Fantasy Football Stock Watch: Allen Robinson Up, Zach Ertz Down
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It is the midway point of the fantasy football season, and the trade deadline for many leagues is almost here. This is the time to assess the roster and figure out where you can bolster the team. Many react to what just happened in the previous week and this is a way to take advantage of those people. Here is the Week 8 stock watch.
Stock Up
WR Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears
Robinson is having a great season and it feels under the radar. While the Bears offense has been putrid, Robinson is producing consistent numbers despite the bad quarterback play. It's something Robinson has done throughout his career. In 2015 with Blake Bortles at quarterback, Robinson had 80 receptions for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has at least seven targets in every game and his lowest game in PPR is 8.1 points. He has at least six receptions in five of six games and has 41 receptions for 464 yards and three touchdowns. Look to acquire him because he will be cheaper than a lot of name brand receivers.
TE Darren Waller, Oakland Raiders
Waller has emerged into a Top 5 tight end, if not better. The Raiders are thin at wide receiver and can line up Waller anywhere on the field. Waller had no touchdowns coming into Week 7 and finally found the end zone, scoring twice, and had a third called back due to a penalty. He has at least seven targets in five of six games and at least 12.3 points in PPR formats in every game except one, putting him as the No. 2 tight end behind Austin Hooper. Waller has caught 44-of-50 passes for 485 yards and now those two touchdowns.
TE Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Rams
Many knew how talented Everett is, but he didn't get drafted in most leagues because the Rams didn't use the tight end much last season with three top wide receivers. With the Rams' offensive line struggling, Jared Goff doesn't have as much time to throw downfield and he's looking at the tight ends more. Everett has 34 targets over the last four games, including two games of double-digit targets. He has at least 15 points in PPR formats in three of the last four games.
WR Kenny Stills, Houston Texans
Will Fuller has a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out for a few weeks. Stills will step into that role and it's a boost for his value. He's a big-play threat and Deshaun Watson will take shots deep down the field. Stills caught four passes for 105 yards on five targets against the Colts last week and gets a great matchup against the Raiders in Week 8. In three of the five games Stills has played this season, he has at least 12.7 points in PPR formats.
QB Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
Just a few weeks ago, no one wanted any part of Cousins. The Vikings were barely passing the ball and Cousins was struggling. All of a sudden, Cousins is playing great. Cousins has 10 touchdown passes in the last three games, including two consecutive games with four touchdowns. He has passed for at least 306 yards in three straight games and has a revenge game against the Redskins at home this week and then plays at Kansas City.
Stock Down
QB Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Wentz got off to a good start this season, with nine touchdowns in the first four games. With an array of weapons, he was set up for a good season, but the absence of DeSean Jackson as the deep threat has hurt the offense. Wentz has been held to 191 passing yards or fewer in three of the last four games. He has four touchdowns and two interceptions and been sacked six times in those games against the Jets, Vikings and Cowboys.
RB Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers
Gordon hasn't looked good since returning from his holdout. He has expressed regret for missing training camp. The offensive line has been hit with injuries and isn't opening up many lanes, and Gordon has had difficult matchups, but the offense was much better with Austin Ekeler as the primary back. Gordon has rushed for 81 yards on 36 carries for a 2.3 yards per carry and caught nine passes for 34 yards with a touchdown. He had a crucial fumble at the goal line last week that prevented the Chargers from scoring the winning touchdown.
TE Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
Many feel Ertz is having a bad season, yet he's sixth among tight ends in PPR scoring. On a points per game basis, Ertz is ninth. While this isn't awful, the expectations were higher based on his draft cost where he often went in the second or third round of drafts. Ertz has reached double-digit points in PPR formats in five of seven games, but hasn't reached that mark in the last two games, which is when Dallas Goedert has been healthy and playing more. The Eagles run a lot of two-tight end sets and Ertz said he has been doubled often. Ertz has scored eight touchdowns in each of the last two seasons but has scored just once in 2019. Last season was clearly an outlier, when Ertz had 116 targets after 75, 78 and 74 the previous three seasons. While Ertz will be fine, he's not going to live up to his lofty draft price.
WR Brandin Cooks, Los Angeles Rams
Cooks has been a major disappointment. The Rams' offense was so good last season that three wide receivers had consistent value. The offense hasn't been as good this season and the offensive line has been one of the reasons. Jared Goff doesn't have as much time to throw—and has been throwing to the tight ends more—and it has hurt Cooks, who tends to make big downfield plays. Cooks has 59 yards receiving or fewer in three of seven games, and has scored once, back in Week 2. He hasn't reached double-digit points in PPR formats in three straight games and has topped 74 yards once.
WR Robby Anderson, New York Jets
The Jets were embarrassed on Monday night, losing to the Patriots, 33-0. Anderson struggled, catching one of his eight targets for 10 yards. It should come as no shock since Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore has been shutting everyone down. People tend to overreact, especially in an isolated national television game. The Jets have a favorable upcoming schedule and Anderson will be relevant. Buy low on Anderson now.
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