Each week of the NFL season I will highlight risers and fallers in dynasty leagues — one player to trade for, one to trade away, one to add and one to drop.
Risers
Trade For: O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 4 was not kind to the tight end position. With multiple top fantasy options already missing — including Hunter Henry, Greg Olsen and Delanie Walker — we saw even more go down this past week.
Tyler Eifert (ankle) and Will Dissly (knee) are done for the season, and we're simply not yet sure how badly superstar Rob Gronkowski (ankle) is hurt.
Howard also suffered an injury and is expected to miss up to four weeks with a sprained MCL. He got lucky. Maybe you can, too. With so many injuries across the league, especially at this position, whoever has Howard in your league could make a frustrated trade.
The second-year tight end was enjoying a breakout season, ranked as the TE4 entering Week 4. His price was rapidly rising prior to the injury, but this could open the door for a reasonable deal. I’ll be offering multiple second-round rookie picks or veteran tight ends, such as Eric Ebron or Jimmy Graham, in package deals to acquire Howard.
Add: Keke Coutee, WR, Houston Texans
It all came together for the rookie receiver, who missed the first three games of the season with a hamstring injury.
The Texans lost slot man Bruce Ellington in Week 3, paving the way for Coutee to start. And when Will Fuller was sidelined during this past Sunday's game, Coutee took advantage of the opportunity. He finished with 11 receptions and 109 yards on 15 targets, setting the franchise record for most receptions in a player’s first game. That volume won’t always be there when the Houston offense is fully healthy, but Deshaun Watson clearly trusts Coutee.
Coutee should be a high-priority add in leagues that he's still available in. Strongly consider even using your full remaining blind-bidding balance on Coutee.
Fallers
Trade Away: Alshon Jeffery, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Jeffery finally made his 2018 debut this past weekend, starting his season off strong with eight receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown. That sets up a perfect opportunity to sell the 28-year-old receiver with a lengthy injury history. Jeffery finished only two games as a WR1 (top 12) a season ago and we already know Carson Wentz’s top option will be tight end Zach Ertz.
I’ll be looking to sell Jeffrey for multiple draft picks or a young receiver, such as Broncos rookie Courtland Sutton.
Drop: Tyrod Taylor, QB, Cleveland Browns
After Baker Mayfield took over for Taylor — who suffered a head injury that forced him from Cleveland's Week 3 matchup — and led the Browns to their first victory in more than a year, head coach Hue Jackson made an easy decision: He named Mayfield the starter, making Taylor the backup.
Taylor will be a free agent following the season and could draw some interest, though it's difficult to see a team offering him a starting gig. Taylor has fantasy upside thanks to his rushing ability, but that might not last much longer. (He turns 30 next August.)
Considering the overall depth of the quarterback position, even if Taylor finds a new starting job in 2019, he is simply not worth waiting for in typical fantasy leagues.
