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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.
These are the key risers and fallers heading into Week 11 of the NFL season. Dynasty owners, check out our separate Dynasty Risers/Fallers segment 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 11 Risers
Marcus Mariota (QB, TEN)
It's really difficult for a QB to find his way onto this list since the position is so deep. Marcus Mariota deserves it. His recent play suggests that perhaps he really was hampered by injury early in the season. After throwing just three touchdowns over his first six games, Mariota has thrown four in his last two. Last week's game against the Patriots should've been even bigger, but given that it was one of the least competitive games of the year, Mariota wasn't asked to do much. With his remaining schedule mostly favorable, Mariota could be poised for a strong finish.
Allen Robinson (WR, CHI)
This is the Allen Robinson we all hoped to see. It wasn't just the 133 yards receiving and two touchdowns, it was that he finally looked smooth out there doing it. With Mitch Trubisky operating at a Patrick Mahomes level for fantasy purposes, ARob is the primary beneficiary. He looks to be completely over his groin injury and I'm optimistic this is the beginning of an upward trend and not a fluke.
Josh Reynolds (WR, LAR)
With Cooper Kupp done for the season, Josh Reynolds will step into a near every-down role as the Rams' new WR3. Reynolds has no shot at matching Kupp's production, but his value spikes from irrelevant free agent to legitimate WR4 with WR3 upside.
David Johnson (RB, ARI)
I am so excited to be able to put David Johnson on this list. It finally happened. Only took 10 weeks. DJ had a vintage 2016 game, leading the team in both rushing and receiving. With the most favorable remaining schedule for RBs, DJ is ready to reward fantasy owners that stuck by him with a scorching hot finish.
Aaron Jones (RB, GB)
It finally happened. Mike McCarthy handed over the backfield to Aaron Jones and boy did he deliver. The Packers' second most talented Aaron ripped off 145 yards on 15 carries, scoring twice. He dominated snaps ahead of Jamaal Williams and I can't fathom even a coach as clueless as McCarthy will deny Jones now. Jones could very well be a league winner.
Week 11 Fallers
Jarvis Landry (WR, CLE)
Freddie Kitchens has opened up the offense for Baker Mayfield in a huge way. Unfortunately, this hasn't helped Jarvis Landry. The criticism of Landry used to be that he needed volume to produce. Well, he's getting the volume he needs and still not producing. Landry has just two touchdowns on the season and a total of three quality fantasy performances. Against the hapless Falcons defense, Landry mustered all of 22 yards on two receptions. He is trending in the wrong direction.
Golden Tate (WR, PHI)
It's easy to chalk up Golden Tate's lack of usage to him being new and just learning the playbook, but we saw Demaryius Thomas and Amari Cooper be heavily involved immediately upon joining their new teams. The reality is Tate went from being the Lions top option in the passing game to, at best, the third option for the Eagles. I have a feeling Tate will finish the season on waiver wires.
Kenyan Drake (RB, MIA)
I have no idea what the Dolphins are doing. Kenyan Drake is so clearly superior to Frank Gore in every way and has been productive this year when given volume, yet Adam Gase hates him for some reason. Gore played just five fewer snaps and that was mostly due to negative game script. If Gase had his way, Gore would've played more than Drake. That's unacceptable and one of the many reasons the Dolphins are an embarrassingly bad franchise and it is torpedoing Drake's fantasy value.
Chris Carson (RB, SEA)
The former starting RB for the Seahawks didn't play last week, which allowed both Mike Davis and Rashaad Penny to show how much better they are than Chris Carson. There's a chance none of this matters because Pete Carroll hates winning football games, but Carson's time as the primary back surely might be over. It will be exceedingly difficult for him to play through an injury while attempting to fend off two more talented backs, one of which is a first-round rookie.
