Another week of risers and fallers as we’re about halfway through the season and the trade deadline approaches. Check your league to see which week it is!
Risers
QB Gardner Minshew | Arizona Cardinals
Where did this come from, Minshew Mania? After veteran QB Jacoby Brissett struggled badly against the Dallas Cowboys, Gardner Minshew came in late in the third quarter trailing 17-3. He led a comeback for the ages and led the team to an overtime win. Minshew threw for 17-23, 188 yards, and three TDs.
I guess that the Arizona Cardinals name Gardner Minshew the starter, making him a must-grab in superflex leagues. Even if you have two good QBs, a good bench QB is a must if unforeseen injuries hit your starters, and the Cardinals will almost always be passing late in the game.
RB Jonah Coleman | Denver Broncos
What a start for the fourth-round RB out of Washington. Jonah Coleman rushed 11 times on Sunday for 41 yards and a TD. Coleman also saw work in the passing game, catching four passes for 63 yards and finishing with over 100 total yards.
The Denver Broncos should lean on Coleman down the stretch to get the most out of their rookie and his most important development into a premier back. All this hype could be put to rest if Head Coach Sean Payton and GM George Paton decide to acquire an RB at the trade deadline, as rumors of a Jonathan Taylor trade increase by the hour.
RB Braelon Allen | New York Jets
Hot take: Braelon Allen > Breece Hall. Yeah, I said it. Now, I’ve never been a Breece Hall guy, but with how bad the New York Jets are (2-6), they are more likely to sell Hall at the deadline and acquire even more draft capital.
The emergence of Braelon Allen, who’s averaging 5.04 yards per carry this season, only makes it easier. Allen has also had over 100 total yards in the past four games and has finished inside the top 10 in three of the last four weeks.
WR Adonai Mitchell | New York Jets
Another New York Jet I must mention: Adonai Mitchell. The New York Jets WR went nuclear in MetLife Stadium, receiving 7 passes for 142 receiving yards and a TD.
It’ll be interesting to see what direction Head Coach Aaron Glenn goes with for the rest of the season: the rookie, Omar Cooper Jr., or the young veteran they acquired last year in a trade, Adonai Mitchell. Could even be both if Garrett Wilson is on the move.
TE Harold Fannin Jr. | Cleveland Browns
It’s amazing how fast some players can turn their seasons around. Fannin Jr. was a faller a few weeks back but is now one of this week’s risers after some stellar back-to-back games.
The Cleveland Browns second-year TE has 16 receptions for 245 receiving yards in just the past two games combined. This increase in production has significantly raised Fannin Jr’s. value as he now ranks as the TE5 on the season. If this continues, he could break into the top three, but it all comes down to the targets he gets in comparison to fellow rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston in that offense.
Fallers
QB Justin Herbert | Los Angeles Chargers
Again, Justin Herbert falls into the fallers category; I said it a few weeks ago, and I’ll say it again. I strongly believe Justin Herbert will not be a Los Angeles Chargers player next season. The Chargers need a full-on reset. If you drafted him as your QB1 this season, you’re cooked.
I don’t know about Harbaugh; I still think he’s a good coach, but it’s a new OC, a new QB, and a full-on reset. Mack is getting older, and I’d be thoroughly surprised if he isn’t moved at the deadline. Just sell some players, get some picks, and try with a new everything.
RB Ashton Jeanty | Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty is currently RB11 thanks to his targets in the receiving game, but over the past four games, Jeanty has failed to get over 27 rushing yards. In that span, he has 30 carries for 73 rushing yards, averaging 2.43 yards per carry and one rushing TD.
The Las Vegas Raiders went in a different direction last game, giving the Boise State product only two carries while rookie Mike Washington Jr. ran the ball 25 times for 83 yards and 3.32 yards per carry.
WR Omar Cooper Jr. | New York Jets
Honestly, this one has me speechless. Cooper Jr. was a riser last week after remarkable back-to-back performances, and I thought for sure it would be his job when Adonai Mitchell came back. Apparently I was wrong; Mitchell, a Riser himself this week, appears to have taken back the WR2 role in New York, which has now produced 25 or more points in three straight weeks with whoever starts there.
The most shocking part is that Cooper Jr. not only put up a donut in fantasy, but he didn’t receive a single target all game. It only makes sense to lean toward the first-round pick, but what do I know.
TE Sam LaPorta | Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta had another stinker on Sunday, and since their Week 6 Bye, LaPorta has just four receptions for 51 yards in two games. Those numbers will not cut it down the stretch for teams trying to squeeze into the playoffs.
Another thing I must add is that LaPorta has some tough opponents during the fantasy football playoffs; in weeks 15-17, the Lions play the Vikings, Giants, and Bears. I wouldn’t want him as my TE1 in the playoffs.
Other Content
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