This will be risers and fallers with a heavy emphasis on usage. We are monitoring usage week-to-week to identify players trending up in terms of production as well as utilization. The more a player is involved in a game, the more the player has an opportunity to produce. If we can get an idea of players trending up or down, we can react to said information promptly.
This will be objective and based on the numbers. We check the personal bias and wish-casting at the door, and we look at the data and dive in.
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Fantasy Football Risers & Fallers
Week 2 Risers
Justice Hill (RB – BAL)
With J.K. Dobbins out for the year, Justice Hill took on a decent role in Week 1, and we saw him take on the larger role among the running backs in Week 2.
- 57% snap% (led all running backs)
- Handles the receiving role among the running backs
- Has 8 of the team’s 13 red zone attempts on the season. This provides touchdown upside with said RZ usage.
Pair the red zone usage with the PPR potential, and Justice Hill can be useful moving forward.
Jayden Reed (WR – GB)
It might not last long, but Jayden Reed is the wide receiver that stands out right now for the Green Bay Packers. He leads all wide receivers in the following stats through two weeks:
- Air%: 31.05%
- Target%: 25%
- RZ target%: 33%
- Rec yards: 85
- Route%: 100%
- T-1st in Receptions: 6
Mind you, he is doing this while being second in snap% at 56%. Which is lower than you would like to see from any player you are utilizing, but he is making those snaps count.
Jordan Addison (WR – MIN)
A rookie with tremendous upside and big play ability continues to trend in the right direction early in the season. We should see him continue to become a larger part of the offense as the season moves forward, but so far so good, all things considered. A look at Week 2:
- Snap%: 69% – up from 56% in W1.
- 3rd among WRs – 97.3%
- Route% – 19.4 aDOT – he’s the deep target/threat
- Tar% 11.63% – 3rd among WRs. Was tied for 2nd most targets among WRs in W1
- Slot% took a hit: from 34.4% to 18.9%
Mack Hollins (WR – ATL)
Not that we can trust anyone in this passing game, but they do need to throw the ball, and Mack Hollins did flash in Week 2. He is trending up early on. In Week 2:
- 71% snap% – up from 63% in W1
- Led team in Air% (36.11%)
- T-2nd in Target% (20.1%)
- Led team in aDOT (13)
- 95.8% route%
Again, trust was not there, but usage was. At the very least, keep your eye on Hollins in your deeper formats.
Tutu Atwell (WR – STL)
With the BIG names like Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua being the obvious risers, people are overlooking Tutu Atwell’s role and effectiveness.
- 2nd on the team in Air% (30.4%)
- 2nd on the team in target% (19.1%)
- 2nd in Rec (13) and Rec Yds (196)
- 2nd on the team in aDOT (13.41)
- Leads team in route% (97.9%)
Atwell ended up leading the receivers in snap% in Week 2 (94%). This was up from 79% in Week 1. This team will need to throw to be competitive most weeks; from the look of things, there is enough volume for him to continue to be productive despite not being the first read in the offense.
The Tight End Position
We are seeing a few notable names, such as Sam LaPorta and Hunter Henry, showing upside and potential given their usage. Henry, of the two, has carved out a more useful role and is finding the end zone consistently. We are not far off from a time when Henry was targeted for his potential and upside, and he is finally hitting on that.
Fun Fact: Through 2 Weeks, three tight ends have at least:
- 10 targets
- 10 receptions
- 100 yards receiving
- A 90% route%
Those names include T.J. Hockenson, Evan Engram, and Hunter Henry. A couple of names that just missed include Sam LaPorta (missed due to 84% route%) and Darren Waller (only nine receptions).
Week 2 Fallers
Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – DET)
This one is simple. Gibbs has a PPR upside. That is no secret, and we saw him heavily involved in the passing game in Week 2. With that said, David Montgomery left, and we saw Craig Reynolds come in and get three rush attempts, and Gibbs totaled eight for the game. Reynolds even got a red zone attempt in this game. Gibbs did not. They continue to show they prefer Gibbs as the playmaking type of running back, and there is a chance he simply does not get the bulk of the carries even with Montgomery out. This type of utilization for their play-making running back goes back to how they treated D’Andre Swift last season.
Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL)
Either they simply refuse to get Kyle Pitts involved, or Pitts just is not as good as we all thought. Regardless of the reasoning, Pitts continues to underwhelm despite having the tools to succeed. Through two weeks:
- T-3rd in Target%: 17%
- T-4th in Receptions: 4
- 4th in receiving yards: 59
There is some upside for big plays or better days, given the second-best Air% (33.7%) on the team and his team-leading 11.75 aDOT. This comes with a 93.2% route%. Again, the upside is not the question – the production is.
Justin Fields (QB – CHI)
Justin Fields was targeted for his rushing prowess with the potential to grow as a thrower. Well, that has not taken place just yet. Among QBs with at least 20 dropbacks – 33 qualified – Fields ranks:
- T-21st in YPA: 6.5
- 19th in pass yards: 427
- 32nd in aDOT: 5.3
- 27th in comp%: 60.6%
These lackluster numbers despite having the third longest time to throw on dropbacks (3.18). The rushing is not carrying the bad passing; that is where the problem lies. You expected the passing to be bad or inconsistent, potentially. You did not expect the rushing to be so diminished.
Dalvin Cook (RB – NYJ)
What is there to say about Dalvin Cook? His snap% dropped from 50% in Week 1 to 36% in Week 2. Michael Carter took on a larger role in Week 2, and you still have Breece Hall essentially splitting carries overall. The one thing Cook has is five of the eight red zone rushing attempts. The bad is the lack of red zone trips with Zach Wilson at the helm. Overall, this backfield is becoming a bit of a mess with too many mouths to feed, and Cook is not even the best of the bunch.
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