Reignmakers Market Report: Players to Watch and Strategic Insights for Week 2
A week into the 2023 NFL season, the DraftKings Reignmakers' second season is in full swing. Each week, player performances inevitably lead to both positive and negative overreactions. Strategically responding to these reactions can optimize returns on individual cards.
For example, if you purchased Tutu Atwell cards before Week 1, selling them now might result in a profit exceeding 200%, with current values hovering around $300. Conversely, if you acquired Johann Dotson cards at roughly $330, the highest current selling price might be just $220. It's crucial to recognize that exaggerated reactions, particularly negative ones, can present lucrative buy-low opportunities.
This article will delve into the most significant percentage increases and decreases for the three primary skill positions over the past week. We aim to pinpoint potential buy-low and sell-high candidates.
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Quarterbacks
The Good
Zach Wilson's substantial movement in the quarterback position isn't surprising, especially with Aaron Rodgers out for the season. However, despite a 200% increase, Wilson's floor prices remain among the lowest for starting quarterbacks.
Mac Jones' stellar Week One performance placed him among the week's top-scoring quarterbacks. This drew the attention of some Reignmaker enthusiasts, leading to an approximate 35% rise in his card values.
Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is also gaining traction, with his prices growing by about 30% week over week. Remarkably, he's among the priciest quarterbacks in just his second NFL game.
Brock Purdy and Matt Stafford, both after an impressive Week One, had their card values increase roughly 20% to 25%, aligning with season start projections.
The Bad
In contrast, Jared Goff's card values experienced a notable dip. Even though he was on the season's opening slate and had high demand due to anticipated optimal lineup appearances, a surge in market supply resulted in almost a 60% value decrease within a week.
Desmond Ridder seems to be slipping to the fourth option in the Atlanta Falcons offense, which leans heavily on their running backs.
Following lackluster Week One performances, CJ Stroud, Daniel Jones, and Justin Fields faced approximately a 50% drop in their card values.
For Jones and Fields, there could be potential buy-low opportunities. Jones faced the formidable Dallas Cowboys defense, arguably among the NFL's best. And Fields had a challenging season opener against a determined divisional adversary in Green Bay.
Running Backs
The Good
The Falcons' decision to draft Bijan Robinson led many to believe it signaled the end for second-year running back Tyler Allgeier. Contrary to this, Atlanta's strategy heavily featured both backs, surpassing expectations. Consequently, Tyler's card prices have soared.
Another noteworthy mention is Justice Hill, who's now Baltimore's lead back following JK Dobbins' injury.
Two emerging running backs who enjoyed a promising Week One and saw a rise in card values are Chuba Hubbard of Carolina and Kyren Williams of the Rams.
Two stud running backs, Jonathan Taylor (who's sidelined for at least two more weeks) and Saquon Barkley (whose initial card prices seemed undervalued) both experienced roughly a 30% weekly price increase.
I anticipate Taylor's card prices climbing, likely reaching about $500 at the Elite level upon his Week Four return.
The Bad
Conversely, Khalil Herbert and Antonio Gibson faced a challenging start to the 2023 NFL season, possibly due to reduced roles in their teams.
Similarly, Cam Akers and Najee Harris witnessed a decline of at least 25% in their card values.
An intriguing player to watch is Breece Hall, whose card prices dipped around 20%. Hall's value decrease might be tied to his quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, sustaining an injury. However, this could position Hall for more prominence this season, making his cards potentially undervalued at their current price.
Wide Receivers
The Good
The dynamic wide receiver market witnessed significant fluctuations with around five players doubling their card values after Week One.
Tutu Atwell, whom we highlighted earlier, is one such example. Robert Woods, Rashid Shaheed, and Jakobi Meyers also experienced over a 100% surge in prices due to their on-field performance.
In contrast, Allen Robinson's price inflation doesn't directly correlate with his play. Still, it reflects the market's anticipation of his optimal lineup potential on Monday night's two-game slate, as he steps in for Diontae Johnson in the Pittsburgh Steelers offense.
Other receivers registering a week-over-week price increment include Calvin Ridley, Michael Pittman, DeVonta Smith, Brandon Aiyuk, and Zay Flowers, poised to play a pivotal role in the Ravens' offense this season.
The Bad
On the downside, Jahan Dotson of the Commanders saw a dip in value. After an impressive preseason, his Week One performance didn't match expectations, but this seems to be an exaggerated market response for a player still projected to have a solid season.
Others facing value reductions this week are Mike Williams, Garrett Wilson, DJ Moore, Jalen Waddle, and stars like Ja'Marr Chase and Stefon Diggs. The latter two might be influenced by a diminished first-place prize at the Elite tier.
That's All, Folks
In conclusion, keep an eye out for our upcoming slate breakdown and team diary article, which will be released on Sunday morning. It will spotlight players we're incorporating into our portfolios and highlight some Week 2 targets.
Until then, don't forget to explore our exclusive Rainmaker tools at Lucky Trader. Our lineup optimizer helps you craft optimal lineups tailored to your portfolio swiftly, significantly reducing your lineup creation time.
