X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Fantasy Football Risers and Fallers - Week 7

Whether due to their own play, the play of others, or injuries, players' stock increases and decreases on a weekly basis. Perhaps more than any other, the NFL is a league that experiences ups and downs at a rapid pace. With only 16 games, there’s little room for error and seemingly endless opportunities for improvement. The same goes for fantasy football; managing rosters effectively is key to winning that championship.

Throughout the season, players get hot and see an increased role while others struggle and fight to stay relevant. Experienced fantasy players know this happens every year. In this weekly column, we’ll showcase those who have taken important steps forward and those who have taken steps back.

These are the key risers and fallers heading into Week 6 of the NFL season.

Editor's Note: Identify fantasy football draft busts, overvalued ADPs, and key players to avoid so you can draft with confidence this season.

 

Week 7 Risers

Kyler Murray (QB, ARI)

At the risk of overreacting to what happens against the laughably bad Falcons' defense, it might be happening with Kyler Murray. He has looked much more composed over the past two weeks and is quietly up to QB7 on the season. Murray's lowest output has been 16 fantasy points, which gives up, not unexpectedly, arguably the highest floor among fantasy quarterbacks. Weeks 9 and 11 against the 49ers are the only blips on an otherwise extremely favorable rest of season schedule. We knew he'd be a QB1 because of the rushing floor, but we may be on the verge of Kyler Murray: elite QB1.

Hunter Henry (TE, LAC)

"Has a shot to return." "Will be limited." "Catches eight of nine targets for 100 yards and two touchdowns." Well, that escalated quickly. Hunter Henry stormed back into action and looked completely dominant. While he's not going to score two touchdowns every week, Henry sure looks like a top five tight end going forward, which is huge for his fantasy owners that stuck with him given the decrepit state of the position. If Henry can do that in a game where the Chargers looked like a team that had never played football before, imagine what he can do when they actually look competent?

Tyreek Hill (WR, KC)

He's baaaaaaaaaaaack. If you only looked at the box score, you would think that Tyreek Hill did typical Tyreek Hill things with a 5-80-2 line. That wasn't the case. Both of his touchdowns came with no yards after the catch and on the first one, he straight up Mossed two defenders. Hill returned and everyone else went back to being second fiddle in this passing game, including Travis Kelce. Hill is the unquestioned top target for Patrick Mahomes and you have to think better days are ahead for Mahomes, who, by his standards, has been struggling for the past couple weeks. In a season where every big seven wide receiver not named Michael Thomas has been a bust, it is a welcome sight for Hill to be a locked in top five wide receiver going forward. I know this isn't a trade column, but I would value Hill as the overall WR1 rest of season. Do with that what you will.

Stefon Diggs (WR, MIN)

How quickly things change in the NFL. Except, nothing actually changed for the Vikings. Stefon Diggs is the unquestioned WR1b on a team with only two viable pass catchers. Diggs is immensely talented. Eventually, regression was going to hit and boy did it ever. Diggs ripped off 167 yards and three touchdowns on seven receptions. The Vikings torched the Eagles. All is right with the world. Other than Week 8 against Washington, the Vikings' schedule looks to be filled with competitive games, which is good for their prospects of throwing more. Diggs is back to being a fantasy WR2.

Tevin Coleman (RB, SF)

Everything is going right for Tevin Coleman right now. He returned relatively quickly following a high ankle sprain. He looks as explosive as ever. The 49ers are currently the best team in the NFC. They have an elite defense, which keeps game script in the running backs' favor. Coleman is the unquestioned goal line back and lead back. He handled every goal line carry last week while Matt Breida saw none (which is in line with Breida's lack of usage at the goal line even when Coleman was out) and Coleman played 55% of the snaps to Breida's 36%. This is still a two man backfield and Breida is the preferred passing down back, but Coleman is the lead back in one of the best situations.

Devonta Freeman (RB, ATL)

Quietly, Devonta Freeman has been a rock solid RB2 this season. After back to back 18 fantasy point performances, Freeman finally had an elite RB1 day with 26.8 points. Freeman is still ceding goal line work to Ito Smith, but Freeman is making up for it with his receiving. He only saw three targets, but he caught all of them and scored twice. That won't happen every week, but as long as Freeman is healthy, he is a rare reliable running back in a strange 2019 season.

 

Week 7 Fallers

Jared Goff (QB, LAR)

I think Jared Goff just isn't that good. The 49ers have an elite defense, but it's not as if they're impenetrable. Goff seems to have a game or two like this every season where he just can't complete passes at all. Goff was in the Super Bowl last year and he threw for just 78 yards in a full game. How is that possible? I am not going to rail on Goff much harder than this: if he can't go into Atlanta and shred the Falcons' embarrassment of a pass defense, you will see him on the cut list next week.

Travis Kelce (TE, KC)

It is long past time for Travis Kelce to appear here. He was largely drafted at the 1/2 turn to be a WR1 at the tight end position. Anything less than that makes him a bust. Kelce has been a good tight end, but nowhere near worth a top pick. The targeting is there, but that's about it. Kelce has one touchdown through over a third of the season. He's topped 100 yards receiving just once. For context, at this point last season, Kelce had three 100 yard games and three touchdowns. You're never benching Kelce, but he's not this elite difference maker at the position he was drafted to be.

JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, PIT)

It can't get much worse than one catch for seven yards (although Week 5 Mike Evans would beg to differ). JuJu Smith-Schuster does have some hope with Mason Rudolph returning after their Week 7 bye, but he was drafted to be a mid-low WR1 with overall WR1 upside. I saw more than one person predict JuJu would be the highest scoring fantasy receiver. At this point, he's not even a must start. He's consistently put up low WR2 numbers with two mega duds mixed in and two of his WR2 weeks were bolstered by a fluky splash play. JuJu has gone from WR1 to "should I even start him?"

Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler (RBs, LAC)

Before Melvin Gordon ended his holdout (back when the Chargers were actually a good offense), Austin Ekeler was an RB1. With Gordon back, we have two RB3s. Gordon is nowhere near reclaiming his old job. This is a timeshare. Gordon had 21 touches to Ekeler's eight, but the snap count was 60% Gordon, 45% Ekeler. They are splitting snaps and with Gordon's pathetic play, it is difficult to envision him pushing Ekeler down any more. Those who gambled on Gordon in the fourth or fifth round were smiling ear to ear when he returned way sooner than expected, but so far, Gordon has barely been worth a flex play.

More Weekly Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Back in Action to Begin Second Half
Yordan Alvarez

Resumes Swinging -- Return Imminent?
Jake Burger

to Miss an Additional 2-3 Weeks
TreVeyon Henderson

Signs Rookie Contract
Christian Watson

Goes on PUP List
Austin Riley

Hopes to be Activated Next Week
Ketel Marte

Lands on Restricted List After Burglary
Ricky Pearsall

Heads to PUP List
Brandon Aiyuk

Placed on PUP List
Luther Burden III

Signs Rookie Deal
Washington Nationals

Eli Willits Expected to Sign Contract on Saturday
Grayson Rodriguez

Being Shut Down Again - Will We See Him Again This Year?
Ezequiel Tovar

Activated and Back in Lineup on Friday
Max Fried

"Hopeful" to Pitch Next Week - Looks Like He'll Avoid IL Stint
Steven Kwan

Receives Injection in Wrist, Considered Day-to-Day
CJ Abrams

Back to Start Second Half
Alec Bohm

Back From Rib Injury on Friday
Trey Hendrickson

Holdout to Spill into Regular Season?
Jalen McMillan

Bucs Offensive Coordinator Not Forgetting About Jalen McMillan
Levi Onwuzurike

to Miss at Least Four Games
Nick Emmanwori

Seahawks, Nick Emmanwori Reach Agreement on Rookie Deal
Max Holloway

Set For Main Event
Brandon Lowe

Back From 10-Day Injured List
Dustin Poirier

Set For His Final UFC Fight
Roman Kopylov

Set For Co-Main Event
Paulo Costa

Returns At UFC 318
Luis L. Ortiz

to Remain on Leave for Another Month - Will he Pitch Again?
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks For Third Win In A Row
Kevin Holland

Set For His Fourth Fight This Year
Dan Ige

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Patricio Freire Set For His Second UFC Fight
Daniel Zellhuber

Set To Open Up UFC 318 Main Card
Michael Johnson

Looks For Third Consecutive Win
Elijah Arroyo

Signs Rookie Deal
Jaydon Blue

Described as "Borderline Lazy"
T.J. Sanders

Bills Sign T.J. Sanders to Rookie Deal
Christian Wilkins

Raiders Put Christian Wilkins on PUP List
Jabari Small

Lions Add Jabari Small to Backfield
Quinshon Judkins

Remains Unsigned, Won't Report With Rest of Rookies
Mason Taylor

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Jets
Hendon Hooker

Leading Lions QB2 Battle Entering Training Camp
Ozzy Trapilo

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Bears
Tate Ratledge

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Lions
Jack Bech

Signs Rookie Contract with Raiders
Yegor Chinakhov

Requests Trade
Dakota Joshua

Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
Lukas Dostal

Signs Five-Year Extension with Ducks
Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Damian Lillard

Returning to Portland
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF