We have reached the point in the offseason where fantasy managers have nothing to do be evaluate their teams. The 2023 NFL Draft feels like a distant memory, but training camp is still several weeks away.
Yet, multiple players have seen their fantasy value trending in one direction or another over the past few weeks. Let’s look at the latest trends and see which players are heading up and which are heading down.
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Let’s take a look at players that are trending up and down in fantasy football value.
Players Trending Up
No one’s fantasy stock has been trending up more than Alexander Mattison’s over the past few weeks. Yes, everyone believed Dalvin Cook‘s time in Minnesota was coming to an end. Yet, there was always a chance the two sides could reach a middle ground and keep the star running back with the team. However, the Vikings recently released Cook, making Mattison the new featured running back. While Ty Chandler and DeWayne McBride will fight for the No. 2 role, the former Boise State star will become the new three-down back in Minnesota. The only question left is how high will Mattison’s ADP rise over the next few months.
Last year Antonio Gibson was a fantasy bust, averaging only 9.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. That was easily the lowest average of his career. The addition of Brian Robinson Jr. played a role, but so did the dysfunctional playcalling. Thankfully, the Commanders hired Eric Bieniemy this offseason. Meanwhile, J.D. McKissic is no longer with the team, opening the passing game role for Gibson. Last year, Bieniemy turned Jerick McKinnon into a low-end RB2, despite having only 72 rushing attempts. The reason for his success was the passing game role, as the veteran had 56 receptions and nine receiving touchdowns, both career highs. Many around the team believe Gibson could have a similar role in 2023.
Everyone in the fantasy community was excited to see Eiljah Moore last year after the strong finish to his rookie season. The former Ole Miss star was the WR2 over his final five games as a rookie, averaging 17.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, he struggled last year with the New York Jets and asked for a trade. While the team refused to trade Moore during the season, they sent Moore to the Browns this offseason. The third-year receiver will now get a chance to shine opposite Amari Cooper. Moore has been the highlight of Cleveland’s offense workouts. Reportedly the former Ole Miss star has become a favorite target for Deshaun Watson.
While the veteran has never been a consistent fantasy player, Demarcus Robinson recently signed with the Rams. The team traded away Allen Robinson this offseason and waited until the fifth round of the NFL Draft to select a wide receiver. Therefore, the veteran has a chance to earn a starting role opposite Cooper Kupp this year. Last season Robinson averaged 4.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, he averaged 9.4 fantasy points per game in the four contests with seven or more targets. The veteran could become a bye-week replacement option if he can earn a starting role in Los Angeles.
Players Trending Down
No one was surprised when the Vikings released Cook. The expected divorce had been going on for months, and the veteran running back is now a free agent. Unfortunately, that’s not good for fantasy managers. Cook has been a consistent RB1 over the past several years in Minnesota, thanks to his featured workload. The former Florida State star will join a new team for the first time in his career. Furthermore, the veteran might struggle early in the year, given how late in the offseason he is joining a new team. More importantly, there is nowhere Cook can land that won’t give the fantasy community a headache.
The third-round running back has been a popular pick in dynasty rookie drafts. Miami re-signed Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. this offseason. However, the veterans are older players and have struggled with injuries in their careers. Therefore, Devon Achane had a clear path to a lead role on an explosive Dolphins offense. Unfortunately, that could change after the Vikings released Cook. The Dolphins are the betting favorite to land the veteran running back. While the addition of Cook won’t sink Achane’s fantasy value and make the former Texas A&M star undraftable, it will keep the rookie from having a lead role this season.
Last year Breece Hall averaged 16.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, the former Iowa State star suffered a torn ACL in Week 7, ending his rookie season. Many fantasy managers haven’t given Hall’s injury a second thought and expect him to be ready for Week 1. However, they might want to start worrying. Head coach Robert Saleh is “very optimistic” that Hall will be ready to go for the season opener. Yet, managers had thought that was a foregone conclusion and the star running back would be back on the field already. Hopefully, the Jets are playing it safe, but how Saleh worded his comments worries me.
After missing his rookie season with a foot injury, Travis Etienne had a productive first year in the NFL. He was the RB17, averaging 11 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Etienne finished ninth in the league with 1,125 rushing yards. Unfortunately, the Jaguars spent a third-round pick in the NFL Draft on Tank Bigsby after signing D’Ernest Johnson in free agency. Reportedly, the Jaguars want to lighten Etienne’s workload this season after the former Clemson star accounted for 74% of the team’s running back rushing attempts in 2022. Hopefully, the second-year star can make up for the decrease in rushing attempts by having more of a role in the passing game.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
