Saturday, November 23, 2024

Fantasy Football

Players to Sell Before the NFL Draft

What’s Up?

At the time of writing, the 2021 NFL Draft is 8 days away. Many like to wait until afterwards to make moves. However, now could be an opportune time to sell before the NFL draft. There are players whose value may drop significantly after event. Here are some players to consider trading away.

To be clear, these are not people to sell at all costs. But if they’re risky holds if certain rookies end up on their team. These are players I’d try to trade away for others at similar market worth because I think their value is about to fall.

The Players to Sell Before the NFL Draft

Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy Garoppolo - Players to Sell Before the NFL Draft
Jimmy Garoppolo – NFL.com

This may not actually work since almost everyone knows San Francisco is going to draft a quarterback. However, people may still have hope Jimmy may start over a rookie or be traded to start somewhere else. Now, while he is still technically at the top of the depth chart, he may still have marginally more value. Once the rookie QB is drafted, that’ll mentally change things for many. Of course, if Kyle Shanahan mentions anything about Mac Jones or Justin Fields being the starter in 2021, Jimmy’s stock is going to tank.

There are trade rumors around him, but those rumors seem to show the 49ers are looking for a first-rounder. Since no one is biting, it’s looking like he’ll either stay in San Francisco or end up somewhere else as a backup.

Mike Davis

Mike Davis - Players to Sell Before the NFL Draft
Mike Davis – NFL.com

Davis is essentially the only running back of note left in Atlanta. That has to change. He came off a great season in Carolina which adds to his value. That being said, I cannot see Atlanta going into the season with Cordarrelle Patterson, Qadree Ollison, and Tony Brooks-James as the only other running backs on their depth chart. Whether the addition will be above or below Davis on the depth chart, I expect his value to fall.

Mecole Hardman (and Demarcus Robinson)

Mecole Hardman - Players to Sell Before the NFL Draft
Mecole Hardman – NFL.com

The Chiefs have one of the best passing offenses in the league. However, despite that, only one of their wide receivers has been super valuable for fantasy. Mecole Hardman could end up being a sleeper as a potential WR2 for the best passer in the league. Demarcus Robinson could be another benefactor of Sammy Watkins leaving. That being said, we’ve seen Kansas City go for a luxury pick last year when they drafted a running back in the first round. I wouldn’t be surprised if they drafted a wide receiver who could sink the fantasy value of all Chiefs wide receivers not named Tyreek Hill.

Anthony McFarland and Benny Snell

Benny Snell - Players to Sell Before the NFL Draft
Benny Snell – NFL.com

Who’s at the top of the depth chart for the Steelers? I don’t care. I’d be very surprised if the Steelers did not draft a running back to lead the backfield in 2021. Snell looks locked into a backup role and though McFarland had some hype out of last year’s draft, he hasn’t really proved it when given the chances. The fact that they didn’t re-sign James Conner despite talks of him potentially staying shows me they’re looking to draft one of the top running backs.

La’Mical Perine

La'Mical Perine - Players to Sell Before the NFL Draft
La’Mical Perine

You could add Ty Johnson to this list, but there has been lots of talk of the Jets being one of the teams that would consider adding a running back to the team. As it stands, people may have hope La’Mical Perine has a shot to lead the backfield. However, there’s a good chance someone else not yet in the NFL will.

Myles Gaskin

Myles Gaskin - Players to Sell Before the NFL Draft
Myles Gaskin – NFL.com

Miami has a lot of draft picks. With a pretty solid team all around, I could definitely see them try to improve at the running back position. Myles Gaskin was great for fantasy last year, but he’s a running back who was picked 234th overall in 2019. Because of the low draft capital, he can be easily replaced.

Mike Gesicki

Mike Gesicki - Players to Sell Before the NFL Draft
Mike Gesickt – NFL.com

Unlike Gaskin, Gesicki was more valued out of college, being drafted 42nd overall. However, with so many draft picks and a chance at a generational talent in Michael Pitts, it would be tough for them to pass him up. There are already many rumors about Pitts becoming a Dolphin. I’d think he would be a great fit to help out their young quarterback.

Other Notable Mentions

Colts Receivers: The Colts have one of the best offensive lines and defenses in the league right now. It seems they also like their new quarterback. However, I’m not so confident in their current receiving corps, and I’m not sure the Indianapolis management is either. So WRs and TEs may be targets in the NFL Draft to help Carson Wentz.

Eagles Receivers: Speaking of Wentz, let’s look at his old team. Alshon Jeffery, Jalen Reagor, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, and Travis Fulgham are names that have been hyped up but have ultimately fallen flat. There are so many holes in the Eagles lineup. So I’m not saying they’ll definitely draft wide receivers, but it is definitely something they’ll be looking at.

Lions Receivers: Like the Eagles, the Lions have many areas they need to improve in. Because of that, I’m not sure receivers are one of their top priorities. But names like Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman, Geronimo Allison, and Quintez Cephus don’t really inspire confidence. Poor Jared Goff. I hope they add more capable weapons for him to throw to.

Wrap-Up

I am not a fortune teller. That being said, based on team needs and draft capital, these are players I’d look to sell before the NFL draft. Though none of them may be super high-value fantasy pieces anyway, they could be pieces you use to get other sleepers or draft picks. They could also be pieces to add onto multi-player trades.

For more content like this, check out bellyupfantasysports.com and you can follow me at @liuac.