When a good player performs beyond expectations, it's often time to sell high. When that player is Jared Cook--a guy I targeted above all other TEs heading into this season--it's hard not to let emotions impact decision making.
But this morning I "sold high," giving up Cook, Marques Colston, and Daryl Richardson for 2 elite positional players and a decent TE replacement: Dez Bryant, Trent Richardson, and Greg Olsen.
Cook was the #1 fantasy TE last week. Colston scored, while Richardson earned 25 touches and proved himself to be a key cog in the Rams' offense.
But let's face it: Cook will not produce 141 yards and 2 TDs every game. I still believe he'll easily be a top 10 player at his position. But the law of averages suggests that he will level out and finish at around 1,000-1,100 yards and 8-10 TDs--fantastic for a TE, but not worth holding onto if I could get better talent in return.
I seized on Bryant after word got out that he had a sprained foot following a dismal Week 1 performance. I'd rather have a healthy Bryant for the fantasy playoffs than a healthy Colston. Meanwhile, Richardson didn't get enough touches in Week 1, making him an ideal buy-low candidate. I'm betting that both he and Bryant will help my team over the long term. I think I'm right.
Finally, while Olsen didn't do a lot on Sunday (5 catches for 56 yards), he was targeted 10 times. As Cam Newton's #2 option in the passing game, he was an ideal buy-low TE.
The key to winning your fantasy football league is not just having a great draft. It's also about spotting opportunities to seize on opponents' fears as well as their hopes. My trading partner fears that Bryant's health, Richardson's poor play, and Olsen's mediocrity were significant concerns. He hopes that Colston continues to put up solid fantasy points, that Richardson remains a focal point in the Rams' offense, and that Cook continues to post 20+ fantasy points per game.
In my 14-team work league, I now have:
QB Eli Manning
RB C.J. Spiller
RB Trent Richardson
WR Dez Bryant
WR Larry Fitzgerald
WR Antonio Brown
TE Greg Olsen
K Kai Forbath
DST Texans
BENCH Stevan Ridley
BENCH La'Veon Bell
BENCH Vincent Brown
BENCH Patriots
Study performances. Analyze their potential future impact. Then find ways to upgrade by capitalizing on opponents' fears.
That's how we win.
But this morning I "sold high," giving up Cook, Marques Colston, and Daryl Richardson for 2 elite positional players and a decent TE replacement: Dez Bryant, Trent Richardson, and Greg Olsen.
Cook was the #1 fantasy TE last week. Colston scored, while Richardson earned 25 touches and proved himself to be a key cog in the Rams' offense.
But let's face it: Cook will not produce 141 yards and 2 TDs every game. I still believe he'll easily be a top 10 player at his position. But the law of averages suggests that he will level out and finish at around 1,000-1,100 yards and 8-10 TDs--fantastic for a TE, but not worth holding onto if I could get better talent in return.
I seized on Bryant after word got out that he had a sprained foot following a dismal Week 1 performance. I'd rather have a healthy Bryant for the fantasy playoffs than a healthy Colston. Meanwhile, Richardson didn't get enough touches in Week 1, making him an ideal buy-low candidate. I'm betting that both he and Bryant will help my team over the long term. I think I'm right.
Finally, while Olsen didn't do a lot on Sunday (5 catches for 56 yards), he was targeted 10 times. As Cam Newton's #2 option in the passing game, he was an ideal buy-low TE.
The key to winning your fantasy football league is not just having a great draft. It's also about spotting opportunities to seize on opponents' fears as well as their hopes. My trading partner fears that Bryant's health, Richardson's poor play, and Olsen's mediocrity were significant concerns. He hopes that Colston continues to put up solid fantasy points, that Richardson remains a focal point in the Rams' offense, and that Cook continues to post 20+ fantasy points per game.
In my 14-team work league, I now have:
QB Eli Manning
RB C.J. Spiller
RB Trent Richardson
WR Dez Bryant
WR Larry Fitzgerald
WR Antonio Brown
TE Greg Olsen
K Kai Forbath
DST Texans
BENCH Stevan Ridley
BENCH La'Veon Bell
BENCH Vincent Brown
BENCH Patriots
Study performances. Analyze their potential future impact. Then find ways to upgrade by capitalizing on opponents' fears.
That's how we win.