Fantasy Football Risers and Fallers - Week 3

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 3 of the NFL season. Dynasty owners, check out our separate Dynasty Risers/Fallers segment as well.

Week 3 Risers

Ben Roethlisberger (QB, PIT)

After a turnover riddled Week 1, Ben Roethlisberger bounced back in the comfy confines of Heinz Field, where he does his best work. Roethlisberger attempted an astounding 60 passes, completing 39 of them for 452 yards and three touchdowns. It's the type of performance we've come to expect a few times a year from Big Ben at home, but never on the road. You should probably not start him on the road this week.

Keelan Cole (WR, JAX)

A popular breakout candidate, Keelan Cole disappointed in Week 1 when he wasn't used like a true WR1. That all changed in Week 2 when Cole saw eight targets, catching seven of them for 116 yards and a score. Cole's touchdown was an absolute dime by Blake Bortles - the type of throw Bortles is usually incapable of making. If Bortles can actually become something resembling a competent QB, Cole has league winning potential.

Will Fuller (WR, HOU)

I have hated on Will Fuller so much, specifically about his unsustainable efficiency. Well, he's at it again. He caught eight of nine targets for 113 yards and his usual deep touchdown. Deshaun Watson looks like a subpar NFL QB, but it doesn't seem to be impacting his receivers. Fuller is trending towards making me look very wrong.

Tevin Coleman (RB, ATL)

Tevin Coleman finds himself here purely due to Devonta Freeman's injury. Here's the thing - I don't think we see Freeman again this season. I have a sneaking suspicious that his knee injury is far more serious than the team is letting on. Coleman touched the ball 20 times last week, which is par for the course without Freeman in the lineup. Coleman has RB1 upside.

Chris Thompson (RB, WAS)

Is Chris Thompson even a running back? Do we care? CT leads the Redskins in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, and that is just fine by his fantasy owners. He is a legitimate PPR RB1 purely on volume. The Redskins have the looks of a bad team that will constantly be in comeback mode and/or garbage time. That means a lot of dump offs for Thompson.

Travis Kelce (TE, KC)

Week 1, it was the Tyreek Hill show. Week 2, it was the ::insert Chief here:: show. Travis Kelce was leading the offensive barrage as he rebounded from his one catch for six yards effort to post 109 yards on seven catches with two touchdowns. Any concerns over Kelce's usage and role in the new Chiefs offense have been assuaged.

Week 3 Fallers

Jordy Nelson (WR, OAK)

I thought Jordy Nelson would be the guy in Oakland. It appears that Jon Gruden was just blowing smoke when raving about Nelson's "speed." I am embarrassed to have come around on Nelson later in the summer. My initial inclination was correct: Nelson is done. He's seen just four targets in each of the Raiders first two games and done nothing with them. With Martavis Bryant back in the fold and Amari Cooper possibly reborn, Nelson is going to be on many waiver wires by this time next week.

Larry Fitzgerald (WR, ARI)

I fear Larry Fitzgerald may be experiencing flashbacks to the "dark ages" of Cardinals football featuring Ryan Lindley, Max Hall, John Skelton, and Richard Bartel at quarterback. Those are the best comparisons for whatever it is Sam Bradford thinks he is doing under center. The most unfathomable thing in the 2018 NFL season thus far is the fact that we have yet to hear any whispers of Josh Rosen starting. The Cardinals cannot go forward with Bradford and as long he remains the starter, Fitz and the entire offense suffer. To add injury to insult, Fitz is dealing with a hamstring injury as well.

David Johnson (RB, ARI)

My preseason #1 overall pick is barely performing like an RB2. David Johnson is not getting the volume he did under Bruce Arians. He is not seeing as much work in the passing game. And the goal line carries are nowhere to be found. A lot of the problems I outlined for Fitz are echoed here. It's the offense as a whole. After this week's game, Steve Wilks did share some bit of optimism in his acknowledgement of the need to get DJ the ball in space more often and have him run more routes from the slot, but none of that is going to fix the Sam Bradford problem. I am not even certain that Josh Rosen is the savior. All I know is that he can't be worse than Bradford.

Royce Freeman (RB, DEN)

I was super high on Royce Freeman as a prospect, but feared that Vance Joseph wouldn't be smart enough to push him ahead of Devontae Booker and Freeman's volume would suffer as a result. I was right about the volume being a problem, but it has nothing to do with Booker. UDFA Philip Lindsay has been the culprit of Freeman's underperformance. Last week, Lindsay carried the ball 14 times to Freeman's eight and his 107 yards were 79 more than Freeman was able to muster. Lindsay is also an adept pass catcher while Freeman is not viewed that way. This is a committee, as expected, but Lindsay is the clear lead back. Freeman has virtually no chance of living up to his third round ADP.

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