Week 1 of the NFL season is upon us and rosters are being drafted every minute of every day. Many teams are now scrambling to make adjustments to their roster after some surprise cuts and the infamous injury bug. Regardless, week in and week out, stocks rise and fall for all NFL players. Obviously, Gus Edwards stock sky-rocketed with the injury to Mr. Dobbins. Then again with Justice Hill also being placed on the IR. However, the Gus Bus is still a great value pick in the 5th or 6th round. The numbers are in, the bell is chiming and it’s time to buy or sell.
Stock Up – Gus Edwards, RB Baltimore
This is still a no-brainer, but the value is just too good. Edwards is an RB2 that will get consistent volume to keep him there, even with the addition of Le’Veon Bell. Bell will make for a good change of pace back but will need to learn the Baltimore offense if he plans on being effective at all, which will take some time. Consider the Gus Bus fueled and ready for some miles.
Stock Up – Jakobi Meyers, WR New England
Meyers is a late-round gem who comes into the season as the standout receiver from Patriots camp. What’s even better is that Meyers has already built a great rapport with new starting QB Mac Jones. Jones received the starting job after Cam Newton was surprisingly cut. Meyers can be found in the late rounds – I wound up getting him with my 14th pick in a draft – and has a very strong upside as the Patriots number one wide receiver. Even in an offense where the run game will be a priority, look for the 24-year-old wideout to receive a good volume of targets.
Stock Up – Sony Michel, RB Los Angeles Rams
SONY! Is it possible that Michel could resurrect his career and be the back we saw during the last New England Super Bowl run? Oddly enough, Michel now finds himself on the team the Patriots defeated to take home the Lombardi Trophy. Michel is a strong runner and should see a decent volume while splitting carries with Darrell Henderson. Although, Henderson now dealing with a thumb injury creates an excellent opportunity for Sony to make a case to be the lead back in 2021.
Stock Down – Josh Jacobs, RB Las Vegas
Between Jacobs and Drake, the former is definitely the back you want on your squad. The third-year pro will still receive the volume, just not 20 plus carries per game. Drake will get some time in the backfield, but do not expect to see anything special outside of an anomaly week. Jacobs may benefit from the change of pace, however, the time off the field does nothing but bring down his fantasy value. We all know how much Josh Jacobs cares about fantasy football.
Stock Down – Melvin Gordon, RB Denver
Enter in another running back having his playing time reduced by a one-two punch backfield. Javonte Williams is set to carve out some healthy playing time as part of the Broncos offense. The one-time feature back will likely play the second fiddle to the rookie during the course of the season. If there is a bright spot for Gordon, it will be during the first few weeks of the season.
