The Hot Sheet looks at which top players are excelling and which ones are struggling on a week-to-week basis. Following the latest on-field trends can make our weekly lineup decisions easier, while allowing dynasty players to always understand the current value of players around the league.
The value of the players mentioned on the Hot List is rising, thanks to their performance on the field. On the other hand, Cold List players are struggling, and losing dynasty value as a result.
Hot List:
1) Todd Gurley, RB LAR
Past Four Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week 13- RB7
Week 14- RB5
Week 15- RB1
Week 16- RB1
Rams RB Todd Gurley put a nice bow on his season in Week 16, totaling a combined 276 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams earned the division crown. In the three-week span that covers the fantasy playoffs in most leagues, Gurley averaged over 41 fantasy points and broke the all-time record for fantasy scoring during Weeks Fourteen through Sixteen. Gurley also currently leads all running backs in four key areas; rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. While he has to survive one more week, which will be difficult since he will sit out Week 17, Gurley could become the first player in NFL history to lead all backs in all four statistics. As I’ve said before, Gurley should not only be considered the dynasty RB1, but is also in consideration to be the top player drafted overall in new dynasty leagues.
2) Keelan Cole, WR JAX
Past Four Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week 13- WR21
Week 14- WR15
Week 15- WR1
Week 16- WR8
Undrafted rookie from the small FCS school Kentucky Wesleyan was a nice story for much of the season, but outside of the occasional deep ball, wasn’t making a major impact. That all changed in the season’s final weeks as Cole took advantage of increased playing time with both WRs Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns out of action. Over the past three weeks, Cole has touchdowns of 75 and 73 yards, finishing among the top ten fantasy WRs in the final two weeks of the fantasy season. The question for the Jaguars and for fantasy owners moving forward is how he’ll be used in the offense in 2018. There could be many changes with this roster and Lee and WR Allen Robinson are set to enter free agency, while the team would like to move on from Hurns’ massive contract.
3) Jimmy Garoppolo, QB SF
Past Four Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week 13- QB24
Week 14- QB16
Week 15- QB10
Week 16- QB4
The 49ers new starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo has been one of the top stories of the past month across the NFL, winning four straight games after San Francisco managed just one win prior to the former Patriot taking over. Garoppolo’s fantasy production has increased each week, peaking with last week’s QB4 finish. With a large amount of cap space entering the off-season, it is fair to assume the 49ers will add some weapons for their new quarterback and Garoppolo is already being valued as a QB1 moving forward.
4) Dion Lewis, RB NE
Past Four Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week 13- RB36
Week 14- RB25
Week 15- RB17
Week 16- RB2
The Patriots backfield continues to be a mystery and the latest solution comes in the form of veteran RB Dion Lewis, who has often had trouble staying healthy, but is flouring this season as others battle injury. This season, several backs have looked like the ones to own in New England, beginning with RB Mike Gillislee, then RB James White and on to a combination of Lewis and RB Rex Burkhead. With both Burkhead and White hurting in Week 16, Lewis had a huge game, totaling over 150 yards and scoring twice, finishing as the RB2 for the week. Both Lewis and Burkhead and free agents following the season and could lose value if they opt to leave the Pats.
5) Cooper Kupp, WR LAR
Past Four Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week 13- WR28
Week 14- WR8
Week 15- WR70
Week 16- WR10
Rams WR Cooper Kupp entered the league with many doubters. After all, he went to a small school and was among the oldest players in the class. Kupp has shown these are non-issues as he’s become one of the go-to targets for QB Jared Goff is the high-scoring Rams offense. Kupp currently leads all rookie receivers in receptions, receiving yardage and fantasy points. With the success of Goff, Kupp and the entire Rams offense this season, there is little reason to expect a change. Kupp looks like a safe option as a low-end WR2 for years to come.
Other players considered: Zach Ertz, Le’Veon Bell, Juju Smith-Schuster, Larry Fitzgerald, Wayne Gallman, Tyreek Hill, Alex Smith, Giovani Bernard, Eric Ebron, Cam Newton, Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara, Jared Goff, Rob Gronkowski, C.J. Anderson
Cold List:
1) Derrick Henry, RB TEN
Past Four Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week 13- RB14
Week 14- RB38
Week 15- RB56
Week 16- RB56
Titans young RB Derrick Henry continues to break big runs, but unfortunately, that happens only about once a month. Henry has eight weekly finishes of RB50 or worse. With a recent injury to starter RB DeMarco Murray, Henry might get his chance at a full-time role. Dynasty owners should be hoping the Titans opt to move on from Murray completely this off-season because the team has been very hesitant to give Henry a consistently significant role. Despite the upside he possesses, Henry simply can’t be trusted as a weekly fantasy option as long as Murray is around.
2) Devin Funchess, WR CAR
Past Four Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week 13- WR16
Week 14- WR26
Week 15- WR82
Week 16- WR78
Panthers WR Devin Funchess has enjoyed a breakout season, currently ranking as the WR21 overall, but his recent performances are reminding dynasty owners that he might not be a reliable weekly option just yet. Although he is the clear top wide receiver on the roster, the return of TE Greg Olsen has had an impact on Funchess’ numbers as he has weekly finishes of WR82 and WR78 since Olsen returned, which coincides with the fantasy playoffs. Carolina will certainly add some competition at the position next season and will also get WR Curtis Samuel back at full health. Funchess looks like a nice sell-high option, especially if he can finish the season on a strong note.
3) Derek Carr, QB OAK
Past Four Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week 13- QB15
Week 14- QB22
Week 15- QB15
Week 16- QB28
Coming off a season in which he was in the conversation to be the league MVP before a late-season injury, Raiders QB Derek Carr has been one of the most disappointing players in all of fantasy. He began the season well, finishing as a top ten QB in each of the first two games, but he would have only one more appearance inside the top 14 weekly fantasy signal callers for the rest of the season. Carr is currently just the QB19 and has lost a huge amount of dynasty value. With WRs Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper due back next season, there are hopes both can improve and help Carr to do the same.
4) Corey Coleman, WR CLE
Past Four Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week 13- WR N/A
Week 14- WR16
Week 15- WR88
Week 16- WR107
Once Browns WR Josh Gordon returned to the team, dynasty owners envisioned Gordon and second-year WR Corey Coleman forming a dynamic duo, but while Gordon has jumped back into the fray, Coleman has taken a major step back. In Gordon’s first game back, Coleman didn’t even record a reception. As he did a year ago, Coleman missed significant time this season with an injury. Between the injury issues and being the second-option, at best, on a poor offensive team, Coleman is a player I’ll be avoiding.
5) Robby Anderson, WR NYJ
Past Four Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week 13- WR9
Week 14- WR62
Week 15- WR43
Week 16- WR33
Jets WR Robby Anderson was enjoying a breakout season as the main target for veteran QB Josh McCown, who was playing the best football of his career before a season-ending injury. Jets fans and fantasy players learned just how impactful McCown has been once the team was left to turn to QB Bryce Petty. In Petty’s starts, Anderson, the WR15 on the season, has finished outside of the top 30 fantasy scorers. This late-season slump, which is clearly caused by subpar quarterback play, could create a buying opportunity for Anderson this off-season.
Other players considered: Jay Ajayi, Lamar Miller, Will Fuller, Dak Prescott, Dez Bryant, Jimmy Graham, Carlos Hyde, Joe Mixon, Ameer Abdullah, DeShone Kizer, Isaiah Crowell, Doug Martin, Cameron Brate, Mohamed Sanu, Marcus Mariota, Zay Jones, Josh Doctson, Samaje Perine, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Jacoby Brissett, Brett Hundley, Jordy Nelson, Laquon Treadwell
