NFL Fantasy Tips: A waiver wire full of running backs and it is time to make some moves

Dave Gray
26 October 2020
3:30 min read

Mike Evans value may never be lower

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We are now over halfway through the fantasy regular season and it is time for you to make some trades says Dave Gray...

"The arrival of Antonio Brown probably has people scared of a drop off but Evans is currently seeing as many double teams as any player. That can’t continue with all the threats in Tampa Bay and when it does stop, look out."

Another brutal week in the NFL

Another week and another week full of injuries to big players. This NFL season has been absolutely brutal and on Sunday night we lost a host of stars. Odell Beckham Jr's season is over after an ACL tear, Kenyan Drake will miss some time with torn ankle ligaments - although it isn't season ending - and Chris Carson suffered a foot injury. As always this opens up opportunities for other players but picking the right player is important.

Carlos Hyde has shown that he can lead an NFL backfield and he will do so in Carson's absence. With the Texans last year he went over 1000 yards and was perhaps unlucky not to pick up a starting job, but he will get that chance over the next month or so in Seattle. With Russell Wilson the run game can often be opened up, both by his threat as a passer and as a runner. While he is the starter you can place Hyde in your starting line up with lots of confidence and as we head towards the playoffs, he could really be the difference between you being in or out.

I had been preaching about Chase Edmonds from before the season and even with Drake fit, he had been getting more and more work in the Cardinals offence. With Drake out he will see a big workload and he is more than capable of stepping up. I am a huge fan of Edmonds and it would not be a surprise if Drake never actually wins the role back. He is a threat in the run game but also a great pass catcher.

Both Hyde and Edmonds should be picked up, but Edmonds could be the player with the most long-term value.

Go and get Mike Evans

Mike Evans is a bit of a weird case this year. In his first five games he had a phenomenal six touchdowns, but in his one game with two touchdowns he had a total of two yards. If you have him in your fantasy team you may be growing frustrated of him. Averaging around 45 yards per game isn't the sort of numbers we have come to expect. He has just four targets over the past two weeks for a total of 47 yards. But do not despair. If you have him, hold on, and if you don't then now may be a perfect time to speak to the person that does about a trade.

The arrival of Antonio Brown probably has people scared of a drop off but Evans is currently seeing as many double teams as any player. That can't continue with all the threats in Tampa Bay and when it does stop, look out.

He does not have a single season without 1000 yards in his career and while he is a little short of that pace right now, he doesn't need to pick up too much to reach that milestone for the seventh straight year. He may never be available for cheaper than he is right now.

The Buccaneers are now 17/2 to win the Super Bowl and favourites to come out of the NFC. With Tom Brady playing out of his mind right now, all the weapons at his disposal and perhaps the best defence in the league, that price is something to have a look at.

It is time to make a move

This time of year is when teams start to get desperate and you can take advantage. Maybe a team is sitting at 2-5 and have to win this week to keep their chances alive. With teams like the Cardinals and Texans on bye, you may be able to get the likes of DeAndre Hopkins or Deshaun Watson for cheaper than usual as a team can't afford to go a week without a decent player there.

Christian McCaffrey has returned to practice and while he may not make it for this week, he could be a league winner for a playoff team. It may be worth speaking to whoever has him and seeing if you can work out a deal that helps them right away but makes your team a lot stronger for the rest of the season.

A key part of fantasy football is being able to judge your own team and know what you need to do. If you are that 2-5 team, don't just hold on to players because you think they are untradeable. If they aren't helping your team now then by the time they do it may already be too late. It is better to go down trying to make something happen than sitting there and ending with the same result without trying.

If your team is struggling then try and just take each week as it comes and win every game, not worrying too much about the longer term implications. But if you are sitting pretty then take some chances that may make you weaker short term, but could set you apart come playoff time.