Each week, I’ll break down the players I think you should buy low, sell high, or hold onto as the fantasy season unfolds. Whether you’re chasing a playoff spot or trying to keep your roster steady, these moves can give you the edge you need to stay ahead of the competition.
BUY – Omarion Hampton
Week 1 gave us a glimpse of who Omarion Hampton is going to be in fantasy. Yes, the yardage numbers won’t jump off the page just yet, and I know most fantasy managers aren’t happy about his fantasy points outcome, but with 17 total touches, you couldn’t have asked for more in his first NFL game. The usage screams long-term value in PPR. He wasn’t game-scripted out, he wasn’t sharing in any way, and he looked every bit like a back coach wants to lean on.
This is exactly why you hold. Hampton’s Week 1 was more foundation than fireworks, and that’s what you want early: stability. I expect his role to expand as the season goes on, with increased targets and red zone scoring chances following. He’s the kind of back who gets stronger as the season goes on. My advice go seek a Hampton trade with an owner who’s overreacting about his week 1 performance.
BUY – Trey Benson
In PPR, volume is everything, and Benson’s workload is trending in the right direction. All offseason, the Cardinals expressed their excitement for Benson, as did his counterpart, James Connor. Connor said you can expect more touches this season for Benson, almost hinting at a timeshare backfield approach. Well, Week 1 proved some truth to that. Connor held 44% of the carries to Benson’s 29%. Let’s look further. Connor had 12 carries for 39 yards with an average of 3.3 YPC. Benson had 8 carries for 69 yards with an average of 8.6 YPC. Yes, Benson ripped off a 52-yard run, but that’s what we want out of the youngster. Yes, Connor is a beast, but he isn’t getting any younger. Benson is a classic hold, so sit tight, keep him rostered, and wait for the big weeks to hit because they will.
SELL – Zay Flowers
Right out of the gate, Zay Flowers exploded for 7/143/1 state line. His best game so far in his NFL career. Flowers finished as WR1 after week 1, and many of you will think I am talking out of the side of my neck right now, but hear me out. The Ravens are a run-first team. Most weeks, that defense won’t be giving up 41 points to their opponents; most weeks, Jackson & company will just sit on the ball with King Henry. Now, I am not saying Zay had a fluke performance, but I’d also say pump the brakes after that week 1 stat line. Zay did receive 60% of the team’s first read targets Sunday night, but there are other mouths to feed in Baltimore, and we all know Jackson likes to spread the wealth. Food for thought: after week 1 in the 2024 season, Jayden Reed was WR1 overall entering week 2, and everyone overreacted like a lot of the fantasy community usually does. Like the Ravens, the Packers have many mouths to feed. That being said, Reed finished the 2024 season as WR38 in PPR scoring.
Flowers will have splash weeks, but the Ravens’ offense isn’t built to funnel him 8 plus targets every week. Cash out while the hype is at its peak.
SELL – Keenan Allen
I’ll keep this one short & sweet. Welcome back home, Keenan Allen, who exploded for 7/68/1 on 10 targets. Again, let’s pump the brakes. Like the Ravens, the Chargers want to play great defense & pound the rock. Most weeks, the Chargers won’t come out slinging the rock; the week 1 game plan had more to do with exploiting a weakness than showing us the new normal.
Jim Harbaugh doesn’t want shootouts. He wants defense, ball control, and a run game that eats clock.
I don’t expect this type of performance to continue for Allen. Yes, he’s Herbert’s guy, but the new sheriff in town is Ladd McConkey, alongside Johnston & the 2nd round rookie, Tre Harris. So do yourself a favor & Sell, Sell, Sell.
HOLD – Calvin Ridley
The Tennessee Titans entered Week 1 with the hardest matchup on the slate, and Ridley went toe to toe with the reigning DPOY in Pat Surtain II. Ridley ultimately got shut down with a stat line of 4/27 on 8 targets. Good news for Ridley and the Titans is that it can only go up from here. Yes, Calvin Ridley’s Week 1 performance was dreadful, but it was expected going into that matchup, especially with a rookie quarterback playing his first meaningful NFL game. This isn’t the time to panic sell. Ridley’s still the alpha wideout in the offense, and in PPR, his target share is too valuable to let go.
He’s going to see consistent looks, especially on money downs, and that’s the type of usage you can’t just replace on waivers.
HOLD – Davante Adams
Davante Adams’ Rams debut wasn’t exactly the show fantasy managers hoped for. A 4/51 line feels more like a preseason tune-up than a WR1 statement. But let’s not overreact; the volume is coming. The Rams didn’t hand him $46 million over two years to be a decoy.
Week 1 is always chaos. Teams are still shaking the rust off and figuring out rotations. By Weeks 2 and 3, offenses start to find their rhythm, and when the Rams settle in, Adams is going to be at the center of it.
Yes, Puka Nacua went off with a 10/130 performance, but he also left the game multiple times banged up. That’s not a workload you can hang your season on. When the dust settles, Adams’ reliability will shine through.