Top 6 Buy Low Candidates for Week 9 Fantasy Football PPR

Please let me know what you think, looking to improve every week :)

Evan Engram (JAX): With the loss of Christian Kirk and lacking talent behind Gabe Davis, we can expect the Jaguars offense to increase the target shares of Engram, especially as Thomas Jr. seems to be sidelined for a number of weeks with a rib injury. Engram has been mildly disappointing this year, getting injured for 4 weeks and only topping 5 targets in one game. However, Kirk being injured allows him to operate more freely in the intermediate portion of the field and likely soak up targets even when Thomas returns. However, when Thomas AND Kirk are both gone, he will operate as essentially the WR1 with little target competition. With Kirk and Thomas out, you are losing 12 targets per contest that need to be re-allocated. While of course Gabe Davis and other bench players such as Parker Washington will get some of them, I would bet on the most accomplished receiver on the team to get the bulk of these looks for 2-4 weeks. 

Recommendation: Buy as a low-end TE1, potentially for a player like Jonathon Brooks who projects to split carries in a terrible offense. Possibly sell when Thomas Jr. gets back if Engram has a dominant stretch of performances.

Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX): Brian Thomas Jr. As mentioned with Engram, Thomas will see an uptick in target volume with no Christian Kirk. He is a buy low candidate due to his Chest/Rib injury, particularly if he’s on a team in your league with a poor record, they may be desperate to sell for a reliable WR2 or a RB2. 

Recommendation: I’d be looking to move on from guys like James Conner, Tee Higgins, or Aaron Jones for him if I’m able, particularly if your team is at or above .500 on the year. 

Tank Dell (HOU): Dell owners have to be frustrated with his performance so far this year. He has clearly been the WR3 behind Collins and Diggs, and even with Collins on IR he has not had the weekly starter-level performances that you’d expect given his stellar performance last year pre-injury.  That being said, I would recommend trading for him before any Diggs news comes out that announces his injury status. It was a non-contact knee injury which is not encouraging, and many of your league mates will not pick up on this fact unless an official announcement declares him out for an extended period. For at least a week or two Tank will be the alpha WR1 on the team, and we can also expect a ramp up period for Collins when he returns. He will still be a high ceiling play when Collins returns due to the defensive attention Collins will draw as their main guy, leaving Tank open for many of the game-breaking touchdowns we came to expect from him in his impressive rookie season. 

Recommendation: Target Tank in a league where I’m around .500 and need a high upside WR2 or flex play. Consider trading players like Deandre Hopkins, or Romeo Doubs for him. 

Nico Collins (HOU): Collins should be priced as a top 5 WR ROS, even considering his injury. Even with players like Amon-Ra or AJ Brown, there is the lowered floor in that the run game or other receivers may take over the game as we saw this week with Amon-Ra getting a concerning 8 yards in a 52 point Lions effort. Nico, upon return, looks to potentially have significantly less target competition, particularly if Diggs is out, and will be a consistent high-floor AND high-ceiling option in an elite offense. While I’d understand the concern about how quickly he rebounds from his hamstring injury, there is increasing optimism about his status from Houston reporters, and he will be in a position to crush against the Lions in week 10, assuming he is cleared. 

Recommendation: I would consider trading a receiver like Malik Nabers or Drake London for him, or an RB like Josh Jacobs coming off a huge week with a depth piece to sweeten it. Be willing to overpay. 

Deandre Hopkins (KC): Folks who rostered and started Hopkins this week likely feel devastated that he did not immediately look like Rashee Rice, but it’s important that we remember this is only his first game with the team, coming off an injury and playing a role that is timing-based which will take a few games to develop. He only played 32% of snaps and we can expect that number to rocket up as the season goes on and his health and knowledge of the playbook improves.

Recommendation: Take advantage of people who are panicking and want to get value for him now by trading players like Ekeler, Tank Bigsby, Keenan Allen or Rome Odunze for him and expect him to be a great option by the fantasy playoffs. 

Travis Etienne Jr. (JAX): Much of what I said about Engram and Thomas applies here, with the added possibility of a trade, though I’d consider that unlikely at this time if Doug Pederson is to be believed. Without Thomas Jr. being around to stretch the field, I’d expect a higher percentage of check downs to the RB, and we’ve seen little-to-no receiving work for Bigsby. There is also a chance that Etienne runs some plays in the slot or out wide to compensate for the lack of depth in the receiving room. Finally, I’d expect some positive regression in the run game for Etienne who has not yet lived up to his billing as a high-end RB that he was drafted to be. Whoever drafted Etienne in your league is likely furious with his lacking production before his injury and just wants to get him off the squad for anything even slightly valuable, which is the perfect time to acquire a player. 

Recommendation: Offer limited upside depth pieces like Wan’Dale Robinson or if you could pivot off of a less exciting option like Rico Dowdle for him. I would also trade Bigsby for him straight up if your league mate believes Bigsby is the more valuable piece moving forward. People are selling Etienne at rock bottom value, and it’s time to buy. 

Edit: Removed Diontae Johnson as a person to trade away following the Schefter report that he’s expected to be traded