5 Players to Buy-Low for Dynasty Football
Dynasty fantasy football, by definition, is usually based on finding the younger stud talent to build your team for years. However, when a veteran’s price in the market slips to a certain level, you have to be innovative and make a move to bring them onto your team. Like following the stock market, you have to monitor the price of players regardless of age.
In the end, a well-priced veteran could be the difference between your team barely contending, to winning your fantasy football league. Let me break down a five players below who can help you win your league despite their age.
James Conner and Marquise Brown
Arizona Cardinals
James Conner
We understand that for the 2023 season, the Arizona Cardinals are about to become a dumpster fire to the NFL. By the end of the season, we should be looking at a team that is contending for the first pick overall. However, there is still fantasy value to pull from this squad while the optimism for the team is low.
Let’s start with James Conner. The running back depth chart is putrid in Arizona, leaving Conner the chance to become a workhorse back. Now we understand he comes with an injury risk, but running backs average 14 games a season in the NFL. Conner has averaged 13 games or more in every season but one. As a result, he doesn’t bring the “sizzle” value to your fantasy football team. Yet, because of the bleak outlook in Arizona, he brings solid fantasy production wrapped in volume. Not to mention, we all know volume is king in fantasy football.
Furthermore, the weak Arizona defense is another factor for Conner’s success in fantasy football. With that defense struggling and a change in concept on offense with the new coach Jonathan Gannon, Conner should see more carries to slow the game down and keep the defense off the field in 2023.
Please do your due diligence and send a trade, no more than a second-round future pick for Conner. Furthermore, enjoy the volume for a player that the team will move on from next season when their franchise quarterback is healthy.
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown
Now let’s move on to Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. With DeAndre Hopkins released and Brown playing on a contract season, he becomes one of my favorite targets this off-season. In this 2023 campaign, he should be peppered with targets due to the lack of talent in Arizona, but his future is bright with his ability to control his destiny after the season.
Therefore, Hollywood should leave for greener pastures and a more potent organization/offense. When this happens, his stock should skyrocket, and this is your chance to get ahead of the curve now to be the fantasy manager who has him rostered when this all comes down. We rarely have a wide receiver at a prime age (only 25) who has a chance to be a target hog and control his future on the backend. Make sure you get Hollywood Brown on your team.
Cam Akers
Running Back – Los Angeles Rams
Cam Akers was a wild story in 2022. He went from the guy returning from injury to being forgotten by the team and finishing the season on a tear. So how should we view Akers with Sean McVay in Los Angeles? Well, let’s look at their draft and free agency period and you will notice one thing about the Rams; They didn’t bring any specific talent into their backfield that should scare you. Yes, they drafted Zach Evans, yet his draft capital states you shouldn’t be concerned about his long-term effects on Akers. Remember what happened to James Robinson even after he succeeded in the NFL? We do!
Another fun factor is Cam Akers still sits under the age of 24 years old, which gives him a chance at a three-year window to do damage and help our team win our fantasy leagues. With two years removed from his Achilles injury, expect more of the old Cam Akers to return with some extra juice in his rushing attempts. With his tear in the last six games of 2022 landing him as RB4, do whatever you can to get some shares of Cam Akers this offseason for your dynasty teams.
Samaje Perine
Running Back – Denver Broncos
Samaje Perine is someone I am targeting at a particular time and only if I am contending in 2023. With Javonte Williams’s injury, we must time the news market out correctly for positive news from Williams with his injury. You should then reach out to the Perine owner and begin a discussion. With the positive information about Williams tied to Perine’s age, you should get a running back who will have a significant snap percentage this season.
We have seen backs (J.K. Dobbins) come back from injury early and be average at best because they aren’t fully “back” from their devasting injury. If Williams returns, Perine becomes the two in Denver’s 1-2 punch. If Williams is out or misses time, you have a bench player who jumps up exponentially for your team and in trade value charts allowing you the ability to better your team in either case.
Terry McLaurin
Wide Receiver – Washington Commanders
We have watched Terry McLaurin put up good stats for dynasty teams for the last few years without a quarterback under center. Unfortunately, he was also tied to an offensive coordinator who wanted to pound the rock, establish his offense and control the clock. Now, we have Eric Bieniemy as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator, which should unleash the passing game. The only thing is Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett are question marks under the center. However, if McLaurin can do what he has done in the past with the below-average quarterbacks he has worked with, he should be able to produce those same numbers in 2023.
We are looking at McLaurin because he is the older wide receiver who lines up across from the young hotness, Jahan Dotson. So, as another manager zig, we are going to zag and get solid production for our team with a player who has proven his worth time and time again. With Dotson hovering over McLaurin and the taste of Washington’s lackluster past performances, the price on McLaurin should be lower, allowing us a steal at the wide receiver position.
In dynasty, we always have to time the market correctly and be able to see the narrative that can unfold for veteran sleepers like the players above. Ensure when timing out when to acquire these veterans; it makes sense for your team’s build and future. If you need more help, read all the fantastic work at Faceoff Sports Network and contact me at @jpep20 on Twitter with any questions. Good luck in 2023!
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