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 6 of the NFL season.
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Week 6 Fantasy Football Risers
Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB, MIA)
Everyone's favorite streamer is, perhaps...not a streamer? Ryan Fitzpatrick has posted between 23 and 27 fantasy points in four straight games. That's beyond streamer territory. That's a legitimate QB1. Most encouraging is his performance hasn't fluctuated based on caliber of opponent or game script. The Dolphins have become a passing team and they are letting Fitzpatrick sling it. With the Dolphins likely to beat the Jets this week and return to .500, we are nowhere near Tua Time. If you lost Dak Prescott, look no further than Fitzmagic to replace him.
Chase Claypool (WR, PIT)
Of course Chase Claypool was going to appear here. The rookie did not just put up what will almost certainly be the best wide receiver performance of the season, he put up one of the best fantasy performances of all time. Claypool became a near every down player following Diontae Johnson's early exit for a second consecutive game and absolutely dominated. Claypool commanded 11 targets, catching even of them for 110 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score. It wasn't just volume either. Claypool looked like the super athlete he is. Don't expect anything near this again, but after what Claypool did, it seems impossible for the Steelers to keep him off the field. At the very least, he should be a weekly flex option.
Brandin Cooks (WR, HOU)
There can be no denying that Brandin Cooks' value is on the rise, so he is a required name, but I am admittedly skeptical over how real Cooks' explosion is. Cooks has two games with 20 receiving yards and one game where we went without a reception. Last week, Cooks popped off for 161 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions. Is this a sign of things to come or just a blip? We will find out. But Cooks' increased involvement is definitely something we like to see.
Chase Edmonds (RB, ARI)
Every week, fantasy analysts are like, "If not now, when?" referring to Kenyan Drake. That's because the Cardinals have an extremely favorable schedule. Yet, every week, Drake fails to produce. Enter Chase Edmonds - the far superior talent - who has been far more effective. Edmonds is averaging nearly five targets a game and is coming off a season high 45% of the snaps. It's only a matter of time before the ineffective Drake is supplanted in this timeshare by Edmonds.
Alexander Mattison (RB, MIN)
With Dalvin Cook's groin injury, one of the most reliable backups in the league, Alexander Mattison, is now a three down RB1. Mattison displayed his ability with 112 yards on 20 carries last week while adding 24 yards on three receptions. From a fantasy perspective, the drop off from Cook to Mattison is minimal, at best. Mattison is an auto-start every week until Cook returns.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Fallers
Lamar Jackson (QB, BAL)
The reigning MVP has not done anything specific to appear here. Rather, it's his season long performance. Lamar Jackson just isn't anywhere near worth the third round pick it cost to get him. Jackson is a back end QB1 with just two games over 17 fantasy points. The Ravens have yet to play a competitive game. They were on the right side of a blowout in their four wins and they got blown out by the Chiefs. No matter the scenario, Jackson isn't being leaned on - the Ravens are winning with ball control and defense. The schedule is about to get more difficult. Fantasy managers can only hope that unlocks the 2019 version of Jackson.
Dalton Schultz (TE, DAL)
With Dak Prescott's season over, it's hard to envision the Cowboys offense remaining anywhere near as prolific with Andy Dalton. This may be a bit premature, but in the limited amount of Dalton we saw, it was Dalton Schultz who was the odd man out between him, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, and Michael Gallup. Asking Dalton to support four fantasy relevant pass catchers is a tall task. Dalton is one of, if not the best backup quarterback in the NFL, but he's not Dak Prescott. This offense will take a hit and by the looks of it, Schultz may take the biggest one.
Tyler Lockett (WR, SEA)
To the surprise of, well, at least not me, D.K. Metcalf is the WR1 in Seattle. Russell Wilson is certainly capable of supporting two WR1s. He very well may. But we've seen Tyler Lockett just disappear before and it may be happening again. After three straight WR1 weeks, Lockett has failed to top 44 yards in each of his last two, while Metcalf dominates. Lockett will be fine, but understand that these weeks will happen far more to him than they will to Metcalf.
A.J. Green (WR, CIN)
There are rumors of the Bengals shopping A.J. Green. There are people who think that matters. It does not. I reiterate: A.J. Green is done.
Jerick McKinnon (RB, SF)
Even with Raheem Mostert's return, it was expected that Jerick McKinnon would maintain some sort of role. Nope. McKinnon was only in the game when Mostert, the clear three down back, needed a breather. McKinnon played 92% of the snaps in Week 4 with Mostert out. In Week 5, McKinnon played just 25% of the snaps. He is completely irrelevant unless Mostert gets hurt again.
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