Week 8 Fantasy Football Buy-Low Sell-High: Buy Joe Mixon, Sell Christian McCaffrey

The expected fantasy points don't lie.

Bye weeks are a pain for everyone. I have no idea how the NFL determines these things, but they’re super inconsistent. However, like everything else in fantasy, we can use byes to our advantage. To this point, there have been 12 teams on bye this year. As vigilant team owners, we can spin our offers such that we are acquiring players who have already had their bye week while shipping out upcoming bye players.

Some team owners don’t pay that much attention to the byes. Especially as we get to Week 8 and beyond, if their team has been performing poorly, other team owners are too focused on bye weeks. We need to know what type of person the other owners in our leagues are.

It’s okay to take on a guy with an upcoming bye week if we’re getting him cheap because his owner overrated the bye (or desperately needs a win). It’s even better to acquire a guy who has already had his bye and point to his overall point total as being lower (without mentioning he has played one less game).

This week I’ll be identifying the players to buy that have already had a bye. Also, the players to sell who haven’t had their bye yet — based on our Expected Fantasy Points (xFP) chart.

Let’s dive into our xFP chart for Week 7 and then our Week 8 players to buy-low and sell-high.

WEEK 7 EXPECTED FANTASY POINTS

Expected fantasy points essentially show what an average player would have done with the opportunities seen by any given player. For a more in-depth breakdown of xFP, click here.

The main purpose of using the xFP model is to help you win trades during the season. We want to sell players who are unsustainably outproducing their expected numbers and buy players who see plenty of volume but are underperforming due to bad luck.

For a general overview of RSJ Jackson Barrett’s trading strategy, click here. In addition, we publish a weekly trade value chart with specific values for every player.

Below, you can find xFP data for each player, including average carries, targets, and air yards. Below the chart are our Week 7 players to buy-low and sell-high.

Check out the EXCEL DOWNLOAD link if you prefer to browse the data that way. The Excel Sheet has data broken out for all weeks individually.

Be sure to scroll down below the chart to find specific players we want to buy low and sell high in Week 7.

PlayerPOSGActualExpectedDifferenceRushesTargetsAir Yards
A.KAMARA, NORB421.727.9-6.217.39.8-5.8
J.CHASE, CINWR620.622.6-20.212.296.5
S.DIGGS, BUFWR722.420.91.5011.1132.1
P.NACUA, LAWR720.820.9-0.0999999999999980.311.7107.6
T.HILL, MIAWR726.720.760.110.6120.6
J.JACOBS, LVRB713.520.5-716.95.67.7
A.ST. BROWN, DETWR620.520.500.211.582.5
K.ALLEN, LACWR622.320.41.90.310.7103.8
J.JEFFERSON, MINWR521.820.21.6010.6113.2
A.BROWN, PHIWR721.620.21.4010.7141.3
S.BARKLEY, NYGRB417.319.6-2.318.553.8
T.POLLARD, DALRB615.319.6-4.3164.84.2
D.ADAMS, LVWR716.719.6-2.9010.1104.1
C.MCCAFFREY, SFRB724.419.35.117.94.30.7
A.EKELER, LACRB314.118.9-4.814.74.30
K.WALKER, SEARB617.418.9-1.518.22.7-4.3
C.OLAVE, NOWR713.218.5-5.309.7125.7
T.KELCE, KCTE620.818.32.509.871.2
A.THIELEN, CARWR621.118.32.80.29.876.8
J.MEYERS, LVWR617.618.2-0.60.29.394.8
K.WILLIAMS, LARB618.517.5116.242.7
C.KUPP, LAWR318.217.30.909.399.7
G.WILSON, NYJWR613.517.2-3.709.294.8
M.PITTMAN, INDWR71517-209.381.7
T.ETIENNE, JAXRB719.716.7318.14.1-5.7
A.MATTISON, MINRB710.916.6-5.712.94.42.1
Z.MOSS, INDRB618.516.61.9193.2-0.2
D.MONTGOMERY, DETRB51716.60.418.82-1.2
M.BROWN, ARIWR71316.5-3.50.18.6110.4
J.MIXON, CINRB611.516.4-4.9163.5-7.7
M.WILLIAMS, LACWR316.716.20.50.38.7102.3
M.EVANS, TBWR616.815.8108.2105.7
D.SWIFT, PHIRB715.215.8-0.614.34.3-2
C.GODWIN, TBWR612.515.3-2.808.274.3
M.SANDERS, CARRB58.815.3-6.512.24.81.4
J.GIBBS, DETRB513.315.1-1.8105.64.4
G.PICKENS, PITWR615.1150.10.28104.5
T.HOCKENSON, MINTE713.715-1.308.453.3
A.COOPER, CLEWR611.514.9-3.407.8126.2
I.PACHECO, KCRB714.714.9-0.214.33.3-7.6
D.HOPKINS, TENWR610.814.9-4.107.8103.2
Z.FLOWERS, BALWR712.914.8-1.90.97.765
R.MOSTERT, MIARB720.814.66.2123.3-0.3
R.WHITE, TBRB611.514.6-3.113.83.8-3.2
M.THOMAS, NOWR71114.4-3.407.782
R.STEVENSON, NERB711.114.1-312.44.30.9
T.HIGGINS, CINWR58.213.9-5.707.285.2
C.KIRK, JAXWR714.713.90.80.17.964
B.ROBINSON, ATLRB713.613.9-0.311.64.61.9
K.BOURNE, NEWR712.513.8-1.30.17.377
D.PIERCE, HOURB68.613.8-5.216.220.8
D.MOORE, CHIWR719.113.85.307.379.9
J.WADDLE, MIAWR61313.6-0.60.26.858.3
D.LONDON, ATLWR711.913.6-1.707.169.9
E.MOORE, CLEWR67.813.6-5.81.37.255.5
B.AIYUK, SFWR615.513.5207.2105.5
R.DOUBS, GBWR612.113.5-1.40776.8
C.LAMB, DALWR614.913.41.50.5761.3
T.MCLAURIN, WASWR713.213.3-0.107.381.1
M.ANDREWS, BALTE615.613.22.40.26.752.2
C.RIDLEY, JAXWR71113.2-2.20.66.986.9
D.SMITH, PHIWR711.813.1-1.30788.9
N.COLLINS, HOUWR61713.13.90780.8
R.WOODS, HOUWR68.513.1-4.607.266.8
D.HENRY, TENRB614.5131.516.32.2-8.7
D.FOREMAN, CHIRB315132123-1.7
T.LOCKETT, SEAWR611.712.8-1.106.772
D.METCALF, SEAWR513.512.70.806.688.8
D.WALLER, NYGTE711.312.7-1.40759.1
J.FORD, CLERB613.812.51.3133.27.3
S.LAPORTA, DETTE71312.50.50752.7
J.DOWNS, INDWR712.212.5-0.306.751.6
E.ENGRAM, JAXTE710.812.3-1.507.330.3
J.COOK, BUFRB712.812.30.512.638.4
J.ADDISON, MINWR71512.22.806.374.7
T.ATWELL, LAWR711.512.1-0.60.36.173
T.BOYD, CINWR69.412-2.606.836
Z.JONES, JAXWR39.312-2.70665
K.HERBERT, CHIRB510.311.7-1.410.23.6-1.4
C.SUTTON, DENWR713.211.61.606.160
K.PITTS, ATLTE78.611.6-30.16.168.3
T.ALLGEIER, ATLRB78.811.4-2.613.71.91.3
B.ROBINSON, WASRB713.311.41.912.12-5.3
A.JONES, GBRB312.611.31.37.33.73
J.CONNER, ARIRB511.911.30.613.62-4.4
J.PALMER, LACWR69.911.3-1.405.879.2
D.ACHANE, MIARB425.411.314.19.52.8-6.8
D.SAMUEL, SFWR61211.20.835.339
Z.ERTZ, ARITE77.411.2-3.806.147.4
J.TAYLOR, INDRB310.811-0.28.73.32.7
N.CHUBB, CLERB211.6110.61420.5
C.SAMUEL, WASWR711.7110.70.65.639.6
J.REED, GBWR69.811-1.20.25.268
D.JOHNSON, PITWR210.410.9-0.50668.5
J.JEUDY, DENWR68.910.8-1.905.766.5
J.DOBBINS, BALRB111.710.80.9833
D.SCHULTZ, HOUTE610.110.8-0.705.741
J.WILLIAMS, DENRB68.310.7-2.410.53.2-3
B.HALL, NYJRB613.210.72.5113-1
J.WARREN, PITRB61010.7-0.76.74.5-6.7
N.HARRIS, PITRB68.210.6-2.412.823.7
J.MINGO, CARWR55.710.5-4.805.865
L.THOMAS, WASTE69.510.4-0.90.25.335.7
J.DOTSON, WASWR76.610.4-3.805.646.7
D.CHARK, CARWR58.910.4-1.505.477.2
A.DILLON, GBRB67.110.3-3.213.21.30.2
D.GOEDERT, PHITE710.810.20.605.932.1
R.SHAHEED, NOWR79.410.1-0.70.9581.1
K.OSBORN, MINWR78.610-1.405.347.9
G.DAVIS, BUFWR711.29.81.40.1575.4
J.FERGUSON, DALTE67.79.7-204.820.7
M.GALLUP, DALWR66.49.6-3.205.359
T.MARSHALL, CARWR55.59.5-405.440.8
J.SMITH, ATLTE799.5-0.50535.9
D.NJOKU, CLETE67.39.4-2.105.217.3
W.ROBINSON, NYGWR589.2-1.20.45.419
B.COOKS, DALWR56.49.2-2.80.44.652.6
N.BROWN, HOUWR25.39.2-3.90.54.514.5
J.SMITH-NJIGBA, SEAWR67.29.2-205.328.7
R.RICE, KCWR710.69.11.50.14.927.1
E.ELLIOTT, NERB77.39.1-1.88.62.4-3.7
C.KMET, CHITE79.68.90.70.34.628
C.HUBBARD, CARRB68.28.8-0.692.5-4.2
T.HIGBEE, LATE76.48.8-2.40534.7
G.EDWARDS, BALRB78.88.8012.30.70
J.REYNOLDS, DETWR711.18.72.404.353
J.SMITH-SCHUSTER, NEWR54.58.6-4.10527
T.BURKS, TENWR35.68.5-2.90.34.378.3
D.SLAYTON, NYGWR76.38.4-2.104.661.7
K.GAINWELL, PHIRB66.28.4-2.28.227.7
K.HUNT, CLERB49.58.41.181.8-1.8
K.GRANSON, INDTE66.58.4-1.904.331.5
O.BECKHAM, BALWR568.4-2.404.447
J.KELLEY, LACRB67.28.3-1.110.80.82.8
G.KITTLE, SFTE710.18.21.90.14.639.7
L.MUSGRAVE, GBTE66.88.2-1.404.732.5
A.ROBINSON, PITWR65.48.1-2.704.529.2
T.SPEARS, TENRB68.28.10.14.83.35.2
H.HENRY, NETE77.68-0.404.441
T.CONKLIN, NYJTE67.18-0.904.533.7
K.BOUTTE, NEWR107.9-7.90484
C.WATSON, GBWR35.87.8-20.3470.7
R.MOORE, ARIWR76.87.7-0.92.147.7
J.HILL, BALRB68.27.70.56.81.8-5.7
D.KINCAID, BUFTE67.47.7-0.304.516.5
C.OKONKWO, TENTE64.97.6-2.704.329.2
R.JOHNSON, CHIRB577.6-0.652.40.6
G.EVERETT, LACTE67.77.50.20.33.813.7
S.PERINE, DENRB76.87.5-0.73.73.30.3
D.KNOX, BUFTE74.77.4-2.703.925.9
L.MURRAY, BUFRB75.97.4-1.551.41.1
D.DOUGLAS, NEWR65.77.4-1.70.33.838.3
K.TONEY, KCWR74.97.2-2.30.73.79.6
N.WESTBROOK-IKHINE, TENWR67.57.10.403.831.3
A.LAZARD, NYJWR66.87.1-0.303.851
J.JOHNSON, NOTE34.46.9-2.50423.3
D.PARKER, NEWR64.76.9-2.203.844.7
C.OTTON, TBTE66.56.9-0.403.824.2
C.AUSTIN, PITWR65.56.9-1.40.53.745
A.PIERCE, INDWR74.96.8-1.903.657.3
H.HURST, CARTE65.36.8-1.503.726
S.MOORE, KCWR75.36.6-1.30.43.433
J.WILLIAMS, NORB33.86.6-2.810.70.7-1.7
D.MOONEY, CHIWR75.56.5-10.13.435.9
P.FREIERMUTH, PITTE46.36.3003.321.3
J.JENNINGS, SFWR656.3-1.303.538.5
S.AHMED, MIARB54.46.2-1.82.82.64.8
T.PALMER, TBWR65.16.2-1.10340.7
M.HOLLINS, ATLWR74.36.1-1.803.343.9
M.GESICKI, NETE75.46.1-0.703.126.4
A.GIBSON, WASRB75.86-0.22.62.71.1
P.TAYLOR, GBRB42.76-3.32.82.51.3
P.CAMPBELL, NYGWR73.55.9-2.403.313.7
D.COOK, NYJRB63.85.8-26.51.5-3.7
Z.CHARBONNET, SEARB54.15.8-1.74.61.8-3.4
E.DEMERCADO, ARIRB755.8-0.84.12.13.4
M.GORDON, BALRB26.55.80.76.51.59
R.CRACRAFT, MIAWR36.95.71.202.725
J.MCLAUGHLIN, DENRB78.25.72.54.91.7-6
D.THOMPKINS, TBWR64.55.7-1.20.5318
R.BATEMAN, BALWR645.6-1.60333.2
B.BERRIOS, MIAWR76.25.60.60.13.127
N.AGHOLOR, BALWR77.35.61.70339.4
D.PARHAM, LACTE65.55.5002.317.2
J.MCKINNON, KCRB75.75.50.21.32.70.4
M.BREIDA, NYGRB74.65.5-0.95.31.7-0.1
D.SINGLETARY, HOURB64.65.5-0.96.51.20.7
D.PEOPLES-JONES, CLEWR635.4-2.40335
T.MCBRIDE, ARITE74.65.2-0.60318.9
T.HUDSON, CINTE24.45.2-0.80321
K.RAYMOND, DETWR76.95.11.80.42.729.3
A.TRAUTMAN, DENTE73.45.1-1.702.616.9
C.PARKINSON, SEATE645-102.720.8
K.MILLER, NORB54.34.9-0.64.81.6-1
I.SMITH, CINTE42.34.8-2.502.813
R.DOWDLE, DALRB64.54.8-0.34.71-1.7
Q.JOHNSTON, LACWR62.24.8-2.602.534.3
N.GRAY, KCTE74.94.70.20.12.620
D.HARTY, BUFWR74.44.7-0.30.42.318.6
D.WICKS, GBWR64.34.7-0.40.22.528
C.AKERS, MINRB54.34.7-0.44.21.6-1.8
M.VALDES-SCANTLING, KCWR75.14.60.502.438.1
I.HODGINS, NYGWR744.6-0.602.617.9
D.SMYTHE, MIATE73.34.5-1.202.315
K.VAUGHN, TBRB41.14.5-3.44.81-0.3
B.POWELL, MINWR73.64.4-0.80.42.118.9
C.EDWARDS-HELAIRE, KCRB73.74.3-0.64.61-3.1
F.MOREAU, NOTE554.10.902.211.2
T.IRWIN, CINWR53.34-0.702.221.8
J.HYATT, NYGWR74.140.10247.6
D.VAUGHN, DALRB52.24-1.841-0.6
M.MIMS, DENWR75.541.50.61.938.6
M.MAYER, LVTE73.64-0.402.117.7
E.MITCHELL, SFRB423.9-1.94.81-5
J.AGNEW, JAXWR62.63.9-1.30.7217.7
M.CARTER, NYJRB62.83.8-1123.5
N.FANT, SEATE65.23.81.402.218.8
S.TOURE, GBWR62.23.8-1.601.840.8
B.JOHNSON, DENWR75.53.81.701.919.6
A.MCFARLAND, PITRB13.13.8-0.7024
D.HARRIS, BUFRB63.23.7-0.53.80.30
R.COBB, NYJWR61.23.7-2.50214
C.TURNER, WASTE72.33.5-1.201.712.3
J.BOBO, SEAWR65.23.51.701.816.5
G.DULCICH, DENTE22.83.4-0.60211.5
T.SCOTT, CHIWR72.23.4-1.20.61.714.6
T.BIGSBY, JAXRB72.33.4-1.12.90.60.4
C.WILSON, MIAWR53.73.30.401.822.4
K.INGRAM, ARIRB52.13.3-1.24.40.6-1.6
M.GOODWIN, CLEWR61.33.3-20.51.537
D.BROWN, WASWR72.13.2-1.101.625.9
C.REYNOLDS, DETRB73.43.20.23.90.6-1.6
H.RENFROW, LVWR72.23.1-0.901.715.1
J.OLIVER, MINTE733.1-0.101.74.9
P.STRONG, CLERB62.73.1-0.43.50.20.8
R.PENNY, PHIRB12.43.1-0.731-1
M.JONES, DETWR61.13-1.901.713.3
E.EZUKANMA, MIAWR21.13-1.92.50.54
C.MOORE, TENWR63.230.201.533.8
Q.WATKINS, PHIWR322.9-0.901.76.7
J.BATES, WASTE72.32.9-0.601.610.3
L.SHENAULT, CARWR62.82.9-0.121.2-4.2
A.HOOPER, LVTE72.82.8001.67.6
H.BRYANT, CLETE61.72.7-10.51.23
A.ABDULLAH, LVRB71.62.7-1.10.11.62.9
J.TOLBERT, DALWR62.42.7-0.301.518.8
K.DRAKE, BALRB21.62.6-10.51.5-2
K.TURPIN, DALWR64.82.62.2116.2
T.TUCKER, LVWR62.82.60.20.71.220.7
W.MALLORY, INDTE32.32.5-0.201.320
Z.WHITE, LVRB71.72.4-0.71.70.91.9
Z.PASCAL, ARIWR612.4-1.401.39.8
M.HEATH, GBWR302.4-2.401.314.7
J.METCHIE, HOUWR52.62.40.201.411.4
K.SHAKIR, BUFWR73.12.40.701.310.3
P.HENDERSHOT, DALTE30.42.3-1.90.30.76
G.BRIGHTWELL, NYGRB71.72.2-0.51.31-0.9
E.HULL, INDRB11.72.2-0.5113
D.DAVIS, LACWR62.72.20.51.21-1.7
L.SCHOONMAKER, DALTE61.22.2-1016.8
R.RIVERS, LARB61.92.2-0.32.20.7-1.8
R.MCCLOUD, SFWR71.92.1-0.20.31.16.7
J.MASON, SFRB73.72.11.630.31.4
I.SPILLER, LACRB41.52.1-0.62.30.5-0.3
O.ZACCHEAUS, PHIWR72.52.10.401.114.6
R.BLACKSHEAR, CARRB21.62.1-0.52.50.50
D.DUVERNAY, BALWR70.62-1.40.4112
W.DISSLY, SEATE52.320.301.22.4
J.DEGUARA, GBTE62.120.101.23.5
D.BELL, CLEWR61.22-0.801.25.5
T.WILLIAMS, CINRB61.12-0.90.81-3.2
P.DORSETT, DENWR102-20121
T.SHERFIELD, BUFWR71.52-0.501.17.1
C.UZOMAH, NYJTE621.90.100.84.7
T.CHANDLER, MINRB71.91.901.10.9-1.6
D.DALLAS, SEARB60.81.8-10.80.80.3
S.TUCKER, TBRB60.91.8-0.92.50.3-0.5
T.SERMON, INDRB50.81.8-11.60.60.2
B.JORDAN, HOUTE62.71.7100.84.3
K.HODGE, ATLWR71.61.7-0.10.10.99.4
T.JONES, JAXWR71.11.7-0.6015.6
R.TONYAN, CHITE71.31.7-0.4015
I.MCKENZIE, INDWR71.41.7-0.30.310
B.SKOWRONEK, LAWR70.61.6-10.10.74.6
C.RODRIGUEZ, WASRB51.21.6-0.42.800
J.AKINS, CLETE60.81.6-0.8012.8
J.ROSS, KCWR70.91.6-0.700.97.1
B.PRINGLE, WASWR71.21.6-0.400.913.4
N.ADKINS, DENTE51.21.6-0.401-1
B.STRANGE, JAXTE71.91.60.300.96.6
I.THOMAS, CARTE51.11.5-0.400.84.4
M.ALIE-COX, INDTE72.31.50.800.99.1
S.SHEPARD, NYGWR70.71.5-0.800.94.7
T.TREMBLE, CARTE62.41.50.900.73.8
B.SCOTT, PHIRB61.41.5-0.11.30.30.5
B.WRIGHT, DETTE71.41.5-0.100.92.9
M.BOONE, HOURB51.31.5-0.20.40.8-1.4
L.HUMPHREY, DENWR71.81.50.300.75.7
Z.KNIGHT, DETRB21.61.50.11.50.5-2.5
M.PRUITT, ATLTE711.5-0.500.70.6
J.WHYLE, TENTE62.41.50.900.74.8
R.FREEMAN, LARB41.71.50.2300
D.CARTER, LVWR70.61.4-0.80.30.71.4
C.BROOKS, MIARB61.61.40.22.500
C.TILLMAN, CLEWR40.41.4-100.810
R.JARRETT, TBWR60.51.3-0.80.20.711
E.DOTSON, LACRB411.3-0.310.5-0.3
P.BROWN, NETE73.51.32.200.76.4
S.MILLER, ATLWR71.41.30.100.77
B.BELL, KCTE71.31.20.100.62.7
D.JOHNSON, JAXRB711.2-0.210.40.6
C.BROWN, CINRB50.91.2-0.30.40.6-1.6
A.IOSIVAS, CINWR61.51.20.300.54.7
E.GRAY, NYGRB70.51.2-0.71.90.1-1
M.WILCOX, CINTE60.81.1-0.300.71.7
D.OGUNBOWALE, HOURB10.41.1-0.7200
C.EDMONDS, TBRB211.1-0.1200
K.KIRKWOOD, NOWR70.21.1-0.900.65.4
R.CHOSEN, MIAWR43.51.12.400.516
C.JONES, CINWR30.51.1-0.600.72
R.BELL, SFWR71.71.10.600.64.6
J.RUCKERT, NYJTE61.31.10.200.73.2
I.LIKELY, BALTE70.91-0.100.63.9
K.KIEFT, TBTE601-100.58.5
B.HOPKINS, LATE70.91-0.100.61.9
X.HUTCHINSON, HOUWR60.61-0.40.30.33.3
H.LUEPKE, DALRB61.610.60.50.20.5
G.SWAIM, ARITE70.91-0.100.61.6
L.FARRELL, JAXTE710.90.100.60.6
D.BELLINGER, NYGTE70.90.9000.60.9
S.SMARTT, LACTE60.80.9-0.100.56.8
D.SAMPLE, CINTE60.70.8-0.100.5-1.2
J.STOLL, PHITE70.40.8-0.400.42.1
T.QUITORIANO, HOUTE60.90.80.100.52.5
D.WELLS, TBTE40.30.8-0.500.50
D.WASHINGTON, PITTE60.30.8-0.500.50.8
M.BOYKIN, PITWR60.30.7-0.400.31.3
J.FUNK, INDRB40.80.70.10.50.30
C.MANHERTZ, DENTE70.30.7-0.400.41.3
C.EVANS, CINRB40.50.6-0.10.50.3-0.3
L.CAGER, NYGTE50.70.60.100.40.4
T.WESCO, TENTE60.50.6-0.100.32.2
A.GREEN, DETWR60.20.6-0.400.31.8
J.HILL, MIATE500.6-0.600.21
J.GRAHAM, NOTE71.10.60.500.32
T.KRAFT, GBTE60.40.6-0.200.3-0.2
T.JACKSON, MINWR30.60.6000.31.3
R.DWELLEY, SFTE70.30.5-0.200.32.4
M.LEWIS, CHITE70.60.50.100.30.3
X.GIPSON, NYJWR60.80.50.30.50.20
J.CROWDER, WASWR70.60.50.100.32.4
B.SIMS, GBTE60.60.50.100.30
C.KOLAR, BALTE500.4-0.400.22.4
L.BOWDEN, NOWR500.4-0.400.21.8
G.DORTCH, ARIWR700.3-0.300.15.3
G.RICCI, CARTE50.20.3-0.100.2-0.2
C.THOMPSON, SEAWR60.30.3000.21
Q.MORRIS, BUFTE61.40.31.100.22.5
T.HOMER, CHIRB600.3-0.300.2-0.8
J.MUNDT, MINTE70.30.20.100.10.3
J.HORSTED, LVTE70.20.2000.10.3
T.TAYLOR, CHIWR700.2-0.200.10.6

WEEK 8 BUY-LOW

JOE MIXON, RB CINCINNATI BENGALS

PLAYERPOSGPPGXFPDIFCARTGTAIR YDS
Joe MixonRB611.516.4-4.9163.5-7.7

Joe Mixon hits the sweet spot for us in terms of buy low. He has already had his bye week and only had 62 yards from scrimmage in his last game. It has also been a month since he’s scored a TD (his only TD this year by the way). Mixon owners have to be frustrated based on his lack of production.

Admittedly, taking on Mixon at this point is a small leap of faith, but I have reasons to want to take that leap. If you look at his involvement – he has taken on 79% of the team’s carries. That’s a bell-cow workload. He is also on pace for over 1,300 all-purpose yards and 45 receptions. These are not world-shattering numbers, but probably top 12-15 at RB based on how mediocre the position is this year.

The only major blemish on Mixon’s record this year is the TD production. Realistically, this is an area that I expect to improve through regression. Mixon had 9 TDs last year (in 14 games) and 16 the year before. The rest of his production hasn’t dropped off a cliff, and TDs can be fickle based on luck and game situations. I still think he is the player he has been the past couple of years.

The bottom line is that this year has been rough for the Bengals. I think most of the rough start can be attributed to playing some formidable defenses when Joe Burrow was still clearly hurt. Over the past few games, Burrow seems to be rounding back into form, and they’ve now had the bye week to rest.

As Burrow and the offense improve, there should be more scoring opportunities for Mixon. Those scores are the only thing holding Mixon back from being a low end RB1 right now. I think now is a great time to buy on him before he starts getting in the end zone and the window closes.

DEANDRE HOPKINS, WR TENNESSEE TITANS

PLAYERPOSGPPGXFPDIFCARTGTAIR YDS
DeAndre HopkinsWR610.814.9-4.107.8103.2

Full disclosure: this one is only for the risk-takers (and/or teams that can afford to stash and hope). DeAndre Hopkins has not been very good this year. However, I think people view him more negatively than they should based on unrealistic expectations. Hopkins is on pace for roughly 75 catches and a little over 1,000 yards. Certainly not great, but probably WR3/Flex numbers in most leagues.

Much like Mixon, Hopkins has struggled with finding the end zone. Unlike Mixon, he doesn’t have a high-powered offense to get him in scoring position, and he hasn’t been an elite TD scorer lately, anyway. That being said, some changes are happening in Tennessee:

  1. They just traded away Kevin Byard. This signals that they realize they will not likely be competitive the rest of the way this year.
  2. They are starting Will Levis this week. He’s a bit of a rookie project, but they want to see what they have here, so we could be looking at an extended run for Levis if he looks halfway decent.

That said, I can see two scenarios where Hopkins improves through this. The first is that Levis may surprise us and just be better than Ryan Tannehill at this point. Maybe Levis locks on to Hopkins the way Thielen has been working in Carolina, and we get some scores from Hopkins.

The second potentially positive option is that maybe Hopkins just gets traded. He wanted to be on a contender (supposedly), and they just moved Byard. Hopkins isn’t part of their long-term plans, so if they can get a 6th or 7th rounder for him, they probably don’t say no, even as a 2nd or maybe even 3rd option on a high-powered offense; Hopkins may be in a position to see the end zone more often. Hell, Kansas City would be dreamland here, and Hopkins would probably immediately become a top 15 WR there.

“The big question is future Hall of Fame wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who got $9 million to sign but carries a minimal salary. ‘Would they pay $9 million for a second-round pick?’ wondered the first GM, believing the Titans could get that value in return, with perhaps a smidgen more brd on Hopkins’s production with his new team,” wrote Jason LaCanfora.

Obviously, the risk here is that Levis just sucks even more than Tannehill, and Hopkins becomes droppable. Either way, I think Hopkins is worth the risk just to see how the next few weeks play out. Most owners will likely move him for peanuts at this point, and it’s probably worth a bench player in trade to see if he can turn it around.

WEEK 8 SELL-HIGH

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY, RB SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

PLAYERPOSGPPGXFPDIFCARTGTAIR YDS
Christian McCaffreyRB724.419.35.117.94.30.7

Yes, I know. I’m actually advocating to trade the best RB in fantasy (by far) and a top-four overall scorer in PPR leagues. Once again, please keep in mind that I am not saying Christian McCaffrey is a must-sell, far from it. The dude is on pace for a 2,000-yard, 27-TD season right now. He is the backbone of your team if you have him. If you do trade him, you must absolutely get a massive haul for him; do not give a discount.

Yet, there are a couple of reasons why I am concerned about CMC going forward. Mostly, my concern revolves around his injury history and his current touchdown pace. McCaffrey has not played an entire season since 2019. That’s a long time ago. In fact, except for last year’s 11 games, this year’s seven games tie for the second most games he has played since 2019. The fact that the perennially injured CMC is currently dealing with an oblique injury does not inspire confidence in me. It is supposedly a minor injury and he hasn’t been missing games with it, but it just underscores his past for me.

Beyond the injury concern, is his most recent production– just look at his 5.1 xFP over expectation. He has not had over 100 all-purpose yards over the past three weeks. His production has been mostly buoyed by his four touchdowns over that three-game span. Without the TDs, he’s been good, not great. Now, obviously, the TDs are still a thing that will happen, but his consecutive streak of TDs scored will end eventually. If we get any negative regression in TD scoring, which is at least a reasonable expectation based on this current pace, he loses some luster.

Again, we are not giving away CMC. It is certainly possible that my concerns will end up being unfounded by the end of the season. I’ve just seen this exact situation play out before with McCaffrey, and I’m hesitant to believe that it will be different this time. He is being viewed as one of the top assets in fantasy (rightfully so), so there is no better time to move him for full value if you share any of these concerns.

JERRY JEUDY, WR DENVER BRONCOS

PLAYERPOSGPPGXFPDIFCARTGTAIR YDS
Jerry JeudyWR68.910.8-1.905.766.5

Okay, selling high is a huge stretch for Jerry Jeudy. He hasn’t done a whole hell of a lot this season. The idea here is that you have to do a little salesmanship to sell him. In some cases, Jeudy was selected as high as the fourth round in drafts this year. There is still some name value despite him really never doing anything in the NFL. As a Broncos fan, I have watched Jeudy for the past few years and frankly, I just don’t think he’s that good. His head never seems to be really in the game.

The play here is to leverage the trade rumors. His name has been advertised as a trade candidate for a bit now. If you can float the narrative that a trade can make him an alpha on a good team or at least lead to TD production (he currently has none), you might be able to sell him.

Will he actually be traded? Who knows?

As a Broncos fan, I’d love to see him go. I think he needs a reset with a new team. However, remember that wide receivers, especially, don’t always go off when switching teams mid-season. They have to learn a new offense, and their production is based on knowing the plays and rapport with the QB. Both things are much easier to develop in the off-season than during the season.

I realize I advocated for Hopkins earlier based on hoping for a trade, but he’s a veteran WR who would (in theory) be going from one of the worst passing teams in the league to a better one. The Broncos are hardly a passing juggernaut, but there are certainly worse places Jeudy could end up. I just don’t see a situation where Jeudy gets traded and becomes a league winner.

Bottom line, I would try to leverage Jeudy’s name value and potential new landing spots as reasons for optimism when dealing him. Even though I don’t necessarily believe he’ll get better, it doesn’t mean your trade partner won’t believe it. I’d be okay with a consistent WR3 for him or an equivalent asset at a different position.

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