NFL Stock Watch: Robert Woods rising, Christine Michael falling
STOCK UP
Robert Woods: It’s easy to write off Monday night’s big game as a small sample fluke, as Woods previously hadn’t recorded 90 yards in a game this season before securing 10-of-13 targets for 162 yards, but this happened in Seattle against a Seahawks defense that’s allowed the sixth fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. Moreover, the Bills have been begging for a No. 1 WR to emerge with Sammy Watkins out, and Tyrod Taylor is clearly developing into one of the more intriguing QBs in the league. Woods was playing hurt earlier in the year but clearly looks healthy now, had success in college and is owned in just 11% of Yahoo leagues.
[Play our $125K Baller | Free Yahoo Cup entry | Tips for your Daily lineup]
Melvin Gordon: I was as hard on Gordon as anyone, criticizing his poor YPC (he didn’t reach 4.4 in any game before the last two weeks) despite all the touchdowns, but he’s totaled a whopping 416 yards over the past two games and is now on pace to finish with 1,870 yards from scrimmage with 20 scores this year. He continues to improve (especially as a receiver), and the volume is just so huge at a position in which it’s so rare these days. Gordon is obviously one of the most valuable fantasy assets in the league right now, and it’s tough to argue with him not remaining so at this point.
Antonio Gates: There’s little explosion left, but he has 28 targets over the past three games, including four touchdowns over the past six. Hunter Henry and Travis Benjamin are both battling injuries, so the passing tree is as thin as ever in San Diego with Keenan Allen also out. Gates is 36 years old and injury prone, but like his teammate Gordon, it’s hard to argue with his production and situation.
Peyton Barber: He’s averaged 4.5 YPC on the season and saw five targets last week, when Antone Smith suffered a season-ending injury. Jacquizz Rodgers is also a “long shot” to play in Week 10, making Barber the clear favorite for touches in Tampa Bay’s backfield. The Bears have played strong defense against backs this year, but Barber could be looking at around 20 touches in a home matchup and is available in more than 80% of Yahoo leagues.
Rishard Matthews: It’s tough to rely on any Titans wide receiver, but Matthews quietly has racked up five touchdowns over the last five games, and he’s barely owned in 30% of Yahoo formats. He saw 10 targets last week and has emerged as the No. 1 WR in Tennessee. The Titans are at home against a Green Bay team that defends the run far better than the pass in a matchup with an over/under of 49.5 points, so Matthews is plenty relevant even in shallower leagues.
STOCK DOWN
Christine Michael: He has four touchdowns over his last four games, but Michael hasn’t run for even 65 yards in any of his past five contests, and he totaled just one yard in Monday night’s win over the Bills (who entered as a below average run defense). Just as worrisome, C.J. Prosise continues to see more and more snaps, and Thomas Rawls will return soon enough. Michael has been a nice surprise this year, and Russell Wilson looking much healthier is a good thing, but he has done anything but take full advantage of his opportunity, and his arrow is pointing down moving forward.
Davontae Booker: Speaking of not taking advantage of opportunities, Booker has managed just 2.6 YPC over two games since C.J. Anderson went out, and he’s fumbled twice over the past three contests. While the Broncos’ matchup is great this week against the Saints, Kapri Bibbs has suddenly become a big threat to out-snap Booker.
Emmanuel Sanders: He hasn’t reached 90 yards or scored in any of the past five games. Like Booker, Sanders has a strong matchup this week, so there’s a good chance to bounce back, but Trevor Siemian has become a problem for the entire Broncos offense.
[Week 10 rankings: Overall | FLEX | QB | RB | WR | TE | DEF | K]
Kyle Rudolph: He’s totaled 13 catches for 102 yards over the past four games. Rudolph scored last week but totaled one yard on three targets against a Lions defense that’s been destroyed by tight ends all season. Sam Bradford and the Vikings offensive line have struggled mightily recently, and Jerick McKinnon’s value has taken a major hit as a result as well.
Ben Roethlisberger: It’s admirable he was back in action so soon, but it was clear Big Ben was nowhere close to 100% Sunday, when he managed just 5.9 YPA against a previously beatable Ravens secondary. He now gets a Cowboys defense that’s played well this season, and really the entire Steelers offense has been a big disappointment in 2016 (Sammie Coates didn’t record a catch in Week 9, Antonio Brown hasn’t lived up to expectations and Le’Veon Bell has gotten 3.3 YPC over the past two weeks). Roethlisberger’s ability to return to full health is going to be a major factor in fantasy leagues down the stretch.
