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Stock Performers 2019 week 3

By Michael Valverde

Even though there are many great performances and several mediocre performances, the players stock usually remains the same. Patrick Mahomes is always going to be in the top echelon while Mitchell Trubisky is going to trend toward the bottom. What will be discussed in this and future articles are those players that are rapidly moving up or down based on the athlete's weekly performance. In doing so, hopefully, this will bring more clarity to those on the radar for waiver wire choices, those that need to be bypassed, traded for, or denied.

STOCK UP

Daniel Jones-QB-NYG
The rookie got his first opportunity and did not spoil his chance. Daniel Jones did not only pass for 336 yards and two touchdowns but also carried the ball four times for 28 yards and a pair of scores in the victory over Tampa Bay. Jones completed 64 percent of his passes (23/36) at 9.3 yards per attempt. Jones' performance made everyone on the coaching staff look smart, and he should continue to be the starting quarterback. Next up, Washington.

Jacoby Brissett-QB-IND
Jacoby Brissett picked apart the Atlanta Falcons defense completing 28 of 37 passes for 310 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Brissett also rushed for four yards on three carries, one being a critical first down conversion. Brissett was good on 76 percent of his passes and had two or more touchdowns in all three games. Even without T.Y. Hilton for the second half, Brissett was still accurate and led them on the drive to secure the victory. He hit nine different receivers overall. Next up, Oakland.

Frank Gore-RB-BUF
Not too many people would believe that the dinosaur in Frank Gore could rush for more than three yards per carry. Gore proved the doubters wrong when he went for 76 yards on 14 carries (6.5 yards per carry) in the victory over the Bengals. His score was the game decider. Gore also added two receptions to his totals. Two weeks in a row, Gore has scored a touchdown and has gained over 65-yards. Next up, New England.

Phillip Lindsay-RB-DEN
The Denver Broncos have been installing a full-blown running back by committee (RBBC). Last week against the Packers Phillip Lindsay ran for 81-yards and a score on 21 carries. Lindsay also added four receptions for 49-yards. The Packers defense has been outstanding against the pass this season could not support the run very well, and Lindsay exploited them. In all three games, Lindsay has caught four passes, so in lack of production in the rushing game has been made up in his receiving ability. Next up, Jacksonville.

Cooper Kupp-WR-LAR
Coming off an ACL injury Cooper Kupp has been outstanding this season. Last week was no different as Kupp caught 11 of his 12 targets for 102 yards and two touchdowns in the victory over the Browns. Two weeks in a row, he has gone over the century mark. There is an apparent connection between Jared Goff and Kupp, and that should continue. Over the first three games, Kupp is averaging 7.7 receptions on 10.3 targets for 89.3 yards per game this season. Next up, Tampa Bay.

Phillip Dorsett-WR-NE
Phillip Dorsett has been a mostly forgotten man since he became the Indianapolis Colts first-round pick in 2015. Dorsett has not had more than 33 receptions in a season, but that seems as though it is going to change. In just three games, Dorsett has 13 receptions for 187 yards and three touchdowns. His three scores ties for the most in his career. Dorsett is third in offensive snaps, mostly due to Antonio Brown taking 24 of those away from him in Week 2. Last week, Dorsett caught six of seven targets for 53 yards and a score in the victory over the Jets. Next up, Buffalo.

Nelson Agholor-WR-PHI
Nelson Agholor caught eight of 12 targets for 50 yards but added two touchdowns in the loss to the Lions. With both Alshon Jeffery (calf) and DeSean Jackson (groin) out, Agholor took advantage of the situation. Agholor's receptions and targets became a team-high. In Week 2 against Atlanta, Agholor had 11 targets and he caught eight for 107 yards and a score. Agholor now has three touchdowns in the last two weeks. His target trend should continue as Jackson will be out. Next up, Green Bay.

Austin Hooper-TE-ATL
Austin Hooper has been stable over the last three games, and against the Colts he continued his success. Hooper caught six balls for 66 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets. Hooper has shown no signs of slowing down after going to the Pro Bowl last season. Overall, he is tied in receptions (19) with Julio Jones, receiving yards (177) is second, and scores (2) while tied for second with Calvin Ridley for team totals. Next up, Tennessee.

Darren Waller-TE-OAK
Darren Waller has not only turned his life around but has been successful on the football field as well. Last week versus Minnesota, Waller pulled in 13 of his 14 targets for 134 yards and even had one running attempt for seven yards. Waller is third among tight ends in the NFL with 8.67 targets per game, first in receptions (8.67), and first in receptions (26), and tied for second in touchdowns (2) with seven others. He has been targeted at least seven times in three straight and catches 90 percent of his passes. Next up, Indianapolis.

STOCK DOWN

Baker Mayfield-QB-CLE
It was another disappointing game for Baker Mayfield. Mayfield completed just half his passes and threw for only 195 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the loss to the Rams. Mayfield is not getting a lot of time to throw as his offensive line is giving up nearly four sacks a game. Mayfield in the last two weeks was getting at least 300 yards per game, but his 3:5 touchdown to interception ratio is killing their offense. Next up, Buffalo.

Aaron Rodgers-QB-GB
Unfortunately, this may be the end of Aaron Rodgers. The future Hall of Fame quarterback is struggling. Last week in the victory against the Broncos, Rodgers had his highest yardage total (235) and for the second time in three weeks only threw one touchdown. Rodgers also had his lowest completion percentage on the season with 58.6 percent, completing 17 of 29 passes. The score came on a free play after a penalty on the defense as Rodgers threw a 40-yarder to Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Rodgers and the Packers offense will try to get on track next week. Next up, Philadelphia.

Le'Veon Bell-RB-NYJ
Le'Veon Bell's lack of production has more to do with his offensive line and lack of playmakers than it does his skill. Bell for the second time in three games, had a discrepancy of fewer than 10 yards between his rushing and receiving yards. Overall, Bell has 163 yards on the ground on 56 attempts (2.9 ypc) compared to his 121 yards in the air. Even his lone score came on a pass. They have a bye next week, so perhaps that can be a change to the offense.

Kerryon Johnson-RB-DET
The Lions used Kerryon Johnson extensively, but perhaps they should not have. Johnson rushed 20 times and put up 36 yards for an ugly 1.8 ypc. Johnson did score once and added one reception, but through three games it has been a difficult season for the second year running back. Johnson has 48 carries and 126 yards for 2.6 yards per carry overall this season. On a positive note, Johnson has two touchdowns this season. Next up, Kansas City.

Chris Carson-RB-SEA
If fumbles did not exist in football, Chris Carson would be an exceptional running back. Unfortunately for him, they do exist. Once again, Carson fumbled last week in the loss against the Saints. On the day, Carson put up 53 yards on 15 carries and caught one pass for negative yards. Carson has fumbled the ball four times in three games, and the dog house looms. The only thing keeping him away is Rashaad Penny (hamstring) is injured, and they can't turn to the lightweight C.J. Prosise for heavy carries. It will be interesting to see how the carries are spread across once Penny returns. Next up, Arizona.

James Conner-RB-PIT
Mason Rudolph adequate quarterback play did not help James Conner nor his struggles over the last three weeks. Over that period, Conner has rushed for 97 yards on 34 attempts for a miserable 2.85 yards per carry average. Conner is getting in about four receptions per game, so that is helping out his numbers, but his one touchdown is also a blemish. Next up, Cincinnati.

Davante Adams-WR-GB
Davante Adams is struggling, but only because Rodgers has not been himself. Adams does lead the team in receptions (15), yards (198), but has not scored a touchdown. However, Rodgers has only thrown four touchdowns during the season. Adams receptions place him tied for 37th among five others after finishing seventh with 111 last year. His yardage statistics place him at 36th among wide receivers after being 11th in 2018. Next up, Philadelphia.

Stefon Diggs-WR-MIN
Stefon Diggs is just not getting the volume. The Vikings are not a passing team this season. Kirk Cousins has only 63 attempts which are dead last in the NFL among those quarterbacks playing in all three games. Cousins has Jimmy Garoppolo above him, and he has 21 more throws. On the season Diggs has just 12 targets catching six of those for 101 yards and a score. Diggs has been targeted fewer than four times in two of three games. Next up, Chicago.

DeAndre Hopkins-WR-HOU
DeAndre Hopkins is catching five or more passes each week but has struggled in finding the end zone. His two touchdowns arrived in Week 1 against New Orleans, which also happens to be his last 100-yard performance. In Hopkins previous two contests, he has caught 11 balls on 15 targets for 107 yards. These totals nearly match his statistical output against the Saints (8-111-2). Against the Chargers, Hopkins caught six of seven targets for 67 yards with a long of 34 as his other five catches went for a total of 33. Next up, Carolina.