Trending Wide Receivers and Running Backs- Week 10

With crunch time upon the fantasy community, edging out those victories will be the difference in holding a playoff spot, or watching from the sidelines.

The landscape of the NFL is becoming clearer on which clubs are contenders and which teams will simply close it out. Fantasy production will be paramount over the next six weeks, to which understanding what players to covet and those to avoid will go a very long way. Let’s review this week’s edition of trending players in hopes to secure wins to help secure a playoff bid.   

Trending Up

Zach Pascal (IND)

Simply put, the Colts were given a dagger of bad news with their star receiver TY Hilton being lost for the next few weeks. While one man’s demise becomes another’s glory, enter Zach Pascal to help ease the pain. Basically coming out of nowhere to prove he can hang with the big boys, Pascal has truly been a welcomed surprise. Being thrust into more playing time as the team’s top receiving target, Pascal hasn’t disappointed.

With that said, we could argue the overall ability on his game at times, the target share will be here to support this trend up. It’s not to suggest that Pascal isn’t capable of beating the best in the business, we do have slight fear that he could get bottled up in double coverage. Nevertheless, we truly have a gleaming outlook on the potential and could see many games of fabulous statistical achievement.

Kareem Hunt (CLE)

It’s been a long time since we’ve sung the praise of the once troubled Kareem Hunt. Having been on a roller-coaster ride since a video of his indiscretions were made public, forcing the hand of the league to suspend his services for the first 10 games. Now back and eligible to play, the stock is rising on pure speculation.  

We all understand that Nick Chubb has the clear lead role from the backfield on this Browns offense, but adding Hunt and his dynamic running ability should earn him touches. At this point it’s unclear to the usage and volume, but we like the odds of Hunt having a decent role. Starting Hunt for week 10 will be a giant risk to say the least, but moving forward, we’ll get a clear picture of how it should unfold. Either way, the trend is moving in the right direction.

Josh Gordon (SEA)

When the New England Patriots placed Josh Gordon on injured reserve for the purpose of releasing him, his value fell through the floor. Having to move through the leagues waiver process, the Seahawks found great fortune being the 27th team on the list, and were awarded the claim. “Flash” Gordon once again has a new place to call home and we love the prospects.

To be clear, we truly have no idea how this addition will turn out, but with how well Russell Wilson has played this season, the potential is sky rocking. There is no question that Gordon is far from washed and should have an immediate impact on this pass game. Becoming more multi-dimensional in the pass will give the opposition fits to cover all the talent the Hawks employ. Get ready for fireworks in the Pacific North West.  

Myles Gaskin (MIA)

Some may be leaning toward Kalen Ballage to be the uptrend in Miami now that Mark Walton has been suspended, but for our appetite, give us Myles Gaskin as he might have the better future outlook. Granted it’s difficult to predict at this point and by default Ballage has first rights to the lead role, Gaskin should be able to carve playing time in his own right.

Miami is a hot mess all over this roster which is filled with giant inadequacy. With that said, coaching staff’s look to the future and will provide every shot to players that could hold a role next season. This evaluation may be something of a long shot, but we’ll preach this one early in hopes the trend moves high.  

Trending Down

Adam Thielen (MIN)

Heading back to the start of the season, our affinity for the Vikings Adam Thielen placed his services at the top of our draft board, and rightfully so. Believing Minnesota would become a force offensively in 2019, we have endured ups and downs. While some weeks held limited target share, the issue as of today rests with his hamstring injury.

While we completely understand that injuries are out of the control of the player and could be argued to why we place him on the down trend, but from our experience, these types of injuries linger. Being ruled out from the week 10 contest with the potential for more, we are greatly concerned. However, the type of player Thielen is, we fully expect him to recoup quickly and find his way back to the good graces. Either way as it stems right now, we have no choice but to place him here for the next couple weeks.

Adrian Peterson (WAS)

We have a funny feeling that Adrian Peterson will again be relegated to a limited role with the return of his teammate Derrius Guice. As Peterson continues to perform, some have questioned our thought process to feel this backfield will employ a time share rather than the full removal of Peterson.

To be fair, the Redskins season is completely lost and the evaluation process has already begun. Washington has been waiting a year and a half to see what they have in Giuce. From now until the end of the season (barring health) Guice should take a more prevalent role, leaving Peterson to again be the afterthought. This trend is obviously moving in the wrong direction.   

AJ Green (CIN)

For those of us who drafted AJ Green in hopes that he would return at some point this season to help lift your squad for a strong playoff push, more disappointed rests here. The Bengals have said Green suffered a setback in his rehab, re-injuring the ankle which has cost him the entire 2019 campaign thus far. It’s our contention that Cincinnati has no interest in seeing Green return to the field as the Bengals race for the first overall pick in 2020.

Some may wonder how Green could sit on a trend down list when he hasn’t played one contest this season. Well to be frank, his prospects were rising over the past couple weeks with hopes that a return was forthcoming. At this point, Green holds zero value and could even be warranted to be dropped into the waiver rather than holding a roster spot.

Peyton Barber (TB)

Even though this isn’t a huge surprise to most, some still have been holding out hope that Peyton Barber would get some fantasy relevance back this season. While his role has been limited each and every week, the rise of teammate Ronald Jones has officially placed the nail in the coffin for Barber.

As we move forward, Barber will still hold the goal line duties with limited volume. Jones will be the primary runner in this offense as his play has accelerated of late. To be clear, we have never held the talents of Barber in high regard while some still preached the potential. Finally coming to fruition, limited change of pace carries while being in on jumbo packages will be what’s left. Massive trend down here with Barber.