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".
Fantasy managers often fall victim to keeping players rostered based on results from prior seasons, but when poor play and injuries derail a season, it might be time to move on. This week's version of the end-of-season rankings and the Stock Watch seems filled with players of this ilk.
Does it matter what round you drafted a player if they are not worthy of a bench spot heading into Week 7? It does not. Anyway, there are changes galore this week so good luck in Week 7 and beyond!
QB Stock Up
Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans: Phew! He is back on track with three consecutive 300-yard passing games and nine touchdown passes in that span. The team is not winning games sans DeAndre Hopkins, but Watson is at least doing his expected statistical job, and pleasing fantasy managers.
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins: Well, apparently two completed passes for nine yards late in a blowout win over the awful Jets was enough for this 3-3 contender to push aside Ryan Fitzpatrick and give the Alabama rookie his chance. The Dolphins are on a Week 7 bye, but then face some tough defenses, with both Los Angeles teams and the Cardinals. Tagovailoa boasts obvious upside, and fantasy managers even in deep formats should be interested, but also cautious.
QB Stock Down
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams: Just when you want to trust him in fantasy again, he looks awful against the shell of the 49ers defense missing myriad starters, completing only half his passes and failing to surpass 200 passing yards again. Remember, Goff's season stats are a bit misleading since he already has a pair of rushing touchdowns, tying a career best.
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns: Well, he looked worse than Goff actually, although bruised ribs likely played some role. Perhaps Mayfield, averaging fewer than 200 passing yards per game, is only playable in deep fantasy formats versus bad defenses. He faces the Bengals this week. If he plays poorly there, it could be Case Keenum time, and you do not want Case Keenum in fantasy.
RB Stock Up
James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers: That disappointing opening game seems forgotten now as Conner has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in three of four games since, and scored a rushing touchdown in each one. Durability remains the primary concern, but he is getting a steady dose of touches and looks fantastic.
Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals: Perhaps it was really about how terrible the Dallas defense is, but Drake did look quicker, more decisive in the Monday night rout, punctuating his season-best performance with a 69-yard touchdown in the closing minutes. Might be a smart time to put his name out there in trade talks, though, as one game changes only so much of value, and he still has no role in the passing game.
D'Andre Swift, Detroit Lions: We waited a bit for this one but finally in Week 6, coming off the bye week, the Lions gave their swift rookie legitimate volume. He exploded for 123 total yards and a touchdown. I cannot imagine why the offensive decision makers here would go back to Adrian Peterson, but coaches do what coaches want to do.
RB Stock Down
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles: Kind of sums up Philadelphia's season when its top fantasy option breaks a 74-yard run and hurts his knee -- and fumbles -- at the end of the play. Sanders could miss a few weeks, but even when healthy, this offensive line is relying on third-stringers, and even if Sanders is healthy he could find it tough to find running room in November.
Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers: Speaking of injuries, Mostert is back on the shelf with a high ankle sprain, after missing multiple games earlier this season for a knee problem. It might be tough to trust the Will Fuller V of running backs -- awesome, but not durable -- in December, too.
Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams: Coaches can be a real piece of work. Rams coach Sean McVay promised an increased workload for the rookie, and then he gave him one measly snap. Do not trust coaches. Keep Akers rostered if you can, for as with Swift, talent eventually wins out, but what a disappointment.
WR Stock Up
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons: Welcome back! Jones looked healthy while embarrassing Minnesota's secondary, and he resumes his spot in the overall top 10. By the way, if you have invested in teammate Calvin Ridley, do not shy away now. They can clearly coexist.
A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans: Similar to Jones, Brown is a terrific player that dropped in these rankings due to missing games with injury. He skewered the Buffalo and Houston defenses since returning. The Titans are not just the Derrick Henry show. Brown is a safe WR2 again.
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: Speaking of Minnesota, their rookie talent is coexisting just fine with Adam Thielen. In fact, they comprise two of the seven wide receivers with 100-plus PPR points in ESPN standard leagues. Only the bye this week can stop them.
WR Stock Down
John Brown, Buffalo Bills: Perhaps struggling due to a knee injury, and also the suddenly worrisome play of quarterback Josh Allen, Brown went sans a reception in Monday's loss. Sure, Brown surpassed 1,000 receiving yards a season ago but he is shy of 200 yards through six team games. Do not assume last year's numbers will return.
Julian Edelman, New England Patriots: Also dealing with a knee injury -- is anyone healthy? -- Edelman caught two passes for eight yards. Yawn. In fact, he did better throwing the football, completing two attempts for 38 yards. Edelman has one good statistical game out of five, and another 1,000-yard campaign seems unlikely. You can move on.
TE Stock Up
Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Yeah, it does not take much to vault way up at this underwhelming position. Gronkowski has 14 targets, 130 receiving yards and a touchdown the past two games. Welcome to the top 10 because there simply are not 10 healthy tight ends worthy of such a distinction. Perhaps Anthony Firkser cracks the top 10 next week!
TE Stock Down
Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles: A miserable season -- for him statistically and the club -- got worse when he suffered a high ankle sprain. See you in a month. Normally Ertz would be worth holding onto but he has barely produced, so feel free to move on for immediate aid. The top 100 now features a mere four tight ends. Yuck.
