Wheel & Deal - Week 5

A look at who to unload for more than market value and who to buy on the cheap on your path to stealing a championship.


BUY LOW:
Larry Johnson - RB - Kansas City Chiefs
You window may have closed to truly buy low on LJ with his impressive performance against the Chargers. Alas, his value is still lower than standard market value and his schedule is about to turn into cream cheese after his Week 5 match up against the Jaguars.

Willie Parker - RB - Pittsburgh Steelers
Fast Willie was shut down by the Cardinals in Week 4. He's still averaging slightly over 100 yards per game on the ground, but has a disappointing 1 TD. See if his owner is frustrated with his first round choice and try to steal him away.

Thomas Jones - RB - New York Jets
Jones has always been an overrated player, and his numbers this year are terrible. That said, he is a feature back that is a good receiver and you can currently grab him very cheap. His performance thus far has been hindered by a calf injury.

Frank Gore - RB - San Francisco 49ers
He totaled 3 TDs in the first two weeks. He hasn't scored since, has totaled only 118 yards on the ground the past two weeks and has caught fumblitis. His value should get even lower after Week 5, when he faces a tough match up against the Raven defense, plus the Trent Dilfer factor drags his value down as well. Alex Smith should be back sooner than later and Gore remains the 49ers' first, second and third best option.

Steve Smith - WR - Carolina Panthers
Yes, his value takes a hit with David Carr at the helm. But there's absolutely no chance that he just disappears like he has the past 2 weeks. Let's keep in mind, this is the same David Carr that got Andre Johnson 100+ receptions in 2006.

Torry Holt - St. Louis Rams
He has yet to top 75 receiving yards in a single game. He gets a new QB this week. Frerotte was decent as a starting NFL QB in 2005, and the Rams do still have some decent weapons, namely Holt. His value shouldn't be able to get any lower and if you can get him for a song, you should.

Lee Evans - Buffalo Bills
His value is on the rise after finally cashing in a respectable performance in Week 4. Your window to buy low is almost over.

Jeremy Shockey - New York Giants
His best game so far this season has been a 5 catch, 79 yard game in Week 3. He has yet to haul in a TD. Plax and his bad wheel have taken away his red zone targets. He should rebound and start catching some TDs very soon, he's a red zone monster.

SELL HIGH:
Daunte Culpepper - Oakland Raiders
He scored 5 TDs in Week 4...on 75 yards passing. Try to convince some poor schlub that vintage Daunte is back getting his roll on and steal a solution to one of your depth issues. Culpepper isn't guaranteed a starting spot when Josh McCown is healthy, and could eventually be replaced by JaMarcus Russell late in the season anyway.

Randy Moss - WR - New England Patriots
Alright, Patriots homers, let's not work yourself into a lather. I believe that Moss will remain a Top 5 WR all season long. But, so far he's been putting up Tecmo Bowl numbers, and he can't keep that up. Vintage Randy may be back, but you can currently bring in quite the haul for him if your team has holes. His value won't get any higher than it currently is. If you need to make a move, you need to make a move.

Jerry Porter - WR - Oakland Raiders
He's likely available on a lot of waiver wires. If you've been holding onto him, hype his 2 TD game as loudly as you can. Hype him as Culpepper's new Randy Moss. The fact is, last week's 52 yards is also his season high and Ronald Curry is a much better option in Oakland. If you've held onto him this long, look to get what you can.

Dwayne Bowe - WR - Kansas City Chiefs
Yes, he's had consecutive impressive outings. He also plays for a terrible team, plus he's a rookie that was plagued by drops in college. Maybe he's legit, maybe not. If you can trade him away for someone that will provide consistent value, you should. He could be the second-coming of Marc Boerigter.

DON'T BUY LOW:
Marc Bulger - QB - St. Louis Rams
A QB with 2 broken ribs that is currently riding the pine. No thanks.

Cedric Benson - Chicago Bears
Lovie Smith promises to get Benson more work. Take a wait and see approach.

Javon Walker - Denver Broncos
You don't want a WR having knee problems in the same knee that had major surgery 2 years ago.