This article is part of our NFL Barometer series.
As we head towards Week 11, a word about the makeup of this week's column is in order. Now that we're well past the halfway point of the season, many trends that we've previously identified as either positive or negative with respect to individual players have cemented themselves for multiple weeks. Consequently, many of the players that are currently shining – Jared Goff, Mark Ingram, Sterling Shepard, Robert Woods, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Devin Funchess, to name a few – don't appear in this space this week because their rise has already been covered recently. The same applies to those who've been heading in the wrong direction for multiple weeks – Devonta Freeman and Terrelle Pryor are two that come to mind.
Additionally, with many injury replacements and young players making their presences felt in Week 10, we also once again have a voluminous "Keeping An Eye On" section, a list that's also populated by a few players that flashed either encouraging or worrisome play last week.
RISING
Quarterback
Cam Newton, Panthers- Newton was actually listed as trending the other way a couple of weeks ago, but his return to the run-heavy style that terrorized defenses in seasons past has changed his trajectory. Although his passing yardage totals continue to leave much to be desired – he's compiled a modest 545 yards over the last three games – he's more than supplemented those numbers with his work on the ground. He's rushed for at
As we head towards Week 11, a word about the makeup of this week's column is in order. Now that we're well past the halfway point of the season, many trends that we've previously identified as either positive or negative with respect to individual players have cemented themselves for multiple weeks. Consequently, many of the players that are currently shining – Jared Goff, Mark Ingram, Sterling Shepard, Robert Woods, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Devin Funchess, to name a few – don't appear in this space this week because their rise has already been covered recently. The same applies to those who've been heading in the wrong direction for multiple weeks – Devonta Freeman and Terrelle Pryor are two that come to mind.
Additionally, with many injury replacements and young players making their presences felt in Week 10, we also once again have a voluminous "Keeping An Eye On" section, a list that's also populated by a few players that flashed either encouraging or worrisome play last week.
RISING
Quarterback
Cam Newton, Panthers- Newton was actually listed as trending the other way a couple of weeks ago, but his return to the run-heavy style that terrorized defenses in seasons past has changed his trajectory. Although his passing yardage totals continue to leave much to be desired – he's compiled a modest 545 yards over the last three games – he's more than supplemented those numbers with his work on the ground. He's rushed for at least 44 yards in each of the last five games, and has eclipsed 70 rushing yards in three of those contests. He's managed just one score on the ground despite those impressive metrics, but he now has five passing touchdowns in the last three weeks after firing four against the Dolphins on Monday night.
Mitchell Trubisky, Bears- Trubisky was another member of the Trending Down Club just a couple of weeks ago, as he'd put up a total of 23 pass attempts in Weeks 6 and 7. However, the Bears have unshackled him to an extent in the last two games, allowing him to sling it a combined 67 times, which has resulted in a solid 461 yards and one touchdown. Factor in Trubisky's 53 rushing yards in Week 8 and you've got an increasingly confident young quarterback that could be given access to more and more of the playbook during the stretch run.
Running Back
Alfred Morris, Cowboys- Morris is deemed worthy of this designation not so much for his Week 10 performance, but the fact that we finally have at least some clarity with respect to his role over the next several weeks. Ezekiel Elliott will be out on suspension until at least early December, and Morris was certainly serviceable against the Falcons considering the unfavorable game script he was saddled with. The veteran rushed for 53 yards on 11 carries and understandably looked like he had fresh legs after having toted it just 83 times since the beginning of the '16 season coming into Sunday. Rod Smith and Darren McFadden totaled just four carries, so it appears safe to say that Morris will keep lead-back duties going into Week 11 at a minimum.
Wide Receiver
Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals- Fitzgerald is admittedly saddled with Drew Stanton as his quarterback, but his Week 10 performance (10 receptions, 113 yards) once again confirmed why he's still capable of producing in virtually any situation. Fitz has seen 23 targets in Stanton's first two full games as starter and that trend should certainly continue, considering the wildly inconsistent nature of the Cardinals' running game until David Johnson returns and the lack of other reliable passing game options.
Bruce Ellington, Texans- Ellington has seen eight targets apiece over the last two games with Tom Savage under center and could now be poised for a starting assignment in Week 11 due to Will Fuller's rib injury. He brings some nice downfield ability – as evidenced by four of his career-high 19 catches having gone for over 20 yards – and could be an interesting streaming play in the right matchups moving forward, despite the general unreliability of Savage behind center.
Tight End
Vernon Davis, Redskins- The annual Jordan Reed injury bug has bitten once again, affording Davis starting opportunities the last two weeks. He's parlayed his extended playing time into 13 receptions (on 20 targets) for 148 yards during those contests, and given Reed's medical history, he could well run with the first team again in Week 11 versus the Saints. The Redskins also still have both of their games against the tight end-friendly Giants in front of them (although the second comes in Week 17), giving Davis a little extra appeal moving forward.
KEEPING AN EYE ON
DeShone Kizer, QB, Browns- May have turned corner with Week 10 performance, but subsequent contests will either confirm or deny.
Brett Hundley, QB, Packers- Similar assessment to Kizer, but does now have two solid games under his belt; current hamstring injury a concern, however.
C.J. Beathard, QB, 49ers- Third young quarterback who seemed to have Week 10 breakthrough, but could eventually be displaced by Jimmy Garoppolo.
Teddy Bridgewater / Case Keenum, QB, Vikings- Keenum excellent in Week 10, but Vikings likely need to see what Bridgewater has for multiple games before end of season.
Isaiah Crowell, RB, Browns- Two best rushing games of season in last two weeks but yet to crack 20 carries in a game this season.
Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers- Hard to determine if Week 10 breakout was simply circumstantial; Week 11 matchup against Buffalo should shed further light.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers- Workload could begin to erode if Ekeler is real deal – see above.
Matt Breida, RB, 49ers- Second-highest carry total and first touchdown of career Sunday; could see more opportunities in stretch run if Niners focus on youth.
Elijah McGuire, RB, Jets- Out-touched Bilal Powell on Sunday and could be headed for more volume even when Matt Forte returns from knee injury.
Jamaal Williams, RB, Packers- Serviceable in Week 10 spot duty and could see Week 11 start if Ty Montgomery (ribs) is sidelined. Due for more work going forward anyhow with Aaron Jones (knee) out for multiple weeks.
Tevin Coleman, RB, Falcons- Could handle lead-back duties in Week 11 at a minimum due to Freeman's concussion. Proved he could carry load with 20-83-1 line against Cowboys in Week 10.
Corey Coleman, WR, Browns- Slated to return for Week 11 and instantly becomes Browns' top receiver for the moment, with Josh Gordon also potentially resurfacing in Week 13.
Corey Davis, WR, Titans- Six catches, 15 targets and 76 yards in first two games back from injury.
Brandon LaFell, WR, Bengals- First big game of 2017 in Week 10 after lackluster season.
Dontrelle Inman, WR, Bears- Six-catch, 88-yard effort in Week 10 encouraging, as is the improving play of his quarterback.
Louis Murphy, WR, 49ers- Trusted veteran has proven he can get it done in the past and could fill Pierre Garcon role moving forward.
Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers- Will slide back down depth chart with Mike Evans' return in Week 11, but may have earned himself more looks with solid Week 10 effort.
Russell Shepard, WR, Panthers- Curtis Samuel ankle injury could make him next man up in Carolina wideout corps.
Kendrick Bourne, WR, 49ers- Undrafted rookie has five catches (on nine targets) for 81 yards in last two games, with two of the receptions over 20 yards.
Seth DeValve, TE, Browns-Season-best effort in Week 10 could be sign of increased rapport with Kizer.
Garrett Celek, TE, 49ers- Broke out with 67 yards and touchdown in Week 10 and might see another start in George Kittle's stead.
Lance Kendricks, TE, Packers- Unremarkable in first starting assignment after Martellus Bennett's release, but has speed and athleticism to get down the seam when given the opportunity.
Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers- Set to return Week 12 after Panthers' bye and should immediately serve as focal point of air attack in wake of Curtis Samuel's ankle injury and Kelvin Benjamin's departure.
FALLING
Running Back
Rob Kelley, Redskins- Kelley has been banged up all year and hasn't produced when he has been on the field. He's averaging just 3.1 yards per carry and has been a virtual non-factor in the passing game. Moreover, he's now looking at a multi-week absence due to ankle and knee injuries and could well be headed to injured reserve. He's a clear drop candidate across all formats.
Bilal Powell, Jets- Powell frustrated many season-long and DFS players with a Week 10 dud in a starting opportunity against the vulnerable Bucs defense. However, perhaps the lackluster showing shouldn't have been a total surprise. Outside of an outstanding 163-yard effort in Week 4 against the Jaguars, Powell hasn't looked as dynamic or explosive as last season, when he averaged 5.0 yards per carry or greater in three of the last four games of the campaign as the starter. This season, Powell has already averaged under 3.0 yards per tote in four contests, and with a reduced role in the passing game, he's seen a near three-point drop per game (12.4 to 9.7) in PPR formats.
Wide Receiver
Aldrick Robinson, 49ers- Robinson was listed as someone to keep an eye on just last week due to Garcon's season-ending neck injury, but after yet another underwhelming performance, it's fair to wonder if the likes of Marquise Goodwin, Murphy and Bourne are going to serve as the focal points of the passing game for the balance of the season. Robinson was targeted just once by C.J. Beathard in Week 10 , leading to a 12-yard catch. Meanwhile, target volume wasn't an issue in Week 9 against the Cardinals in Robinson's first game as a starter, but efficiency certainly was – he brought in only two of eight looks for 18 yards in that contest. Things could potentially trend up for him if Garoppolo is eventually handed the keys to the offense before season's end, but things don't look encouraging at the moment.
Tight End
Hunter Henry, Chargers- We saw troublesome signs from Henry earlier this season when he wasn't targeted at all in two of the first three games, but he'd seemed to subsequently find his niche with 12 receptions for 205 yards and a touchdown in Weeks 5-7. However, the tide seems to have turned for the worst again over the last two contests, games in which he's seen a combined four targets that have yielded three catches for 18 yards. Although the second-year tight end undeniably has the talent to get downfield, it appears the Chargers aren't always quite yet sure how to best utilize his skills on a week-to-week basis.
