Offseason Buy List

Ken Kelly

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Fantasy leagues are over for 2010, so many owners have left their rosters and are planning on taking an extended break until around August. These are likely the losing owners in your league.

The championship owners are active right now in attempting to secure some new players for their rosters or rid themselves of some players now before their value begins to tank.

In part one of a two part series, we take a look at some significant “buy” candidates this offseason. While many of these players may not come at a bargain basement price, their value has a good chance of being higher at this time next season.

Josh Freeman, QB, TB

He’s just 23 years old and had more passing yards (3,451) than Mark Sanchez, Jay Cutler, Matt Cassel, and Michael Vick. He had more touchdowns (26) than Matt Schaub. He had more rushing yards (364) than any other quarterback NOT named Vick. Yet, for some odd reason, nobody talks about him outside of Florida.

Sam Bradford, QB, STL

Doing what he did as a rookie with the receiving corps he was given is simply remarkable. He looks like a future No. 1 fantasy quarterback to me.

Kevin Kolb, QB, PHI

His value may never be this low again. Even if he DOESN’T get traded out of Philly next year, he’ll still be starting games in the event of a Vick injury. Regardless, players like Kolb don’t sit on the bench forever. He’ll be someone’s franchise quarterback here in the next few years, quite possibly in 2011.

Tim Tebow, QB, DEN

Lost in all the coaching movement is the fact that Mike McCoy is staying on as the OC in Denver. Tebow was the highest scoring quarterback in all of fantasy the last three weeks when he was inserted as the starter. I’m not saying that would hold up during a whole season, but he’s one of those rare players who could be better in fantasy than reality.

Jahvid Best, RB, DET

The foot injuries devastated what could have been a very nice rookie season. If you have an owner down on Best, this would be the time to strike. He has Jamaal Charles-like ability.

Knowshon Moreno, RB, DEN

This is the most dangerous time to trade for a RB, but John Fox is said to be a Moreno fan. I’d be wary of the Broncos signing DeAngelo Williams, but Moreno could be primed for a major breakout in 2011.

LeGarrette Blount, RB, TB

Blount has never been void of talent, but even this was too much to imagine. Speaking of imagine, what can he do in a full season?

Mike Tolbert, RB, SD

If you have a Tolbert owner in your league who is convinced that Ryan Mathews is going to be the featured back and get 90% of the carries next year, you should pounce. Tolbert has proven to be too valuable for the Chargers to sit.

Chris Ivory, RB, NO

Ivory might be the best buy on this entire list. The Saints are growing tired of Pierre Thomas’ inability to get healthy and Ivory was fantastic this season. This is not a Mike Bell-like fluke in New Orleans. He very well could be the back of the future there.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, CAR

If Williams is moved as expected, Stewart is ready to vault to elite status.

Willis McGahee, RB, BAL

I wouldn’t sell the farm to get him. However, there’s no way the Ravens pick up his option next season. He could easily be a veteran fill-in player and great one or two year mercenary in dynasty leagues. Imagine if McGahee is signed by a team like the Colts? Might be time to get him for pennies on the dollar, just in case.

Bernard Scott, RB, CIN

I don’t think the Bengals see Scott as a featured back. I don’t think they see Benson that way either, though.

Tashard Choice, RB, DAL

He looks like the odd man out in Dallas. He could be a great pickup for a number of teams this offseason. If Choice gets a chance, he could be very good.

Mike Wallace, WR, PIT

Wallace is always a bright spot here at DLF. We tweeted that he was a great buy low last year, then the Steelers traded Holmes two days later. We still hear about it from some happy owners. If you think he’s peaked, you’re nuts. He put up monster numbers without Big Ben for the first part of the season.

Dez Bryant, WR, DAL

His ceiling is the clouds.

Jacoby Ford, WR, OAK

Coming out of college, he was known for his speed, not his playmaking ability. Now, it might be the other way around. Ford seems to be the Raider WR to own at this point. Can you get him from a non-believer?

Mario Manningham, WR, NYG

With Steve Smith’s future uncertain, Super Mario is primed to jump to No. 2 WR status.

Kenny Britt, WR, TEN

Yes, he has maturity issues. I’d be willing to take the gamble of elite talent at this point, though. He could easily be a top five fantasy receiver for the next four or five seasons. He really is that gifted.

Vincent Jackson, WR, SD

He could be franchised again by the Chargers. If you have an owner who is tired of waiting, here’s a guy I’d love to stash.

Michael Crabtree, WR, SF

A new quarterback and new coach should do wonders for Crabtree. Jim Harbaugh is known for getting the most out of what he has and he has a pretty good toy in Crabtree.

Demaryius Thomas, WR, DEN

He showed some flashes of excellent ability. If you have an owner convinced that John Fox is going to ONLY run the ball, go get ’em tiger!

Jermichael Finley, TE, GB

With Aaron Rodgers playing this well, what kind of numbers can this guy really put up next season?

Sidney Rice, WR, MIN

You would expect he’d be back in Minnesota next season. Even if he does have to endure some growing pains at quarterback, Rice has proven to be one of the best receivers in the game. Some people have simply forgotten that.

Danario Alexander, WR, STL

He has horrible knees, but when healthy…

Jermaine Gresham, TE, CIN

I still see a No. 1 TE in him.

Tony Moeaki, TE, KC

Him, too.

Jamar Chaney, LB, PHI

Stewart Bradley has a fight on his hands for the valuable MLB spot in Philly. Chaney has proven to be a young tackle machine.

Desmond Bishop, LB, GB

Nick Barnett? Who’s that?

Dan Connor, LB, CAR

Hard to say if Beason or Connor ends up as Ron Rivera’s MLB. Whoever wins that job is going to get 130+ tackles next season. If I have Beason, I have Connor.

David Hawthorne, LB, SEA

He seemingly had to fight every year for a starting gig. After a 107 tackle season, I think he’s earned finally earned one.

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