Eric Karabell is a senior writer for fantasy baseball, football and basketball at ESPN. Eric is a charter member of FSWA Hall of Fame and author of "The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments".
It might seem a tad odd for us to supply rest-of-season rankings when the end of the season seems so close, and for many the trade deadline has passed. But for those of you thinking about your fantasy playoff schedules ahead, here we are this Thanksgiving week ready to serve! The fact is that changes occur in these rankings each week, as performance, roles and injuries seem to be in constant flux in this sport, so we shall keep things going in this space into December as well. As always, we combine these rankings with a little Stock Watch. Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy!
QB stock up
Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans:It seemed unrealistic over the summer when the Titans said they viewed this former Miami Dolphins underachiever as a viable replacement should Marcus Mariota struggle, but look at what has happened since Mariota's benching. Tannehill has produced no fewer than 18.9 fantasy points in his past five games, punctuating his recent run with 32.4 points in a rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday. Tannehill scored four touchdowns, two of them with his legs. No, he has not faced a great defense in that span, but we did not move him into QB1 territory, either. Even with the bye weeks done for 2019, he might be worth it for your team(s).
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns: The schedule likely plays a role here as well, as Mayfield underwhelmed for the first two months, but has scored at least 17 fantasy points in four consecutive games. The main change has been in the turnover department; Mayfield tossed 12 interceptions the first seven games, and only one in the past four. That works for us, too, and he still has a pair of remaining games against the Cincinnati Bengals. It is not too late for Mayfield to be the QB1 many expected.
QB stock down
Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles: Sure, one can easily blame the lack of a running game, any semblance of competent wide receivers and the fact the team has played recently against good teams (Patriots, Seahawks), but Wentz looks more erratic than he did as a rookie, and the stats back that up. In his past seven games, he has reached 16 fantasy points -- not exactly a strong number -- once. He committed four turnovers on Sunday. The schedule becomes quite easier starting this week in Miami, but it would be tough to rank Wentz as a QB1 until he proves, and with the aid of those around him, that he deserves it.
RB stock up
Leonard Fournette, Jaguars: Fournette was performing as an RB1 for the first several months, but the touchdowns eluded him. Then came a blowout loss in Week 12 in which he scored twice. Sometimes, this stuff makes little sense. Add it up and Fournette is having a tremendous, bounce-back season and he should be in the mix for a top-20 selection in next year's drafts as well.
Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills: The rookie from Florida Atlantic looked terrific in early September, but he missed a few games with an injury and had to earn the rushing attempts over Frank Gore. Mission accomplished. Singletary posted his first 100-yard rushing game Sunday. Josh Allen has not looked his way in the passing game much lately, but this could always change versus tougher foes. Singletary is a future star.
Benny Snell Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers: The rookie from Kentucky boasts two games with legitimate rushing attempts, and he posted 75 and 98 rushing yards in those games. Perhaps James Conner returns from injury this week, but Snell should matter if he cannot.
RB stock down
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks: Some might be surprised that Carson, a solid RB2 this season, drops in the rankings, but he earned a mere and season-low eight rushing attempts Sunday, probably tied into the fact he fumbled for the third consecutive game and seventh time this season. Meanwhile, Rashaad Penny, a first-round pick in 2018, saw a season-best 14 rushing attempts and broke one for a 58-yard touchdown. This might not even be a legit timeshare, but Penny is good, too, so rostering both seems wise.
Kalen Ballage, Dolphins: I really do not know for certain that Patrick Laird or Myles Gaskin could thrive in this offense, but it sure seems like Ballage cannot. He is averaging 1.9 yards per carry and 4.5 yards per reception. Ballage is not good. Perhaps nobody in this backfield is, but I think we can say Ballage is not someone you will rely on in your playoffs.
WR stock up
DJ Moore, Carolina Panthers: As with Fournette to some degree, a solid season for nearly three months was a bit overshadowed by a lack of touchdowns, and then Moore also scored twice on Sunday. He is averaging well over 100 receiving yards in his past four games, is fifth for the season in the category, and only five players have more targets. His success has not been tied to quarterback play, either, which is often a sure sign of stardom.
Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears: His name has been on the other side of this section, mainly because his quarterback struggles to find him, but when Mitchell Trubisky plays competently, Robinson can make plays. He is a bit all-or-nothing statistically, but only 10 players have more receptions this season.
Will Fuller V, Houston Texans: The problem is durability, not skills. Fuller gets downfield in a hurry, and it is tough for defensive backs to stick with him, as seen in Week 12 when he caught 140 yards worth of passes. Yes, it's unlikely he duplicates the performance this week, because the Patriots allow precious little production to receivers. But if Fuller can stay healthy in December, he can be a difference-maker.
WR stock down
Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions: Things were going so well with Matthew Stafford slingin' it and now that defenses dare Jeff Driskel to throw the football, Golladay's production suffers. He has eight catches in three weeks and no more than 61 yards in a game, and it sure seems unlikely Stafford is coming back soon. Golladay is great and you want him active in Week 15 against the Buccaneers, but otherwise his schedule is a challenge.
Tyrell Williams, Oakland Raiders: He scored touchdowns in each of his first five games, and now he has not scored in four consecutive. Such is the life of an NFL wide receiver, but this is not Julio Jones, you know. Williams has 21 receptions in his past seven games, which is not much, and some tough matchups in the future. Frankly, he no longer needs to be on a fantasy roster.
TE stock up
David Njoku, Browns: Absent since suffering a wrist injury in early September, Njoku could come off injured reserve this week and matter right away for an offense suddenly figuring things out. Njoku hardly starred last season, but the bar is low at tight end for relevant production, as you can see, since Ryan Griffin of the Jets has quickly vaulted into the top 10, despite being readily available.
TE stock down
Eric Ebron, Indianapolis Colts: Hey, do not laugh. Ebron entered Week 12 among the top 10 in season scoring at the position. His season is now over due to ankle surgery, his touchdowns having fallen from 13 to 3 -- just do not forget about him next season. Ebron might never score double-digit touchdowns again, but he can matter. One might assume Jack Doyle moves up in the rankings, but the Colts could easily just use Mo Alie-Cox, another big body, in Ebron's place.
