Sell Javonte Williams - RB, Denver Broncos
Javonte Williams found the end zone for the first and second time this season in a complete dumpster of the injury-riddled Saints.
His utilization hasn’t changed all season. His snap share, rush attempt share, route participation, target share, and target rate were all on par with his season-long average – meaning his role hasn’t improved or gotten worse.
What Williams did have working for him was game script. The Saints were helpless on offense and that allowed the Broncos to jump out to an early lead and play from ahead. That allowed Williams to log his second-most carries (14) on the season and average his best yards per carry, as well (6.3).
The Broncos have a good matchup next week against the Panthers, but things get much more questionable after that with the Ravens, Chiefs, and Falcons on deck. On a Broncos offense that leaves a lot to be desired (and that won’t have as many touchdowns to go around on a weekly basis as there were in the Saints game), I’m looking to move the running back that needed to score two touchdowns to have his first top-15 weekly finish.
Buy Chris Olave - WR, New Orleans Saints
Olave could be back in Week 8 after missing last week’s game and the majority of the game in Week 6 with a concussion. In the two games before that, Olave caught just three passes for 15 yards, which should have the asking price deflated with Spencer Rattler still likely to start this week.
In five games to begin the season, Olave posted a 22% target share from Derek Carr and had three top-24 finishes. That was with Rashid Shaheed earning a 27% target share of his own as well as commanding 51% of the air yards share. Shaheed was placed on season-ending IR last week, which should open up more targets for Olave once he returns.
Fantasy managers will want to capitalize on his very low price considering that A) the last two times he’s been on the field, he’s been disappointing and B) Derek Carr will likely miss one more week. The matchup against the Chargers is less than ideal, and there’s even a chance that Olave isn’t back until Week 9 – which could coincide with Derek Carr’s return as well. Their matchup in Week 9? The Panthers.
There’s a good chance that Olave hasn’t been useful all year for whichever manager has him, and taking him off their hands could be easy game. Olave’s playoff schedule isn’t terrible either, with matchups against the Commanders and Raiders on tap.
Buy Diontae Johnson - WR, Carolina Panthers
Diontae Johnson left fantasy managers hanging in a great matchup against the Commanders last week, posting his second single-digit fantasy performance in three weeks as part of a Panthers offense that has quickly lost its luster with Andy Dalton under center.
It’s the same old story as before with Johnson – he remains an elite target earner with a 27% target share and target rate, but when your offense is barely managing a touchdown per game, that opportunity isn’t likely to translate into production.
There’s always the chance that things can get better for Johnson in Carolina as long as Andy Dalton is under center. Johnson rattled off back-to-back top-10 finishes in the first two games with Dalton at quarterback, but things hit a low last week when Johnson wasn’t able to come through in a great matchup. The better scenario at this point for Johnson would be to be traded to an offense more conducive to fantasy production.
Amari Cooper was a buy two weeks ago and has since been traded to the Bills, where his stock has skyrocketed. The same can happen with Johnson – and even if it doesn’t, he’s still going to be a solid enough WR2 play each week based on volume alone.