Buying Aging WRs

[IBall2]

During the offseason everybody is focused on buying rookie picks and young WRs while the ole reliable WRs seem to lose their shine.

In recent season's I've built my team around this idea that the aging WR is devalued and easier to buy and has pushed me deep into the playoffs with relative ease while using my 1st round draft picks solely on RBs. Wondering if others around here use a similar approach?

Players that seem like good candidates to buy for a 2nd round pick right now could include Alshon Jeffery, Larry Fitzgerald, Golden Tate, Emmanuel Sanders and others around that age + production standpoint.

For reference my last couple rookie drafts have consisted of the following:
2016: Derrick Henry @ 1.06
2017: Fournette @ 1.01, Mixon @ 1.02, CMC @ 1.04, Hunt @ 1.07 (I sold the farm that offseason to acquire rookie picks)
2018: Saquon @ 1.01, Penny @ 1.04

and I don't own any WRs under 25 since I don't draft any and nobody wants to sell the young players. But at the same time, I get to compete every year because I don't have to wait for the 3rd year breakout for rookie WRs.

Just thought I'd stir up the discussion and see what people do with aging WRs

[FantasyFreak]

How did you acquire 2018 1.01 if you sold the farm for all those picks in 2017, out of curiosity? Did you take advantage of the league rube?

[Orenthal Shames]

It's my go to move if the opportunity presents itself. I've rode the likes of Crabtree and Sanders to titles when they carried little value in my league.

I'm not sure Alshon will come that cheap given his showing well with Foles. Also, i don't think I'd pay a 2nd for Sanders now. He's about to turn 32 and will likely miss most, if not all this season.

Trying to buy AJG myself. Tate could be a nice addition at that price.

[moishetreats]

Don't forget Edelman as part of this strategy.

[Huh]

It’s always risky business. Bought Edelman for the stretch run for a second and it payed off but I’m afraid I’m stuck with him for the duration of his career. I don’t know that I’ll be able to get anything for him especially if Brady rides off.

[guyatwork37]

It’s always risky business. Bought Edelman for the stretch run for a second and it payed off but I’m afraid I’m stuck with him for the duration of his career. I don’t know that I’ll be able to get anything for him especially if Brady rides off.

Yeah, but if you won who cares if you have a middling piece for a couple if years. You won with that move.

[Orenthal Shames]

It’s always risky business. Bought Edelman for the stretch run for a second and it payed off but I’m afraid I’m stuck with him for the duration of his career. I don’t know that I’ll be able to get anything for him especially if Brady rides off.

Yeah, but if you won who cares if you have a middling piece for a couple if years. You won with that move.

x2. Rings over errything

[Fantasy_Schmantasy]

This is my strategy. I’m trying to get my hands on AJG and Hilton right now. 28-30 is not a bad window to buy guys people are trying to offload. One of my favorite strategies for getting depth.

Guys like Fitzgerald and Edelman have had value to me even when I can’t get more than an early 3rd.

[osubuckeyeman]

Bought Edelman in the offseason of 2017 for a 3rd. He promptly got popped for PED. I had to see him sit for the start of 2018 but not bad value for a 3rd. I tried selling him at the trade deadline and no takers. I made the playoffs but was sure someone would take him off my hands for the playoff run. No takers. I'll keep him for depth but would also part with him if a team wanted to do a deal. Tough to buy a WR at age 33 and even tougher to get value for a player at the age of 33.

[Huh]

It’s always risky business. Bought Edelman for the stretch run for a second and it payed off but I’m afraid I’m stuck with him for the duration of his career. I don’t know that I’ll be able to get anything for him especially if Brady rides off.

Yeah, but if you won who cares if you have a middling piece for a couple if years. You won with that move.

I won by like fifty, but yes he put up double digits from the moment I got him so no regrets. He might have enough juice to help me longer than I expect.

[Vcize]

In general it's probably a good idea, but it's far from all peaches and sunshine. AJG is a name everyone is throwing around as a buy low but for every Larry Fitzgerald that bounces back and keeps going there is a Demaryius Thomas or Dez Bryant that fades away.

[ArrylT]

AJ Green just went for the 1.03 or 1.04 in one of my leagues (clarion contrarion can confirm) - so some aging WRs can maintain their value - all depends on the league of course.

[dynastyninja]

It's easy to do well right now buying aging WRs when your draft nets you RBs like Saquon, CMC, and others. At that point it doesn't matter who your receivers are as long as they are "good enough."

It won't always be like that, though. A few years ago the strategy was to buy cheap RBs and invest heavily in WRs. It's the ebb and flow of the NFL, and there shouldn't be one specific strategy you rely on. It's all about who the players are.

Specifically to the old WR point, buying short term, aging assets is risky if you're paying a 1st or more. If that player's production can be directly tied to you getting the necessary point bump to win a championship, then it's worth it, but that usually isn't the case and I'd be very hesitant to pay more than a 2nd (not that anyone is advocating that for most guys).

[Pullo Vision]

I can't see AJG as ever being a buy low- way too much name value. The games missed over recent years turns me off, too.

Julio came from the same class, but he's not a buy low opportunity, either.

About two weeks after he got dealt to Philly, Tate was sold for a 1st in one of my leagues. Obviously depends league to league, but that doesn't strike me as a cheap price. Now he's a FA with unknown team/role.

Definitely like buying older WRs for depth when the price is low enough. I've bought Fitzgerald in one league, Edelman is a good call, and I think Baldwin would qualify.

[btv802]

I bought AJ Green recently. The deal was Joe Mixon & Mike Williams for Melvin Gordon & A.J. Green. Felt like decent value from a guy who was rebuilding his roster a bit.