But just like on the New York Stock Exchange, there are good bargains out there in the fantasy football world. So which players should you pick up because their values are at their lowest points? And which players should you trade or release because their values cannot go any higher? Here are some fantasy football stock picks:
Eli Manning, Giants: The defending Super Bowl champions have had one of the easiest early-season schedules in the NFL, and Manning has been a big beneficiary. He has thrown against mediocre secondaries and weak pass rushes, which has helped him post career-year numbers up to this point. But New York has its toughest test yet this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and then Eli and his posse probably have the roughest schedule in the league after that, highlighted by two games apiece against Philadelphia and Dallas. Manning will not continue averaging 230 passing yards per game, nor will he keep completing 61 percent of his passes. Sell!
Chad Johnson, Bengals: This has been the worst year of Johnson’s NFL career. He had offseason surgery on his ankle, banged-up his shoulder in the preseason and was not allowed to use his new legal name, Ocho Cinco, on his jersey without paying Reebok millions of dollars. And now his problems have been compounded because quarterback Carson Palmer has a sore elbow, and because Johnson himself is running a step slower than normal. O.C. is averaging a career-low 9.9 yards per catch, with his longest grab of the season going for a measly 22 yards. But Johnson scored last week, and it appears like temp QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is tossing more balls in his direction. Take a chance on Johnson as long as you don’t have to overspend. Buy!
Deuce McAllister, Saints: Reggie Bush’s torn meniscus has him shelved for weeks, so McAllister has regained his starting tailback spot. Although New Orleans is a pass-first, run-second type of team, McAllister should get 15-20 carries per game and all of the important touches down near the end zone. Backup Pierre Thomas will stick his nose into games for a couple carries, but this is Deuce’s job for the near future. Just do not expect Deuce to return punts. Buy!
Matt Jones, Jaguars: Jones has been better than most fantasy pundits believed he would be this season, catching 30 passes for 338 yards. But one of these weeks he will be suspended by the NFL for his drug-related arrest in the offseason, so he is not worth hanging onto if his suspension is for multiple games. You cannot have an average-at-best receiver like Jones tying up a roster spot on your fantasy squad when you could find someone just like him on your league’s waiver wire. Sell!
Javon Walker, Raiders: Did you draft Walker this season thinking he would be Oakland’s top receiving threat? And what has he done? Five receptions for 59 yards during the first six weeks of the season. Walker’s old teammate Brandon Marshall can accomplish that on one drive. But Walker looked healthier and happier last week than he has in two years, snaring five passes for 75 yards and a touchdown against the New York Jets. This could be the start of something big, especially as Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell gains more experience and is allowed to throw downfield more often. Buy!
Chad Pennington, Dolphins: The weak-armed Pennington has topped the 200-yard mark in five of six contests, but there is no chance he keeps this pace up. Granted, Miami faces a plethora of lousy defenses later on (Kansas City, St. Louis, Seattle, Denver), but the Dolphins will likely have Ronnie Brown run more and have Pennington pass less. Plus, rookie Chad Henne is getting groomed to become the future starter, so he could steal away some snaps from Pennington towards the end of the season. Sell!
Tyler Thigpen, Chiefs: Not only are Kansas City’s top two quarterbacks terrible, they are injury-prone, too! When Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard are not throwing dying quails into the awaiting arms of safeties, they are suffering season-ending injuries. Third-stringer Thigpen gets the unenviable task of running this pathetic offense, and without tailback Larry Johnson no less! That means Thigpen could throw 35-40 times per game, and the more he throws, the more yards he can rack up. Of course, Thigpen might throw four interceptions a game, too. But if you need a stopgap quarterback for one week, you can stick Thigpen in and pray. Buy!
