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, and 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. Dynasty owners, check out our separate Dynasty Risers/Fallers segment as well.
Week 6 Risers
Keke Coutee (WR, HOU)
This is now two weeks in a row for Keke Coutee and officially something to pay attention to. Initially, I thought Coutee's increased usage was correlated to Will Fuller's absence. Well, Fuller played Sunday night and Coutee still saw seven targets and was moving all over the formation. He looked like a key part of the offense. Coutee has emerged into a legitimate WR3.
Cameron Meredith (WR, NO)
With each passing week, Cameron Meredith is more and more involved in the Saints offense. Last week, Meredith caught all five of his targets for 71 yards. It is only a matter of time before he establishes himself as the clear WR2 in this offense. With the bye week coming up, now is a great time to make a move on Meredith.
Mark Ingram (RB, NO)
Welcome back, Mark Ingram. It was like he never left. Ingram started and and saw a team high 16 carries including multiple goal line looks. Ingram looks to be right back into his previous role. Those who drafted him and waited are going to be rewarded. Given the state of the RB position this year, Ingram is a locked in high end RB2.
Wendell Smallwood (RB, PHI)
Jay Ajayi tore his ACL, but Wendell Smallwood was going to be on this list regardless. Smallwood, like every other RB on the Eagles, is better at football than Ajayi. Smallwood has been consistently performing better than Ajayi and now will likely be the lead back in the committee. He is the preferred option going forward ahead of Corey Clement.
Joe Mixon (RB, CIN)
"Not ready for a full workload." Sure Marvin, whatever you say. Joe Mixon returned from injury and saw his heaviest workload of his career. He did not disappoint. Mixon touched the ball 25 times last week and with the Bengals easy schedule, he can be an RB1 down the stretch.
Alfred Blue (RB, HOU)
Lamar Miller is terrible at football. Alfred Blue started over a not really healthy Miller and performed better than Miller has all season. Blue may very well have supplanted Miller, which is something the Texans have been looking to have someone do for a while. Blue is a free square RB2 and gets a nice matchup with the Bills to start.
Week 6 Fallers
Mike Williams (WR, LAC)
I hate to say I told you so. Mike Williams was thriving on smoke and mirrors to start the season. As soon as the touchdowns went, so would his production. That has happened the past two weeks. Williams is not a must own in standard sized leagues as he's seen four targets or fewer in three out of five games this year.
Amari Cooper (WR, OAK)
I just wanted to put him here again to remind everyone that you can never trust Amari Cooper. He has been the most inconsistent WR in fantasy this year and while boom/bust WRs do have value, Cooper's bust weeks are just so incredibly low (9, 17, 10 yards) that he's just not worth the boom.
Alvin Kamara (RB, NO)
Before you accuse me of overreacting to one game, I still think Alvin Kamara is a clear RB1 and likely still a top six RB at that. He is here because his overall weekly ceiling is now a bit lower due to Mark Ingram's return. Kamara is not going to touch the ball 25 times. He probably won't even get to 20 most games. Ingram is going to steal goal line carries and some early down snaps. He will do enough to mostly take those 35+ point games off the table for Kamara. That's all this means.
Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman (RBs, ATL)
The Falcons backfield looks like it is heading down the path of Packers backfield - a good offense that uses three running backs such that none of them have value. Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman usually, at worst, will combine to be a high end RB2. The two combined for just 11 fantasy points. To add insult to insult, Ito Smith stole the goal line carry. I'm sure they will have their moments going forward, but neither is very trustworthy right now.
