RADIO
We're starting to get a sense of which players are integral parts of their team's offense, especially in the red zone. Still, injuries and bye weeks demand that we find under-the-radar players who have great opportunity to contribute as well. We always need to dig deeper to find great values at the skill positions. Just like targets are the lifeblood of a receiver's value in PPR leagues, red zone touches are the most relevant factor to consider for standard leagues.
In this article each week, we'll identify red zone risers and fallers who could see their fantasy value impacted by usage in the most critical area of the field. RotoBaller's Red Zone Sleepers tool is a great way to get an edge on the competition by identifying players with greater scoring opportunities.
Let's take a look at which players could be touchdown risers or fallers in fantasy football for Week 7 of the 2017 NFL season, based on red zone opportunities.
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Red Zone Risers
RUNNING BACK
Melvin Gordon (RB, LAC) - 46.9% Red-zone touch %
Workhorse. Beast. Fantasy football dominator. These are adjectives that come to mind when describing what Melvin Gordon's production in the 2017 season is like thus far. He has been shooting up the red-zone touch chart with 23 touches out of 49 team red-zone plays with seven touchdowns. Gordon has scored over 30 FFB points in past two weeks and shows no signs of slowing down yet. With rushing touchdowns and receiving touchdowns, you would be a complete fool not to have this guy in your lineup.
WIDE RECEIVER
Davante Adams (WR, GB) - 21.7% Red-zone touch%
Davante Adams has basically mimicked Jordy Nelson in fantasy football points this season. He has scored four touchdowns in the past three weeks. He leads all wide receivers in red-zone touch percentage and has 13 touches total in the red-zone which also is leading the league. With Aaron Rodgers out for the long foreseeable future, one would expect Adam's numbers to dip. However, after Rodgers got hurt last week Adam's still found the end-zone with backup quarterback Brett Hundley running the show. The Packers have a tasty matchup at home in Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints who rank at the bottom defending wide receiver FFB points. Start Adams in all formats.
TIGHT END
Cameron Brate (TE, TB) - 16.0% Red-zone touch%
Two weeks ago, Cameron Brate led all tight ends in red-zone percentage. Currently, Brate still holds that record. He has four red-zone touchdowns which is tied for the lead as well. Not bad for a guy who went undrafted in most fantasy football leagues. If you picked up Brate already, good for you. If you were too slow, tough luck. Brate has been putting up very consistent numbers over the past four weeks with a touchdown in every game. Even when quarterback Jameis Winston went down with an injury in Week 6, Ryan "Fitzmagic" Fitzpatrick was still able to fill-in well and find Brate for a touchdown. He already had his bye in Week 1 because of the hurricane, so this surprise player is ready to go for the rest of the season. He has a tough matchup this week at Buffalo, but how can you not start this guy no matter which quarterback is throwing him the ball.
Red Zone Fallers
RUNNING BACK
Giovani Bernard (RB,CIN) - 9.8% Red-zone touch%
With the arrival of rookie running back Joe Mixon, and with fellow teammate Jeremy Hill still rostered, it is really no surprise that Bernard has a very low red-zone percentage. He only has four touches in the red-zone this season out of 41 plays. Look for his percentage to stay low especially with this crowded backfield. Gio should only be considered for a start in bye week desperation.
WIDE RECEIVER
Kelvin Benjamin (WR, CAR) - 8.7% Red-zone touch%
Kelvin Benjamin only has four red zone touches out of his teams 46 plays. His numbers this season have been a little slow from what you would expect of Benjamin, but he has been coming on as of late. He has scored over 13 FFB points in 1/2 PPR formats in the past three weeks. Look for quarterback Cam Newton to find Kelvin for more touches in the red-zone and to produce more for your squad.
TIGHT END
Coby Fleener (TE, NO) - 8.0% Red-zone touch%
Coby Fleener had a nice start to the season scoring two touchdowns in his first two games. Since then he has done basically nothing with only 3 catches for 42 yards in the past three games including putting up a big fat zero in last weeks contest against the Detroit Lions. With Willie Snead back in the mix, Fleener looks to get an even lesser role if that is even possible. If he is still on your roster, the next question I ask is why?
Red Zone Sleepers
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