Here is a look at the risers and fallers on the fantasy football stock market for Week 8. Note that popular waiver waiver adds of the week(McKinnon, Mason) are not included, as these players are obviously stock climbers by virtue of popular demand. If you missed out on this week’s top adds, you may see them here.
STOCK UP
(Color Key: HOT, WARM, LUKEWARM)
SAMMY WATKINS
As a highly hyped rookie receiver coming off a 122-yard 2-touchdown performance, of course his stock shoots straight up. Rookies have upside after all, so this stock rise isn’t unwarranted. Just remember that rookies will always struggle with week-to-week inconsistency. It also doesn’t help that Kyle Orton is at the helm(solid, but not elite).
LAMAR MILLER
Who would have thought that the clear backup to Knowshon Moreno at the beginning of the year would be valued as a RB1 come midseason? Well, that’s the caliber Millers’ stock has shot to today. There is slight reason for concern though. Miller’s remaining fantasy schedule is one of the toughest for running backs(five games with top 10 fantasy run defenses). And although a great runner, is he really in the upper echelon of running backs in the NFL? Though fantasy is a different ballgame, it’s a question worth thinking about.
RANDALL COBB
As the number 2 receiving option in an offense manned by Aaron Rodgers, we knew he'd be good – good as in scratching the surface of WR1 value. As of Week 8 however, his stock has risen to mid-top tier WR1 value. Cobb leads the NFL with 8 touchdown receptions, putting him on pace for a ridiculous 18. No matter how you slice it, that pace doesn’t seem likely to continue.
JOIQUE BELL
The Detroit Lion’s lead back has seen his stock rise quietly and under the radar. There are many that consider him a high-end RB2 for Week 8 versus the Falcons.
GOLDEN TATE
Coming off a 10 reception(13 target) 154-yard, 1-touchdown performance, it was inevitable that Tate’s stock would rise. But anyone paying attention should know that due to the impending return of Calvin Johnson, this is the prime time to sell high on Tate. That’s assuming there’s a clueless owner in your league who'd bite.
DARREN MCFADDEN
If this were 2008 or 2010, McFadden would probably be fired up as a RB1 in his role as the featured back in the Raiders offense. McFadden doesn’t have that kind of appeal anymore, but is being seen as a RB2 in Week 8 after playing featured back over MJD and finding the end zone last week versus the Cardinals.
STOCK DOWN
(Color Key: COLD, COOL, CHILLY)
MATT RYAN
Ryan started the season on fire — at one point, his value really reached that of a high-end QB1. However, after three consecutive weeks with just 1 touchdown pass — struggles largely due to an injury-ridden offensive line that barely gives him time to breathe, Ryan’s stock has fallen as low as the QB2 back ranks.
JAY CUTLER
Cutler was ineffective in a plus matchup last week versus the Dolphins, throwing for just 190 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. In fantasy, sometimes one bad game is all it takes for your stock to slide downwards. Cutler has slid from a middle of the pack QB1 to even a top of the pack QB2.
ALFRED MORRIS
Viewed as a low-end RB1 earlier in the year, Morris may even be a RB3 in Week 8. After posting rushing yardage totals of 29, 41, and 54 through the past three weeks, in addition to being a zero in the passing game, fantasy owners have quickly lost appeal in Morris.
MARSHAWN LYNCH
Fantasy experts seem to understand that Lynch will turn it around. Your casual fantasy footballer may not. That makes Lynch a potential buy-low in such leagues.
