The Hot Sheet looks at which top prospects are excelling and which ones are struggling on a week-to-week basis. The consensus top-flight players may not always appear on this list because we are trying to help you find the next group of breakout players before your league mates do.
Hot List:
1) TY Hilton, WR IND
Playing alongside a quarterback like Andrew Luck has its benefits and we saw wide receiver TY Hilton take advantage of that in Week Six. Hilton caught all nine of his targets on his way to a career high 223 yards along with a touchdown. Hilton is averaging over 100 receiving yards per game and is still one of the most underrated players in dynasty leagues. If the Hilton owner in your league is still not a believer, take advantage of the next few years of the Hilton/Luck combination.
2) Andre Holmes, WR OAK
In their close loss to the Chargers in Week Six, the Raiders looked like a different team, especially on offense. Rookie quarterback Derek Carr threw the ball around the yard all day and the biggest beneficiary was talented, but underused Andre Holmes. Holmes had just his second career 100 yard receiving game and also doubled his career touchdown total with a pair of scores. With the new look offense under interim head coach Tony Sparano, Holmes should be the team’s WR1 going forward and could turn into a weekly fantasy starter as well.
3) Jerick McKinnon, RB MIN
Vikings’ rookie running back Jerick McKinnon enjoyed his breakout game in Week Four when he totaled over 150 yards, only to see his touches dwindle the next game. He was back in Week Six though as he easily out-touched Matt Asiata on his way to more than 80 total yards and led the team in both rushing and receiving. While that may not sound impressive, McKinnon looked to be the only Viking who came to play as the Lions walked away with the victory. Reports are that the team will get Asiata more touches, but its’ clear that McKinnon is the more talented player and that should settle itself as the season continues. Don’t invest too much into the rookie though as the Vikings will surely add a running back to the fold prior to the 2015 season.
4) Branden Oliver, RB SD
The is Oliver’s second consecutive week on the Hot List, which coincides with his second consecutive week as a top five PPR running back. Oliver has done it all for the Chargers with the other members of the backfield ailing. Not only has he been an asset in the passing game, which was expected, but even at 5’8” and just a hair over 200 pounds, Oliver has been running between the tackles and performing well in the red zone. He’s scored three touchdowns over the past two weeks and has quickly cemented himself with a role going forward, even with Ryan Mathews and Donald Brown preparing to return to action.
5) Jeremy Hill, RB CIN
While he has yet to have a true breakout game, and that’s tough to do when sharing the backfield with a talented young player like Giovani Bernard, rookie back Jeremy Hill has established a solid weekly role for himself and is even getting some goalline looks. Hill has just 155 rushing yards through five games, but he has scored three touchdowns and has been involved in the passing game. His value is still relatively low, so now is the time to look to make a move for the rookie back from LSU.
Also considered: Philip Rivers, Joe Flacco, Derek Carr, Antone Smith, Lamar Miller, Ben Tate, Benny Cunningham, Tre Mason, Louis Murphy, Mohamed Sanu, Brian Tyms, Julius Thomas, Jace Amaro, Jordan Reed
Cold List:
1) Eddie Lacy, RB GB
There are so many former first round dynasty startup picks that have disappointed this year. The past two weeks, I’ve mentioned names like LeSean McCoy and Calvin Johnson and now here is another stud playing more like a dud. Packers’ starting running back Eddie Lacy is averaging just over 60 rushing yards and recent reports say that he will be splitting the backfield touches with veteran James Starks. Lacy gave his owners hope with a 100 yard, two touchdown game in Week Five, but last week, it was back to form as he totaled just 40 yards on 14 carries. Lacy, like so many other players who were top draft picks, are now nearly impossible to even start on a weekly basis.
2) Larry Donnell, TE NYG
After three solid games to open his career, Giants’ starting tight end Larry Donnell exploded for a three touchdown performance on Thursday Night Football in Week Four. Dynasty owners were quick to anoint him as a top ten dynasty tight end and expected solid and steady performances on a weekly basis. Since that game, Donnell has just one reception for six yards and perhaps the most concerning part … he’s only been targeted three times in the past two games. With the unfortunate injury to receiver Victor Cruz, there is a chance for Donnell’s opportunities to increase, but he needs to quickly regain his form or risk losing all of his value.
3) Keenan Allen, WR SD
Chargers’ second year receiver Keenan Allen continues to struggle this year after catching just three passes for 27 yards in Week Six. Allen now has only one game among the first six contests with over 55 yards. During his rookie year of 2013, Allen had eight games with more than 55 yards, including five games with over 100 yards. Allen has fallen behind resurgent veterans Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates in the battle for targets and there are few signs things could change. Allen’s young age and draft pedigree still give him plenty of dynasty value, but he is nowhere close to meeting the expectations of dynasty players.
4) Terrance West, RB CLE
Browns’ rookie running back Terrance West was a surprise healthy scratch in Week Six as the team featured the duo of Ben Tate and Isaiah Crowell, who combined for three scores and over 150 yards. After rushing for 100 yards in the season’s opening game, West has totaled just 135 yards in the past four contests and has evidently been passed on the depth chart by fellow rookie Crowell. West is still worth holding in most dynasty formats, but as long as Tate stays healthy, he won’t be a factor.
5) Stevan Ridley, RB NE
Victor Cruz, WR NYG
Knowshon Moreno, RB MIA
Though it’s no fault of their own, each of these three players will see their dynasty value fall dramatically following their season-ending injuries and trips to the injured reserve list. Both running backs Knowshon Moreno and Stevan Ridley suffered torn ACLs, while Giants’ wide receiver Victor Cruz tore his patellar tendon on Sunday Night Football. The affects of their injuries have already been felt as contenders search for replacements for their starting lineup and others have chosen to outright drop these injured players rather than stash them in anticipation of the 2015 season.
Also considered: Nick Foles, Matt Asiata, Bishop Sankey, Lorenzo Taliaferro, Carlos Hyde, CJ Anderson, DeAndre Hopkins, Jordan Matthews, Allen Hurns, Markus Wheaton, Tavon Austin, John Brown, Percy Harvin
