Week 3 of the preseason is in the books, and with it comes some clarity on the burning questions you have before your draft. Here are my top 5 risers and fallers based on this week’s performance:
Risers
C.J Anderson – Broncos RB
The Denver backfield is crowded, but I like the value available for Anderson – who led the way with 13 carries in the Broncos’ win last night. He is ranked eighth amongst running backs according to NFL.com.
Jeremy Maclin – Chiefs WR
The Chiefs went an entire season last year without a WR finding the end zone. That will change this year, as Andy Reid is reunited with Jeremy Maclin. Maclin had 7 catches for 65 yards and a TD against the Titans in week 3.
Darren McFadden – Cowboys RB
Previously, I advised players to stay far far away from DMC. However, he has had some sustained success over the last two weeks – averaging 9.2 YPC against the Vikings.
Look to store McFadden on the bench and have him available when he strings together some good games.
Zac Stacy – Jets RB
While Chris Ivory diminishes Stacy’s value slightly, I still expect the Jets to use Stacy a lot. He turned a screen pass into a 24 yard TD against the Giants this week. He also carried the ball 13 times.
Look for new head coach Todd Bowles to find a way to get Stacy the ball in multiple ways this season.
Teddy Bridgewater – Vikings QB
The Vikings have been a surprise team this preseason, and leading the way has been sophomore Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater has completed a stifling 82.9% of his passes.
He is ranked 13th amongst QBs, just ahead of Phillip Rivers, on NFL.com.
Fallers
Cam Newton – Panthers QB
With Kelvin Benjamin out for the season, Newton now has no #1 wideout entering 2015. While I still expect success from Devin Funchess and TE Greg Olsen, Newton is a player to stay away from at this point.
Olsen, however, could be a great pick up at the tight end position.
DeMarco Murray – Eagles RB
Sam Bradford had a perfect first half in Green Bay last night, executing Chip Kelly’s spread offense perfectly. Murray carried the ball 6 times for 28 yards.
If I’ve l
earned one thing from following Oregon football during the Chip Kelly years, it’s to expect the unexpected – especially in the red zone. Everyone will get their chance to find the end zone for the Eagles, including Ryan Matthews.
This is why I advise players to stay away from DeMo at this point.
A.J. Green – Bengals WR
Green has not been his usual self so far this preseason, and I have a feeling that the entire Bengals offense will take a step back this season. You should still look to get Green in the 5th to 6th round, but do not consider him before then.
Melvin Gordon – Chargers RB
The rookie has looked good so far, but backup Danny Woodhead has seen an increase in carries each week this preseason. Like we saw against the Cowboys, Woodhead was used in the red zone for San Diego.
This ditto effectively gives the Chargers no fantasy value at the running back position.
Victor Cruz – Giants WR
Cruz has not played yet this preseason, but Odell Beckham Jr. has picked up where he left off. Cruz is not the prototypical #2 receiver to compliment a stud like Beckham, much like Terrance Williams is for Dez Bryant.
He lacks the speed and run-after-the-catch ability, and I expect the Giants to go back to being a physical run-oriented offense in 2015.
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