Fantasy Football Stock Market- RB/WR on the Rise

With the NFL landscape taking shape after the recent free agent period, many players and teams already have a new and much different outlook. Highlighting players with rising stock this early might be like chasing fool’s gold, but we can’t resist the opportunity to preach what could become truth. A lot could and will change before the start of the season, but let’s review some names that should already be on your radar with high potential.

Rising Stock Running Backs:

Nyheim Hines (IND)

While most will obviously throw support to Marlon Mack first on this offense, we are gushing over the potential Nyheim Hines has in 2020 with Phillip Rivers now behind center. Clearly, over his career, Rivers has always supported his pass catching backs with great regularity and we fully expect coach Frank Reich to add this scheme into his offense.

In review, Hines saw a great uptick in target share the previous season (81 targets) from what was given in his rookie campaign – but we should again see a lift in those numbers equating to much healthier success. In the path of Rivers career, it was apparent that when a reliable pass catcher from the backfield was a dedicated resource, much more offensive success was the outcome. Names like Darren Sproles, Danny Woodhead, and Austin Ekeler all received over 100 targets with Rivers, creating fabulous fantasy value in point per reception formats.

While we can agree that Hines has underwhelmed so far in his career, year three should be the coming out party for this back with a quarterback whose preference is to integrate his runners in the pass game. Hines stock is truly on the rise and should be a great earner for your club this season.      

Devin Singletary (BUF)

The interesting aspect of the Bills Devin Singletary at this point of the off-season shows undervalue in most fantasy circles. Many still don’t know how to appropriately place a marker which would equate to value for draft return. In our eyes, Singletary has the perfect situation and should be leaned upon to be the primary runner on this Bills offense. Even as we truly believe Buffalo will add another back at some point this off-season (either the draft or free agency), this is Singletary’s job to lose as we stand today.

From what transpired a season ago, Singletary came on in the second half of the season which showed ability in both the run and pass game. For Buffalo to not add a back via the open market, could this be a foreshadow to believe he will be the primary point getter behind Josh Allen? Adding to the positives, the off-season trade to bring Stefon Diggs to the mix will only help limit the number of stacked boxes this offense will face. Having both Diggs and John Brown able to stretch the field at any given time, Singletary should gallop free on most occasions.

With his draft stock resting around the 20th rank for running backs and hovering around 50th overall – he is shaping up to be a massive steal with a very high potential in value.      

Todd Gurley (ATL)

If you are surprised to see Todd Gurley grace a list of positive players from our end – we are too. Over the course of last season, we wrote many articles voicing our displeasure for this super star. The fear for Gurley was clear in that we couldn’t trust his knee condition which left him off our draft board altogether in 2019. Moving ahead and looking forward, Gurley was released by the Rams and found a new home not even 24 hours later - latching on with the Atlanta Falcons.

With this return to the state of Georgia (where he played his college ball), we couldn’t have more of an optimistic outlook. With that said, we aren’t overly convinced his knees are miraculously cured, but playing with the Falcons could bring something of a rejuvenation to his stat sheet. As of today, Gurley finds himself further down the ranks and could be secured in later rounds then what we’ve been accustomed to.

Nevertheless, we find ourselves intrigued with the possibilities of Gurley again establishing himself as a lead back with the Falcons. While health will again be the major concern for the overall output in 2020, perhaps taking advantage of the north-south running style will be more conducive in recreating a sound run game for Atlanta. With Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley continuing to limit the amount of pressure Gurley will see from defenses – Gurley could be a major value pick this season. Moving to the Falcons gives us sound reason to believe his stock will only rise from here.    

Jordan Howard (MIA)

Throughout our time covering fantasy football, we can’t remember a player who continues to see such disrespect amidst sound productivity. While this assessment isn’t based on last season with the Eagles, but rather his time with the Bears is what should return to the field now that Howard finds himself in Miami. Howard earned two 1000-yard seasons in his first two years in the NFL and nearly secured a third in year three, missing the mark by a mere 65-yards. With last season a clear wash due to injuries and a system clearly not fitting his ability - is this the year Howard gets back on track?

The caveat here in suggesting a revival for Howard is key in how the Dolphins construct this roster rebuild. Even if a young potential franchise passer is added to the team, Ryan Fitzpatrick and his utter disregard for playing it safe should allow Howard to find lanes to run through. The major concern for Howard will rest in which running back the Dolphins plan to add via the NFL draft. We would be shocked to witness the Fins pass up on one of the top talents which could limit the overall potential of Howard in 2020.

With all that said, Miami is one club that is truly in transition and nothing is off the table. Even if a full-blown time share ensues after another talent is added, Howard shouldn’t be overlooked whatsoever as he has proven to be a full-time workhorse back who can produce.

Rising Stock Wide Receivers:

Emmanuel Sanders (NO)

For years now we have been on-board with the play of Emmanuel Sanders and that won’t change in 2020. After being traded to the 49ers last season, Sanders found himself on the open market looking for another place to call home. Deliberating his choices as a number of clubs came calling – signing on with the New Orleans Saints is like hitting the jackpot. Having seen what could be done with a future hall of fame quarterback in Peyton Manning in Denver, Sanders now gets another crack at finding solid statistical achievement with the great Drew Brees.

The greatest aspect of Sanders going to the Saints will be lining up on the same field with Mr. Glue hands – Michael Thomas. While some have already advised this will only aid Thomas that much more, we see the reverse spectrum to see both players having potential monumental campaigns. For years now, Thomas hasn’t enjoyed the presence of having a player like Sanders on this offense to help draw coverage and should instantly bring with it more success. In our eyes, this move hurts Thomas in the long run from the fantasy perceptive, but will raise Sanders more than his current ranking indicates.

Its with great joy we witness Sanders rest as the 43rd ranked pass catcher in terms of average draft position as we’ll jump all over that all day long. Point per reception production is only the tip of the iceberg and Sanders will be one massive steal once everything is concluded.     

Randall Cobb (HOU)

Heading back to last season, we felt as though we were the only ones still throwing support to Randall Cobb. Believing he had plenty left in the tank to be that flex fantasy option, his career was revitalized with the Dallas Cowboys. However, seeing the constraints the Cowboys had to retain free agents this off-season, Cobb was surly on the outside looking in.

With that, whenever a door closes, another opens and that’s exactly what’s happened to Cobb. A string of events led to Cobb finding his way to Houston to play with Deshaun Watson and it all began with a blockbuster trade. Coach and general manager Bill O’Brien traded his star receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals which left a massive hole on the Texans offense and a healthy 150 free targets. While no one will create an argument to advocate Cobb coming into Houston and obtaining the target share while reaching Hopkins production – his outlook is rising high.

Currently Cobb sits between the 65th to 70th rank on average draft position, and is a player that all should look to house on their roster. If he can remain healthy for a full 16-game slate, we are more than confident great numbers will follow.

Steven Sims (WAS)

As the buzz continues to be Terry McLaurin in Washington, let us remind you of another player that should be coveted in 2020 from the Redskins. Steven Sims became a prolific player in this offense as his role grew around the week 13 mark of last season. With the emergence of Dwayne Haskins each week, spreading the ball around was becoming a welcomed sight for Sims.

Looking back and believing his role should remain as that primary slot presence on the team, great success should be on the horizon this season. Tallying the averages from those last four contests to playing a full 16-game season would equate to - 144 targets, 80 receptions, 920 yards! Sims also snagged four touchdowns in the final three games making him a viable potential fantasy stud at a bargain price ADP. There is no question in our mind that Sims will be undervalued come fantasy draft season, but don’t forget his name even if the Redskins add a wide receiver in the upcoming NFL draft. Sims is a massive riser on our board based on value to potential return on investment and we encourage all to grab those shares.    

Cole Beasley (BUF)

When it comes to the Buffalo Bills offense, get ready to see greater statistics coming with weapons added this off-season. First and foremost, trading for Stefon Diggs will create a group of pass catchers that opposing defenses will struggle to cover. Diggs and John Brown have the ability to spread the field leaving safeties to account for the deep shot. With this added talent, Cole Beasley should feast over the middle in a mop up role with lesser coverage packages in his way.

With more encouraging signs on the docket, Beasley found great chemistry with Josh Allen for most of the year which equated to a healthy 106 targets through the air. While we could witness his targets decrease with Diggs now ready to hold his share of the workload, there is no question he will have a very large role this season. Seeing his placement rest around the 65th rank in terms of ADP, Beasley’s value will be large for return on investment.

Before the season kicks off, we will continue to see many refuse the Bills as a potential high scoring unit. While we too would like to see more proof on the field – you can’t argue that this Bills version has all the makings of finally being a desirable fantasy darling with Beasley being a hot commodity.