National Football League

Fantasy Football: Stock Up/Stock Down (Week 3)

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Last week we saw a majority of the starters across the NFL play the most snaps they’ll play until Week 1. Some players were able to improve their fantasy football stock while others not so much.

August 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (2) runs with the football against Oakland Raiders cornerback Keith McGill (39) during the second quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

With the regular season only nine days away and fantasy drafts still ongoing, staying on top of the latest players news is a must.

Some players you may have been high on a week or two ago might be the same players you might want to consider avoiding. Other players who you might not have deemed draft-worthy could be the same players who could help your team make a run at the title.

Here is the latest version of the Stock Up/Stock Down report.

Aug 26, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws the ball as Cleveland Browns defensive end John Hughes (93) defends during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterbacks

Stock Up

Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (16/25, 259 yards, 2 TDS) – It might have been against the Browns but still, Winston was great on Friday night. The Bucs used their no-huddle offense quite a bit against the Browns and we consider that a good thing for fantasy players. More plays means more opportunities and more opportunities opens the door for more FF points.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (17/23, 116 yards, 1 TD) – Despite playing lights out once again this preseason, Prescott’s performance on Thursday isn’t the reason why his stock is up. Cowboy’s starting QB Tony Romo injured his back on Dallas’ first possession of the game and will miss some time. Due to this, Prescott makes for an interesting QB2 and late round flier in any league.

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (15/20, 193 yards, 2 TDs) – It was nice to see vintage Russell Wilson this preseason after two poor performances in Weeks 1-2. Week 3 was a reminder Wilson only needs a drive or two to go from a below-average outing to an elite one.

Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins (12/23, 188 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT) – With his strong performance on Friday, Cousins is showing us his elite FF success towards the end of the 2015 season wasn’t a fluke.

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (11/16, 94 yards) – Flacco was healthy and efficient in his first game back since tearing his ACL in 2015. That’s a positive sign for an offense that led the NFL in passing attempts last season.

Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (12/18, 169 yards, 2 TDs) – Although he shouldn’t be considered an every week starter, Carr does have the ability to put up good weeks in certain situations. Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints will be one of those weeks.

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans (9/16, 170 yards, 20 rushing yards) – Just like Carr, Mariota will be a good FF starter in certain weeks. In the 12th round, he’s a solid QB2 who will turn in QB1 performances here and there.

Stock Down

Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals (5/9, 64 yards, 2 INTs) – I’m not ready to hit the panic button on Palmer because it’s the preseason and he was missing two of his top three WRs. With that said, I’m a lot more willing to pass on the former Heisman winner than I was a few weeks ago.

Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (1/1, 11 yards) – You already know why.

Aug 25, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster (34) runs past Atlanta Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (56) during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs

Stock Up

Arian Foster, Miami Dolphins (7 touches, 30 yards, 1 TD) – Foster outperformed Jay Ajayi (9 touches, 23 yards) on the stat sheet and in the eye-test. The Dolphins offense functions a lot better when Foster is on the field.

Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (7 carries, 48 yards) – Welcome to the NFL Mr. Elliott. If he’s going to perform this way every time he visits a pot shop, maybe they should build one next to AT&T Stadium. You know, just for medicinal purposes.

Christine Michael, Seattle Seahawks (7 carries, 58 yards) – I keep waiting for Michael to let me down but he continues to impress me. After three preseason games, Michael leads the NFL in rushing yards and YPC (minimum 20 carries). Despite what I’ve been told in my lifetime, Michael is showing that some men are capable of change.

Rob Kelley, Washington Redskins (12 carries, 51 yards) – Due to injuries, he currently finds himself at the top of the Redskins depth chart. Not only that, his performance this preseason has been pretty good.

Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers (7 carries, 45 yards) – Lacy’s 2015 season is a thing of the past. Get ready for the Eddie Lacy you saw in 2013-2014.

Jeremy Langford, Chicago Bears (6 carries, 17 yards) – He might have been underwhelming in his Week 3 performance but he is setting up as a workhorse in the Bears backfield. If he stays healthy, somewhere in the vicinity of 275 touches isn’t out of the question.

DeMarco Murray & Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans (21 touches, 97 yards, 2 TDs) – You had me at “exotic smashmouth”.

DeAndre Washington, Oakland Raiders (11 touches, 53 yards, 1 TD) – With this performance, it’s fair to wonder if the coaching staff is going to make it a priority to get him more involved in the offense. If Latavius Murray underperforms, Washington could get a shot at meaningful touches.

Melvin Gordon, San Diego Chargers (5 touches, 55 yards, 1 TD) – He was being undervalued in drafts but this game probably put his ADP in it’s proper place. He’s shown this preseason with his speed, he’s capable of a long touchdown anytime he touches the ball.

Stock Down

Thomas Rawls, Seattle Seahawks (DNP) – I’m skeptical he’s going to be a workhorse right out of the gate. He won’t play in the preseason, he’s barley practiced and there’s a difference between in-shape and football-shape. Christine Michael’s play has been so good, it gives Seattle the luxury of easing Rawls back in.

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (19) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receivers

Stock Up

Tajae Sharpe, Tennessee Titans (1 reception, 60 yards) – He showed well once again in his third straight preseason game. It’s not so crazy to think he ends up leading the Titans in receptions or receiving yards in 2016. He’s worth a flier.

Kenny Stills, Miami Dolphins (4 receptions, 46 yards) – Stills and QB Ryan Tannehill are showing good chemistry in Adam Gase’s offense and Stills arguably had the best preseason of any Dolphins player. Late in the draft, he’s worth targeting.

Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns (2 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD) – Despite being suspended for the first four games of the season, he’s a guy you want to own. All he does it make big plays.

Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5 receptions, 115 yards, 1 TD) – He’s a fringe WR1 going in the third round of fantasy drafts. He’s a steal at his ADP.

Mike Wallace, Baltimore Ravens (3 receptions, 37 yards) – The Baltimore Ravens will throw a ton under Marc Trestman. Combine that with Wallace’s speed and Joe Flacco’s big arm and you have big time potential.

Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings (5 receptions, 71 yards) – He’s going to be better in year two and Bridgewater will be better in year three. Diggs should come close to 1,000 yards receiving. In the tenth round, he has good value.

Will Fuller, Houston Texans (3 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD) – QB Brock Osweiler and Fuller hooked up for the their second touchdown of the preseason. It’s obvious he has the trust of his starting QB and his speed makes him a big play waiting to happen.

Stock Down

John Brown, Arizona Cardinals (DNP) – A concussion has been nagging Brown for about a month now. That’s not a good sign when he already has to fight for targets with Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald. Based on his slow recovery from this concussion, if Brown were to suffer another one at any point during the season, he could miss a substantial amount of time.

Torrey Smith, San Francisco 49ers (n/a) – After three preseason games, he has zero receptions. He’s easily the 49ers best WR but it’s not translating to the stat sheet, on the field or anywhere else.

Kevin White, Chicago Bears (1 reception, 3 yards) – White is an athletic freak but he’s struggling to show progression in the Bears offense. He has 3 receptions for 12 yards this preseason.

GREEN BAY, WI – AUGUST 12: Jared Cook

Tight Ends

Stock Up

Jared Cook, Green Bay Packers (4 receptions, 54 yards) – He’s always had the physical tools but he’s been a fantasy letdown time and time again. With that said, in the Packers offense with Aaron Rodgers, he’s well worth a flier with your last pick or two.

Virgil Green, Denver Broncos (3 receptions, 14 yards, 1 TD) – In three preseason games, he has at least three receptions in each of them. He’s a good upside pick with your last pick in drafts.

Jesse James, Pittsburgh Steelers (4 receptions, 25 yards, 1 TD) – I’m not telling you to spend a draft pick on second-year kid out of Penn State but he’s officially on the fantasy radar. Plus, he has a pretty BA name.

Stock Down

Jordan Cameron, Miami Dolphins (1 reception, 6 yards) – This fantasy sleeper is sleeping hard. Like sleeping in a casket hard. He has 2 receptions and 11 receiving yards this preseason.