RADIO
Week 10 is behind us, and we are looking ahead to Week 11 of the fantasy football season. Last week was wild as many big-name players put together spectacular performances to carry fantasy managers to victory.
With 10 weeks down, it's becoming clearer if your fantasy team has what it takes to make the playoffs. Many teams out there could be 2-8, 8-2, or anywhere in between. If you are one of those teams still trying to fight for a playoff spot or earn a first-round bye, now is the perfect time to make a trade before the deadline.
This article could be a good starting point on which players to target or avoid in trade negotiations. This risers and fallers column is based on last week's performances and whether their value is up or down.
Week 10 Fantasy Football Risers
QB Sam Howell, Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell continues to impress in fantasy. He has finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in five of the past six weeks, including a QB1 finish in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles. In Week 10, Howell threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns against the Seattle Seahawks while finishing as the QB4 on the week.
After a slow start to the year, Howell has proved to be a viable QB1 over the past couple of weeks. He has thrown for over 300 yards in four of the past six games and remains in a pass-heavy offense in Washington. The 23-year quarterback has attempted 40-plus passes in six of the past seven games.
Howell is a strong QB1 moving forward and currently has the fourth most fantasy points this season. His playoff matchups against the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers are tough. Before then, he has three great matchups facing the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, and Los Angeles Rams.
QB Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray returned to the field after 335 days following his torn ACL, and for the most part, it was a success. Murray completed 19-of-32 passes for 249 yards and one interception while rushing six times for 33 yards and one touchdown.
There were going to be some inconsistencies with Murray in his first game back, but the 26-year-old quarterback looked solid on the field. His 18.3 fantasy points helped him finish as the QB13 in Week 10, and he will remain a high-floor quarterback option in fantasy moving forward as he continues to ramp up to full strength.
RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
For the first time in his career, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was named a starter in Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers. Despite Najee Harris getting the first snap and touch of the game, Warren's starter designation could be a big sign moving forward.
In Week 10, Warren carried the ball 15 times for 101 yards and one touchdown while catching two of four targets for nine yards. That helped him finish as the RB7 in half-PPR formats on Sunday, marking the highest fantasy finish of his career. The 25-year-old also finished as the RB15 in Week 9.
What's most encouraging about Warren's day in Week 10 was his snap share. For the first time this year, he played over 50% of the Steelers' offensive snaps – totaling 51% this past weekend. If Pittsburgh continues to give him opportunities on offense, he could be a strong RB2 for the rest of the year.
TE T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
All T.J. Hockenson owners were likely panicking when they saw Kirk Cousins (Achilles) out for the season. The only remaining quarterbacks on the Vikings roster were fifth-round rookie Jaren Hall and veteran Sean Mannion. Even when the team traded for Joshua Dobbs, there wasn't full confidence in Hockenson.
Well, after two games, Hockenson might be better off in fantasy with Dobbs as his quarterback. In Week 10, the Vikings tight end totaled 11 catches on 15 targets for 134 yards and one touchdown on just 63% of the team's offensive snaps. The 26-year-old entered the game extremely limited with a rib issue but seemed to play through it just fine.
In two games without Cousins under center, Hockenson has 18 catches for 203 yards and one touchdown on an insane 27 targets. After his recent performance in Week 10, he might be the best fantasy tight end option moving forward. He currently ranks as the TE1 this year, 20.4 PPR fantasy points ahead of Travis Kelce.
Other Fantasy Football Risers:
- Joshua Dobbs
- Keaton Mitchell
- Javonte Williams
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- Javonte Williams
- Noah Brown
Week 10 Fantasy Football Fallers
RB Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
It is surely a rough time for New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley. He is one of the most talented backs in the entire league, but the situation he's in might be the worst. In Week 10, Barkley scored a season-low 6.6 half-PPR fantasy points, and things might not get better for the Pro Bowler.
The Giants offensive line is one of the worst in the league, and playing with undrafted rookie quarterback Tommy Devito does not help Barkley's case either. Teams will be stacking the box, like the Dallas Cowboys did last week, which makes things even harder for the running back.
Barkley was efficient with his touches, rushing 13 times for 66 yards. However, New York's offense really struggled to move the ball outside of that. With matchups against the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles in the fantasy playoffs, try to ship him because his value continues to decline.
RB Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
Week 10 was the week for Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard to shine. With a couple of tough matchups against the 49ers, Rams, and Eagles in three of the past four games, Pollard failed to top 10 half-PPR fantasy points in all those contests. Facing a Giants defense that allows the ninth most fantasy points to running backs was a fantastic matchup.
Pollard also scored 21.2 half-PPR fantasy points against this same Giants team earlier this season in Week 1. However, not only did the 26-year-old back put together his worst fantasy day of the year, but backup running back Rico Dowdle was actually more efficient in the contest.
Pollard had just 15 carries for 55 yards, while Dowdle totaled 12 carries for 79 yards and one touchdown. The Cowboys' running back does have his best matchup of the season against the Carolina Panthers in Week 11, though, there shouldn't be any high expectations for him to perform. He's the current RB23 on the season.
RB Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison is certainly trending down in fantasy after his recent Week 10 showing. Despite leaving the contest with a concussion, Mattison wasn't doing much before his exit. He had just eight carries for 27 yards and one catch for six yards.
While it remains likely he will miss Week 11 against the Denver Broncos due to that head injury, that's not why he's on this list. It's due to the emergence of Ty Chandler. Chandler had the first touchdown of his career in Minnesota's win last week, and many members of the coaching staff praised his efforts in that game.
Even with Cam Akers (Achilles) out for the year, Mattison might still be in a 50/50 upon his return.
Other Fantasy Football Fallers:
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