Quarterback

Carson Palmer, Cardinals

Through six games, it is safe to say that the Carson Palmer we are seeing this year is a far cry from the one that took Arizona to the NFC Championship last year. After two solid games to start the season, Palmer has been in a free fall mode, which included a game against Buffalo where he threw four interceptions. On the year, Palmer has seven touchdowns and five interceptions. His QBR stands at 54.0, putting him below players such as Cody Kessler and Blaine Gabbert.

It is becoming more and more apparent that the Cardinals’ offense runs through David Johnson basically on every play. I stated on Twitter during the Arizona’s win over the Jets that Johnson has already solidified himself as the top overall pick in 2017. We see a player similar to Johnson in Pittsburgh with Le’Veon Bell and his quarterback—Ben Roethlisberger—has more consistent success (when he isn’t injured). The weapons are there for Palmer, but he needs to execute better. We’ve heard about Michael Floyd and John Brown as sleeper picks forever it seems, but neither player has really lived up to expectations.

Arizona is 3-3, but the NFC is currently wide open. Call it a gut feeling, but I believe Palmer is going to right the ship soon. It would be unprecedented for both teams that played in the previous season’s Conference Championship game to miss the playoffs. The Panthers looked to be headed that way, but Arizona won’t be.

Verdict: HOLD. There is no way you can sell Palmer right now given his struggles and he’s too much of a risk to buy. So what else can you do? Just hold onto him until he gets in sync with the offense.

Running Back

Mark Ingram, Saints

The Saints are known for their high-powered offense, but there are frustrating aspects of the team that fantasy owners are very familiar with. Drew Brees likes to spread the ball around and throws the ball between 40-50 times nearly every game. This hurts Mark Ingram’s value because he doesn’t see nearly enough work out of the backfield to keep fantasy owners happy. Ingram ranks 22nd overall with 70 touches on the season, but is only averaging 3.9 yards per carry. He’s been involved with the passing game to a degree, but after his 50 receptions in 2015, fantasy owners expected more. What’s making this situation even more frustrating is that John Kuhn has already been a vulture at the goal line, scoring three times already this year.

What we know is that the Saints score a lot of points. Because of that, Ingram is going to be involved in a meaningful way. The real question is whether the Saints will give Ingram more shine going forward. I believe that they will as he is their best skill player outside of Brandin Cooks. Think about it this way, if you took those three Kuhn touchdowns and gave them to Ingram, his overall fantasy numbers would look a lot better. I am banking on Ingram getting touches inside the 5-yard line going forward.

Verdict: BUY. There is no question that Ingram has been a frustrating player to own this year, but I see this as an opportunity to buy. He’s the RB1 in a great offense and that is reason enough to make a play for him.

James White, Patriots

What’s worse than owning a New England running back? Well, basically nothing. White found the end zone twice last week, giving fantasy owners his first meaningful game of the season. There is buzz surrounding White because he can be a PPR goldmine on occasion, but the rest of the time; he’s basically a huge letdown. With the Patriots’ game plan varying constantly, it is hard to gauge how big of a role White will play any given week. To use a DFS analogy, White is a pure GPP play, not someone you want in your cash game line. He is a low-floor, high-ceiling running back that could easily see two carries and one reception as easily as he hauls in eight passes for 100 yards. If Dion Lewis returns at any point, White’s value will really take a hit. Cut bait now and sell-high while you can.

Verdict: SELL. White can have very good games, but they are few and far between. In season long leagues, I want more of a sure thing as my RB2. Given his most recent game and the hype surround him, White could fetch a decent haul.

Wide Receiver

Anquan Boldin, Lions

I always love a football player that can play deep into his thirties. Boldin continues to defy the odds and play at a high level and he should be celebrated. He is coming off of a game where he hauled in eight receptions on nine targets for 60 yards and a touchdown. Aside from last week’s game against the Rams, Boldin has been productive, but average. Now is a wonderful time to put Boldin on the block—especially in deeper leagues. With only three 100-yard games over the last three seasons, it’s clear that Boldin’s value is tied to receptions. The Lions throw the ball a lot, but Marvin Jones, Golden Tate, and Theo Riddick will see the vast majority of the looks from Matthew Stafford.

Verdict: SELL. There’s no doubt that Boldin in a gamer, but at his age, he just isn’t a fantasy relevant player in most formats. Use his solid game against Los Angeles and pair him with another player on your roster to make an upgrade elsewhere. 

Donte Moncrief, Colts

Has it been long enough where most fantasy owners have forgotten about Moncrief? He is still recovering from a fractured scapula—and has yet to practice—but he is going to return soon. His price tag should be low, especially because he’s returning from an injury. Once he’s back he will make for a fine WR3 with the upside for more. Moncrief is the most physical receiver playing for the Colts and he will see plenty of targets as a compliment to deep threat T.Y. Hilton. He could be a great acquisition for the second half of the season when he’s fully recovered from his scapula injury.

Verdict: BUY. Moncrief was being drafted as a top 50 player this year, but injury derailed him. In shallow leagues he could actually be on the waiver wire and now is the time to add him. Otherwise, you could get him rather cheap via trade. Either way, Moncrief is a wideout that I especially like going forward.

Tight End

Gary Barnidge, Browns

Over the last four weeks, we’ve seen Gary Barnidge’s targets tick up game-by-game. During Sunday’s blowout loss to the Patriots, Barnidge saw eight targets and hauled in five receptions. He has yet to record his first touchdown of the season, but those will come. The best news surrounding Barnidge, though, is the fact that Josh McCown is close to being cleared to return. McCown and Barnidge’s chemistry is well known and if they can get back in sync upon the latter’s return, Barnidge could make for a fantastic second half value at tight end. Remember, Barnidge is one season removed from a 1,000-yard season with nine touchdowns.

Verdict: BUY. Terrelle Pryor is hurting, Corey Coleman is still out, and Josh McCown is returning soon. Barnidge should have no problem gobbling up a ton of targets going forward. Plus, he’s going to be extremely cheap right now.