Box scores never tell the whole story, so which fantasy options are rising and falling for the fantasy championship (and beyond)? If you want to completely dominate your league, consider Fantasy Consigliere for premium analytics and next-level advice for all your leagues, all year long.
Quarterback
Stock up: Nick Foles, PHI
A season-saving win over the Rams on Sunday night got Philadelphia right back in the playoff race, and Nick Foles should remain in “playoff mode” for the final two games of the year. The stats weren’t extraordinary in Week 15, but like we saw in last season’s Super Bowl run, Foles isn’t afraid to take shots and let his receivers make plays, which could lead to some big numbers against two beatable pass defenses (v HOU, @ WAS) to close things out. Foles is an excellent streamer against the Texans this week.
Stock down: Cam Newton, CAR
The throwing shoulder is clearly an issue for Cam Newton, as his play has fallen off a cliff this month. I thought he might be able to pay off for fantasy owners last night by using his legs in a must-win against the Saints, but he ended up rushing just five times for 15 yards in a 12-9 loss, and he seems at real danger of either being shutdown or simply getting benched—for health reasons—in the middle of a game. Fantasy owners need to look elsewhere.
Running back
Stock up: Jamaal Williams, GB
Aaron Jones (knee) is probably done for the year with Green Bay out of the playoff race, so Jamaal Williams will have a chance to work in a featured role in the fantasy championship. Last year, Williams provided RB1 value down the stretch, and he has the upside to do the same this season. The second-year back turned 16 touches into 97 yards and a score last week against a stout Chicago defense.
Stock up: Kalen Ballage, MIA
Kalen Ballage entered Week 15 with just eight carries for 11 yards this season, but the rookie took over the early-down role for the Dolphins when Frank Gore (foot) left the game last week, and he rushed 12 times for 123 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown. Ballage is a size-speed freak that could not only do damage down the stretch this season, but also prove he deserves to start in 2019.
Stock up: Dalvin Cook, MIN
We should keep in mind that the performance came against a weak Miami run defense, but those invested in Dalvin Cook (19 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns) had tremendous early returns in the first game since former offensive coordinator John DeFilippo was fired. Cook doesn’t necessarily have an easy schedule for the fantasy championship (@ DET, v CHI), but his game-breaking skillset was on full display last Sunday, so the RB1/RB2 case is much stronger than it was just a week ago.
Stock down: Sony Michel, NE
New England probably could have used more of Sony Michel last week, as he rushed just 13 times for 59 yards (4.5 YPC) in a close loss to the Steelers. The rookie runner actually didn’t even start—Rex Burkhead did instead—so he probably needs to be viewed as more of a low-end RB2 than low-end RB1 despite a couple promising matchups (v BUF, v NYJ) as the Patriots look to get a first-round bye.
Wide Receiver
Stock up: Robert Foster, BUF
An undrafted rookie out of Alabama that had just 35 career college catches, Robert Foster has come out of nowhere for Buffalo, and he’s strung together enough big games (94+ yards in four of the past five weeks) to strongly consider him as a weekly FLEX option. As a word of caution, Foster is sure to draw attention in New England this weekend, but his dynasty stock is screaming up as a downfield weapon for rocket-armed Josh Allen.
Stock up: Alshon Jeffery, PHI
As stated, Nick Foles loves to take chances downfield, and the Philadelphia offense will likely be centered around Alshon Jeffery rather than Zach Ertz in a playoff push. Jeffery had averaged just 11.1 yards per reception with Carson Wentz under center, but last week he caught eight passes for 160 yards (20.0 average), and the Texans—this week’s opponent—are very vulnerable to deep passes. Alshon is back in the WR1 ranks.
Stock up: James Washington, GB
He didn’t have a monster game last week, but those who relied on James Washington as a Hail Mary option were at least rewarded with a team-high 65 receiving yards in Week 15. While the former Oklahoma State star will continue splitting time behind Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster, I think the Steelers will trust him more to play big plays for Ben Roethlisberger, making him worth a FLEX flier for anyone banged up at receiver.
Stock down: Chris Godwin, TB
Chris Godwin was a “Stock Down” last week “thanks to the up-and-down nature of Jameis Winston,” and that was on full display last week in Tampa Bay’s 20-12 loss to the Ravens, as the 22-year-old didn’t record a catch. Godwin should see a lot of stingy coverage from an angry Dallas secondary in Week 16, so fantasy owners are hopefully looking elsewhere.