Fantasy Football Risers: J.K. Dobbins, Ezekiel Elliott, Courtland Sutton, Jalen Tolbert

As best ball Season enters its final stages it can pay to be mindful of where we’re drafting players. If a player has been a 20th-round pick for the last three months, does it make sense to take them now that they’re going in the 15th round? These are the risers and fallers in FantasyPros’ best ball expert consensus rankings (ECR) over the last month.

Fantasy Football Risers & Fallers

Fantasy Football Risers

J.K. Dobbins (RB – LAC) | +5/ECR: 167

The Chargers’ running back situation isn’t as appealing as it should be considering they prioritized the offensive line over top-tier wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft. Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman have always been associated with excellent running games. Justin Herbert is suffering from the kind of foot injury that could easily linger into the season. If there was even a remotely appealing running back in Los Angeles, we’d be pushing his average draft position (ADP) up like a volcanic explosion.

J.K. Dobbins has averaged 5.8 yards per carry over his career. Despite the fact he’s only played in nine games since his 2020 rookie season there is enough upside at this range in the rankings to consider taking shots on him. Especially when he seems to be healthy in training camp and Gus Edwards is coming off an unspecified surgery.

#Chargers JK Dobbins with a fantastic run during 11×11, bouncing it outside for an explosive play.

– Dan W. (@DanWSports) August 2, 2024

Ezekiel Elliott (RB – DAL) | +22/ ECR: 111

Like it or not, this is the Cowboys’ running back room likely to open the season and Ezekiel Elliott figures to be a decent-sized part of it. Elliott is an excellent pass blocker which will keep him on the field, not to mention Jerry Jones loves Elliott and likely wants him involved in goal-line packages Tony Pollard failed to take advantage of in 2023. Elliott is coming off a poor year in New England where he failed to break a single rush longer than 17 yards on 184 attempts. At this price, though, it really might not matter with Elliott back home in Dallas.

Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN) | +5/ ECR: 97

The Broncos seemingly realized having a happy veteran of Courtland Sutton’s abilities could make Bo Nix‘s rookie season more pleasant and agreed to a restructured contract with an extra $1.5 million in contract incentives. Sutton is coming off scoring the fifth-most touchdowns among all wide receivers (10) and is the only proven commodity on this Broncos offense. With Sutton’s ADP still around the triple digits there’s a world where Sutton is one of the bargains of 2024 if Nix can be even close to good.

Courtland Sutton securing a touchdown in the end zone. pic.twitter.com/P9xzGUCFMC

– Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) August 1, 2024

Jalen Tolbert (WR – DAL) | +39/ECR: 218

The Cowboys have done little to improve their offense this offseason, giving third-year player Jalen Tolbert a chance to solidify his ownership of the WR3 role behind Brandin Cooks and CeeDee Lamb. From Week 10 onwards, Tolbert outperformed Michael Gallup, earning more targets, a higher yards per route run rate and more air yards (14.1 vs. 11.9) while playing an almost identical amount of snaps. If you’re betting on Dak Prescott to keep his form going from 2023 then Tolbert is worth a shot in deeper leagues.

#Cowboys OC Brian Schottenheimer on Jalen Tolbert:

“I see a player that’s matured, and a player that’s just ready for his opportunity.” pic.twitter.com/P04chHQ3Dr

– The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) August 2, 2024