It is always important to look back on the fantasy football season as a whole and make note of things to learn for next season. Last year, everyone’s big takeaway was a need for drafting running backs early, and those who paid attention then reaped the benefits this season with draft picks of Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey and De’Von Achane.
This season, we all need to learn how to let go. We need to not be afraid to sell high on a player who tantalizes us early, only to fizzle out over the long and arduous season.
The perfect example is Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. The rookie shot up draft boards with every “Chris Godwin recovery timetable” news byte and opened the season like a house of fire. He averaged seven targets, five catches, 89 receiving yards and one touchdown per game over the first five weeks, which was beyond our wildest expectations and looked like the steal of the season. But despite the continued whispers of what would happen once Godwin returned, his fantasy managers refused to part with him, rebuking most offers that came their way.
Those fears of him losing his job were assuaged when Mike Evans broke his collarbone but, unfortunately, the production tapered off. A splash of greatness here and there, but with the Bucs top two targets on IR, Egbuka drew the toughest coverage matchups, and his fantasy value plummeted. Things change real fast in the NFL, and those who held Egbuka ultimately saw that value dissipate and were left with nothing to show for it.
Similarly, those who drafted Bears wideout Rome Odunze suffered a similar fate. The second-year wideout looked spectacular to open the season, averaging five catches for 74 yards per game while scoring five touchdowns over the first four weeks. Following the Week 5 bye, however, momentum was lost, defensive coordinators and defensive backs were better prepared for him, and though there were a couple of nice showings midseason, the production did not come close to what you received early on. But there were his managers, clinging to him with the hope that it would return. It never did.
There were plenty of others who teased us into believing we had drafted league-winners. Chargers receiver Quentin Johnston opened the year in style but fizzled out. The same can be said for Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid, Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins and, to a certain extent, Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. Some suffered injuries while others just saw their production decline. Either way, there is a lesson to be learned for next season.
Betting on the NFL?
Most people complain that no one likes to trade in their leagues. Usually, it’s because everyone gets hung up on “winning the trade” and their demands are unrealistic. Maybe this season will help you understand that no one is guaranteed anything in the NFL, and yesterday’s heroes often end up as tomorrow’s zeros. Learn to sell high, and your team will retain its value throughout the full season.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy football news and advice.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
