It’s getting to that point in the season where it’s make or break time for some fantasy football teams. If you’re sitting at 2-4 or worse, it’s time to make a move to get back on track.
One bold, but sometimes necessary, strategy is selling high on one of your elite players to a team with depth. The goal is to bring back multiple pieces that, combined, outweigh the single player you’re giving up. The other team is likely focused on the long game, stacking stars for a playoff run, while you’re trying to save your season now.
If that kind of trade isn’t your style, the classic buy low and sell high approach is always in play. Here are eight players who fit that mold as Week 7 approaches.
Week 7 fantasy football players to buy
RB Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Barkley has struggled compared to last year, and managers could be frustrated with their likely top-three pick. Despite the slow start, he still ranks as RB14 in fantasy points per game.
He entered Week 6 dealing with a knee injury, which likely affected his performance. Even so, he averaged 4.5 yards per carry for the second straight week. His total output was limited because the Eagles were forced to pass often in a blowout loss to the Giants.
It feels inevitable that the Eagles offense will figure things out. They’ve shown flashes with one strong half in each of the last three games before stalling in the other. Once they put together a complete performance, Barkley should start producing those big fantasy games again.
WR Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
Adams had been on a hot streak, scoring touchdowns in Weeks 2, 3, and 4. Since then, he has caught nine passes for 127 yards without finding the end zone. This week was expected to be a big one against a Ravens defense that has struggled all season, but he delivered his worst performance of the year.
Despite that, this may not be a true buy-low situation since the Adams manager is unlikely to be frustrated with his overall production so far. The real opportunity comes from Puka Nacua likely missing time after suffering an ankle injury. Buying Adams now could pay off while Nacua is sidelined.
RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
Judkins had his lowet output since Week 2, his first career game.
This was largely due to the Browns falling behind early, and running more plays on third downs and in the two-minute drill than in typical game scripts.
Even with the offense struggling, the defense is likely to keep Cleveland competitive more often than not, which keeps Judkins on the field to make plays. The Browns also want to avoid letting rookie QB Dillon Gabriel throw the ball 52 times again if they can help it, another positive for Judkins.
WR Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots
Diggs finished Week 6 with a disappointing 3-for-28 line. To make matters worse, teammates Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas benefited from Drake Maye’s three-touchdown performance.
Despite the poor outing, Diggs is still the receiver to roster in New England. Remember, he comes off two strong games totaling 247 yards and 16 receptions.
Also, his stat line would have looked much better if not for two questionable offensive pass interference calls, including one that nullified a 50-yard reception.
Week 7 fantasy football players to sell
RB Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers
An unbelievable two-game stretch puts Dowdle on this list for a second week in a row. After a fantastic Week 5 scoring 32.4 PPR points, he followed up with 33.9 this week.
Why sell Dowdle after he has been the RB1 each of the last two weeks? Because Chuba Hubbard is returning and will restore this backfield to the split it was before.
As noted last week, that likely means a 50/50 split rather than the 60/40 we have seen. It may seem crazy after Dowdle’s dominance, but remember Chuba was the more efficient runner in the first four weeks, averaging 4.1 yards per carry compared to Dowdle’s 3.0.
Dowdle has thrived not only because he had most of the backfield to himself, but also because he faced two of the NFL’s worst run defenses.
RB Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
The hype train for the Giants after their Thursday night beatdown of the Eagles is at full speed.
It is being driven by Skattebo, who scored three touchdowns and looked incredible all night.
Skattebo will have some good games going forward, but none like this. On top of that, there are concerns.
First, Tyrone Tracy has returned from injury. He had a very small role Thursday, but expect that to grow. Second, the Giants are likely to be playing from behind in more games than ahead, unlike this one. That will limit how much they can lean on Skattebo.
Third, his running style is very physical and he does not shy away from contact. He could hold up the rest of the season, but the odds are against it.
WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
McConkey had his best game of the season and has now scored in two straight games.
This performance was a direct result of Quentin Johnston being out with an ankle injury. It also helped that the Chargers faced the Miami Dolphins, one of the worst defenses in the league.
If other managers in your league are ignoring injury reports and just chasing box scores, McConkey is an immediate sell.
WR George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
Since CeeDee Lamb’s injury, Pickens has performed like a true WR1. The problem is Lamb could return in Week 7, likely ending Pickens’ hot streak.
Before Lamb’s injury, Pickens averaged 6.5 targets per game. That has since risen to 8.8 per game. The number would be even higher if not for the blowout victory over the Jets in Week 5, when he saw just four targets. Being shadowed by Sauce Gardner didn’t help either.
If you can, try to flip him now for a WR1 with reliable production before it’s too late.
