As anyone who has ever played in a keeper or dynasty fantasy football league can tell you, there is no offseason. It is a 365 day a year part time job, at least if you want to be successful at it. Now is a great time of the year to make moves in these league types. The combine is upon us, and free agency and the draft have yet to take place. As a result, the values of assets in these leagues are muddled, to say the least, at this point on the calendar. Taking calculated risks now can have you looking like a genius as soon as April. Here are some buy candidates that I recommend inquiring about.
Buys
Colin Kaepernick- This one seems obvious but I don’t think it can be said enough how well this kid’s situation is set up for success in both fantasy and reality.
The last 4 plays of the Super Bowl aside, Jim Harbaugh is a master of the offensive side of the ball, particularly when it comes to quarterback play. Lest we forget he was a professional QB himself. The Niners have a road grading offensive line and several playmakers around their young signal caller like Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, and Michael Crabtree. His running ability makes both his floor and ceiling extremely high on a week to week basis. If the owner in your league isn’t valuing him like a top 5-7 keeper QB, get on the horn immediately.
Jamaal Charles-As much crap as Andy Reid took for his usage of LeSean McCoy, the fact of the matter is that his offensive system had McCoy producing at an elite level in both real and fantasy football. He also gave McCoy goal line carries. If the same thing happens in Kansas City, which I think it will, Charles will be a top 5 back for the foreseeable future with the upside to be the top point getter at the position.
Darren Sproles- In dynasty I generally look at a 3 year window when I am considering making transactions. For the next 3 years, I cannot name you 15 better fantasy options than Darren Sproles at running back, especially in point per reception leagues. Yet, as I can attest as a Sproles owner, he is being valued as a flex option on the open market. If that is the going rate in your league, I would be all over it. The return of Sean Payton is going to be a boon for that offense and the main cogs of the unit (Brees, Graham, Colston) are not going anywhere anytime soon. It’s time this diminutive scat back is recognized as a legit RB2, and not a mere flex play and buy week fill in.
DeSean Jackson-I think we all can agree that Chip Kelley knows what he is doing on the offensive side of the ball. Jackson, albeit inconsistently, has produced at a WR2 level before and I don’t see a reason why he wouldn’t do that under Kelly. There are already rumors that Kelly plans to use Jackson similarly to the way he utilized DeAnthony Thomas at Oregon, who was a jack of all trades while racking up 1200 yards from scrimmage and 17 all purpose touchdowns.
Ryan Broyles-It was such a shame when Broyles, who spent last offseason successfully rehabbing from a torn ACL during his senior year at Oklahoma, sustained the same exact injury to his other knee. He was just coming into his own as the #2 option for Matthew Stafford behind Calvin Johnson with Nate Burleson’s injury and Titus Young’s stupidity. Given that he has come back from this injury before and there are already good reports on his rehab, I think this guy could be producing at a consistent WR3 level as soon as next Thanksgiving, particularly in PPR leagues. Defenses commit at least 2 if not 3 defenders to Calvin on every play, leaving the rest of the field wide open for the rest of Detroit’s pass catchers. He is young and this offense is going to be explosive for some time.
Aaron Hernandez-This 4th year swiss army knife of a tight end is a healthy 16 game season away from contending for the total points crown at the position. He is spending the offseason in California training with Tom Brady, which has fueled speculation that he is preparing for a larger role in the offense. This is a distinct possibility given the real chance that Wes Welker departs via free agency. Brady still has another 3 or so years left in him at his current level of play. This guy could be an uber stud.
I’ll be coming out with a dynasty/keeper sells article soon. Feel free to hit me up with questions on twitter @JoeyPigskins
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