With the fantasy playoffs set to begin this week in most leagues, let’s take a look at the players who are trending up and down as this week’s slate of games approaches.
Stock Up: TE Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Engram produced his best game of the season on Sunday against the Browns, catching 11 of his 12 targets for 95 yards and two touchdowns. He was the go-to option all game for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, as he easily led the team in receptions. Engram has now scored touchdowns in back-to-back weeks and is a must-start in all formats despite the tough matchup against the Ravens this week.
Stock Up: WR Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Kupp has been a frustrating player to manage this season, but he appears to be heating up at the perfect time. He caught eight of his 10 targets for 115 yards and a touchdown on Sunday against the Ravens, and he has now found the end zone in consecutive weeks. While he and the Rams’ offense have been inconsistent this season, Kupp has a favorable matchup this week against the Commanders and should be trusted in fantasy lineups.
Stock Up: QB Zach Wilson, New York Jets
Wilson returned from his two-game benching and produced a career day on Sunday against the Texans. He completed 27 of 36 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns. The only blemish on his day was a lost fumble, but Wilson was finding open receivers all game and generating the big plays that the Jets’ offense has lacked all season. Wilson should be a solid QB2 play this week against the Dolphins.
Stock Up: WR DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans
Hopkins had a huge game on Monday against the Dolphins, catching seven of his 12 targets for 124 yards and a touchdown. Hopkins has been excellent over the last two weeks, seeing 12+ targets and scoring a touchdown in back-to-back weeks. He remains a strong WR2/flex play this week against his former team, the Texans.
Stock Up: QB Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals
Browning completed 18 of his 24 pass attempts for 275 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception against the Colts. He also added seven yards and a touchdown on the ground. Browning has now produced two strong games in a row and appears to have the Bengals offense in rhythm. He is a QB2 option this week against the Vikings.
Stock Down: QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Tagovailoa had a disappointing game on Monday against the Titans, completing 23 of his 33 attempts for 240 yards and zero touchdowns. While he didn’t turn the ball over, it was the first time all season that he failed to throw at least one touchdown pass. He will now have a short week to prepare for a tough Jets defense which he threw two interceptions against in Week 12. There are more trustworthy options at QB this week.
Stock Down: WR Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Chase had a rare quiet day on Sunday against the Colts, catching three of just four targets for 29 yards. Quarterback Jake Browning was spreading the ball around all game which hurt Chase’s production and saw his number of targets drop. He had a strong game in Week 13 with Browning under center, so the two will look to get on the same page once again ahead of their matchup against the Vikings this week.
Stock Down: TE Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
Coming off a career game in Week 13, LaPorta was quiet against the Bears, catching only two of his six targets for 23 yards. Still, the rookie tight end has been a solid option all season. Despite the underwhelming stat line on Sunday, LaPorta should still be started regardless of the tough matchup against the Broncos this week.
Stock Down: RB Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks
Walker was inefficient in his first game back from injury, carrying the ball eight times for 21 yards. He did have a solid day as a receiver, catching four of his five targets for 33 yards. Walker did see more touches than rookie running back Zach Charbonnet but was held in check by a strong 49ers defense. He will look to turn it around this week in another tough matchup against the Eagles.
Stock Down: QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Goff completed 20 of his 35 passes for 161 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on Sunday against the Bears. This was the first time in his last four games that Goff failed to throw for two touchdown passes, and it was the first time he failed to surpass 200 passing yards all season. The Lions will face the Broncos this week, who have not allowed opposing quarterbacks to throw multiple touchdown passes in six straight games. Start Goff with caution this week.
