Offseason Sell List

Ken Kelly

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In the second of our two-part series, we take a look at players who are prime “sell” candidates in dynasty leagues.

Before you read further, you need to understand exactly what we mean here. If you are contending team, many of these players could help you win a title next season. If that’s the case, you should likely hold on to them, depending on the depth you have on your club.

If you’re a rebuilding team, the players on this list will likely give you at least some value now instead of leading you to a mediocre 5-10 season or retiring off your roster in the near future.

One of the biggest mistakes rookie dynasty league owners make is holding on to a player after his value has diminished. In fact, we have listed a few of those players at the bottom of this list as players you’ve likely missed the boat on. If you can even get any type of below market value from this group, you’re probably doing yourself a favor.

Away we go…

Carson Palmer, QB, CIN

You have to wonder what life would have been like had he just opted for surgery a few years back. Without his trademark arm strength, he’s become a shell of his former self.

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, NYJ

Fresh of a productive season, I’d be sending him away to anyone who thinks a repeat is coming in 2012.

London Fletcher, LB, WAS

His production has been as consistent as they come, but this is starting to get ridiculous.

Michael Turner, RB, ATL

He’s a trademark example of a “sell high” right now. Turner comes off a season with 346 touches and turns 29 in a couple of weeks. If you don’t think you can contend in the next couple of years, holding on to him is going to do you no good.

Santana Moss, WR, WAS

Moss had a good season, but his age and the questions at quarterback in Washington make him a prime candidate to move.

Brandon Lloyd, WR, DEN

As I’ve said many times on this site, the list of wide receivers who break out in their 8th season is short. The list of those who repeat it at age 30 is even shorter.

Hines Ward, WR, PIT

He’s being phased out in Pittsburgh as Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders emerge.

Reggie Wayne, WR, IND

This is likely the most controversial name on this list. Look, he’s as consistent as they come. However, there are a few things that concern me.

First, he had just one touchdown and 143 yards in his last four games combined.

Second, he scored just six touchdowns all last season.

Third, he turns 33 in November.

Now, I’m not telling you he won’t be great next year, but you could potentially get maximum value for him now before he starts to do a Marvin Harrison-like fade. If I can get another top 8 WR for him, I go for it.

Cedric Benson, RB, CIN

He just looked beat up last year.

Anquan Boldin, WR, BAL

I expected so much more from Boldin this season. He was no better than the 3rd option behind Todd Heap, and Derrick Mason last season. Add in the fact that Rice catches a lot of passes and you have a very high paid possession receiver.

Steven Jackson, RB, STL

He has 654 carries the past two seasons and his yards per carry dipped below four this past year. The tread is starting to get thin here, folks.

Antonio Gates, TE, SD

Here’s another bitter pill to swallow. How many years does he realistically have left? If I was building around Gates, I’d be very concerned about those feet.

Peyton Hillis, RB, CLE

I’m sure I’ll be nailed for this one, too. I just think if you can get another owner in the league to give you top 5 RB value for him, I’d jump on it. There are too many variables (new coach, Hardesty returning, fumbling issues, recovery from an enormous workload) working against him repeating his numbers from last season.

Terrell Owens, WR, FA

He might belong in the “missed the boat” category, but he’s a great mercenary to move to a contending team. He could easily be a missing piece for a title contender and one they’d pay a little to get.

Brian Urlacher, LB, CHI

See Fletcher, London.

Ray Lewis, LB, BAL

See Urlacher, Brian

Chris Wells, RB, ARI

I wouldn’t trade him for pennies on the dollar, but I wouldn’t hesitate to move him to a coach who believed he still has top 15 RB potential.

David Garrard, QB, JAX

Is there anyone more inconsistent on a yearly basis?

Joseph Addai, RB, IND

He’s just not going to be anything close to the Edgerrin James we loved in Indy, even if he comes back.

Chad Henne, QB, MIA

One of last season’s favorite sleepers, but we never believed the hype. Turns out we were probably right.

Donald Driver, WR, GB

James Jones and Jordy Nelson have shown they’re more than capable and Driver is going to be the fourth option at best when Finley returns next season.

Jacob Tamme, TE, IND

With the imminent return of Dallas Clark, Tamme becomes a must sell. It’s truly amazing what Peyton Manning can do for someone.

Missed the boat: Clinton Portis, Chad Ochocinco, Steve Smith (CAR), Donovan McNabb, Brandon Jacobs, Roy Williams, Thomas Jones, Randy Moss, Vince Young, Mike Sims-Walker, Cadillac Williams, and Jeremy Shockey.

ken kelly