Trending Wide Receivers and Running Backs- Week 13

With the last week of the fantasy football regular season upon us, this will be the last opportunity to lock down that coveted playoff spot.

If you’ve made it this far and your team still holds water to compete for that fantasy crown, congratulations, but there is still more work to be done. Typically it’s our opinion to ride with the players that have gotten you to this point, but highlighting the trends is very important to gain that edge. Usually we don’t see this type of high caliber names listed on a trends piece, but this week is truly loaded. Let’s review this week’s edition of trending players in hopes to prepare everyone for that final push.    

Trending Up

Derrick Henry (TEN)

If it’s not known to most of you, let me inform you on what Derrick Henry really is. It’s not that Henry hasn’t had a sound campaign overall, but something in this man’s physical makeup turns on a switch in last part of the NFL season.

Much like last year, Henry was mediocre to average for most of the season, only to ramp it up as games got more important. The same looks to be said once again, but this time Henry has improved a few games earlier. It’s no coincidence in our minds that the elevation of his performance has everything to do with Ryan Tannehill now behind center. With the added dynamic of a solid pass attack on this club, Henry is able to dominate with gusto.

Over the course of the last three contests, Henry has amassed a whopping average of 28.89 fantasy points per game. With the Titans still playoff viable, we fully expect him to flourish. Ride Henry all the way to the title.        

DJ Moore (CAR)

While we have been waiting patiently for the overall skills to come to fruition, DJ Moore is proving to be a valuable commodity for the fantasy community. Even though Moore has played very well thus far, over the last four games it appears he’s finally turned that corner.

With Kyle Allen now the full time starter for this club, and playing quite solid in the process, Moore has seen an explosion in target share and fantasy productivity. Averaging over 18-points per game in his last four, the remaining schedule is making our mouths water. While we did have questions to if Moore could eventually become that trusted WR1 in fantasy football, I truly feel that it has all been answered. Moore is a massive high trend for the coming weeks.

Jonathan Williams (IND)

While preaching a trend like this is an obvious short term solution, we must abide and give credit where it’s due. The back story for the Colts Jonathan Williams nearly had him as a NFL afterthought after what transpired in his days with the Buffalo Bills. Losing favor with poor attitude and lack of training, Williams has received another shot and he made the most of it last Thursday Night.

With Marlon Mack lost to a broken hand and his return is still up in the air, the Colts may have found their answer for the lead back on this offense. The Colts fed the ground attack last week and there is no indication that it won’t be the standard. With an offensive line as sound as Indianapolis, finding gaping holes shouldn’t be a major issue. While the potential for fantasy earnings is real, it will be contingent upon Mack’s return. With that said, Williams should be trusted for the next few contests with a trend moving up very quick.    

Jarvis Landry (CLE)

With all the offseason hysteria surrounding this Browns team and all the elite weapons they had at their disposal, one player that went under the radar was Jarvis Landry. Many prognosticators suggested that Landry would take a backseat to others limiting his overall fantasy output. While we understood the argument, we knew that wouldn’t be the case.

An article I wrote back in the offseason, we highlighted what could come to pass with the necessary skillset Landry possesses. Needless to say, the Browns haven’t witnessed the fruits of their labor hit high gear just yet, but as they pick up steam, Landry has been that trusted playmaker we originally thought.

With Odell Beckham being shadowed by the best defensive backs from the opposition, Landry has made the most of each opportunity scoring a touchdown in each of the last four games. If that wasn’t encouraging enough, Landry has seen a healthy 43 targets over those four games and that shouldn’t stop moving forward. The trend here is literally off the charts at the moment.       

Trending Down

Amari Cooper (DAL)

Normally injuries play a massive role in how a player is evaluated on our trends, but given the future of this schedule, it could be much of the same in lack of production. While we understand that players of high caliber such as Amari Cooper can break out of their funk without notice, the upcoming schedule really has us worried.

Not having preformed to par in his last two games, his next three could also be quite regrettable. As the Dallas Cowboys continue their quest to reach the NFL postseason, they face the Bills, Bears, and Rams whom all are gifted with fabulous covering defenses. Even as Dak Prescott has elevated his play to help move this pass attack, spreading the ball around has been the catalyst. The risk involved for who Dallas plays is the reason for this trend, leaving a ‘caution’ sign on his back.  

Saquon Barkley (NYG)

Yet another high end talent that we never would’ve imagined to place on a down trend listing, the Giants Saquon Barkley is more than deserving of this status. Since returning from his injured high ankle back in week seven, the statistical achievement just hasn’t been there to what we expect.

Over the past three contests, the Giants haven’t forced the issue with the run, but rather continue to throw the ball limiting the overall prowess Barkley naturally provides. Barkley hasn’t amassed over 60 yards rushing in each of those contests, while also not finding the endzone. The only saving grace has been the point per reception stats that have made his day look somewhat better. While his trend is lower heading into week 13, he clearly can’t be benched due to his ability.

Being forthcoming with all players on our lists, Barkley could be the reason you lose a chance at a title.  

Mike Evans (TB)

This trend down is more for education rather than an endorsement to stay away. Over the past few weeks, the Buccaneers have moved away from feeding Mike Evans which has been peculiar to say the least. Granted, the Bucs also have Chris Godwin who is a natural play maker in his own right, the fantasy earnings have been slim for Evans when Godwin gets the target share.

From week-to-week moving forward, it has become a dart throw to who will receive the lion’s share of the passes in the offense. Much like our evaluation for Saquon Barkley, Evans is a stud of a player and we wouldn’t consider a suggestion to bench his services, but rather be aware of the possibilities of a major letdown coming in the fantasy playoffs. While the trend is lower, Evans can breakout at any moment. 

David Montgomery (CHI)

As we have gone on record to promote the Bears rookie runner to high levels, he has constantly disappointed us as the season goes on. When we review all parameters to support a positive outlook, David Montgomery only generates pedestrian numbers leaving us sad and depressed.

With that said, we simply can’t cut the cord off completely as the remainder of his schedule is extremely favorable. While we try and not get sucked into that circle of demise just yet, we need to see more production before he can be let out of our dog house. Even with the matchups showing desirable potential, we simply can’t trust his game to lift him off the down trends at this time.