Below I have listed fantasy football players that are On The Rise and On The Decline. In some cases, the players on the decline are starting to look like bargains in the world of trading, and in other cases you may want to deal such players before things get even worse. Also, go after the On The Rise players before it is too late!
Clinton Portis | RB WASIs Portis an injury risk? Sure. Is he worth a first rounder? No, although playing like a top 10-12 talent is not out of the question for Portis this year. The 26-year-old runner is being treated like 3rd or 4th-round trash and this should be taken advantage of before it’s too late! Grabbing Ladell Betts is STRONGLY advise, as it really secures production — I feel that the duo will make an extremely solid RB2 when all is said and done.
Ronnie Brown | RB MIAThere is nothing more frustrating than drafting a running back in the first three rounds and then witnessing his head coach toy with the idea of dividing up his carries. Cam Cameron was supposed to announce his starting running back yesterday, but obviously he is not ready to do that, which is a very bad sign for Ronnie Brown owners. We think Brown is extremely talented, but his situation is awful, which is why we’ve been recommending for weeks that fantasy owners dump him. If you didn’t trade him, it may be too late and we don’t recommend that fantasy owners sell the RB too low. So, that leaves Brown owners with one option — Do your best in acquiring Jesse Chatman and then just make the best out of this situation and hope it all works out.
Brian Westbrook | RB PHIWesty is a fantasy stud, yet he is getting no respect right now. He was falling into the 10-14 range in late fantasy drafts, which will end up being an absolute steal in hindsight. Trading for Westy at this value is strongly advised, just grab back-ups Tony Hunt and Correll Buckhalter, as either back-up would do fairly well if forced to start in Westy’s absence.
Marshawn Lynch | RB BUFLynch is one of those players that is on the decline, so much so that he is about to become a bargain. Monitor his value in your league. If you own him, try trading him for a receiver like Marques Colston. If you don’t own him, try acquiring the rookie without giving up anything in your starting line-up.
Santonio Holmes | WR PITHolmes has a ton of upside in ‘07. The receiver has the potential of being a WR2 come mid-season, but go after him as your WR3 for now and I think you won’t be disappointed.
Torry Holt | WR STLIt was hard to insert Holt into the “On The Decline” group, but his knee injury has us very concerned. Don’t go crazy and trade the stud for garbage, but if you have the chance to swap him out with a player of similar talent, like a Reggie Wayne or Roy Williams, it might not be a bad move. Getting Wayne would be ideal, even if you had to give up a little bit of depth (don’t touch your line-up). Target Owens as well, as we have found some fantasy owners are not as high on him as others heading into 2007.
