At the start of the season, there were doubts that, aside from Cooper Kupp, anyone was going to be overly interested in Los Angeles Rams players. A month later, much has changed.
Matthew Stafford has topped 300 passing yards in three of four games, and he has legitimate value if his touchdown numbers come up.
Rookie Puka Nacua is the talk of the NFL, catching 39 passes for 501 yards and one touchdown. Tutu Atwell has been strong, catching 22 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown. The Rams traded starting running back Cam Akers and replaced him with Kyren Williams. He has rushed 64 times for 245 yards, caught 11 passes for 101 yards, and scored six touchdowns. Even kicker Brett Maher has become must-have, posting weekly point totals of 12, 11, 10 and 11.
In most leagues, all five of these Rams were available on the waiver wire prior to Week 1. Now, it’s hard to imagine not having all of them in weekly starting lineups … or at least stashed so others can’t have them.
Fantasy football risers
Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud – When you’re looking for a backup fantasy quarterback, one of the first things you want is consistency. He’s not going to be an every-week starter. He just can’t give you meager numbers the week you need to plug him in. In his last three games, Stroud has thrown for 970 yards and six touchdowns – two TDs in each game. With bye weeks kicking in, it may be time to kick the tires on Stroud.
Kansas City Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco – Aside from Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, Kansas City has little to offer in terms of fantasy starters. Pacheco may be the “Third Amigo.” He has taken over the running game, and his role keeps expanding. Pacheco’s carries have gone up every game (8-12-15-20), and he not only leads the team by a mile in rushing (55-270-2), he’s third in receptions with 10. It may be time to start putting Pacheco in your starting lineup and keeping him there.
Dallas Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson – When the Cowboys lost Dalton Schultz in free agency, Ferguson was expected to be the next man up in an offense that uses the tight end a lot. His numbers don’t jump out at you, but they’re solid. Ferguson has been targeted seven times in three of four games, scored a touchdown in Week 2 and, in his last two games, has caught 12 passes for 125 yards. At a time when quality fantasy tight ends are in short supply, Ferguson is quietly moving up the weekly ranking boards.
Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson – In his first year in Denver, Wilson didn’t throw his ninth touchdown pass until his 13th week of the season. He’s matched that total in four games this year. In 2022, he had one 300-yard passing game. He has two already this season. As a team, the Broncos look to be one of the worst in the league, but there are times when having a brutal defense makes an offense step up just to keep up. Wilson is living that out by putting up his best start-of-season numbers since 2020 – and he’s still available in a lot of leagues.
Baltimore Ravens RB Gus Edwards – Edwards led the Ravens in rushing in 2018 and proved to be consistent. In his final seven games that year, he never ran for less than 67 yards and topped 90 yards four times. Yet, Baltimore has consistently gone in a different direction and brought in other running backs. It’s a long list in a short time frame that includes Mark Ingram, J.K. Dobbins, Devonta Freeman, Latavius Murray, Le’Veon Bell and Kenyan Drake. Five years later, Edwards is still standing and leading the Ravens’ running back attack again. He isn’t flashy, but he’s a guy you want on your roster.
Fantasy football fallers
Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow – This looks more like a 2022 Russell Wilson stat line – four games, 728 passing yards, two passing touchdowns (in the same game), and three rushing yards. He was drafted as a QB1 for a reason. He’s hurt, but he is Joe Burrow. At this point, if you have another viable option, how long does he keep being your QB1?
San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle – The Kittle malaise would be understandable if the 49ers offense was struggling. It’s not. San Francisco has scored 30 or more points in every game. Kittle’s stat line? Fourteen catches for 148 yards and no touchdowns – and three games with 30 or fewer receiving yards. Those with Kittle in TE-mandatory leagues are stuck with playing him because of the investment, not the production. Keep rolling with your investment, but be prepared for days like those that took place in September.
Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs – Those who drafted Gibbs are questioning that decision just like those who drafted D’Andre Swift felt when Jamaal Williams was on a touchdown spree. Right now, Gibbs is unplayable, despite rushing 17 times for 80 yards the one game David Montgomery was missing. Don’t play him now, but don’t give up on Gibbs, either. It’s a long season and things will change.
Tennessee Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins – It was curious when Hopkins signed with Tennessee. He had other options with more prolific offenses. Granted, he leads the Titans in targets, receptions and yards (31-18-216). Break those numbers down per game and you’re at 8-4.5-54 with no touchdowns. That isn’t starting roster-worthy by any explanation. That’s a weak dice- roll flex play.
New England Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson – What makes the Stevenson saga sad is it’s not the lack of opportunity. He’s averaging 18 touches a game. Yet, he has 60 carries for 164 yards, 12 catches for 87 yards and one touchdown. When the Patriots signed Ezekiel Elliott, Stevenson’s preseason ranking didn’t move. Zeke has done nothing to alter that perception, but Stevenson has struggled badly behind a battered line. Bill Belichick doesn’t stick with a slow lead dog long if he doesn’t pull the sled.
