3 Buy-Low Trade Candidates
Joe Mixon:
After three consecutive underwhelming performances, Mixon owners are going ballistic. He’s averaging just 3.15 YPC, and the receiving work just hasn’t been there despite Joe Burrow leaning on his tailbacks quite a bit at LSU. Yes, the Bengals have a rough offensive line. Yes, the defense is a joke which means they’ll have to play catch-up quite a bit in an increasingly tough AFC North. But here’s the thing - how many RBs can you name that consistently get 20 touches every given Sunday? He’s 6th in the league in carries, and he’s 6th in the league in Opportunity Share. And while we haven’t seen consistent usage as a receiver yet, he’s also 5th in the league amongst RBs in routes run. Look - volume often trumps talent when it comes to fantasy football, and Mixon has every bit the talent needed to be a fantasy stud. I’ll leave you with this - after a slow start in 2019, Mixon finished the season as RB3 in Weeks 11-17. We’ve seen this movie before.
Mark Andrews:
I’m not quite as devout about Mark Andrews as I am about Joe Mixon, but I’d still be looking to buy where I can. The third year Oklahoma Sooner entered 2020 near the Travis Kelce and George Kittle tier, but Andrews is far more reliant on TD’s when it comes to fantasy production. So far, he’s been extremely disappointing after a killer Week 1. If the Andrews owner in your league has entered panic mode, sniff around and see if they’re willing to sell. Why? Because Andrews has the 4th highest target share in the NFL amongst TE’s at 22.7%, and he also boasts a whopping 35.3% target share inside the redzone. He has the 2nd highest aDOT in the NFL amongst TE’s, and the league’s 4th highest Hog Rate at the position. I’m calling Monday’s game against the Chiefs a fluke, and buying Mark Andrews as a top five TE who has a high propensity for touchdowns. Besides, Andrews was one tough drop away from a solid evening on MNF.
Kenyan Drake:
I feel very similarly about Kenyan Drake as I do about Joe Mixon, though we do have to acknowledge the smaller sample size as a bellcow running back. Here’s the thing, the former Miami Dolphin is currently RB24 on the young season, yet he’s 5th in the league in carries with an average of 18 per game. The touchdowns and receiving work haven’t been there yet, but backs don’t average 19-20 touches per game and end up being busts. He faced two stiff defensive lines in Weeks 1 and 2, and Kyler Murray completed three passes to the other team in Week 3. It’s also worth mentioning that Murray’s quick feet have sniped some of the goal line work away from Kenyan Drake in the young season, but that won’t always be the case. Listen to the Cardinals next two games; at Carolina, then at the New York Jets. Both of whom are giving up fantasy points to opposing tailbacks in droves. You should buy Kenyan Drake now before it’s too late.
Too Late to Buy-Low:
Allen Robinson - Chicago’s stud ball hog might finally have a competent QB under center.
James Conner - the injury concern is still there, but JC is still very much Mike Tomlin’s guy.
Zach Ertz - Dallas Goedert is gonna be missing quite a bit of time, inevitably making Zach Ertz Wentz’s favorite target in the passing game.
Jonathan Taylor - with stellar OL play and Marlon Mack sidelined for the season, it’s hard to envision a scenario where the rookie doesn’t end up as a top fifteen RB.
Kenny Golladay - after missing the first two games of the season with a tweaked hammy, Kenny G showcased why he’s a low-WR1 / high-WR2 with big upside.
