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Whether due to their own play, the play of others, or injuries, players' stock increases and decreases on a weekly basis. Perhaps more than any other, the NFL is a league that experiences ups and downs at a rapid pace. With only 16 games, there’s little room for error and seemingly endless opportunities for improvement. The same goes for fantasy football; managing rosters effectively is key to winning that championship.
Throughout the season, players get hot and see an increased role while others struggle and fight to stay relevant. Experienced fantasy players know this happens every year. In this weekly column, we’ll showcase those who have taken important steps forward and those who have taken steps back.
Below are my key risers and fallers heading into Week 15 of the NFL season. You can also check out our other articles throughout the week, discussing other fantasy football risers and fallers as well.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers received five total writing awards and 13 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, tops in the industry! Congrats to all the award winners and nominees including Best NFL Series, MLB Series, NBA Writer, PGA Writer and Player Notes writer of the year. Be sure to follow their analysis, rankings and advice all year long, and win big with RotoBaller! Read More!
Week 15 Risers
Daesean Hamilton (WR, DEN)
The future is now in Denver as their two top-level WR prospects, poised to arrive in 2019, have been forced into action a year early due to trade and injury. Daesean Hamilton started last week and saw nine targets filling in for Emmanuel Sanders. He's the WR2 now and needs to be owned in all leagues.
Robert Foster (WR, BUF)
Yes, that is a Buffalo Bill listed here. Do not adjust your screens. It's real. Robert Foster saw eight targets last week and now has a 90-yard game and two 100 yard games in his last four. The Bills get the Lions' bottom five pass defense this week. Foster is a legitimate WR3 option.
Justin Jackson (RB, LAC)
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. With Melvin Gordon still out and now Austin Ekeler likely to sit on Thursday, Justin Jackson finds himself poised for a heavy workload in the most important week of the fantasy season. In a projected shootout with the Chiefs, you want Jackson in your lineup.
Ito Smith (RB, ATL)
The Falcons have been dreadful running the ball this season, but they have a very favorable Week 15 opponent in the Cardinals. Ito Smith actually out-carried Tevin Coleman last week and this seems to be pushing more towards an even timeshare as Coleman struggles to do anything impressive.
Ian Thomas (TE, CAR)
With Greg Olsen out, Ian Thomas stepped into his role and promptly commanded 11 targets. He ran the third most routes at the position last week as well. Thomas might very well be a top-five option in a TE wasteland.
Week 15 Fallers
Kenny Golladay (WR, DET)
Not just a faller, but a "get him off your roster now" faller, Kenny Golladay is a fantasy landmine right now. He's still super talented, and I believe in him big time for 2019 and going forward, but Matt Stafford couldn't be playing much worse, and there is no deliberate effort to get Golladay the ball. He saw just four targets last week and finishes the season against the Bills and Xavier Rhodes. He can't be anywhere near your lineup.
Calvin Ridley (WR, ATL)
It's almost like the third WR on a mediocre offense isn't someone you can rely on. There has never been a deliberate effort to get Calvin Ridley the ball all season. His big games were just happenstance - a product of how the game flowed that particular week. He's caught more than three balls just once over his past five games. He can't be trusted.
Gus Edwards (RB, BAL)
This is what happens when you are a replacement level talent that is a literal zero in the passing game. Gus Edwards either falls into the end zone or he's not very productive. Edwards is good at running straight. That's it. He will not be the Ravens starting RB in 2019. He may not even be their starting RB next week. Kenneth Dixon looks better because he is better. His next two opponents are favorable matchups, but, again, he has to score to be useful.
James White (RB, NE)
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. James White was an every week RB1 for a while. Now, he's splitting time with Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead. White didn't even touch the ball until the middle of the second quarter last week. White will still have his games, but the days of him being reliable are over.
