Fantasy Football Stock Market – Week 5 « Fantasy Football Xtreme

Below is our Weekly Fantasy Football Stock Market Advice for Week 5. Who is on the rise? Who is on the Decline? This weekly feature will help you get a pulse on some of the more talked about fantasy players at this point in the 2008 fantasy football season.

fantasy football player stock on the rise

Larry Johnson | RB KC

Larry Johnson just rumbled for 198 yards and two scores on 28 carries in Week 4 against the Broncos. Johnson truly looked like his old self on Sunday. This was the runner’s second straight 100-yard game this season, as last week the stud ran the football 24 times for 121 yards and one score against the Falcons. Johnson’s fantasy value will never be higher, so now would be the time to trade the running back if you don’t believe that he will continue his stellar play. The truth is, last week we recommended that fantasy owners start L.J. this week against that Broncos rushing defense, then we advised that L.J. owners consider selling high. Well, we may be changing our minds on that, or at least I might be. I won’t lie, I have my doubts about that offense and I ask myself how the Chiefs will avoid facing eight-man fronts in the coming weeks, but in the end I think that fantasy owners should only sell if they’re upgrading (in 2-for-1 fashion) into a Frank Gore, Joseph Addai, Marion Barber or Marshawn Lynch type. If it isn’t a running back that you’re after, only surrender L.J. if you can get your hands on a Reggie Wayne type.

fantasy football player stock on the decline

Maurice Jones-Drew | RB JAC

Maurice Jones-Drew had a great Week 3 outing, rushing for over 100 yards and a score against the Colts, but the little guy only had 32 yards rushing on seven carries in Week 4 against the Texans. After the Jags fed Jones-Drew 19 carries in Week 3, fantasy owners have to be scratching their heads right now. Well, don’t sell-low… and if you don’t currently own Jones-Drew, I absolutely advise that fantasy owners buy-low. It is a bit frustrating how that Jags coaching staff uses MJD, but I have faith that they will give him more touches looking forward. MJD has top 10RB upside, so the only risk is relying on the coaching staff giving him the rock. Yea, I know, that’s still risky, but I say it’s worth it if you can acquire the guy at a discount!

Steven Jackson | RB STL

Welcome back S-Jax! Steven Jackson was fantastic on Sunday, running the football 24 times for 110 yards and a score against the Bills. He also caught five passes for 78 yards, leading all St. Louis receivers. Don’t even bother trying to acquire Jackson on the cheap anymore, as we advised last week… now the same goes for this week as we said last week… don’t expect top 3RB numbers moving forward, but Jackson remains a top 5-7RB talent down the stretch. Congrats if you got him on the cheap! Again, keep him if you got him!

Michael Turner | RB ATL

How many times are we going to play this up and down game with Michael Turner? What I mean is, how many times are fantasy owners going to doubt him after a rough outing? We’re already hearing rumblings around numerous fantasy communities where fantasy owners are asking if they should trade Turner while his value is still high. Still high? The guy has scored five touchdowns and has had a 200-yard rushing performance in the first four weeks of the season… what more can someone ask for? It’s amazing how two monster outings in four weeks (200/2 and 100/3) isn’t enough for some people! Look, he is going to struggle on occasion, that’s the price you pay when your stud runner plays in a mediocre offense that will see a lot of eight-man fronts when matched up against tough defenses, but here is the Falcons’ upcoming five game schedule: GB, vs. CHI, at PHI, at OAK and vs. NO. If someone in your league has the "I’m afraid it won’t last" syndrome, go steal Turner away from that owner. Not sure what to give up? Get on our FFX Forums and get some friendly advice, or try our new Ask Our Staff feature.

More Players On The Rise:

Lance Moore – Should continue to be WR3 worthy until Colston returns.
Chris Johnson – He just won’t stop playing like a top 10RB! Will he slow down?
LaDainian Tomlinson – He still isn’t 100 percent, but he sure is getting closer.
Adrian Peterson – We said last week that his multiple TD game would come – That wasn’t it, we’re thinking a 3TD outing is on the way shortly.
Jonathan Stewart – He scored again, but his value is about to increase a ton – Get your hands on him now because this rookie might be a top 10RB per start once he gets the full-time gig.
Greg Jennings – He just won’t stop, but losing Aaron Rodgers would hurt his value a lot. Monitor Rodgers’ shoulder.
Muhsin Muhammad – The upside is there, but we would sell-high if the right package deal came along. Sell him off in a 2-for-1 type of deal that upgrades your flex or WR3.
Laveranues Coles – Sell-high if you can get what you need to upgrade your line-up, but Coles makes a fine WR3 this year and you may want to lock him into your WR3 spot looking forward.

More Players On The Decline:

J.T. O’Sullivan – We still have faith.
Frank Gore – Only one bad week won’t lower his value too much, but take advantage if anyone is doubting Gore in your league.
Marion Barber – Like Gore, Barber’s value won’t drop too much due to one bad game, but try to grab him a bit cheaper if it can be done!
Marshawn Lynch – The same thing can be applied here as with Barber and Gore – Attack a top 8RB after a bad week, you may get lucky.