The NFL regular season is rapidly approaching, and gamers are getting in their last-minute drafts. Those who haven’t drafted should make note of the most recent average draft position (ADP) movement in half-point per reception (half PPR) leagues. This piece will examine the movers and shakers from the previous week, utilizing our real-time ADP tool.
The tables below will feature the players who rose or fell at least three picks or the top-20 risers and fallers at each position, whichever comes second. In some cases, 20 players didn’t rise or fall at their respective positions.
The NFL regular season is rapidly approaching, and gamers are getting in their last-minute drafts. Those who haven’t drafted should make note of the most recent average draft position (ADP) movement in half-point per reception (half PPR) leagues. This piece will examine the movers and shakers from the previous week, utilizing our real-time ADP tool.
The tables below will feature the players who rose or fell at least three picks or the top-20 risers and fallers at each position, whichever comes second. In some cases, 20 players didn’t rise or fall at their respective positions.
Fantasy Football Risers & Fallers: Late August
Quarterbacks
Bo Nix and Jordan Love were the most significant risers in the past week. Nix is one of my favorite quarterback targets after the elite signal-callers are off the board, and Love is an intriguing pick for gamers who double up on affordable pocket passers to mix and match as their starter in favorable matchups. Dak Prescott and Baker Mayfield joined Nix as risers at quarterback in the top-100 picks in the seven days from August 23 to August 29.
The Jets are an offense I suggest fading in fantasy football, and it starts at their signal-caller position with the biggest faller among quarterbacks, Justin Fields. The falls for Brock Purdy, Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts are baffling, and all three are exciting targets in fantasy football in 2025. I suspect a forthcoming faller influences Patrick Mahomes‘ fall. Finally, I’ve repeatedly beaten the drum for fading Caleb Williams this year and support his fall, as slight as it might be.
Running Backs
Braelon Allen has gone on a meteoric rise in the last week, climbing 40.5 picks into the top-100 selections. While I’ve suggested avoiding Breece Hall at his ADP throughout the offseason, that doesn’t translate to suggesting using a top-100 pick on Allen. Jacory Croskey-Merritt‘s surge has also jumped the shark. Jayden Daniels will account for a chunk of Washington’s rushing attempts. Austin Ekeler — who is also a riser — is Washington’s best pass-catching running back, and Chris Rodriguez will likely mix in, potentially as their goal-line back.
Teammates Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III are also risers in an offense that should run more often and effectively with Klint Kubiak as Seattle’s new offensive coordinator. Thus, I support their respective rises. Tony Pollard is a logical riser since he should be the bell-cow for the Titans with a forthcoming teammate landing on the Injured Reserve (IR).
Brian Robinson Jr. is strictly a handcuff for Christian McCaffrey now that he’s been traded to the 49ers. It’s unclear if Joe Mixon will play at all this season, and drafters have understandably tanked his ADP. Quinshon Judkins avoided battery charges, but he’s still unsigned, and the NFL is still investigating the alleged domestic violence incident. He’s undraftable in re-draft leagues.
The addition of B-Rob kneecapped Isaac Guerendo‘s handcuff appeal. Moreover, it appeared he re-aggravated a shoulder injury on punt coverage. Guerendo is undraftable in re-draft leagues. Tyjae Spears was the player I alluded to landing on the IR in Pollard’s analysis above.
Wide Receivers
The five largest risers at wide receivers are rookies or second-year pros, with Matthew Golden, Emeka Egbuka and Tetairoa McMillan falling into the former category, and Troy Franklin and Ricky Pearsall are in the latter bucket. Courtland Sutton was the only other wideout whose ADP climbed at least 5.0 spots.
The NFL and Rashee Rice agreed on a six-game suspension to start the NFL season, and gamers have docked him in ADP. The fall is baffling since a six-game suspension was at the low end of what was speculated for Rice. In addition, he’ll serve them in the first six games of the season, which is an optimal runout for Rice. First, it gives him longer to shake off the rust of returning from a season-ending knee surgery. Second, Rice will serve four games of his six-game suspension before any teams in the NFL have a bye, making it easier to work around his absence.
Jordan Addison will serve a three-game suspension to open the year, and he was one of four wideouts who fell at least 5.0 picks from August 23 through August 29. Josh Downs and Chris Godwin join Rice and Addison as the other fallers of at least 5.0 picks during that period. Godwin avoided the IR, but he’s unlikely to make his season debut until Week 5 or later. Downs is recovering from a hamstring injury but has returned to practice.
Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft and Tyler Warren surged up double-digit picks in ADP from August 23 through August 29. Kraft could battle Golden for Green Bay’s team lead in targets if Jayden Reed‘s Jones fracture in his foot eventually sidelines him or limits Reed’s receiving production. Warren could conceivably outpace Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. for Indy’s team lead in targets. Both Kraft and Warren are upside options at tight end for gamers who wait beyond the elite options.
Evan Engram and Colston Loveland were tied for the largest fallers at tigh end from August 23 through August 29. While I’m largely avoiding Williams and Chicago’s offense, Loveland is the exception to that rule. Ben Johnson and the Bears made a significant draft investment in Loveland, and Johnson previously coached a TE1 season out of Sam LaPorta as a rookie. Jonnu Smith was the other tight end who fell more than 7.0 picks. No other tight ends fell as many as 5.0 picks.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
