With the Week 8 slate wrapped up, let’s look at which players affected their stocks the most as Week 9 approaches.
Stock Up: QB Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
Levis lit it up in his first career start, completing 19 of his 28 pass attempts for 238 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions in a win over Atlanta on Sunday. He is in line to make his second straight start this week against the Steelers on Thursday night. While the Steelers’ defense poses a tougher challenge (especially on a short week), Levis is a great option in Superflex formats or deeper leagues.
Stock Up: TE Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
McBride had a career day on Sunday against the Ravens, catching 10 of his 14 targets for 95 yards and a touchdown. With Zach Ertz set to miss Arizona’s next three games at a minimum, McBride slots in as the starter and sees his fantasy value skyrocket. While he shouldn’t be counted on to replicate his huge Week 8 performance this week, he is a must-start against the Browns in Week 9.
Stock Up: WR DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans
Hopkins had his best game of the season in Levis’ debut on Sunday against the Falcons, catching four of his six targets for 128 yards and three touchdowns. Hopkins is a strong WR2 play this week against the Steelers, but it is important to monitor his status as kickoff approaches, as he has been limited in practice this week with a toe injury.
Stock Up: WR Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders
Dotson led the Commanders in catches and receiving yards on Sunday against the Eagles, catching eight of his 10 targets for 108 yards and a touchdown. Dotson had struggled to make an impact until this game, but hopefully this performance is a sign of things to come for him. The Commanders face the Patriots this week, who have given up their fair share of 100-yard games to opposing WRs.
Stock Up: RB Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens
Edwards produced his second strong game in a row on Sunday against the Cardinals, carrying the ball 19 times for 80 yards and three touchdowns. He has begun to separate himself and emerge as the number-one back in Baltimore. Edwards remains a strong play this week against Seattle.
Stock Down: QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Purdy started the season off strong but has now struggled three weeks in a row. On Sunday against the Bengals, Purdy completed 22 of his 31 pass attempts for 365 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions while also losing a fumble. Purdy and the 49ers are on their bye this week, but Purdy’s recent performances have made him a risky QB play.
Stock Down: RB Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks
It was a down game for Walker against the Browns on Sunday, as he only carried the ball eight times, which was a season-low. However, he was extremely efficient with his touches as he averaged over eight yards a carry, but he failed to find the end zone. He was also out-touched by rookie running back Zach Charbonnet on Sunday. Walker has a tough matchup this week against the Ravens.
Stock Down: WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Olave had a tough game on Sunday against the Colts, catching five of his nine targets for 46 yards and zero touchdowns. Olave has only found the end zone once through eight weeks. While he had the most targets out of any Saints player last week, he failed to do much with them, as it was the third time in his last five games failing to score more than 10 PPR points. It is tough to justify benching someone who receives the volume he does, but if he underperforms again this week against Chicago, it may be time to look for other options at the position.
Stock Down: RB Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
After two productive games in a row, Steveson struggled against Miami on Sunday, carrying the ball 10 times for 39 yards and only catching two passes for 11 yards. Part of this lack of production had to do with the Patriots playing from behind most of the second half. The Patriots’ offense continues to be inconsistent this season, and it is best to avoid starting any members of it.
Stock Down: QB Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons
Ridder struggled against the Titans on Sunday, completing eight of his 12 passes for 71 yards while adding three carries for 26 yards on the ground while losing a fumble. He also exited briefly to go through concussion tests and did not re-enter the game after being cleared. Ridder now has 12 turnovers through the Falcons’ first eight games of the season and has now lost his starting job, as the team announced they will be starting Taylor Heinicke at QB this week against the Vikings.
