Injuries are unfortunately the name of the game as we approach the fantasy football playoffs. The only good thing about injuries is that it opens the door for new opportunities, and we’ve seen some players take advantage of the newfound role. Read on to see which ones made the list.

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Dynasty Fantasy Football Risers & Fallers

Risers

Drake London (WR – ATL) & Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL)

We’ve seen Drake London and Kyle Pitts flash at various points in their short careers, but rarely at the same time. Sunday was a different story, as London notched a career-high 172 receiving yards while Pitts posted 57 yards and a touchdown.

The lack of consistency is what keeps these two from being fantasy studs. London’s big game comes on the heels of an eight-yard performance in Week 13, so we may not be able to fully trust him yet, but these are the games that highlight his upside. Pitts has now stacked 50+ yard games in back-to-back weeks for the first time this season, but more importantly played nearly 85% of the snaps this week. That’s a season high, with his previous high coming back in week 3 with 78%. The Falcons trailing on the scoreboard for much of the game likely contributed to the high usage for London and Pitts, so we may see it drop again when they are leading, but it’s encouraging to see this in a trailing game script.

James Cook (RB – BUF)

Cook’s 25.1 fantasy points represent the highest total of his season. The second-year running back carried 10 times for 58 yards and caught all five of his targets for 83 yards and a score on Sunday. He saw 15 opportunities in this one after getting 23 in Week 13 and 21 in Week 14. For reference, Cook was given 15 or more opportunities in five of nine games with Ken Dorsey calling plays but has now reached that total in all three games with Joe Brady calling the shots. Josh Allen carried the ball 10 times in this game, and threw it 42 times, so it’s natural to see Cook’s opportunities dip down to 15, but it’s a great sign to see that as the low end of his share. It’s an even better sign to see how he’s thriving under Brady, reaching at least 16 fantasy points in each of the three games.

Rashee Rice (WR – KC)

Rookie Rice was on the rise when I wrote about him following Week 7, but it’s fair to say he’s now arrived. His stock may continue to rise, but he’s become the go-to wide receiver for Patrick Mahomes after notching 29 targets over the last three weeks. On Sunday, he caught seven of his 10 targets for 72 yards and a touchdown. He’s now hit 243 yards and two touchdowns in his past three games while grabbing 23 of his 29 targets for 57.3 fantasy points. He played all but 10 snaps in Week 14 and is solidified as the Chiefs’ top wideout.

Chase Brown (RB – CIN)

It’s not just that he posted 19.5 fantasy points (although that helps) but Brown’s opportunities have taken a dramatic trip north in the ptas two weeks. After being a non-factor this season, Brown toted the rock nine times in Week 13 before handling eight carries in Week 14 to go with three targets. The rookie who was a training camp sleeper of many did most of his damage through the air, snagging all three of his targets for 80 yards and a score. Joe Mixon continues to see heavy usage and is unlikely to see a major drop-off any time soon but clearly there is an emphasis on getting Brown involved.

Davis Allen (TE – LAR)

With Tyler Higbee on the mend, it was Hunter Long who got the starting nod. When Long left the game with an injury, Allen stepped in and up. The rookie tight end rotated in before Long left the action but took over the role after Long left and took advantage with four catches for 50 yards and a score. It’s the most production the Rams have gotten from any tight end in a game this season, so there’s a decent chance we see more of Allen regardless of Long and Higbee’s health going forward.

Parker Washington (WR – JAC)

Christian Kirk went down with a groin injury last Monday night, and Washington was ready when his number was called. Washington dazzled with an incredible touchdown catch in Week 13 to go with 61 yards, and he followed that up with 27 yards and another score in week 14. He played the third-most snaps at receiver with 47 while the next closest receiver saw just 10 snaps. Washington is clearly the third option amongst the receivers and should continue to have opportunities to prove himself.

Fallers

Jared Goff (QB – DET)

After starting the season strong, Goff has been trending in the wrong direction over the past few months and bottomed out on Sunday. His 161 passing yards were a season-low, as was his completion percentage of 57 percent. Goff hit 20+ fantasy points in three of his first six games this season but has reached that total just once in his last seven games. The Lions have lost two of their last three and if their season spirals, there’s no telling what direction the team might go at quarterback next season.

Jerry Jeudy (WR – DEN)

Perhaps Steve Smith was wrong about Jeudy. In case you missed it, Smith stated that Jeudy is a “tier three wide receiver” but even that feels a bit generous with where things stand today. Jeudy has been quiet all season long and he continues to fall short when it seems that there are opportunities right in front of him. There’s no better example than his near touchdown catch on Sunday, in which he failed to drag his second toe before gliding out of bounds. Although he had plenty of space and time to do so, he seemed to never make the effort. Time is ticking on Jeudy becoming more than a JAG (just a guy).

Khalil Herbert (RB – CHI)

It feels like forever ago when Khalil Herbert was taking over the Bears backfield before a high ankle sprain knocked him out for five weeks. Since his return, Herbert has carried 16 times for 35 yards, six times for 24 yards, and three times for eight yards. Not only that, Herbert trailed Roschon Johnson‘s 20 snaps and D’Onta Foreman‘s 39 snaps with just 12 of his own. I was optimistic on Herbert this year and it’s tough to see an injury derail his early success, but his opportunity to take over this backfield may be in the rear-view mirror.

Josh Dobbs (QB – MIN) & Aidan O’Connell (QB – LV)

To no one’s surprise, Josh Dobbs nor Aidan O’Connell are franchise quarterbacks. Nothing to see here.

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