Hopefully after Week 4 your dynasty team is not like the Panthers and Bears, winless. Instead of focusing on the negatives, be like Charlie Kelly and become the Dayman. Here is a look at last week’s dynasty buys and sells. As for buys and sells for dynasty heading into Week 5, well you will have to keep reading.
BUY THIS
Embed from Getty ImagesJaleel McLaughlin (RB-Denver Broncos)
WHY: Increased Opportunity With Injury & Explosive Compliment to Fellow Denver RBs
From third-string, undrafted rookie to RB-10 in Week 4, McLaughlin took advantage of his opportunity Patches O’Houlihan style. Only De’Von Achane had more yards per rush attempt amongst the top-10 RBs in Week 4.
McLaughlin saw his snap share and total touches increase week-over-week since Week 2. Starting RB Javonte Williams left Week 4’s contest with a hip flexor injury, with led the way for McLaughlin’s 100-plus yards from scrimmage and receiving TD to boot.
It has been reported that Williams is not expected to miss much, if any time with the injury. However, even a healthy Williams should not deter Broncos brass from utilizing McLaughlin as a more explosive complement to what Williams and Samaje Perine offer.
The RB position has proven time and time again to be volatile for fantasy, so a minimal investment in an up-and-comer such as Jaleel McLaughlin is worthwhile.
Ja’Marr Chase (WR-Cincinnati Bengals)
WHY: Disappointing Start & Future Outlook With QB Bounceback
So your stack of Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow leaves you wanting more. Burrow’s struggles have left the buy window ajar for Chase, as dynasty managers may grow more impatient.
Chase sits at WR-21 after Week 4 with the same fantasy points per game as Tutu Atwell. Even hindsight did not see that coming.
The Bengals are a paltry 1-3 and both Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins dealing with injuries. Chase finishing as the WR-2 behind Justin Jefferson may be out of reach, but this is dynasty we are talking about. Think long term!
Chase has finished top-10 in fantasy points per game in each of his first two seasons and the first quarter of the 2023 season should be considered nothing more than a hiccup. Further, by 2024 Higgins may be in a different jersey which leaves Chase to thrive alongside a then healthy Burrow. All in all, if the Chase manager is panicking then BUY!
More Buys: Jonathan Taylor (RB-Indianapolis Colts) & Bailey Zappe (QB-New England Patriots)
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SELL THAT
Embed from Getty ImagesJustin Fields(QB-Chicago Bears)
WHY: Boom Week Versus Bottom NFL Defense
The Broncos have been among the most fantasy friendly defenses to almost every position (sorry kickers). Justin Fields took advantage of the struggling defense by putting up his first 300-plus yard passing game. Coupled with four passing TDs led to Fields finishing as the QB-3 in Week 4.
Has Fields and this offense found its footing or is this an exploitation of a generous fantasy defense? I lean towards the former. It was around this time last season that Fields began his quest for QB-6 on the season. However, the Bears have not won a game since Week 7 of 2022.
A new regime with what are currently the first and second pick in 2024’s NFL Draft could very well be eyeing a new player under center. And in dynasty it is better to be out a year too soon rather than a year too late.
Najee Harris (RB-Pittsburgh Steelers)
WHY: Best Fantasy Performance This Season Despite Uninspiring Offensive Scheme
After four weeks Harris sits at RB-37 and is 0.1 points behind Panthers backup Chuba Hubbard in points per game. Harris received an uptick in volume since his eight-touch Week 1. Despite the increase in volume, Harris did not finish inside the top-38 of RBs in scoring until Week 4 where he finished as the RB-19.
The Steelers offense has been uninspiring to this point, tied for 31st in total TDs and unable to generate first downs by land (27th) or by air (32nd). Further, a bottom-third offensive line has not provided tremendous help to Pittsburgh QBs or RBs. And with one red zone touch, Harris’ TD upside has been severely capped.
Before we are too far removed from Harris’ RB-3 and RB-14 finishes in 2021 and 2022, respectively, sell another dynasty manager while that top-15 outcome is still within the range of outcomes.
More Sells: Tyler Boyd (WR-Cincinnati Bengals) & Courtland Sutton (WR-Denver Broncos)
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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