NFL Barometer: Buying Dallas

Injuries to both A.J. Green and Giovani Bernard caused a ripple effect that landed three of their teammates in separate categories, while the situations in Dallas and Carolina have some of their players' stock moving in different directions. Yep, it's just another week in the NFL!

RISING

Tyler Eifert, TE, CIN

Eifert is now the Bengals' de-facto top receiver in an offense that will be without A.J. Green for quite a while (possibly the entire season) and Giovani Bernard for the remainder of 2016. The young tight end was targeted an average of 5.5 times over his last two contests, but the massive void created by the injuries will make it possible for him to receive double-digit targets. Even though defenses may choose to focus their efforts on stopping him, he's simply too big for cornerbacks to deal with while being a clear mismatch for just about any linebacker or safety. Consider him an elite option who's capable of helping teams win fantasy titles, and a player clearly worth trading for, especially after his low target share the last two weeks.

Rashad Jennings, RB, NYG

After being a non-factor through Week 13 last season, Jennings went on a tear down the stretch, as he posted at least 100 total yards along with a pair of scores in the final four games of the campaign. Although it's "only" November, he appears to be ready for an encore performance in 2016. The veteran failed to reach 50 yards in four straight contests before reeling off at least 109 total yards in consecutive matchups against the Bengals and Bears. Meanwhile, Paul Perkins hasn't had more than 47 total yards in a game since Week 1, and he's surpassed 3.4 yards per carry once in his last four games. With the Giants appearing destined for the playoffs, Jennings could easily be an excellent producer, especially since his ability as a pass-protector profiles him as a three-down back. His current fantasy owner may not be sold on him staying consistent, so he’s a player to target in trade.

Dez Bryant, WR, DAL

Although he's not seeing nearly the amount of targets that's desirable in a top-level receiver (he's seen just 21 passes over his last three matchups) Bryant is taking advantage of his limited chances and having a heck of a run. He's now scored five times over his last five games with at least 80 yards in four of his last six contests. The main reason for his efficiency is that defenses are scared to death of Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas offensive line taking over, so Bryan is often assigned single coverage. It's also helping that rookie quarterback Dak Prescott is learning that all he has to do is throw the ball up to an advantageous spot for his superstar receiver to often come down with the football. Even though Bryant has a pair of tough matchups coming up, he'll face the Giants, Bucs and Lions in the fantasy playoffs, so he's well worth making a trade pitch for.

Dak Prescott, QB, DAL

Thanks to Ezekiel Elliott and the dominant Cowboys offensive line, Prescott will pretty much never have to see a defense that game plans to take him out of the contest. Although he's averaging a pedestrian (by NFL standards) 33.5 pass attempts over his last four matchups, he's posted a total of 11 touchdowns (one of which was on the ground) while throwing for at least 287 yards in three of those contests. This production is coming from a quarterback who had just seven total scores in his first five games, as he's clearly growing by leaps and bounds as the season moves along. There's no reason to expect that his high-level production won't continue, as there's nothing scary about his upcoming schedule. Fantasy owners who have Prescott on their rosters should consider trading another solid quarterback for help at other positions.

CHECK STATUS

Marqise Lee, WR, JAC

Lee certainly isn't a difference-maker right now, but he's emerged into a viable fantasy option after posting at least 56 total yards in five of his last six games. In addition, he's been targeted at least six times with at least four receptions in eight of his last nine matchups, so he's clearly become a consistent secondary option behind Allen Robinson on a Jaguars offense that frequently finds themselves in pass-heavy mode. Despite his consistent yardage totals, he just scored his first touchdown of the season last week, so his perceived fantasy value is still likely quite low. It's very possible that this extremely talented player is starting to realize his potential after a disappointing start to his career, so he could be available on the waiver wire in some leagues.

Rishard Matthews, WR, TEN

After seeing 34 targets over his first seven games, Matthews has now been targeted at least 10 times in two of his last three, and he's become a solid fantasy option due to the increased workload. Despite the recent surge in opportunity, he's now found the end zone six times in his last seven matchups, so he doesn't necessarily need to pile up a big number of catches to be productive. However, it's completely possible that his two games with heavy target counts were due to the team being forced to throw the ball all over the field in those matchups. Those with little depth at wide receiver should look to acquire him, while his owners with suitable replacements may want to consider shopping him.

Brandon LaFell, WR, CIN

LaFell has caught four or fewer passes in all but a single game this season, but with A.J. Green out with a hamstring injury, he'll likely see a significant increase in work as the Bengals' only boundary threat at wide receiver. Even when Green was on the field, LaFell had weeks in which he was productive, as he posted at least 34 yards in six of his first seven games of the year. He also had a three-week stretch in which he caught four touchdown passes. Sure, we know that this is a player who has been very inconsistent as long as he's been in the NFL, but his potential for increased opportunity makes him a player who could be added off the waiver wire and used in a pinch.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, CAR

The good news is that Stewart has scored five touchdowns over his last five games, but the bad news is that he's failed to exceed 3.0 yards per carry in any of his last three matchups. After missing nearly a month of action, he was outstanding in his first two games back with 205 yards and four touchdowns. However, he's yet to post more than 42 yards in any game thereafter. Since quarterback Cam Newton hasn't been running the ball much near the goal line, Stewart has a reasonable chance to score in just about any game he plays, especially since the Panthers' offense is still capable of moving the football well enough to provide scoring opportunities. All things considered, he appears to be a touchdown-dependent RB2 option unless he's able to somehow re-establish the rushing production he showed in October.

FALLING

Andy Dalton, QB, CIN

In a three-hour period, Dalton lost his top two pass catchers, A.J. Green and Giovani Bernard, and he'll likely be an extremely weak fantasy option with his limited array of weapons. Sure, Tyler Eifert will certainly be a reliable target, but otherwise, he'll have to count on rookie Tyler Boyd and the inconsistent Brandon LaFell. Although Dalton's produced three rushing scores over his last five matchups, those will likely dry up, as defenses won't have to worry about both Green and Eifert. Otherwise, he's thrown just a single touchdown pass or fewer in all but two games this season, and it's difficult to imagine that he'll show improvement without two of his best playmakers in the fold.

Cam Newton, QB, CAR

Most people didn't expect Newton to repeat his video game numbers of 2015, but after having substantial struggles at home against the Saints in Week 11, the reigning MVP has found himself in the midst of a downward spiral. First off, he's failed to top 16 rushing yards in three of his last five contests, and although he's scored one rushing touchdown over his last four matchups, his number hasn't been called consistently at the goal line, as Jonathan Stewart has been getting plenty of those chances. Aside from the diminished rushing numbers, Newton has thrown one or fewer touchdown passes in six of his last seven contests while being held to 225 or fewer passing yards in three of his last four games. It's possible that his name value could bring back more than he's worth in a trade, which is definitely worth looking into at this point.

Isaiah Crowell, RB, CLE

It's important to know that it's his bad situation — and not an indictment on Crowell's talent — that lands him in this column. If he was playing in a functional offense, he's good enough to be a RB1, but playing for an 0-11 team makes it nearly impossible for him to produce with the consistency necessary to be a starter in most fantasy leagues. He struggled in Week 11 against the Steelers, leading to an ugly stat line that saw him produce 23 total yards, and he's now failed to exceed 63 total yards in his last four games. At this point, he's little more than an emergency lineup option, but for those in dynasty leagues, he is someone to pursue given that he's rushed for 4.3 yards per carry on a bad team this year.

Chris Thompson, RB, WAS

Thompson was having a decent stretch earlier in the season in which he had at least 12 touches in three straight matchups, but he's only posted a total of 55 yards on 10 touches over his last two games. The emergence of Rob Kelley as a reliable runner for Washington has allowed the coaching staff to keep Thompson off the field in most obvious running situations. In addition, the team has quite a few receivers who are both healthy and performing at a high level, which lowers the need to target him in the air. It's fine to stash him in leagues with deep rosters in case Kelley struggles or gets injured, but otherwise, he's safe to drop in favor of a more attractive option on the waiver wire.