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After the final weeks of the NFL Preseason, which fantasy football players does Kyle Richardson believe are trending up and down? In the latest #TrendingNow, Kyle discusses the dynasty stock of several players to see if they are buys or sells.
The final week of the preseason is in the books and I think we can agree it’s time to just get the season going. Weekly waiver adds, tinkering with your lineup at the last minute and either celebrating a victory or yelling at your phone because you started the wrong guy - it's all glorious because it means NFL football is back!
As you get ready for Week 1, remember to catch us on YouTube or Twitter for RotoBaller Game Day Live from noon till one o’clock every Sunday during the regular season. Okay, enough shameless plugs.
We didn’t see many starters on the field in Week 4 of the preseason, which is fine by me. Let’s get out of this week without any more major injuries (RIP Jerick McKinnon's fantasy value) and move onto the games that really matter. Before that happens though we need to take care of some business and talk about some dynasty players who have stock that is either rising or falling. On to #TrendingNow!
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#TrendingUp
Keelan Cole - WR, JAX
This is a guy that I have been touting all off-season and hopefully you listened before now because his value is about to shoot up before Week 1 even gets here. No one has really separated themselves in the pursuit of the WR1 job in Jacksonville and now that Marquise Lee will be out for the season, someone will need to step up.
Dede Westbrook certainly has the draft pedigree and talent to take over that spot, but he hasn’t quite shown that yet. Donte Moncrief has made his way to Jacksonville after four underwhelming seasons in Indianapolis, but can we keep waiting for the breakout? Everyone has their questions, including Cole, but I like Cole for his big play ability.
Last season Cole averaged 18.4 yards per reception, which was tops in the NFL. Cole really didn’t start contributing until Week 7, from which he averaged 3.6 receptions per game and 70.1 yards per game till the end of the season. Maybe you don’t trust Blake Bortles, but the Jaguars are going to run the ball a lot which will pull extra defenders into the box and could lead to a couple of big plays per game for Cole.
John Ross - WR, CIN
This is the ultimate reaffirmation that one play can send the fantasy football community into a frenzy during the pre-season. That is what John Ross did to us last weekend with a joystick-like move faking defenders, changing directions and taking a nice catch in for a touchdown. It appears Ross will have the WR2 job locked up moving forward. Can the WR2 in Cincinnati have any value though?
We may have a bad taste in our mouth from the Bengals underwhelming performance on offense last season, but Andy Dalton has supported a decent WR2 on his team prior to that. Since he joined the league, 2017 was the only year the Bengals WR2 didn’t have at least 700 receiving yards. The average WR2 season for the Bengals since 2011 is 58 receptions for 773 yards and five touchdowns. If Ross put together a similar season in 2018, it would be an excellent step in the right direction after a disaster last year. We could see more big plays in the future.
#TrendingDown
Spencer Ware - RB, KC
Those who continue to be skeptical of Kareem Hunt continue to believe Spencer Ware holds value in 2018. The hope that Ware returns to have an impact on the Chiefs has started to dwindle some, but others still believe he will help this season. While that may be true, I don’t think we see the valuable handcuff most were expecting.
Ware only carried the ball three times for three yards this pre-season and if the Chiefs are still trying to bring him along slowly, he won’t be able to steal many carries from Kareem Hunt. It’s clear the Chiefs were being careful with him this pre-season, which they should, because there is no need to risk injury in the pre-season. However, when you have missed an entire season, it may take some time to kick off that rust and get back into real game shape. With a back like Hunt in front of him, Ware can’t afford too many weeks of trying to get himself back. Damien Williams, who showed well last season at times in Miami, is also in the mix and is a better pass-catcher than Ware. I don’t think Hunt owners need to waste a roster spot on Ware for the handcuff, because I don’t see him holding enough value to warrant a spot. Lets’ just let go of Ware.
Martavis Bryant - WR, OAK
Can we please stop chasing after the Martavis Bryant breakout now? He only has one season in which he has played more than 11 games. He has missed an entire season due to injury and don't look now, but he has another suspension coming his way. Even the Oakland Raiders don't want Bryant anymore as they have officially moved on from him. So when will fantasy owners be willing to move on as well?
Bryant's career high in receptions is 50, he's never had 800 yards receiving in a season and has never scored double-digit touchdowns. We need to just come to terms on the fact that this guy hasn't even been that good when he plays. The big plays have been there, but that is about all. If the Raiders aren't willing to take a chance on a guy like Bryant, then who will? If he takes his second year off in the last three years, then that will be the final nail in the coffin for his fantasy value, even in dynasty.
