NFL Barometer: Montgomery's Moment

The NFL has an ever-changing landscape, and the purpose of this weekly article is to help identify trends that could have long-term implications. Not only might it help when making weekly lineup decisions, but it might also influence whether to add, drop or trade a player.

RISING

Ty Montgomery, RB/WR, GB

It's looking like Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has finally realized his offense is much more versatile with Montgomery in the mix, as he exploded for 162 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on 16 carries against the Bears. Even before his breakout game, he had nine and 13 touches before seeing 18 on Sunday, so it seems to be a solid bet that he'll be plenty involved down the stretch, unlike the last time he faced Chicago in Week 7, when he saw sporadic weekly work after a big game. He's certainly earned his opportunity by averaging eight yards per touch over the last three games, and he doesn't have terrible matchups, as he'll finish the regular season with a home game against the Vikings before playing at the Lions. In leagues that allow him to start at running back, he should be a RB2, and he's also a solid starting option, especially in standard leagues, as a WR3 with upside.

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, HOU

Assuming the Texans do the wise thing, which would be allowing Tom Savage to remain the starting quarterback, Hopkins could easily end the season on a high-note. After failing to surpass 71 yards in any of his last 11 games with Brock Osweiler under center, he was peppered with 17 targets, and although he caught just eight of those, he posted a very respectable 87 yards. Hopkins proved last year that he can be an elite option as long as he has a somewhat-competent quarterback who's willing to simply fire the ball his way as often as possible. Savage surely realizes that he's in a great situation to prove that he could be running the offense for a playoff team, and that his best path to success includes making great use of his best weapon. He should be considered at least a WR2 in Week 16 against the Bengals, and a must-start in Week 17 against the Titans.

Tom Savage, QB, HOU

After leading the Texans to a comeback win replacing an ineffective Brock Osweiler, it would seem likely that Savage will be the team's quarterback for the rest of the season. If he's given that job, he immediately becomes an option in leagues that start two quarterbacks because he already shown a willingness to force feed the ball to his ultimate weapon, DeAndre Hopkins. The duo hooked up eight times for 87 yards in a game that saw Savage throw for 260 yards, though he was unable to fire a touchdown pass. Regardless, he has a manageable matchup with the Bengals next week before getting a fantastic draw against the Titans in Week 17, and he easily could have a strong finish to the season.

Derrick Henry, RB, TEN

Henry has now touched the ball at least eight times in each of his last five games, and although he was held to fewer than four yards per carry in three of those games, his combination of yardage and work near the goal line make him a reasonable RB2 and a fantastic flex option. He's posted at least 47 yards in four of his last five games, and he's also scored in three of those games, which gives him respectable upside. He'll finish the regular season with a game at Jacksonville before heading home in what could be a battle for a playoff spot against the Texans. With it becoming clear that Henry will get plenty of work alongside DeMarco Murray, he's become more valuable than the handcuff he was earlier in the year.

CHECK STATUS

Tyler Lockett, WR, SEA

Although his dependence upon the big-play is both what makes him an asset and a liability for fantasy owners, Lockett has been targeted at least six times in five of his last six games, and it seems as if he's past the knee injury that slowed him down earlier in the season. He's now posted at least 130 rushing and receiving yards and a touchdown in two of his last three games, and he's looking like the player that many fantasy owners spent a fairly-high draft pick to acquire. He should be considered a strong starting option next week at home against the Cardinals, and especially in Week 17 when he's on the road at the 49ers.

Jay Ajayi, RB, MIA

Bankable volume is the main thing that Ajayi has going for him, as he's touched the football at least 18 times in each of his last nine games. However, since opponents have begun to defend the Dolphins as the run-first team they've become, he's been held to fewer than 2.8 yards per carry in three of his last four games after reaching at least 4.2 in the five games before his slide began. In addition, he's failed to reach the end zone in his last three games, and he's seen his yardage fall during each week of that span (87, 63 and 51). He's looking like a RB2 option, as he'll have a fairly neutral road matchup, although it could be played in wintry conditions next week at Buffalo before he closes the season with a tough matchup at home against the Patriots.

Dion Sims, TE, MIA

Aside from the elite options, the tight end position is typically a mine field, making Sims a player to consider even with fantasy championships on the line. Despite seeing fewer than five targets in every game he's played, he's found his way into the end zone four times in his last four games while posting at least 31 yards in three of those games. Certainly, his touchdown rate is due for a major correction, as he's caught four touchdowns in his last 13 receptions, so he could goose egg at any time, but his red zone ability can't be understated. He'll be a low-end option with upside as he travels to Buffalo this week before ending the season at home against the Patriots.

Jeremy Maclin, WR, KC

After being eased back into action in Week 14 when he returned from a groin injury that cost him a month of playing time, Maclin resumed his role as the Chiefs lead receiver last week when he caught six of eight targets for 82 yards. However, it's difficult to pencil him in for guaranteed production, as that was the most yardage he's had in a game all season, and it was just the fourth time in 10 games in which he exceeded 50 yards. In addition, he hasn't been much of a red zone threat this year with just two touchdowns on the campaign, so he should be treated as a WR3 or flex option in Week 17 against the Chargers, and he'll be very difficult to consider starting against the Broncos elite cornerbacks next week.

FALLING

Terrelle Pryor, WR, CLE

It's looking like Robert Griffin has completely killed Pryor's fantasy value after the receiver had a two-game stretch in which he averaged 114 yards. In the two games since Griffin reclaimed the starting job, Pryor has caught five of 11 targets for a meager 22 yards. The entire Browns passing attack is a mess right now, and it's nearly impossible to consider putting him into fantasy lineups with championships on the line, and in addition, he'll likely see tight coverage in his remaining games against the Chargers and Steelers.

Stefon Diggs, WR, MIN

Diggs had a pair of two-week stretches this season in which he's been a WR1 in PPR leagues, but he's failed to reach the end zone or 60 yards in any of his last four games while seeing just six targets per game. One of the main issues is that Kyle Rudolph has emerged as a strong red zone and intermediate target, and in addition, Adam Thielen has siphoned off some of the targets that Diggs had been seeing. The optimistic side of considering him for lineups is that he'll be facing the Packers and Bears the next two weeks, a pair of secondaries he could get open against. However, the other issue that the Vikings' passing attack is dealing with is how Sam Bradford is getting very little time to throw the football, so Diggs may be best left on fantasy benches unless a 50-yard performance is acceptable production.

Matthew Stafford, QB, DET

Stafford has been an excellent quarterback this season, and some analysts see him as an MVP candidate, but in terms of fantasy production, he's simply not performing at a level of a consistent fantasy starter. Over his last five games, he failed to throw for more than a single touchdown in four of them, and that was after he started the season by throwing at least three scoring strikes in four of his first six games. In addition, he's failed to throw for more than two scores in eight games, so he hasn't shown that he has much upside. However, there isn't anything scary about his remaining schedule, as he'll play at Dallas this week before ending the regular season at home against the Packers, so fantasy owners without another realistic option should use him with moderate expectations.

Martellus Bennett, TE, NE

Even though Bennett had a 70-yard, one touchdown performance in Week 14, he's had just 14 catches over his last five games while only surpassing 35 yards once during that span. In addition, the touchdown was the only one he scored in his last seven games. Of course, the tight end position isn't exactly brimming with useful options on the waiver wire, so there aren't more than a handful of players who are a clear upgrade, but for those with another quality option on their roster, benching Bennett may be an option despite him having potentially-favorable matchups against the Jets and Dolphins to end the regular season.