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Fantasy Football Risers & Fallers: Week 8

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, and 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 fantasy risers and fallers heading into Week 8 of the NFL season. Dynasty owners, check out our separate Dynasty Risers/Fallers segment each week as well.

Editor's Note: Steer clear of costly draft mistakes with RotoBaller’s expert Fantasy Football Bust analysis. We break down overvalued players, potential letdowns, and risky ADPs to avoid, so you can build a smarter, safer roster.

 

Week 8 Risers

Quarterbacks

After offense was turned off for the first few weeks, scoring has awoken for several teams. Eight quarterbacks threw for three touchdowns last week and three of them accounted for four touchdowns. Carson Wentz has thrown for 11 touchdowns in his last three games. Derek Carr posted 417 yards and three scores. Dak Prescott has thrown nine touchdowns in his last three games and added two on the ground. Russell Wilson eclipsed 300 yards passing and threw three touchdowns. It's been an offensive explosion for these quarterbacks.

Amari Cooper (WR, OAK)

Even if I wanted to put someone else here, did I really have a choice? After posting 136 receiving yards over his first six games combined, Cooper beat that by 74 last week with 11 catches on 19 targets and two touchdowns. One week certainly does not erase the other six, but it serves as a friendly reminder of the type of talent Cooper possesses. He still needs to get over the drops and his volume certainly won't be this high every week, but it is fair to say we can put him back into lineups as a WR2.

Ezekiel Elliott (RB, DAL)

Less than a week after yet another suspension scare may have birthed a new "angry" movement. We all know about Angry Tom Brady. Football world, meet Angry Ezekiel Elliott. Zeke carried the ball 26 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns, but it was his lone reception that was his most impressive feat of the day. Elliott's catch out in the flat looked like it would pickup a first down. Then he raced up the sideline, outrunning defenders and evading a few more en route to a 72 yard touchdown. Zeke did it all on Sunday, posting 40 fantasy points in PPR leagues. He has one more worry free week and then on October 30, he will have his final hearing on his injunction, it will be granted, and this saga will be over until the offseason.

Jordan Reed (TE, WAS)

Welcome to 2017! Jordan Reed exploded on Monday night to the tune of eight catches on 10 targets for 64 yards and two touchdowns. All of his production came in the second half. Game script had a lot to do with Reed's performance as Reed was rotating fairly evenly with Vernon Davis and even a little with Niles Paul, both of whom caught a pass before Reed. In the second half, with the Redskins in catch up mode, Reed played almost every snap, lining up mostly as a wide receiver. I'd like to see it again before I fully trust him, but he looked healthy and he proved to his team that he makes the offense go.

 

Week 8 Fallers

Old People (QB, RB, WR, ARI)

It was a cute story when I had these three elderly folk on the Risers last week. That's all over. I warned everyone not to get too excited about Adrian Peterson. When I posted my article on how I thought AP would fare in Arizona, 11 carries for 21 yards is a lot more in line with what I expected. It obviously didn't help that the Cardinals couldn't score any points and also lost Carson Palmer for the season, if not his career, but nothing is going to change for Peterson. Larry Fitzgerald's splits without Palmer are scary bad. Palmer was a back end QB1. Drew Stanton is unrosterable. Peterson was trending towards being an RB3/Flex play. He will probably be dropped in a few weeks because the combination of being done and being on an awful team is not great for fantasy. Fitz was a high end WR2 with Palmer. He will be tough to start even in the Flex going forward. I think it is fair to say that we've reached the point in Arizona where no one on this team should be started in fantasy leagues.

Packers WRs (All of Them)

This. Is. Bad. Jordy Nelson was a mid WR1. He is now a low end WR3. Davante Adams was a high end WR2. He is now a WR4. Randall Cobb was a Flex play. He is now droppable. Martellus Bennett was droppable. He is still droppable. Without Aaron Rodgers, the Packers offense sputtered as Brett Hundley looked hesitant and uncertain in the pocket. He took too long to make decisions and often would throw to receivers after they were already open such that by the time the ball got there, so did the defender. I expect Hundley to improve going forward, at least a little bit, but it's abundantly clear that the hit to the fantasy value of all Packers pass catchers is significant.

Ty Montgomery (RB, GB)

I hate to pile on the Packers here, but this one actually has nothing to do with Aaron Rodgers. This was going to happen anyway. Ty Montgomery has absolutely no fantasy value. Zero. Drop him. He is useless. He will go back to being an RB2 if Aaron Jones were to get hurt, but you don't need to burn a roster spot on a pure backup. Montgomery played just seven snaps because that's what backups do - they only play when the starter is tired.

The Baltimore Ravens

Is there a more useless team in the entire NFL? Serious question. Where does QB Joe Flacco rank amongst average fantasy points per game? The answer is QB38. Yes. 38. He essentially ranks 38 out of 32. He is the worst QB in the league and it is not particularly close. Even Deshone Kizer is averaging more fantasy points per week than Flacco. Mitch Trubisky threw seven passes last week and is averaging more points per week than Flacco. The Ravens have a terrible QB and their WRs by the end of last week's game were Griff Whalen, Chris Moore, and Michael Campanaro. Their RBs have no chance at scoring because the offense can't move the ball. Justin Tucker somehow managed three field goals, though. He's exempt from this list. Every other Raven is a blight on football.

 

More Week 8 Lineup Prep




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jordan Clarkson

Expected to Sign With Knicks
Zack Wheeler

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings, Punches Out 10
Santi Aldama

Remains with Grizzlies
Atlanta Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Lands in Atlanta
George Springer

Exits Early Monday With Neck Injury
Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Clippers

Brook Lopez Strikes Deal With Clippers
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
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Commanders, Terry McLaurin Not Close on Contract Extension
Hunter Goodman

Likely Headed to Injured List
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Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
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Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Trent Grisham

Exits With Hamstring Tightness
Atlanta Hawks

Caris LeVert Joining Pistons
Milwaukee Bucks

Kevin Porter Jr., Bucks Reach Agreement on a New Contract
Brooklyn Nets

D'Angelo Russell Heading to Dallas
Denver Nuggets

Bruce Brown Jr. Heading Back to Denver
Atlanta Hawks

Clint Capela Returning to Houston
Cameron Johnson

Traded to Denver
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Michael Porter Jr.

Traded to Brooklyn
Matt Chapman

Could Return for Start of Giants Homestand
Wyatt Langford

Expected to Return on Saturday
Yanquiel Fernández

Yanquiel Fernandez Called Up to Majors
Tyler Mahle

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Brooklyn Nets

Ziaire Williams Expected to Return to Nets
Austin Wells

to Miss Next Two Games
Tre Mann

Set to Become an Unrestricted Free Agent
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Scratched With Sore Knee
Cody Martin

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Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

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Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
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Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
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A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
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Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
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Activated and Starting on Monday
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Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
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Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
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Kerry Carpenter

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Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
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Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
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Commits to Blues for Two More Years
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Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
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Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
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Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
Luis Robert Jr.

Heads to Injured List
Gabriel Arias

Carted Off on Sunday
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
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Denny Hamlin

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Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
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a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Dylan Sampson

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Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
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Looks To Extend His Win Streak
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Matt Wallace

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a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
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a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
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