What Does "Buy Low, Sell High" Even Mean?

You'll hear this phrase ALL THE TIME in fantasy football. Here's what it actually means:

Buy Low:

Trade FOR a good player when their value is temporarily low (after bad games or injury).

Sell High:

Trade AWAY a player when their value is temporarily high (after great games or hype).

The Goal:

Acquire undervalued players. Trade away overvalued players. Profit from market inefficiencies.

Buy Low: How to Find Undervalued Players

What to Look For:

1. Good Player, Bad Luck

Elite RB who fumbled twice and got benched one game? His value is in the toilet. But he's still elite.

Example: Saquon Barkley has 2 bad weeks. Owner panics. You offer a trade.

2. Slow Start to the Season

Star player hasn't scored TDs yet but has good volume.

Example: WR1 with 10 targets per game but 0 TDs through 3 weeks. TDs will come.

3. Injury Recovery

Player returning from injury, owner lost patience.

Example: Christian McCaffrey missed 2 weeks. Owner is frustrated. You offer a trade.

4. Tough Schedule Early

Player faced top-5 defenses for 3 straight weeks. Schedule gets easier.

Example: QB who played Bills, 49ers, Cowboys early. Now plays Panthers, Cardinals, Broncos.

5. Bad Team Context (Temporarily)

Rookie QB struggles early, affects WR production. QB will improve.

Example: Rookie QB throws picks early. WR1 on that team is undervalued.

Sell High: How to Identify Overvalued Players

What to Look For:

1. Unsustainable TD Rate

Player has 5 TDs in 3 games. That won't continue.

Example: WR3 who scored 3 TDs in one game. Trade him NOW.

2. Easy Schedule Early

Player faced bottom-5 defenses for 3 straight weeks. Schedule gets hard.

Example: RB who played Panthers, Broncos, Cardinals. Next 4 weeks: Bills, 49ers, Ravens, Cowboys.

3. Injury Replacement Who's About to Lose the Job

Backup RB filled in for injured starter. Starter is returning soon.

Example: Backup RB was great for 3 weeks. Starter practiced this week. Sell the backup!

4. One Big Game Creates Hype

Player scores 35 points one week. Everyone wants him. But volume says it was a fluke.

Example: RB who had 2 carries for 75 yards and 2 TDs. He only gets 5 carries per game normally.

5. Aging Veteran Playing Above Expectations

Old RB having a career year. It won't last.

Example: 31-year-old RB looks great through 4 weeks. History says he'll break down.

How to Execute a Buy-Low Trade

Step 1: Identify the Frustrated Owner

Check the standings. Who's 1-4 with underperforming studs?

Step 2: Offer Consistent Points

They're frustrated with boom-or-bust. Offer them a safe, consistent player.

Example Trade:

Their stud RB1 (0-3 bad weeks) for your consistent RB2 + WR2

Step 3: Frame It as Helping Them

"Hey, I know [Player X] has been rough. I can offer you [Player Y] and [Player Z]. Both are scoring consistently. Might help you get some wins."

Step 4: Don't Lowball

If you offer trash for their stud, they'll decline. Offer FAIR value, just slightly in your favor.

Step 5: Timing Matters

Send the offer Tuesday morning after a bad week. Not Sunday night (too emotional).

How to Execute a Sell-High Trade

Step 1: Identify the Desperate Owner

Who just lost their RB1 to injury? Who's 0-4 and needs help NOW?

Step 2: Offer Your Overperforming Player

Package your sell-high candidate with a throw-in for their underperforming stud.

Example Trade:

Your hot RB (3 straight 20-point weeks) for their struggling WR1 (draft pedigree)

Step 3: Strike While the Iron is Hot

Send the offer Sunday night or Monday morning after your player goes off.

Step 4: Highlight Recent Production

"[Your player] has been on fire. 3 straight weeks of 20+ points. I think he can help you make a playoff push."

Step 5: Don't Wait Too Long

If your player has 3 great weeks, trade him after Week 3. Don't wait for Week 4 when he scores 5 points.

Buy-Low Targets for 2024 (Examples)

These are EXAMPLES. Apply the principles to your season:

Type 1: Early Season Struggles

Elite WR1 with 0 TDs through 3 weeks (but 25 targets)

"Washed" RB who's getting 20 touches per game

Type 2: Injury Concerns

Player who missed 1-2 games, now healthy

Player dealing with "minor" injury but still playing

Type 3: Bad Luck

RB with 2 goal-line fumbles (lost TDs)

WR dropping passes but getting open (targets are there)

Type 4: Tough Early Schedule

Any skill player who faced 49ers, Bills, Cowboys, Ravens in first 4 weeks

How to Find These:

Check fantasy apps for "underperforming draft picks" or Google "Week [X] buy-low candidates".

Sell-High Targets for 2024 (Examples)

These are EXAMPLES. Apply the principles to your season:

Type 1: Touchdown Regression Coming

Player with 4+ TDs in first 3 weeks

Kicker having a career year (seriously, trade him)

Type 2: Injury Replacements

Backup who stepped in for 2-3 weeks, starter returning

Timeshare RB who got all touches because of injury

Type 3: Easy Schedule Early

Player who faced Cardinals, Panthers, Broncos first 3 weeks

Next 4 weeks: 49ers, Bills, Cowboys, Ravens

Type 4: Unsustainable Volume

WR with 15 targets per game (that won't last)

RB with 30 touches per game (injury risk!)

How to Find These:

Google "Week [X] sell-high candidates" or check Reddit r/fantasyfootball

Buy-Low / Sell-High Mistakes

❌ Buying TOO Low

Player is bad because they're actually bad, not unlucky. Don't buy injured 35-year-old RBs.

❌ Selling Too Late

Your player had 3 good weeks, then 2 bad weeks. The sell-high window closed.

❌ Overcomplicating It

If you have to convince yourself a trade makes sense, it probably doesn't.

❌ Ignoring Volume

A struggling player with 20 touches per game? Buy low.

A hot player with 5 touches per game? Sell high.

❌ Trading Based on Name Value

"He was a 1st round pick!" doesn't matter if he lost his job.

❌ Panicking After One Week

Don't buy/sell based on ONE game. Look for 2-3 week trends.

Real Trade Examples

Buy-Low Success:

Week 4: You trade Amari Cooper (hot, 3 straight good weeks)

You get: Stefon Diggs (cold, 2 bad weeks but elite talent)

Result: Diggs finishes as WR8, Cooper finishes WR18. You win!

Sell-High Success:

Week 3: You trade James Conner (30 touches, 4 TDs in 3 games)

You get: Davante Adams (slow start, 0 TDs but 30 targets)

Result: Conner gets injured Week 6. Adams finishes as WR5. You win!

Buy-Low Failure:

Week 5: You trade for "buy-low" RB who was a 2nd round pick

Result: He was bad because his team is bad. He never improves. You lose.

Sell-High Failure:

Week 4: Your WR has 3 straight great games. You don't trade him.

Result: Weeks 5-8, he goes back to being WR3. You missed the sell-high window.