Every Monday of the NFL regular season we look at breakout performances from the weekend and analyze their potential for sustained success. We will rank these performances from 1-5 based on whether we believe they are momentary or long-term options for your fantasy teams.
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Fantasy Football Heat Index
Quarterback
Stats: 14-of-18, 164 passing yards, one passing touchdown, nine rushing attempts, 32 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown
Position Rank (pre-MNF): QB7 (19.76 points)
Analysis: After averaging 11.66 points and failing to finish as a QB1 in the first six games of the season, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been a different player lately. He’s averaged 21.1 fantasy points and finished as a QB1 in three consecutive contests against the Saints, Browns and Titans.
Herbert only needed 164 passing yards against Tennessee on Sunday, but he added another 32 yards on the ground. He had two total touchdowns and is the current QB7 on the week. With favorable passing matchups against the Bengals, Ravens and Falcons on deck, Herbert should remain in the low-end QB1 conversation over the next month.
Heat Index: 3
Running Back
Stats: 14 rushing attempts, 53 rushing yards
Position Rank (pre-MNF): RB35 (5.3 points)
Analysis: Recent reports have hinted at this possibility since his return from injured reserve (IR), but rookie running back Audric Estime finally took on a larger role in Denver’s offense on Sunday. He led the team with 14 carries and 53 rushing yards in Denver’s near upset of the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.
Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams still saw the field before Estime on Sunday, but the rookie ended the game with 11 more carries than both running backs combined. Estime has been a literal non-factor as a receiver, so this likely remains a two or three-back committee. However, Estime taking over the early-down role could be a death blow to Williams’ value.
Although it didn’t lead to immediate fantasy success this week, Estime should be rostered in 12-team formats. His upside might be capped in PPR formats, but he still has value as an early-down grinder and goal-line thumper.
Heat Index: 3
Wide Receiver
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR – NO)
Stats: Three receptions, 109 receiving yards, two touchdowns
Position Rank (pre-MNF): WR2 (24.4 points)
Analysis: After a slew of injuries at the position, the Saints limped into Week 10 with journeyman Marquez Valdes-Scantling and rookie Mason Tipton as their top two wide receivers. Valdes-Scantling responded with 109 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions against the Falcons.
With Rashid Shaheed on season-ending IR and Chris Olave potentially joining him there, Valdes-Scantling will be a popular waiver wire addition this week. This week’s level of production (24.4 fantasy points on three targets) isn’t sustainable over time, but the potential No. 1 WR in New Orleans is worth a speculative add in all formats.
Heat Index: 3
Tight End
Stats: Eight receptions, 72 receiving yards
Position Rank (pre-MNF): TE6 (11.2 points)
Analysis: In his second game of the season, Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson scored 11.2 half-PPR points and is the current TE6 on the week. Considering he is still playing limited snaps as he works back from injury, fantasy managers can’t be mad with that result.
Although Hockenson’s playing time didn’t increase much from last week, he was much more involved in Minnesota’s ugly 12-7 victory over the Mac Jones-led Jacksonville Jaguars. Star wide receiver Justin Jefferson was held to a season-low 48 receiving yards, which resulted in Hockenson leading the Vikings in receptions (eight), receiving yards (72) and targets (nine).
Over the weeks ahead, Hockenson’s playing time will only increase. That makes him a very intriguing piece moving forward. Hockenson is a locked-in TE1 over the stretch run and could even see Flex-worthy usage in a Vikings offense desperate for another pass-catcher to step up.
Heat Index: 4
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