Fantasy Football Stock Watch: Buying Juwan Johnson, Holding Keon Coleman and More

These types of articles are always written inside of a vacuum, but you're not living inside of one! That's why you need to take your personal league scoring and roster construction into account when making buy/sell/hold decisions.

Please keep in mind that after an unpredictable Week 1, your leaguemates' temperaments are also unpredictable. They may not be thinking clearly. I mean, just last week I saw someone offer up Marvin Harrison Jr to acquire Brian Robinson as a CMC insurance policy… (B Rob owner declined. No one’s thinking straight!!)

So let's get into some Buyin', Sellin', and Holdin'.

The Buys

CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL

I hate that I have to say this, but there will be some people panicking over Ceedee Lamb's drops in Week 1. And if that's the case, you need to capitalize.

This isn't just your generic "don't panic on your first rounder, it's only the first week" mumbo jumbo. We're talking about an elite receiver who, despite his 4 drops, still managed Top 5 receiving yard production in Week 1:

• Zay Flowers (143)
• Puka Nacua (130)
• Jaxson Smith-Njigba (124)
• Keon Coleman (112) 👀 (more on him later…)
• CeeDee Lamb (110)

I wish I'd drafted more of this Dallas offense… But it's not too late to try and steal a piece of it via trades if your league thinks Lamb’s hands are made of cement.

Juwan Johnson, TE, NO

I swear I'm not just being a homer this time.

Coming off of 2024 with 50 catches for 548 yards and 3 TDs, Johnson showed a couple Top 10 TE flashes across the season. But New Orleans really surprised us in the offseason when they decided to re-sign Johnson to a 3-year $30+ million dollar deal.

And now, we're starting to see why.

In Week 1 against the Cardinals, Johnson posted:

• 97 Utilization Score (out of 100)
• 96% route rate
• 27% TPRR
• 25% End Zone targets

Sure, the Saints have to make it to the end zone for some of these to count…

But the tight end position is a tale as old as time: If you don't have one of the Big 3 (*Big 2 with George Kittle's IR status), then you want to try and position yourself with a player who is going to see a ton of attention on the field.

Juwan Johnson is quickly making a case for himself if this usage sticks.

While it's possible that a return from Taysom Hill or Foster Moreau could dampen the target share scenario, it's worth taking a shot on Johnson while they're banged up. This New Orleans offense is trying to make its way through yet another year of growing pains and Johnson just might be their security blanket.

The Sell

Ken Walker, RB, Seahawks

Should I start with some positives in Seattle? Well, alright. JSN looked f*cking fantastic!

And when it came to the ground game, Seattle was one of the league's run heaviest offenses.

So you would think this might be great for a guy like Kenneth Walker III. But the real winner this weekend was Walker's RB counterpart, Zach Charbonnet.

• Yes, Walker is coming off of an injury.
• Yes, Walker still be utilized in the offense (41% of snaps, 14% targets and a UR Score of 48 vs. Charbonnet's 49)
• Yes, Seattle's o-line isn't doing Walker any favors…

But with Charbonnet’s efficiency, it doesn't look like the Ken Walker Show any longer.

• Walker: 10-20-0
• Charbonnet: 12-47-1 👀

The Holds

Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals

Ah, alright. You caught me. This is a "Buy Ja'Marr Chase" PSA in disguise.

No one in their right mind should give up on Burrow after that lousy *checks notes* 113-yard performance against the Browns that resulted in a disappointing 2 catches for 26 yards statline for Chase.

But if you need a little reassurance, here's a fun fact:

The Bengals love to sling the ball. If anyone in your league is "down" or "out" on Burrow after this first week… Be like a shark and smell the blood. Because once this offense starts firing on all cylinders, we know what this CIN duo can do.

This concludes my "Buy Ja'Marr Chase" PSA.

Keon Coleman, WR, BUF

POUND YOUR CHEST, KEON COLEMAN TRUTHERS!

We drafted Coleman because Ian Hartitz gave us hope. And it paid off in Week 1 with 8 catches for 112 yards and 1 TD.

But now? We are at a crossroads. We are faced with an age-old dilemma: Sell high or Hold?

I get why some analysts are cautioning fantasy managers to temper our expectations. I really do.

• Coleman is not a spreadsheet hero.
• His TD was a tipped ball intended for another receiver.
• Josh Allen and James Cook could (and do) steal the show more often than not in Buffalo

But in some ways, this feels a lot like the guy holding up his cardboard sign on the street, yelling that the end is nigh. Is the end really all that nigh for Coleman?

The Bills offense has been yearning for a guy to step up into that alpha WR1 role. And while I don't care to roster Shakir for the reasons I mentioned last week, I'm ready to roll the dice with Coleman (who made the plays when Allen needed him to).

After a dud-filled week where most WR1s underperformed, Coleman's 20+ fantasy points stand out like sparkly diamonds in the rough. So, I can understand the temptation to capitalize and move on given the right offer. But I'm holding on... for now.

Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt, RB, WAS

• "He's a boom-bust RB." 
• "He requires a TD to make him viable." 
• "The Washington backfield is complicated."

Yeaaaa, I get it!

But there's something to be said for already rostering the guy. Right now is a terrible time to try to go out and acquire Bill, but if you've already got him… Let's ride the goddamn wave, shall we?

JCM has already:

• Beaten the "it's just preseason" hype allegation (10 carries!)
• Out performed his Week 1 expectations (82 yards and 1 TD!)
• Moved his way up the depth chart… TWICE!
  • Brian Robinson Jr.
  • LOL

Call me crazy, but I can't let go of the potential future dopamine hits to come. And sometimes, it's nice to have a little lightening on your bench in the event that you need a hail mary flex play.