As we approach the NFL playoffs, we are seeing many players step up with big performances at the right time. In our world, this translates to big performances in the fantasy playoffs, turning great players into legends. We know all about the studs and the top-tier fantasy players this time of year, but which players are doing enough to move up in the rankings? Who should you be looking at for next year?
This week, we have a few sets of teammates who happen to be trending in a similar direction. Let’s jump in.
Risers
Jared Goff (QB – DET) & DJ Chark Jr. (WR – DET)
If you haven’t been paying attention, and maybe even if you have, you may have missed that Jared Goff is up to QB10 on the season. He’s the QB7 over the past five weeks, including three weeks of topping 20 points. Recent reports have indicated that the Lions consider Goff as more of a long-term option than the public had considered. On top of that, their record likely puts them out of the range draft one. This offense is talented and explosive, and it looks as though Goff will continue to be its leader. Although the offense runs through Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark has been a major factor since returning from injury. After a quiet return in which he saw just one target, Chark is the WR24 in PPR across the last five weeks and WR17 in standard scoring. This coincides with the return of Jameson Williams whose role will undoubtedly grow, but Chark is growing his free agency stock even if his future doesn’t reside in Detroit.
Evan Engram is up to TE5 on the season after posting point totals of 14, 39.2, 14.2, and 18.3 across the last four weeks. He’s posted two 100-yard games in that span, which includes three touchdowns and 31 receptions on 40 targets. He’s the TE1 across those four weeks, outscoring the next closest tight end by nearly 20 points. With Trevor Lawrence ascending, Engram is becoming his favorite target.
Like any other quarterback, Joe Burrow had some ups and downs this season. For the most part, however, he has remained remarkably consistent with just one game below 15 fantasy points. He’s currently the QB4 and has delivered at least 23 points in four of his last six games. He’s not going to stack rushing yards, but he has chipped in 247 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns this season. He’s rolling right now.
Desmond Ridder (QB – ATL) & Drake London (WR – ATL)
Neither Drake London nor Desmond Ridder had a monster game this week, but London made a ton of tough catches and has posted yardage totals of 95, 70, and 96 in the last three weeks. He’s starting to come into his own and look like a legitimate WR1 for the Falcons. Desmond Ridder posted just 9.52 fantasy points, but he completed 22 of 33 passes for 218 yards. Much improved on the performance of 97 passing yards in his debut, Ridder made the necessary adjustments and took a step forward. I’m not sure if he will be their long-term answer, but the odds increased this week, in my opinion.
Fallers
Zach Wilson (QB – NYJ) & Corey Davis (WR – NYJ)
Every time it seems we’ve hit rock bottom with Zach Wilson, it continues to get worse. In the latest installment, Wilson was benched after going 9-of-18 for 92 yards. At this point, it seems highly unlikely he regains the job, especially as Mike White gets healthy. His teammate Corey Davis has taken a nosedive after a hot start to the season. He has failed to surpass 15 yards in three of his last four games and is being passed by Garrett Wilson in the Jets’ pecking order. With Elijah Moore once again garnering targets, there’s not a lot to go around in a struggling offense.
Adam Thielen is the WR28, so it hasn’t been all bad for the 32-year-old but he caught just one pass for six yards this week and hasn’t reached 100 yards in a game all season. In fact, he’s only hit 70 once all season. He’s tallied 10 targets in just one game this season and his target total has fluctuated throughout the season as he hasn’t always been a focal point. Although he’s been able to stay healthy, his age and lack of production make it an easy call to move him down the rankings.
It’s still early for David Bell, but I would like to see more from a rookie who’s playing as often as Bell is. He caught one pass for 18 yards this week as the Browns’ WR3 and he’s failed to pass the 35-yard mark all season long. Donovan Peoples-Jones has put a stranglehold on the WR2 spot and David Njoku has stepped up as a reliable tight end option. For a team that is likely to add even more weaponry for Deshaun Watson in the offseason, Bell better start making some splashes if we wants to get a head start on earning a role next year.
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Chad Workman is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from him, check out his Twitter at @tweetsbychad.
