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Risers and Fallers: Week 16 
By David Cherney
Hey fantasy football-ers, welcome to the fantasy football finals edition of risers and fallers This column highlights a few players at the QB, RB, WR, and TE positions that are trending upwards or downwards going into the biggest week of the fantasy season. Predicted trends are largely based on usage and targets – using FootballDiehards’ target and target zone data tool. In the piece, you’ll find players both on your waiver wire and on active rosters. My goal is to give you a competitive edge on your fantasy rivals who may not watch these trends as closely as you. RISING Quarterbacks Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins RG3’s situation with Jay Gruden and the Redskins is complicated. We don’t even know if the former 2nd-overall pick will be back in Washington next year. However, we do know that he’ll get the start this week. This past week, he actually played well (despite having a touchdown taken from him on a questionable call). He’s still hard to trust. However, he’s startable in the finals in a two-QB league or if you’re weak at the position. Running Backs Latavius Murray, RB, Raiders I’m getting bored of including Murray in this column (this is his fourth or fifth time being mentioned here). However, he’s available in 44% of Yahoo leagues, so I still won’t remove him. He’s still clearly the lead back in Oakland (out-touched his teammates 14-4 this week). The Raiders figure to lean heavily on the run against the Bills this weekend. As has been the case for over a month now, Murray is an absolute must add. He’s a solid start in the finals. Joseph Randle, RB, Cowboys Demarco Murray had surgery on Monday, and his status is still up in the air for the Cowboys’ matchup with the Colts this weekend. If he can’t go, Joseph Randle instantly becomes one of the most attractive starters in fantasy. The Cowboys’ offense is built around its offensive line – a unit that deserves much (if not most) of the credit for Murray’s success this season. It’s expected that Randle would assume lead duties if Murray can’t go, and should start in every league if it happens. Toby Gerhart, RB, Jaguars To be honest, I’m really nervous to include Gerhart here. Arguably the biggest bust of the season, Gerhart cannot be trusted. However, an injury to Denard Robinson and a juicy matchup against the Titans on Thursday warrants some consideration. This past week, he dominated touches in the Jags’ backfield. Don’t expect big things from Gerhart – I still don’t see him as a top 20-25 back. But you could do worse. Wide Recievers Harry Douglas, WR, Falcons Many experts highlighted Douglas as a strong start after Julio Jones was ruled out last week. In the past, Douglas has shined multiple times in the absence of Jones and Roddy White. This past week, Douglas did not disappoint. He caught 10 of 14 targets for 131 yards – all team highs. If Julio can’t go again this week, Douglas is a very solid start in the finals – especially in PPR leagues. Marquess Wilson, WR, Bears Continuing with the theme of receivers getting attention due to an injured teammate, Wilson became an attractive start in the absence of Brandon Marshall this past Monday night. Although he only caught three passes for 16 yards, he saw five targets and found the end zone. There are likely more attractive starters than Wilson this week, but he’s worth a look in deeper leagues. The Bears get the Lions at home this week. Tight Ends Charles Clay, TE, Dolphins If your team made the finals, it’s almost a certainty that you have a solid TE to start this week. For those that were able to make it this far without a solid tight end, however, Clay is worth a look. He caught 6-of-7 targets this week. Jarvis Landry has continued his emergence as the number one option in Miami, but Clay still has upside. I see him as a top 15-20 TE this week. You could do worse. FALLING Quarterbacks: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Dolphins Tannehill has continued to show upside – he threw for 346 yards this week. Many have pointed the blame on the coaches and other teammates. The bottom line, however, is that his inability to finish off drives and his tendency to turn the ball over has made him a no-go in fantasy this week. Further, the Vikings tend to be unfriendly towards fantasy quarterbacks. Running Backs: Isaiah Crowell, RB, Browns Just a few weeks ago, Crowell was easily a top-15 running back in fantasyland. However, counterpart Terrance West has gotten the start in two straight games. Further, Mike Pettine said that Crowell is being bothered by his hip injury. The Browns’ quarterback situation doesn’t make this any better. Crowell is a borderline starter this week. I’d rather him on my bench in the finals. Terrance West, RB, Browns Similar to Crowell, West is no longer an attractive option in a system that couldn’t move the ball at all in Cincinnati this past week. West only carried the ball five times. It’s clear that the Browns are committed to a timeshare between West and Crowell. It’s also clear that they’ll be a fantasy wasteland for the rest of the season. Avoid all Browns. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs Charles’ touches the past three weeks: 14, 12, 13. This isn’t the volume we look for in an elite fantasy running back. This past week, Chiefs’ coaches pulled Charles in favor of Knile Davis at the goal line. Davis ended up with 10 touches and two scores. Charles probably shouldn’t find the fantasy benches this week, unless you’re stacked at the position. However, expectations need to adjust. Wide Recievers Josh Gordon, WR, Colts If you stashed Gordon on your bench all year in hopes of getting an elite receiver for the fantasy playoffs, you’re disappointed. He’s caught a combined five balls in the past two games, as many question his work ethic and athletic shape. In the finals, I wouldn’t trust Gordon (or any Browns’ player). He obviously has breakout potential, but I think a stinker is more likely this week against the Panthers. Sammy Watkins, WR, Bills In the year of the rookie WR, Sammy has entered the fantasy shadows in recent weeks. He hasn’t caught more than three balls in five of his past seven games (!!). He’s only scored one touchdown in that span. He’s also been held under 40 yards in five of his last six games. I’d much rather have Watkins on my bench this week against the Raiders. |
