NFL Barometer: Lamar Miller Unleashed

RISING

Lamar Miller, RB, MIA

At long last, Miller was unleashed against the Titans on Sunday, taking the feature-back workload he should have been getting all along – 19 carries for 113 yards and a touchdown. Coach Dan Campbell's ascension should do wonders for Miller, as Campbell swiftly rejected the Joe Philbin method of marginalizing Miller's prominence in the offense. A former run-blocking tight end, it only makes sense that Campbell would have an affinity for an obvious asset like Miller, a 5-foot-11, 224-pound back with 4.40 speed and a reliable history of efficient production. Anyone who bought low on Miller before Sunday deserves congratulations.

Ronnie Hillman, RB, DEN

The Denver offense will likely remain dysfunctional to a certain extent with the obviously expired Peyton Manning at quarterback, but head coach Gary Kubiak is still one of the league's most adept running game coordinators. Finally pulling away from C.J. Anderson in the Denver backfield, Hillman is in prime position to capitalize should the Denver offense progress to the rushing averages Kubiak's past offenses displayed. Sunday's game against Cleveland certainly gave reason to hope that such an arrangement might soon materialize; Hillman took 20 carries for 111 yards – his second 100-yard effort in three weeks.

Christine Michael, RB, DAL

Two people closely associated with the Cowboys – running backs coach Gary Brown and team website reporter Bryan Broaddus – have both heavily implied that Michael will get a real shot to earn the starting running back role in Dallas. Broaddus reported that Michael received most of the first-team running back reps in Monday's practice, so it appears Michael will have a lead role in the gameplan against the Giants in Week 7. Michael is an elite athlete but almost never saw the field in Seattle, likely due to questionable reliability. That would normally be a pretty huge concern, but when the alternatives are Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden, reliability is obviously in short supply anyway. While Randle and McFadden can match Michael's unreliability, they can't match his raw talent.

Stefon Diggs, WR, MIN

Keep in mind that he's a rookie playing as the second wide receiver in a low-tempo offense with what's been a below-average passing game to this point, but Diggs has been hot for the Vikings the last two weeks. The fifth-round pick out of Maryland was projected as a first-round pick after a dynamite true freshman season with the Terrapins, but injuries and poor surrounding offensive talent conspired to tank Diggs' draft stock from there. He made his first NFL appearance in Week 4 against the Broncos, producing six receptions for 87 yards on 10 targets. It was easy to write-off as a one-game fluke, but Diggs then came out of a Week 5 bye with seven more catches for 129 yards on nine targets in Sunday's win over the Chiefs. Although the target volume figures to regress, Diggs still should probably be owned in leagues with 10 or more teams.

FALLING

Sam Bradford, QB, PHI

Be it the return from consecutive ACL tears, a lack of supporting talent, a malfunctioning offensive scheme, or simply a lack of skill on his own part, Bradford just hasn't cut it to this point in the year. With three interceptions against the Giants on Monday, Bradford is up to nine in just six games, leaving him on pace for roughly 24 picks. Of course, he's highly unlikely to reach that total without playing all 16 games, and at this point it's fair to worry that Mark Sanchez might eventually take the starting gig.

Sammy Watkins, WR, BUF

Despite some silly claims to the contrary, Watkins is very much an elite wide receiver prospect, but a combination of poor surrounding circumstances and durability problems have negated his value for the short term. Finally back from a calf injury that cost him two games, Watkins returned to the field Sunday and caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown in the first half, only to suffer an ankle injury and end up on crutches. He's doubtful to play against Jacksonville in Week 7.

Eddie Lacy, RB, GB

Though he wasn't listed on the injury report leading up to Sunday's game against San Diego, Lacy is supposedly still banged up from his ankle issues, and James Starks has profited at his expense. Lacy finished Sunday's game with just four carries for three yards and two catches for 17 yards, whereas Starks bolted for 112 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, with another touchdown from five yards out on his lone reception. I still believe Lacy is the far more talented player, but he won't be useful if he can't stay healthy, and it probably wouldn't hurt if he dropped 15-to-20 pounds and played closer to his college weight in the 215-to-220 pound range.

Melvin Gordon, RB, SD

It's too early to know for sure, but it's looking like the Gordon trade up and selection in the first round will turn out no better for San Diego than the Ryan Mathews trade up and selection in the first round of the 2010 draft. Aside from a few glimpses of explosiveness, it's all been a bust for Gordon to this point, as he has yet to score an NFL touchdown and has four fumbles – three lost – in his first six games. It's not obvious how Gordon is better than Danny Woodhead at the moment – Woodhead is averaging 3.7 yards per carry compared to Gordon's 3.8, but Woodhead has two rushing touchdowns to his credit, as well as vastly superior passing game skills (26 catches for 332 yards compared to Gordon's 13 catches for 86 yards). The Chargers offensive line has dealt with many injuries, but Philip Rivers' effectiveness has granted production opportunities to the San Diego offense as a whole, and Gordon simply hasn't gotten in on it.