For those who drafted some of the top tight ends only to be bitterly disappointed, it would appear the tide has turned.
Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce has caught 32 passes over the last three games. Sam LaPorta (shoulder) of the Detroit Lions is catching touchdowns after a slow start. Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews has five touchdowns in his last five games.
For those who were impatient, these guys were traded after painfully slow starts. Those who are patient have been rewarded. Only give up on tight ends after National Tights Ends Day.
Fantasy football risers
Los Angeles Chargers WR Quentin Johnston – Undrafted in almost every fantasy league, Johnston was supposed to be the fourth wide receiver in L.A.’s offense. He doesn’t get a high volume of catches, but he has become a downfield favorite of Justin Herbert. However, Johnston has scored touchdowns in his last two games and has five TDs in the last six games. Johnston is a dice roll with upside until he proves otherwise.
New York Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. – Those who say players don’t lose a starting job are liars. It happens all the time, and it happened to Devin Singletary. Singletary was injured in Week 4 and missed two games. In four games since returning, Singletary has just 22 carries for 102 yards. In his last three games, Tracy has topped that number twice. Tracy won the job due to injury and isn’t giving it up anytime soon.
Atlanta Falcons WR Darnell Mooney – Mooney was drafted as a WR5 (if at all) in most leagues, and those who have him on their rosters are finding it impossible to bench him. In his last three games, Mooney caught 14 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns – weekly totals of 18.6, 19.8, and 14.6. There aren’t many who can boast that kind of consistency.
Kansas City Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt – Hunt was an afterthought in September. While he isn’t dominant by any stretch, his volume is what makes Hunt a must-start. Over the last five weeks, his numbers have been 18.7, 22.3, 13.3, 18.7, and 17 in standard-scoring leagues. Hunt had only five catches in the four outings leading up to his seven-grab game vs. Denver. Few have produced better at any position.
Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton – Sutton was a WR4 on draft day who showed consistency last year but was starting over with rookie Bo Nix. In his first seven games, Sutton had more than four receptions just once. In his last three games, Sutton has caught 21 passes for 292 yards and a touchdowns (weekly totals of 18, 19.2, and 19). Who benches those numbers?
Fantasy football fallers
New York Jets WR Davante Adams – Adams was supposed to be the savior of a garbage season for the Jets. In four games in New York, his fantasy points totals have been 6, 9.4, 22.1, and 9.1. A 25% return rate doesn’t get it done, and people may be going into business for themselves in New York, where mild injuries become major given the circumstances. His volume has been mostly adequate, but the yardage output … sorely lacking.
Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb – Lamb was taken as high as No. 2 in a lot of drafts, but his last two games have been the least productive since his rookie season. In the game-plus without Dak Prescott, Lamb has caught 14 passes but for just 68 yards – less than five yards per reception. Unless something changes, it might be time to consider benching Lamb.
Buffalo Bills TE Dalton Kincaid – The Bills have changed a lot offensively, but Kincaid hasn’t stepped up to pick up the void left by trading Stefon Diggs. In his last seven games – most or all as a fantasy starter – Kincaid has posted weekly numbers of 9.7, 5.4, 11.1, 8.2, 13.1, 7.2, and 4.4. Maybe once his projection being surpassed. Consistent under-performance rightly gets you benched.
Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams – Williams was a spot starter after showing signs of being special. However, over the last three weeks, Williams has become poisonous. In those games, Williams has thrown for 521 yards, rushed for 67 yards and accounted for no touchdowns. As a QB2, those numbers make you QB-never.
Baltimore Ravens WR Diontae Johnson – There’s something to be said in the fantasy world of being a big fish in a small pond. In Baltimore, there’s a pecking order, and Johnson isn’t even close to front of the line. In two games, he’s been targeted twice, catching one pass for six yards. Pittsburgh’s on the horizon. If he doesn’t perform against the Steelers, cut him.
