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) Joe Mixon, RB CIN
Recent Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week Five: RB11
Week Six: RB11
Week Seven: RB32
Week Eight: RB4
After a relatively quiet rookie season, Bengals RN Joe Mixon wasn’t necessarily being valued in the same tier as many of the other running backs from the class of 2017. That has changed now after Mixon had dominated the Bengals backfield and has been one of the most reliable backs in the league. Even after missing two games, Mixon is still the RB13 on the season. I expect Mixon to be drafted in the first round of offseason dynasty startup drafts.
2) Marlon Mack, RB IND
Recent Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week Six: RB24
Week Seven: RB2
Week Eight: RB3
It has been a difficult season for Colts RB Marlon Mack. First, the team drafted a pair of rookie backs to serve as competition and then Mack has missed time with multiple injuries. He’s battled through those injuries and has been a dominant back over the past two weeks, leading to a pair of top three fantasy finishes. Mack has set new career-highs in both carries and rushing yards over the past two games, showing us that both the usage and production are there.
3) Carson Wentz, QB PHI
Recent Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week Five: QB8
Week Six: QB8
Week Seven: QB13
Week Eight: QB6
It’s silly to think now that there were actually some who were concerned about Eagles QB Carson Wentz after he missed the start of the season recovering with an ACL injury. Wentz is back since returning in Week Three, he is the QB6, averaging over 24 fantasy points per game. We know the Eagles have struggled to run the ball, meaning Wentz should continue to see a heavy volume of pass attempts. Oh yeah, and he just got a new weapon to throw the ball to as the Eagles acquired WR Golden Tate, who should dominate short-yardage looks. The rich get richer.
4) Aaron Jones, RB GB
Recent Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week Four: RB19
Week Five: RB36
Week Six: RB48
Week Eight: RB17
As you can see above, Packers RB Aaron Jones did not make this list based solely on his recent production, though he did enjoy a solid Week Eight performance. Jones broke out of the three-man backfield committee, playing over 60% of the Packers’ snaps for the first time this season. He responded to that opportunity with a season-high 86 rushing yards. As if that wasn’t promising enough for Jones’ truthers, the Packers dealt disgruntled RB Ty Montgomery to the Ravens for a late-round pick, leaving the backfield to Jones and fellow second-year RB Jamaal Williams. This is Jones’ time!
5) Courtland Sutton, WR DEN
Recent Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week Four: WR45
Week Six: WR52
Week Seven: WR43
Week Eight: WR40
Another player with meager stat line but suddenly a huge opportunity is Broncos rookie WR Courtland Sutton. Denver traded veteran WR Demaryius Thomas and then cited Sutton’s promise as one of the reasons they felt secure in making the move. That’s a strong endorsement. Sutton has been inconsistent this season, flashing WR1 ability and then making a maddening drop. Pretty typical for a rookie but enough for dynasty owners to bank on. He’ll be valued as a top 20 dynasty wideout by the end of the season, if not sooner.
Other Players Considered: James White, Julian Edelman, Lamar Miller, T.J. Yeldon, Zach Ertz, Odell Beckham, Adrian Peterson, Saquon Barkley, Antonio Brown, James Conner, Russell Wilson, David Moore, Tyler Lockett, Kerryon Johnson, Patrick Mahomes, Kareem Hunt, Travis Kelce, Emmanuel Sanders, Alvin Kamara, Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Latavius Murray, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Davante Adams, Todd Gurley, Christian Kirk, Larry Fitzgerald, Andrew Luck, Tyler Boyd, Mike Evans, Mitch Trubisky, Chris Herndon, Tarik Cohen, Cam Newton, George Kittle
Cold List:
1) Rob Gronkowski, TE NE
Recent Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week Four: QB10
Week Five: QB11
Week Six: QB23
Week Seven: QB31
Okay, this is getting out of hand. Patriots all-everything TE, who was nearly traded and then threatened to retire over the offseason, looks like he might be slowing down. Back and ankle injuries have cost Gronk this year and outside of a big game in Week One, he’s been a disappointment. Granted, a disappointing season for Gronk is still better than what we’ve seen from most other players but it is time to acknowledge that he’s no longer the elite dynasty asset he once was.
2) Josh Gordon, WR NE
Recent Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week Five: WR29
Week Six: WR50
Week Seven: WR23
Week Eight: WR51
We all had to see this coming. Patriots WR Josh Gordon, whom the team traded for early in the season, was reportedly disciplined for being tardy to team events. Gordon was expected to sit for up to one quarter of the team’s Week Eight game but seemingly played his normal role. Regardless, Gordon won’t get many more chances. The Patriots were reportedly shopping at the trade deadline for another receiver, yet another signal they could have concerns about Gordon.
3) Doug Baldwin, WR SEA
Recent Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week Four: WR58
Week Five: WR113
Week Six: WR27
Week Eight: WR73
Seahawks veteran WR Doug Baldwin entered this season as one of the favorites to lead the entire league in targets and receiving yardage. That seems like a cruel joke at this point. Even after battling an injury, Baldwin has been a second or third option in Seattle’s low-volume passing offense. In the past, Baldwin has been a player who has been very streaky, able to put together a string of huge performances for the Seahawks and fantasy players, so there is some hope of him turning his season around. If he doesn’t his value will continue to tumble.
4) Jameis Winston, QB TB
Recent Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week Four: QB28
Week Six: QB1
Week Seven: QB10
Week Eight: QB26
What a ride for Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston. After being suspended for the first three games of the season, Winston quickly was reinserted into the lineup despite the strong play from veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Winston became a garbage time hero for fantasy players over a 3 ½ week stretch, racking up fantasy points while committing numerous bone-headed turnovers. A walk-in pick-six by the Bengals Defense in Week Eight was the final straw as Fitzpatrick took over and nearly led a comeback, ultimately being named the team’s starter. This leaves Winston’s Tampa Bay career and his dynasty value in limbo.
5) Keelan Cole, WR JAX
Recent Weekly Fantasy Finishes:
Week Five: WR40
Week Six: WR69
Week Seven: WR75
Week Eight: WR91
After only two weeks of the season, Jaguars WR Keelan Cole looked like he had emerged from the crowded Jacksonville depth chart to be the top target, ranking as the WR22. That was only a tease as he hasn’t finished above WR40 in any game since and has been bypassed by multiple Jaguars pass-catchers. He’s barely worthy of a roster spot at this point.
Other Players Considered: Will Fuller, Nelson Agholor, Alex Smith, Chris Thompson, Duke Johnson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kenny Golladay, Buck Allen, Isaiah Crowell, Chris Godwin, Ricky Seals-Jones
