Welcome back to the article that has a pulse on the fantasy marketplace, PlayerProfiler’s weekly Risers and Fallers. We had another tumultuous weekend in the NFL filled with injuries, surprise upsets, and close games. We also saw rookies take a step up on their respective teams, including one promising rookie receiver on the verge of putting it all together and catching passes from and elite QB. Let’s get started with the first Riser, a productive running back not many analysts were talking about this summer.
Risers
Raheem Mostert β RB, Miami Dolphins
While the fantasy football community was fighting over who to start between Salvon Ahmed and Christopher Brooks this week, we all knew deep down that it probably didn’t matter since Raheem Mostert would be the top option. Mostert answered the challenge with a superb performance, rushing for 115 yards and two touchdowns on only 17 carries. Lost in the Devon Achane hype machine, Mostert has produced monster fantasy performances, with three games of 20 fantasy points or more. He will split work to maintain his health, but Mostert has proven he can succeed in this system, even while splitting work.
PlayerProfiler Stat of the Dayπ€
The only non-QB with more TDs over the 1st 6 games than Raheem Mostert (11) since the 1970 merger is 2005's MVP Shaun Alexander (12) π
He is on pace to lead the NFL in TDs, the oldest player to do so since Hall of Famer John Riggins in 1983π€― pic.twitter.com/mTawek6prj
— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) October 16, 2023
Jared Goff β QB, Detroit Lions
I’m currently writing this article before the Monday night game, and at this time there is only one quarterback who threw for over 300 yards and won: Jared Goff. The rushing attack looked concerning after losing David Montgomery and already down Jahmyr Gibbs, but Ben Johnson cobbled together a plan, and Goff executed it perfectly. Amon-Ra St. Brown had another monster day, and Goff made a massive throw to Jameson Williams for a touchdown that put the game out of reach for the opposing Bucs. Goff has shown that, in the right system, he can play smart, turnover-free football. If Detroit keeps rolling on offense, you can expect to hear Goff’s name mentioned in the MVP conversation.
Jared Goff over his last 17 games, the equivalent of a full NFL regular season:
391-of-578 (67.6%)
4,473 passing yards
29 passing TD
4 interceptionsThe Lions are 13-4 in those games. pic.twitter.com/oc37QGvMgI
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 16, 2023
Rashee Rice β WR, Kansas City Chiefs
There were minimal expectations set for rookie receiver Rashee Rice after being drafted by the Chiefs, but he’s quietly putting together an efficient rookie season. He has ascended the Chiefs’ depth chart to become the second option behind Travis Kelce. Rice is currently No. 2 in Target Share and Red Zone Targets for the team. The Chiefs offense has appeared sluggish so far this season, but if a turnaround occurs, Rice will play a major role. He is also a pass-catching handcuff. if Kelce were to miss any time, Rice would become the No. 1 target for Patrick Mahomes. Even in a down year, I’d still prefer to have the number one target on a Mahomes-led offense.
Michael Mayer β TE, Las Vegas Raiders
The Sam LaPorta hype train is still rolling along full force, but now a new rookie tight end hype train is about to leave the station. Michael Mayer has seen his playing time, targets, and reception numbers all rise over the past three weeks. This Sunday, he hit 75 receiving yards, which led all Raiders receivers against the Patriots. There was a time in the pre-draft process where Mayer was the No. 1 tight end in a class that featured LaPorta, Dalton Kincaid, and Luke Musgrave. Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers are the primary targets in the offense, but for a team that looks to be trailing in a lot of contests, there should be plenty of targets to go around. Mayer could be the latest rookie who begins to put it all together after a slow start.
Itβs not a hard case to make BUT
Michael Mayer
is easily in the discussion for the TOP WAIVER WIRE ADD of the Week
Week 6:
81% of snaps
18.7% target share
68.7% route run rateOver the last two weeks,
25% TPRR
3.16 YPRR π³π€―Top 12 ROS Upside is here
— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) October 16, 2023
Fallers
Jaxon Smith-Njigba β WR, Seattle Seahawks
This one hurts. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was rising up draft boards in the summer, but we might have been a little early to the party. To be completely fair, we knew JSN would have to fight for playing time behind Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. The Seahawks lost both starting tackles at the beginning of the year. One of them has just now returned to the lineup. This has resulted in an increase in 12-personnel to protect Geno Smith. To add insult to injury, Jake Bobo has become a fan-favorite receiver, and the coaching staff loves his blocking ability. There are a multitude of little things Smith-Njigba has no control over, but they have delayed his chances of becoming a fantasy-relevant receiver.
The sooner we accept that Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Zach Charbonnet were luxury picks, the sooner we can begin coping.
— Nate Liss (@AnOutragedJew) October 4, 2023
Jahan Dotson β WR, Washington Commanders
After six weeks, it’s safe to say that the Commanders offense has performed better than in previous seasons. We’ve seen Terry McLaurin, Logan Thomas, and Curtis Samuel produce big games this season. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Jahan Dotson. Sunday was even worse for the 2nd year receiver, as he finished the game with only one target. Sam Howell has shown he is willing to spread the ball around, but we have yet to see Dotson turn in a performance with more than 41 receiving yards. There will be opportunities for him to turn it around, but there appears to be little to no urgency to get Dotson the ball.
Ryan Tannehill β QB, Tennessee Titans
I’ve waited too long to do this, and it’s a shame that Ryan Tannehill ended up on the Fallers list right after he also suffered an ankle injury. Still, he played through at least three quarters of football and ended up with only 76 passing yards. Tannehill has finished as a top-20 fantasy quarterback exactly once so far this season, and while we normally complain about the lack of skill weapons, the team now has DeAndre Hopkins, Tyjae Spears, and Chigoziem Okonkwo. To add insult to injury, Malik Willis stepped in to play when Tannehill was forced to leave, and he completed four of five passes for 74 yards. The Titans may be better suited to see what they have in Willis and Will Levis, rather than trotting out Tannehill after their bye week.
Titans Passing TDs this year…
Ryan Tannehill- 2
Derrick Henry- 1— Ryan McDowell (@RyanMc23) October 1, 2023
Rhamondre Stevenson β RB, New England Patriots
After hammering Mac Jones last week as a Faller, why not take down the highest drafted Patriot on fantasy rosters? Rhamondre Stevenson had a decent day Sunday, scoring a touchdown, but fantasy managers were hopeful he would have more than ten carries for 46 yards. Stevenson has had only two games with 70 total yards or more, and Ezekiel Elliott has cut into his workshare, taking roughly a third of the snaps. Stevenson is clearly the leader when it comes to red zone snaps, which would be awesome if he were on a functional offense, but the Patriots have yet to score more than 17 points in a game this season. He is a fine running back, but his situation has become so bleak that it would take a far superior talent to produce plentiful fantasy points at a consistent rate.
Week 6 Risers and Fallers
After Week 6, Raheem Mostert, Jared Goff, Rashee Rice, and Michael Mayer are the risers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jahan Dotson, Ryan Tannehill, and Rhamondre Stevenson are the Fallers. JSN is the only Faller in this list who hasn’t played poorly. He has been trapped in a situation that does not allow room for a third receiver to flourish. I’d look to acquire him in redraft leagues if there is room available on your bench. He can produce in his current role, and in the event of injury, he can become a superstar. Now go make your waiver claims. We’re on to Week 7!