald Everett. Apologies to Chargers fans for that one. Here is a look at last week’s dynasty buys and sells. As for buys and sells for dynasty heading into Week 14, well you will have to keep reading.
*Statistics sourced from Fantasy Life & Fantasy Pros
BUY THIS
Embed from Getty ImagesParker Washington (WR-Jacksonville Jaguars)
WHY: Strong Showing In Relief of Christian Kirk Injury
The sixth-round rookie stepped up with Christian Kirk leaving the game with a core/groin injury. Washington has earned some run as a returner; however, Week 13 was his first NFL targets and he did not disappoint. In his first NFL game catching a pass, Washington caught all six of his targets with his first being for a TD.
Reportedly, Kirk could miss six to eight games recovering a core surgery, leaving plenty of opportunity for Washington to shine. Unfortunately franchise QB Trevor Lawrence also went down in Week 13 with an ankle injury with no defined timeline. This could hinder Washington’s growth but the chance to get NFL targets should not be taken lightly.
Covered by Geoff Lambert in the pre-draft process, Washington entered the NFL as a return specialist with the hope to improve his route-running ability and grow into a more stable role as a receiver. This looks to be that chance and at this late in the season Washington serves as a valuable stash opportunity if he finishes strong and has momentum going into the offseason.
Justin Herbert (QB-Los Angeles Chargers)
WHY: Still A QB-1 Despite A Few Down Performances In 2023
The Chargers beat the Patriots in Week 13 by a paltry 6-0 but a win is a win, right? As far as Herbert’s production, the QB had his third fantasy finish outside the top-20 on the 2023 season. I am as surprised as anyone considering Herbert entered the season with great weapons, Quentin Johnston excluded, and a new offensive coordinator that is known for opening up the passing offense but do not panic just yet.
Despite the down season for the Chargers, Herbert remains a QB-1 with more fantasy points per game than Patrick Mahomes, Sam Howell, Lamar Jackson and Tua Tagovailoa to name a few. There is a concern of a new regime being installed in 2024 which could disrupt Herbert’s growth as a QB. However, since entering the league Herbert has yet to finish outside of the top-12 so he shown a proclivity to produce.
As we near the end of the season dynasty managers are either focus on the playoffs and who can help them now while non-playoff managers are looking to 2024 and the upcoming rookie class. Herbert fits the bill for both camps, so if the dynasty manager that has Justin Herbert has any level of concern regarding the QB’s future then send an offer!
More Buys: Chase Brown (RB-Cincinnati Bengals) & Elijah Moore (WR-Cleveland Browns)
SELL THAT
Embed from Getty ImagesBrandin Cooks (WR-Dallas Cowboys)
WHY: Boom Weeks Not Indicative Of Sustained Success
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Cooks’ season has been a tale of two halves, finishing outside the top-50 in all but one week prior to the Cowboys’ Week 7 bye. From Week 8 to Week 13, Cooks has four finishes in the top-30 with two in the top-20, one of which was as the WR-3.
Outside of his Week 10 finish as the WR-3, Cooks’ target share has remained largely the same; however, from Week 10 to Week 13 his rate of catchable targets did not dip below 80 percent. Overall, as the Cowboys offense started to rise so did Cooks’ fantasy production, which has included four of his five TD’s scored this year coming after the Week 8 bye.
Cooks’ fantasy value is greatest to a contender with an injured and/or underperforming receiver group that does not want to invest too much in upgrading. While his production is heavily TD-dependent, dynasty managers should look to move Cooks to a contender before his value diminishes in the offseason as an aging depth receiver.
James Conner (RB-Arizona Cardinals)
WHY: Aging RB Nearing End of Contract
Entering the season the Cardinals were without star QB Kyler Murray and lacking in proven offensive weapons. One of those weapons, James Conner, was coming off a strong 2022 campaign where he finished top-10 in fantasy points per game among RBs that eight games. Despite doubts in the Cardinals’ total offensive output I was bullish on Conner’s outlook heading into the 2023 season, viewing him more as a bell calf than a bell cow RB.
Conner has battled injury through Week 6 to Week 9 in 2023 and has finished outside top-12 in seven out of his nine games played. It is not all doom and gloom as Conner is coming off a strong Week 13 finish as the RB-5 with his most rushing attempts on the season (25). The Cardinals have a bye in Week 14, where Conner could provide value to a contender. However, Week 15 has the Cardinals going up against the red hot 49ers. Conner’s situation is murky in 2024 with the Cardinals having an out in his contract; further, as a 29-year-old RB dynasty managers should consider selling before his value dips in the offseason.
More Sells: Jonathan Mingo (WR-Carolina Panthers) & Evan Engram (TE-Jacksonville Jaguars)
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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