Sunday was wild—and depressing if you are a Broncos fan like me. We saw great performances and some not-so-great performances. In dynasty, we’re in it for the long haul. That doesn’t mean we can ignore the day-to-day fluctuations. That’s what the Stock Watch is all about. Each week, I look at one player whose stock is on the rise and one whose stock is on the decline at each of the key fantasy positions. Let’s look at some of the big swings from Week 3.
Quarterbacks
Stock Up: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
About: We have three rookie quarterbacks who started the season for their teams—Anthony Richardson, Bryce Young, and Stroud. It’s been a struggle for Young, who is 0-2 and missed Week 3 with an injury. Richardson has flashed at times but was 1-1 and also missed Week 3. Stroud, meanwhile, might have one of the weaker rosters. And yet, in Week 3, he was the lone rookie to start and earned a huge win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Stroud threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He’s getting plenty of work and really developing a connection with Tank Dell and Nico Collins. That means good things for those who drafted him.
Stock Down: Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
About: In year three, we expect a quarterback to step up. And yet, it hasn’t happened with Fields. Not only did he stick his foot in his mouth during his press conference this week, but he also backed it up with a pedestrian game on Sunday. Yes, the Chiefs have a decent defense. But the Bears looked somewhat lost much of the game, falling behind 41-0 in the third quarter. Fields isn’t running and isn’t passing enough to be fantasy-relevant. There’s even been talk that his backup could see time if things continue. If you’re holding Fields hoping for a QB1 fantasy season, it might be time to form a backup plan.
Running Backs
Stock Up: Devon Achane, Miami Dolphins
About: One rush for five yards and one reception for four yards. Heading into Sunday’s game, that’s all we’d gotten from Achane. But on Sunday, the Dolphins needed more, and he was ready to provide it. Achane carried 18 times for 203 yards and two touchdowns, adding 30 yards and two more touchdowns on four receptions. It was an incredible performance. Achane looked explosive and like the perfect running back complement to Tyreek Hill in the passing game. The Dolphins have space for a running back, and Achane looks like he has the skill to be that guy. If you snagged him in rookie drafts, get excited.
Stock Down: Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers
About: Kelley had 91 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 running as a compliment to Austin Ekeler. With Ekeler out the past two weeks, he’s rushed for 51 yards on 24 carries. He might be a decent complimentary piece in the offense, but he’s posted back-to-back underwhelming days when given a chance to be the lead guy. For those who hoped he might be a regular lineup option, I’m not seeing it. I know it hurts; trust me, I played him the last two weeks also.
Wide Receivers:
Stock Up: Tank Dell, Houston Texans
About: Stroud campaigned for the team to draft Dell and for him to get snaps, and Dell has responded. In Week 2, he caught seven passes for 72 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets, and in Week 3, he led the team with 145 yards and a touchdown on five receptions. For a player you snagged in the later rounds of rookie drafts, Dell is turning out to be quite the boon to your lineup.
Stock Down: Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
About: Pierce was drafted last year and looked to be a good compliment to Michael Pittman. So far, it hasn’t played out that way. He now seems like a third or fourth option at best, as he’s behind both Pittman and Josh Downs for targets at receiver. In an offense that runs quite a bit, being down in the pecking order for targets doesn’t ensure enough volume to keep him a realistic lineup option.
Tight Ends
Stock Up: Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
About: Heading into Week 3, LaPorta had already made his mark. Through two weeks, he was sitting as TE6 on the fantasy season. And he just keeps going up. In Week 3, he saw 11 targets, catching eight passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. LaPorta is a Top 12 option moving forward.
Stock Down: Darren Waller, New York Giants
About: When Waller was traded to the Giants, it seemed like a perfect fit. He’s a big weapon in the passing game for a team that is desperate for options. But through three weeks, it’s been more fizzle than sizzle. He’s seen just 20 targets, catching 12 passes for 132 yards total. Even at a tough position, that’s not appealing for a weekly start. There’s time to turn it around, but so far, it’s been an under-whelming addition for the Giants.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
