Let’s take a look at whose fantasy football stock went up or down after Week 56s performances as we head into Week 7. Let’s dive into this week’s risers and fallers.
Fantasy Football Stock Report: Week 7
Fantasy Football Risers
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR – NYG)
Wan’Dale Robinson had no more than 30 receiving yards in each of Jaxson Dart‘s first two starts, but stepped up in a significant way on Thursday night, catching six passes on seven targets for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Robinson scored over 20 PPR points (20.4) and finished as a top-10 wide receiver (WR9) for the first time since Week 2, taking over as the No. 1 option without Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton. He set season-high marks in snap share (97.1%), target share (29.2%) and route participation rate (96.4%).
Kimani Vidal (RB – LAC)
There was a lot of speculation on how the Chargers’ backfield would shake out without Omarion Hampton, who was recently placed on injured reserve (IR) with an ankle injury. Per NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo, Hassan Haskins was expected to take over as the lead back, given his history with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, and playing as Hampton’s primary backup without Najee Harris in Weeks 4-5.
However, second-year running back Kimani Vidal ended up drawing the start, seizing full control of the backfield, playing on 67.2% (43/64) of the offensive snaps, while handling 21 touches on 22 opportunities for 138 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. Vidal’s 22.8 PPR points were ninth among all backs in Week 6. While he benefited from the matchup, facing a Dolphins defense ranked dead last in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) with a mark of 22.3%, he looks to be the starter going forward, barring a trade and/or free agent acquisition. Recent reports also suggest that Hampton is expected to miss more than the four-game minimum, which could extend beyond the team’s Week 12 bye.
Rico Dowdle (RB – CAR)
Rico Dowdle continued to make the most of his opportunity without Chuba Hubbard, serving as an every-down back, playing on 87.9% (58/66) of the Panthers’ offensive snaps, while handling 34 touches on 35 opportunities for a franchise record 239 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.
Dowdle has benefited from soft matchups against the Dolphins and the Cowboys; however, it’s hard to discount what he’s done the past two weeks, becoming only the seventh player in NFL history with 200+ combined rushing and receiving yards in back-to-back games. He joined an elite group featuring Walter Payton (1977), Marshaul Faulk (2002), Deuce McAllister (2003), Josh Gordon (2013), Le’Veon Bell (2014) and Dalvin Cook (2020).
Dowdle’s 33.9 PPR points in Week 6 trailed only Bijan Robinson (33.9) for second among all running backs, joining Jonathan Taylor and George Pickens as one of three players to score over 30 points multiple times this season.
Zonovan Knight (RB – ARI)
Hours before kickoff on Sunday, Adam Schefter reported that the Cardinals were making changes in their offense with Jacoby Brissett under center, starting Zonovan “Bam” Knight ahead of Michael Carter. Although Carter still got the start, playing the entire first drive, Knight led the backfield with a 50.7% (37/73) snap share, handling a team-high 12 touches on 13 opportunities for 54 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.
There’s no telling how the backfield rotation will shake out without Trey Benson, who is still sidelined on IR for at least three more games. However, both Knight and Carter should see enough work to be viable options for fantasy as we approach bye weeks. They also could get a boost without Emari Demercado, who is currently listed as questionable, operating as the primary pass-catching back and playing only three snaps before exiting with an ankle injury last game.
Fantasy Football Fallers
Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ)
The Jets are the only team without a win this season, and although the offense hasn’t looked great, averaging a league-low 144.2 passing yards per game, Garrett Wilson has been dominant with Justin Fields. He entered Week 6 as the WR5 in fantasy, averaging 6.6 receptions on 9.6 targets for 76.4 yards, 0.7 touchdowns and 19 PPR points per game. As the focal piece of the offense, Wilson was shadowed by Patrick Surtain II, held to a season-low three catches for 13 scoreless yards. Still, he saw eight targets and led the team with a 61.5% target share and 45.3% air yards share.
Although the matchup didn’t help, Wilson didn’t look himself, leaving the first drive in the first half with what appeared to be a leg injury. Unfortunately, the injury was more serious than it initially appeared, sidelining Wilson for multiple weeks. The absence of Wilson could be catastrophic for the offense. He trails only Drake London (60.9%) in target share (56%). Per StatRankings.com, Wilson leads the NFL in first-read target share (47%).
Puka Nacua (WR – LAR)
Puka Nacua was on a record-setting pace entering Week 6, leading the NFL across the board in targets (62), receptions (52) and receiving yards (588), while averaging a league-high 26.8 PPR points per game. Unfortunately, Nacua came crashing back down to earth Sunday, catching two passes for 28 yards before suffering a foot injury on an end-zone target early in the second quarter. Although Nacua returned to the game, he primarily operated as a decoy, held without a catch for the entire second half.
Per head coach Sean McVay, Nacua is currently day-to-day with a sprained ankle, but could miss this weekend, and the team has an upcoming Week 8 bye. Even if Nacua suits up, ankle sprains tend to linger, which is especially concerning given his injury history dating back to college and missing over six games last season.
Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN)
Calvin Ridley scored double-digit PPR points for the first time in Week 5, finally getting on the same page with Cam Ward, catching a season-high five passes on 10 targets for 131 yards and finishing as a top-12 wide receiver.
Unfortunately, Ridley’s day was over before it even started in Week 6, catching his only target for 18 yards before suffering a hamstring injury and getting ruled out for the rest of the game. Ridley is currently listed as questionable for this weekend. Even if he suits up, it’s hard to feel good about a player who’s had one usable game this season, likely playing at less than 100% health.
Emeka Egbuka (WR – TB)
Emeka Egbuka was off to a historic start, becoming the first player in NFL history with 25+receptions, 400+ receiving yards and five or more receiving touchdowns in their first five career games. He was starting to run away as the odds-on favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Egbuka was set to play his first game without both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in Week 6, catching two passes on four targets for 24 yards before exiting the third quarter with a hamstring injury. Although Egbuka avoided a tear, he is currently listed as doubtful for Monday and could miss multiple games with an upcoming bye in Week 9.
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