Trending Wide Receivers and Running Backs- Week 9

Gearing up for the second half of the season, rosters are holding increasing levels of turnover which is leading players to sit at opposite spectrum’s of the trends.

This week could be seen as vastly important for some, as fantasy playoffs inch closer where those wins become especially significant. Riding the hot hand while viewing upcoming schedules will become a best friend of fantasy managers, we have a few players listed to be aware of. Let’s review this week’s edition of trending players in hopes to secure wins to help secure a playoff bid.   

Trending Up

LeVeon Bell (NYJ)

Typically noting players of elite level talent on up trends doesn’t pull on the creative strings, but highlighting the Jets LeVeon Bell is completely justifiable at this point of the season. Thus far, New York has done their best in showing how dysfunctional a team can be both on and off the field. Adding injury issues throughout the first nine weeks to the roster as a whole, Bell hasn’t been that dominating force just yet.

If you have been frustrated with the production of Bell so far this season, rest assured, vast statistical achievement is on the horizon. The Jets schedule for the next six weeks is extremely favorable with the Dolphins (twice), Giants, Redskins, Raiders, and Bengals, who all give up large numbers on the ground. Adding to that, Bell and Coach Adam Gase reportedly had a great conversation discussing his usage on this offense. Everything is pointing up high for Bell to lift your team into the fantasy playoffs.      

Diontae Johnson (PIT)

While we did like the potential of the Steelers young rookie Diontae Johnson heading into training camp, it does take young players time to adjust to the NFL game. Our early opinion suggested that Pittsburgh would need to find a supportive playmaker to assist Juju Smith-Schuster to relieve pressure, and last week may have been Johnson’s coming out party.

Johnson has speed for days teamed with above average route running ability. If Mason Rudolph can continue his progression as the Steelers quarterback, we could be at the early stages of Johnson becoming a star in his own right. At this point, Johnson still holds a slimmer ownership stake and should be available in most leagues on the wire. If that’s indeed the case, snag his services quickly as the trend looks to be rising.   

David Montgomery (CHI)

If you’re like us, you would’ve held the Bears David Montgomery in high regard going back to fantasy drafts, to only be disappointed with the output. Chicago has been a complete dumpster fire offensively this season which has limited the landscape of what Montgomery could become. Last week however proved what could be accomplished when a commitment to the run was the initial approach from Coach Matt Nagy.

To be clear, we aren’t jumping on the wagon this week simply from one positive showcase, but rather the potential in strength of schedule. Much like the evaluation for LeVeon Bell, the upcoming contests after week nine has our mouths watering. From weeks 10 to 16, the Bears play the Lions (twice), Rams, Giants, Cowboys, Packers, and Chiefs who all hold very favorable matchup play for opposing runners.

While Montgomery still has a level of risk attached simply due to play calling and usage, we are betting on the fact that his role will be massive from now until the fantasy championship. Get ready for fireworks as this trend is heating up.    

Danny Amendola (DET)

It’s been a while since we preached this Lions Danny Amendola, and we finally feel this is the correct moment. Heading back to the start of the season, our infatuation for the potential role Amendola would hold on this offense had us literally jumping for joy. The Lions historically have used the slot receiver in great abundance, which left this as a perfect fit.

Outside of week one, it has been tough sledding for Amendola to find that chemistry consistently in this offense, but we may have turned a corner. The Lions have grave issues running the ball and seem to have adopted the Patriot way in short passes in hopes to recreate the ground attack. Coach Matt Patricia knows this formula all too well, and with Kerryon Johnson on injured reserve, we expect this to be the staple. PPR points should continue to be the common thread lifting Amendola back in the good books.

Trending Down

Brandin Cooks (LAR)

Yet another player that we had a giant affinity for heading back to the start of the season, the Rams Brandin Cooks simply hasn’t delivered what we thought he would. Granted, circumstances have added to what looks to be a failed campaign, we can’t get past how dire this season has been for Cooks.

The Rams offense as a whole hasn’t been that high-octane electric force we’ve become used too, and Cooks has also dealt with his share of injuries. It shouldn’t be surprising to witness a player of his size find regularity in the medical room, but multiple concussions may have his NFL future in jeopardy.

Looking back to pre-draft rankings, we held Cooks higher than his teammate Cooper Kupp, to which we hold our head in shame. Nevertheless, his trend is falling faster than rain from the sky.       

Carlos Hyde (HOU)

The common theme from the Houston Texans has been failure to appropriately establish the run game with high levels of consistency. When Carlos Hyde was brought to the team via trade to help replace the injured Lamar Miller, we had hope that he could resurrect his career on an offense that appeared to be explosive. While it’s not that Hyde hasn’t run hard with great enthusiasm, the volume continues to be a concern.

Adding to that, the remaining opponents on the Texans schedule leaves us taking cover while sobbing, as nothing looks conducive for statistical positives. The remaining seven games on the Texans slate holds six of the best run defense in the league. Stay far away from Hyde as his trend will leave you in tears.

Larry Fitzgerald (ARZ)

Holding great optimism that the aging future hall of famer would have something left this season, we are officially throwing in the towel. Our belief was that with Kyler Murray throwing the ball on this Cardinals offense, something of a resurgence would’ve come to pass. More wrong we couldn’t have been, and as the weeks move forward, Larry Fitzgerald is only losing more traction.

The season began on a high note with Fitzgerald being the vocal point in this pass game. But unfortunately for him and his fantasy owners, something of a transition has taken place where Coach Kliff Kingsbury is utilizing his roster more. With a reminder of contests holding stout defensive backfields, the stat sheet will continue to be a moot point for Fitzgerald.

It was a fabulous run for this classy veteran, but father time waits for no man. Fantasy relevance is clearly passing him by and we can no longer preach the good graces.

Courtland Sutton (DEN)

A season filled with so much promise has brought with it very sound returns. The Broncos Courtland Sutton has quietly put together a first half of the season that should be viewed more than just respectable. Taking on the number one receiver duties to perfection, even spotty quarterback play couldn’t stifle the overall outlook of Sutton so far this season.

With that said, as we enter week nine, the Broncos have placed Joe Flacco on injured reserve leaving Denver in a situation where quarterback play could be a massive concern – well, more so than it has been. Starting Brandon Allen for the foreseeable future, the prospects of Sutton completely fall out the window until further notice.

An inexperienced passer plus and terrible offensive line should keep Sutton on your bench as this trend looks horrible.