NFL Barometer: Peterson's Still Got It

An eventful Week 6 (and in the case of Ezekiel Elliott, the days preceding it) had a bit of everything – key injuries, a benching, an unexpectedly resurgent performance and a looming suspension. Those developments play a major part in shaping our weekly look at who's trending up or down heading into Week 7.

RISING

Quarterback

Brett Hundley, Packers- With Aaron Rodgers facing potential season-ending surgery, Hundley is the man behind center for the Pack in the foreseeable future. The 2016 fifth-round pick was serviceable in relief of Rodgers on Sunday (19-for-34 for 157 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions) and was also impressive this past preseason while seeing extended action in all four contests. With an effective offensive system, experienced receiving corps and two solid running back options to help keep defenses honest, Hundley is in a solid position to succeed.

C.J. Beathard, 49ers- Beathard was surprisingly inserted into the Week 6 contest against the Redskins and was one of the bright spots in a heartbreaking loss, holding his own against an aggressive defense (19-for-36 for 245 yards, one TD, one INT) and almost leading a successful comeback. Like Hundley, Beathard parlayed a solid preseason into a backup job that has now transitioned to a starting assignment, albeit under markedly different circumstances than in the case of the former.

Running Back

Adrian Peterson, Cardinals- It might very well prove to be a one-hit wonder, but Peterson's retro 134-yard outburst against the Bucs in Week 6 certainly warrants him a spot in this category. The former Pro Bowler looked like his old self at times, and with a clear-cut lead-back role for the moment, he should have plenty of opportunity until David Johnson (wrist) returns late in the season.

Mark Ingram, Saints- Peterson's trade to Arizona seems like the classic win-win scenario after one week, as Ingram racked up 25 carries for 114 yards and two touchdowns on the ground versus the Lions in Week 6. He added five receptions for 36 yards as well, allowing him to cross the 30-touch mark for the first time in the last two-plus seasons. Talented rookie Alvin Kamara looms behind him on the depth chart, but Ingram is in line for a solid and consistent workload as an early-down back that can also be deployed in pass-catching situations when needed.

Darren McFadden / Alfred Morris, Cowboys- Ezekiel Elliott's legal situation remains fluid, but for the moment, it certainly appears likely that both his backups will see a fair share of volume in his likely absence. The exact workload split isn't presently known, but it's worth noting that McFadden compiled 1,089 yards and three touchdowns over 16 games in lead-back duties with Dallas in 2015. Meanwhile, Morris is a three-time 1000-yard rusher that has looked impressive in a very small sample size this season, but doesn't have much of a role in the passing game. This situation should sort itself out if Elliott is indeed forced to miss multiple games, but both players' fantasy stock is on the right track.

Jerick McKinnon, Vikings- Just two weeks ago, I had the Vikings running back situation pegged incorrectly in the wake of Dalvin Cook's season-ending injury. Latavius Murray projected to be the lead back at the time, but he's proven woefully unproductive while apparently still trying to shake the lingering effects of offseason ankle surgery. Meanwhile, McKinnon has averaged 5.1 yards per carry while logging 91 snaps over the last two weeks and racking up three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving). He has fumbled in three straight contests, so that's one aspect of his game that needs cleaning up. However, his play has been markedly superior to that of Murray, which should continue affording him lead-back duties.

Dion Lewis, Patriots- Lewis has seen his carries rise in each of the last three contests, topping out at 11 in a Week 6 win over the Jets. The 27-year-old tailback has 105 yards rushing on 18 totes over the last two games, even as he's been curiously uninvolved (by his standards) in the passing attack. Backfield-mate James White seems to have taken over the bulk of the pass-catching duties, but Lewis is creeping up on Mike Gillislee in touches, with the latter's fumble just outside the red zone Sunday potentially affording Lewis even more opportunity next week.

Wide Receiver

Kasen Williams, Browns- Williams took advantage of another absence by Kenny Britt (groin, knee) in Week 6, posting four receptions for 41 yards. It was the second straight four-catch tally for Williams, who boast solid size at 6-foot-1, 219 pounds. With 73 snaps over the last two weeks, Williams' role seems to be expanding, and he appears to have the trust of current starting quarterback Kevin Hogan.

Marvin Jones, Lions- Jones is trending in the right direction on a couple of fronts. He's seen his receiving yardage and targets rise after each of the last two games. He equaled his season best with six catches and established a new high-water mark with 96 yards Sunday versus the Saints, and he should see even more volume in coming weeks with Golden Tate (shoulder) reportedly set to miss multiple games.

Josh Doctson, Redskins- The 2016 first-round pick has finally started showing up on the radar the last two games, posting six catches (including three over 20 yards) for 156 yards and two touchdowns over that span. His 15 targets during that stretch are especially encouraging, and could be a harbinger of a continued boost in volume over the next few weeks.

Tight End

Cameron Brate, Buccaneers- Brate is once again proving to be a red-zone threat, as he's now crossed the goal line in four consecutive games. He's logged no less than four catches in any contest during that span and has been getting downfield with more regularity, as his 14.9 YPC over the last trio of contests attests. The third-year pro is clearly the preferred receiving tight end option over rookie O.J. Howard at present, and with 23 of his 30 targets coming in the last three games, his prospects look increasingly bright.

Hunter Henry, Chargers- Henry vaults over from the "Keep An Eye On" section this week, as his 90 receiving yards Sunday represented a season high. The second-year tight end has a combined eight catches (on 15 targets, including three in the red zone) for 132 yards and a touchdown in the last two contests, while position-mate Antonio Gates has been the recipient of only four looks during that stretch.

Austin Hooper, Falcons- Hooper played 91 percent of the offensive snaps in the Week 6 loss to the Dolphins, which helped lead to career highs in receptions (seven) and targets (nine). While Mohamed Sanu's absence had a part to play, it's worth noting that Hooper also saw seven targets in Week 4, leading to a five-catch, 50-yard line against the Bills. Matt Ryan certainly appears to be gaining trust in his athletic second-year tight end, which should lead to improved numbers as the season unfolds.

KEEPING AN EYE ON

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Buccaneers- Viable short-term pickup if Jameis Winston (shoulder) is forced to miss a game or two.

Bennie Fowler, WR, Broncos- Projects as No. 2 receiver in what could be multi-week absence for Emmanuel Sanders (ankle).

Willie Snead, WR, Saints- Past body of work and dynamic offense make him worth monitoring as he works back into shape following suspension/hamstring injury.

FALLING

Running Back

Jacquizz Rodgers, Buccaneers- Rodgers has virtually disappeared from the offense since Doug Martin's Week 5 return, logging just six carries for three yards on 19 total snaps in the last pair of contests. Head coach Dirk Koetter has made his preference for Martin clear by affording him 27 rushes over the same stretch.

Wide Receiver

Terrelle Pryor, Redskins- It might be time to officially worry about the Pryor-Cousins connection, as the towering receiver has no more than three catches in four of his five games while seeing a modest 18 targets during those contests. That's a far cry from preseason expectations and leaves Pryor on pace for just 51 receptions on the season. While his talent is likely to eventually help him break out of his slump, Doctson appears to be gradually expanding his role in the offense as well, a trend that could result in Pryor losing some targets if it persists.

Tight End

O.J. Howard, Buccaneers- Howard has only five catches for 107 yards and a touchdown through five games, with 63 of those yards and the score having come in Week 4 against the Giants. His lack of production isn't due to lack of opportunity, as Howard has logged over 40 snaps in four of his five contests. Cameron Brate simply seems to be the preferred pass-catching option at the position presently, leaving Howard's fantasy stock at a low point for the time being.

Coby Fleener, Saints- Fleener's production has been uneven all season, but it bottomed out in Sunday's wild win over the Lions. Despite New Orleans racking up 52 points, Fleener saw just one target -- which he failed to bring in -- and he'd also posted just three receptions (on five targets) for 42 yards in the previous two contests as well. Furthermore, with Willie Snead back in the fold, Drew Brees has one more pass catcher at his disposal, which could continue to compromise Fleener's fantasy value.