Tuesday Transactions: Week Seven

Scott Connor

Almost all was calm this week with COVID-19 impacts and despite every game taking place without disruption, the story of the week was the “sniper.” No worries, there are no weapons involved, only players we do not care much about taking our fantasy points away.

Here are five transactions to consider for week seven.

Matt Ryan, QB ATL – Sell

I will be the first to admit, I was wrong about this one. Kind of. After the winless start through five weeks and the firing of the coach and general manager, the narrative that it might be over for Ryan was pervasive last week on the market. Absolutely nobody wanted anything to do with the veteran signal-caller and for good reason. Injuries to Julio Jones and other Atlanta pass-catchers during this season made the outlook even bleaker.

The result? A QB2 finish for Ryan after a four-touchdown and 371-yard performance in week five. Was it the matchup? Was it the rallying cry for the interim coach? Can it continue? I am willing to bet against it and given the team is most likely looking to address the position next spring and Ryan has largely produced his fantasy numbers based on situation, he is an obvious sell.

The Move – I would move him for any first-round pick in a superflex league. If you cannot get a pick, look to pivot to a younger QB and some extra juice. Drew Lock is one option. Daniel Jones is another. The ultimate move would be to approach the Dak Prescott owner and see what it would take to get a deal done. Regardless, capitalize on the big game and wipe your hands clean, contender or not.

Jalen Reagor, WR PHI – Buy

This is going to be a very pervasive take this week. After all, it is too late to buy Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins and most of the other rookie wide receivers. Reagor has a profile comparable to many of the others in the class and should step right into a role on an offense lacking playmakers. With Zach Ertz set to miss a month, the Eagles will be glad to bring the rookie right back into the mix.

The reasoning behind Reagor is both obvious and not so much. Like Jefferson, Lamb, Jeudy, Higgins and Henry Ruggs, he sports the true age-21-year-old profile and despite missing time with multiple injuries, is tied to a situation where there will be no choice to put him on the field. The Eagles, despite having one of the worst starts you could have imagined, will be right in the mix of the NFC East race all year. The schedule lightens up in the second half of the season and the time to get in is now, before Reagor returns after their week nine bye.

The Move – Start by offering a 2021 first-round pick in superflex. Be prepared to throw in another player or later pick to seal the deal.

JD McKissic, RB WAS – Buy

This one is random. You are probably saying to yourself, who wants McKissic? Good question. Many may not be interested. However, running back starvation is real and now that we have hit the bye weeks, the teams dealing with injuries and possible virus impacts are more desperate.

McKissic ranks sixth in the league in target percentage and plays less than half of the team snaps thus far in 2020. He has earned 31 targets in six games and has yet to find paydirt. He offers extraordinarily little on the ground, but you could do worse if you are desperate at the position. If Washington continues to be in negative game scripts, McKissic is not a bad depth piece to have on your bench.

The Move – In a superflex league, I would pay a playoff third-round pick or move a day-three receiver (Antonio Gandy-Golden, Darnell Mooney, Tyler Johnson) if I need to make a deal happen. Ideally, you get him as a throw-in on a deal considering his extensive injury history and relative lack of buzz.

Hayden Hurst, TE ATL – Sell

Hurst posted a respectable four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown in week six and slotted in as TE7 on the week. On the season, he ranks 11th with 32 targets and the continuing perception is that he is tied to a high-flying offense and friendly quarterback.

Looking deeper at his target share, it is only ten percent and ranks number 26 overall for the position. He is scoring points at a rate lower than Jimmy Graham and Darren Fells. Although the acquisition cost (second-round pick) and prospect profile on Hurst were encouraging, the production is not. Given the uncertainty at the position and his potential contract situation, get out now to a team with desperation at the position.

The Move – Trading Hurst for a pick may be difficult. I would accept a second-round pick in a superflex, tight-end premium league. If you can get a second, ask for another tight end back in the deal. Chris Herndon or Mo-Alie Cox are names that another manager might give up on and you can add a free shot at a crazy position.

JaMycal Hasty, RB SF – Add

With the news that Raheem Mostert is headed to injured reserve, Hasty will be a popular add in many leagues where he may not be on-the-radar. In fact, he may have been added and already dropped after the first Mostert injury. This led to both Jerick McKinnon and Jeffrey Wilson Jr splitting touches.

Wilson was inactive in week six, but Hasty saw ten touches to McKinnon’s nine and appeared eager to make the most out of his opportunity after just missing the active roster cut out of camp. For more information, check out this article on UDFA sleepers from May.

The Move – Hasty is a must-add in any league with more than 25-roster spots. Do not hesitate to drop a dabbling receiver like Greg Ward or Isaiah Ford to acquire him. He is worth at least 15 percent of your free agent budget given what we have seen in the San Francisco backfield.

CONCLUSION

Through six weeks, the time to move is now. Many fantasy-relevant players disappointed in week six and many non-relevant players produced. The backup tight ends sniped touchdowns left and right and combined with an already crazy season, be aggressive on players others might be down on and start inquiring.

scott connor