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 8 of the 2017 NFL season, based on red zone opportunities.
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Red Zone Risers
RUNNING BACK
Ezekiel Elliott (RB, DAL) - 39.1% Red-zone touch %
Ezekiel Elliott owners should be enjoying the fruits of his labors now, because in the not so distant future it may all come to an end. Elliott scored three touchdowns last week against a hurting 49ers squad. His red-zone touches have increased as well with 27 touches out of his teams 69 red-zone plays. He has totaled four red-zone touchdowns in the Cowboy's first six games. Will he ever get suspended or will he he play out the entire 2017 season? The saga continues. In the meantime, ride the Zeke train as long as possible because he's the undisputed workhorse as long as he's still taking the field.
WIDE RECEIVER
DeAndre Hopkins (WR, HOU) - 17.4% Red-zone touch%
DeAndre Hopkins only has eight red-zone touches out of his team's 46 red-zone plays. However, he has made the most of his opportunities by cashing in with five touchdowns out of those eight touches which leads all wide receivers in the league. Hopkins is having a bounce-back year following a less than average performance in 2016. Rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson has developed a great rapport with Hopkins, so look for him to continue to rack up the numbers.
TIGHT END
Jimmy Graham (TE, SEA) - 16.7% Red-zone touch%
Just a few weeks ago Jimmy Graham was in the red-zone faller category. He has shot up the charts to lead all tight ends in red-zone touch percentage and has nine touches with two touchdowns to date. He has scored those two touchdowns in the past two weeks and looks to continue to be an integral part of the Seattle Seahawks offense with quarterback Russell Wilson finding him on a more consistent basis.
Red Zone Fallers
RUNNING BACK
Alex Collins (RB,BAL) - 1.4% Red-zone touch%
Many of you have picked up Alex Collins hoping for some good flex play. For the most part you have gotten some decent production. However, he has a very alarming one touch out of the Raven's 71 red-zone touches and no touchdowns leading into Week 8. One thing is for sure; the Ravens are not giving the ball to Collins inside the 20. Look for Javorius "Buck" Allen to be leading the way with 21 red-zone touches and a 29.6 red-zone touch percentage for the Ravens.
WIDE RECEIVER
Tyreek Hill (WR, KC) - 2.0% Red-zone touch%
Big-play wide receiver Tyreek Hill made the red-zone fallers list not too long ago and many thought that his percentage would vastly improve. In fact, his percentage did drastically move but in the wrong direction. Hill has just one sad and lonely red-zone touch out of the Chiefs 50 plays. Perhaps his nickname should be "One Tyreek Hill". Terrible jokes aside, it looks as if the the only way he will score is on a big play which he has done three times this season.
TIGHT END
Austin Hooper (TE, ATL) - 8.6% Red-zone touch%
There isn't too much to say about Austin Hooper and his production this season other than it has been pretty awful. Some thought he might have a big year as the main tight end for defending NFC champion Atlanta Falcons and the reigning league MVP Matt Ryan throwing him the rock. Hooper had more yards receiving in Week 1 with 128 then the rest of the entire 2017 season combined after that. In Weeks 2 through 7 (5 games), Hooper only had 120 yards receiving total. Yikes. If you own him in your league and are looking for advice on what to do; it's drop-city and Austin Hooper's the mayor.
Red Zone Sleepers Tool
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