As most fantasy leagues start their postseason around Week 14, it’s time to start finalizing who you’re are going to try and target for the home stretch, and who will give you great assets in a trade.
Sell High: Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
While it seems absurd to trade someone who has been a fantasy stud the past few seasons, Lynch has only been averaging 3.6 yards per carry, well off of his 4.7 yards per clip from 2014. Given what a huge name he is, Lynch is a guy who can net valuable assets in a trade.
Quarterback to start: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Newton is making me regret my remark about him having a drop off this year. He’s currently ranked as the fourth best fantasy QB behind Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Philip Rivers. The former Heisman Trophy winner also has a rushing and passing touchdown in five games this season.
PPR special: Danny Woodhead, San Diego Chargers
While Woodhead isn’t going to give you the rushing totals needed for standard leagues, he is a viable weapon in the passing game. He’s the third-highest scoring back in ESPN PPR leagues behind Devonta Freeman and Mark Ingram. With wideout Keenan Allen out for the year with a lacerated kidney, Woodhead’s value will only increase.
How to replace Dion Lewis:
The loss of the Patriots running back to a torn ACL was devastating for both the Pats and his fantasy owners. While you won’t be able to replace a player who averages 14 ppg on ESPN PPR leagues, you could still survive without him. LeGarrette Blount, the Patriots primary running back, has shown that he is capable of bearing the load, with five rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown.
Buy: Allen Hurns, Jacksonville Jaguars
The offense is rolling behind second year quarterback Blake Bortles, and the former Miami Hurricane wideout has been the primary beneficiary of Bortles’ success. Hurns has scored in six consecutive games for the Jags and is currently averaging 79.3 YPG. The second year wideout is still available in over 20 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues, so pick him up if you haven’t already
Finally on a more serious note, there has been more trouble involving daily fantasy leagues. On Tuesday, the state of New York officially listed FanDuel and other DFS sites as illegal gambling sites. The companies may still operate in New York, but may not accept money from contestants residing in The state.
Last October, the websites were accused of insider trading when employees would use the algorithms used to predict fantasy outcomes on other daily fantasy sites. Pierre Garcon, the Washington wide receiver, filed a class action lawsuit against FanDuel two weeks ago.
