RADIO
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.
These are the key risers and fallers heading into Week 10 of the NFL season.
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Week 10 Fantasy Football Risers
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
The debut of Tua Tagovailoa was a bit unheralded because Jared Goff was so bad that Tua didn't have to do much. In his second start, he had to duel Kyler Murray, and he was up to the task. Tua completed 71% of his passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns while adding 35 yards on the ground. Tua looks every bit like the elite prospect he is supposed to be. The Dolphins do not have a difficult matchup remaining all season. Tua is a legitimate fantasy option the rest of the way.
Evan Engram, New York Giants
It doesn't take much for a tight end to be worth starting. Evan Engram has put together three straight weeks of double digit fantasy points while seeing nine, 10, and 10 targets in those games. Engram still has issues with drops, but there is no denying his athleticism and status as a mismatch for linebackers so as long as the targeting is there, Engram is an every week starter at fantasy's weakest position.
Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots
The Patriots are completely bereft of talent on offense, which has propelled Jakobi Meyers into the WR1 role. Meyers has stepped up with 24 targets over his last two games and double digit fantasy points in three straight. Meyers put up 169 yards on Monday night and will undoubtedly be this week's top waiver add at wide receiver. Cam Newton still hasn't thrown a touchdown pass since Week 3, but Meyers is clearly his top target and that has value in fantasy football.
Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers
We can no longer deny Curtis Samuel. There is little doubt as to what the pecking order looks like for the Panthers. Robby Anderson remains the top option. Even though Samuel has out-produced him over the past three weeks, Anderson is still seeing the most targets. What is not up for debate is who the better fantasy asset is between Samuel and D.J. Moore. One of these guys is a completely unstartable WR4 and the other is Curtis Samuel. Samuel caught all nine of his targets last week for his first 100 yard game of the season and a touchdown. Samuel has scored in three straight and is venturing into must start territory, especially with Christian McCaffrey back on the shelf.
Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Yet another rookie wide receiver broke out. In Week 9, it was Jerry Jeudy commanding 14 targets and catching seven for 125 yards and a touchdown. It wasn't just the box score that was impressive, though. Jeudy was running routes like a five year veteran and getting open at will. It took a while for someone to step up in Courtland Sutton's absence. Jeudy is now that guy. The remaining schedule is very favorable. Jeudy could legitimately be a league winner.
Kalen Ballage, Los Angeles Chargers
I cannot believe that the man I believe to be the worst running back to ever play in the NFL is now someone that may matter in fantasy. With Austin Ekeler nowhere near a return, Justin Jackson hurt, Troymane Pope hurt, and Joshua Kelley having fallen out of favor, it was Kalen Ballage who led the Chargers' backfield in touches last week. Ballage was somehow the overall RB4 last week with 15 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown plus two receptions for 15 yards. Ballage is by no means talented, but he actually looked competent for the first time in his career. Ballage was sent back to the practice squad, but he could easily be activated before Sunday if needed. The running back position is a disaster this season so Ballage could actually be worth a start if Jackson and Pope are out.
Week 10 Fantasy Football Fallers
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
Ryan Tannehill has multiple touchdown passes in all but one game this season. Unfortunately, the running Titans have returned and since Tannehill's 364 four touchdown explosion against the Texans, he's seen his volume and production drop in each consecutive week. Tannehill's attempts went from 41 to 30 to 30 to just 1 last week. In a game the Titans won, Tannehill completed just 10 passes. That is what Mike Vrabel wants. With his next three matchups against the Colts twice and the Ravens, Tannehill is not a QB1 for the remainder of the fantasy regular season.
D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers
I won't belabor the point too much as much of the D.J. Moore criticism is contained in the Curtis Samuel section above. Moore is only on fantasy rosters because of his name and a couple fluke touchdowns. Moore has four games this season with double digit fantasy points, which means he has five games in the single digits. Out of his 62 targets this season, more than half (33) came in three games. In his other six games, he's averaging fewer than five targets per game. He's an afterthought in the offense and a desperation flex in fantasy.
Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals
It's rare that a running back is a faller after a 28 touch game, but when you play as poorly as Chase Edmonds did, it's warranted. Many, myself included, expected Edmonds to seize the starting role and run with it during Kenyan Drake's absence. Edmonds did nothing of the sort. He turned his 25 carries into just 70 yards. When you lead all running backs in touches on a given week, I expect more than barely an RB2. Edmonds may get the backfield to himself for another week or two, but so far, he's done nothing to prevent Drake from returning to his prior role upon his return.
DeeJay Dallas, Seattle Seahawks
Fantasy managers were hoping to squeak out one more game from DeeJay Dallas with Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde out. We got that, but we wish we didn't. If not for Dallas walking into the end zone for a short touchdown, it would've been a total disaster. Dallas touched the ball just nine times, ceding snaps to not just Travis Homer, but sub-replacement level talent, Alex Collins, who was activated just a few days prior. Given Dallas' poor performance and the likelihood of Carson or Hyde returning soon, Dallas' time in the spotlight is coming to an end.
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