BIGGEST Risers & Fallers Before Week 1: Rhamondre Stevenson, Jayden Reed, Jeremiyah Love, Terry McLaurin, & More! (09/06 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Bo Nix is mentioned in the quarterback ADP ordering, positioned between Brock Purdy and Jared Goff in the QB rankings heading into Week 1.

Brenton Strange is currently positioned ahead of Dalton Schultz in tight end ADP, but the source prefers Schultz over Strange as a draft target.

Purdy is a riser for the source; ranked 14th in February and now 12th, ahead of Patrick Mahomes. The source is bullish on Purdy's upside given the strength of the Lions' offensive weapons and the expectation that the offense will need to throw frequently to win games.

Brock Purdy is currently QB 13 in real-time ADP at 109th overall. The source identifies him as a riser heading into Week 1, with the source noting excitement about his upside based on recent analysis.

Source worries Brooks will be limited to passing downs back for Green Bay and would need injuries to change that role. However, Brooks is widely available on waivers and could be a free pickup if he develops into something more. Roster percentage is very low, making him a speculative add.

Godwin is a riser and FFT community favorite; going 88th overall as WR35 in real-time ADP. The source was initially skeptical a month ago but camp reports showing he got through training camp healthy have been encouraging; now ahead of ADP and willing to draft him in round seven as a good WR3 that could be a WR2 or better in week one if Mecca Buka is not healthy.

Drafted 61st overall in a 14-team league by source; positioned as a late-round WR1 option with strong value at that draft position in deep formats.

Chris Godwin has received strong practice reports and is being praised by Baker Mayfield as 'the best version of Chris Godwin since 2024,' a year in which Godwin was 'pretty amazing.' The source notes 'Godwin looked great in the practice' and 'the reports have been good about Godwin,' suggesting he is in excellent form heading into the season.

Chris Rodriguez is going significantly behind Bejal Tootin in ADP. Source suggests the gap between them shouldn't be as wide, implying Rodriguez could have more value than his current ADP reflects.

Projected to receive approximately 100–120 targets in a Packers passing attack scenario; best-case estimate is 105 targets, though one the source suggests bumping that to 120 if the offense becomes more pass-happy. Target allocation depends on whether the Packers run game remains weak and whether Jordan Love returns to 34 pass attempts per game (2023 level).

Colby Parkinson was the Rams' tight end target last year but is not being discussed this offseason, indicating a shift in the team's tight end usage. The source notes that coaches 'don't do what we want them to do' and may deploy Parkinson, Higby, or Charlie Kohler instead of the preferred targets like Terrence Ferguson.

Dalton Schultz is currently tight end 18 in ADP, positioned between Hunter Henry and Brenton Strange, but the source prefers to draft him before all of those players. He had 106 targets last year, the Texans lost more target competition than they gained, and he's the guy CJ Stroud trusts when Nico Collins is not open, with a chance to reach 110+ targets this year. He's available in 49% of leagues and likely to be on the waiver wire, making him a value pick.

Dalton Schultz has the worst week one matchup with Buffalo, a team that was terrific at covering tight ends and smothering them with limited short, easy throws. However, Buffalo lost Sean McDermott and is changing their defensive front, which could significantly alter their defensive system and coverage approach.

Schultz had 10 games with 6+ targets last year and 11+ PPR points in 7 of those games. The source notes that if Schultz gets 6 or more targets, he can be productive, but there's concern about whether the offense's tenor changes with David Montgomery's arrival, potentially reducing targets through increased rushing and opportunities for receivers like Jalen Noel and Kayshaun Booty.

Schultz's target share is the key to his fantasy value; if he can secure six-plus targets per game, the production numbers should follow, though the source notes he is 'kind of boring' and questions whether newly acquired Kayshaun Booty will compete for targets.

David Montgomery is going way ahead of Woody Marks in ADP, similar to how Saquon goes ahead of other Giants backs. Source suggests this gap shouldn't be as wide as it is, implying Marks could have more value than his ADP suggests.

Montgomery (Gibbs) is one of four top-70 draft picks among Goff's targets, cited as a reason for confidence in Goff's volume and scoring potential.

David Montgomery's arrival with the Texans could change the tenor of the offense, allowing the team to run the ball more effectively and potentially reducing passing opportunities for tight ends like Dalton Schultz.

Derrick Henry is mentioned alongside Jonathan Taylor as a comparable back in terms of rushing yards and carries relative to James Cook's 2024 season. The source uses Henry as a benchmark for evaluating Cook's rushing title, noting that Henry and Taylor had similar production despite not winning the rushing title.

Singletary has worked as the Giants' hurry-up offense running back and could be used on third downs in the crowded backfield with Saquon, Najee Harris, and Tyrone Tracy. Greg Roman has used multiple running backs before when he hasn't had a clear lead back.

Sampson is in the mold of PPR-friendly running backs like Gainwell, Rashad White, and TyJ Spears, positioned at the very end of that group; his flex production potential with the Browns is uncertain given the team's limited offensive success and reliance on Judkins as their best offensive player.

Drafted in an 18-team league format by source; positioned as a strong value option in deep leagues where he was available at a reasonable draft position.

Source suggests Helani could very well take on the Zach Charbonnet role to begin the year and probably wouldn't let it go unless Jadarian Price really takes off in Seattle's backfield. Roster percentage is only 3%, making him a widely available waiver wire target. Jamie notes he could be the goal-line back for the Seahawks.

Hunter Henry is currently positioned ahead of Dalton Schultz in tight end ADP, but the source prefers Schultz over Henry as a draft target.

Price is competing with George Helani in Seattle's backfield. Source notes that unless Price really takes off, Helani is likely to hold the primary role. Price is one of several available running backs to stash on waiver wire.

Jalen McMillan was out with an injury and is on the same recovery timetable as A'Mariah Brown for the Buccaneers, meaning he will also miss significant camp time. This adds to the crowding of the Tampa Bay receiving corps alongside Godwin, Hurst, and Brown.

James Cook led the league in rushing with 385 touches (a career high) and 835 yards with six touchdowns last year, but the source warns of regression risk. The source notes Cook 'barely had more yards in the same amount of carries, basically, as Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry' and cautions that 'the year after, there's going to be some regression' for a running back with such high touch volume. The source suggests Cook's rushing title was 'basically just semantics' given the narrow margin over other elite backs.

Jameson Williams is one of four top-70 draft picks among Goff's targets, cited as a reason for confidence in Goff's volume and scoring potential.

Goff is a riser for the source; ranked 15th in February and now 11th, ahead of Patrick Mahomes. The source is bullish despite Goff's weakness when pressured, citing the Lions' strong offensive line (especially interior), the secondary injuries (Terry and Arnold release), and the presence of four top-70 draft picks among his targets (Gibbs, Amon Ross St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam Laporta). The source expects Goff to throw a lot and put up good numbers, with potential for a special year like Stafford's, though not expecting a top-five QB finish.

Jared Goff is identified as a riser for the source heading into Week 1. The riser status is attributed to the Lions defense not improving significantly and injuries in the secondary, particularly the Terry and Arnold release, which may create more passing volume opportunities.

Jaden Higgins was thought to be a potential breakout guy with a big role heading into the season, and Chris Harris listed him as one of his favorite breakouts. However, Higgins is out for the year, eliminating him as a viable fantasy option.

Listed as a riser; ranked as a number four wide receiver with potential to finish as a number two; going 105th overall (round eight) in real-time ADP, just ahead of Josh Downs. One the source calls him 'one of my favorite players to go after in the middle of late rounds' and has gotten 'more excited about Jaden Reed' after reconsidering his 2023 season.

Projected to receive approximately 90 targets in a best-case Packers passing attack scenario (Christian Watson 100, Tucker Craft 95, Jayden Reed 90, Matthew Golden 85), contingent on the Packers running game underperforming. This target projection assumes a pass-happy offense similar to 2023 when Jordan Love attempted 34 passes per game, his best fantasy season.

Now going after Quinton Johnston at WR 41; source ranks Johnston ahead of Reed and does not advocate for Reed at his current ADP, implying Reed is overvalued relative to Johnston in the same range.

Love is a better fit for what the Seahawks offense is asking their running backs to do under Kubiak; he's being moved up in rankings as a potential flex play with lottery-ticket upside if the starter goes down.

Currently going 30th in real-time ADP and 37th in NFC ADP; source would take him around 37th overall (early round four), suggesting he is overvalued at his current ADP and should be waited on.

Jonathan Taylor is being undervalued relative to James Cook despite similar production metrics. The source states 'I'm not going to lower Jonathan Taylor just because Daniel Jones might get hurt' and notes that Cook 'would have to make up a pretty big gap' in fantasy points per game to justify being drafted ahead of Taylor. The source suggests Taylor's ADP may not reflect his true value compared to Cook's inflated expectations.

Banged up in the second half of last season, which affected Packers passing volume and receiver production. In 2023, Love attempted 34 passes per game (his best fantasy season); the last two years he has been under 30 pass attempts per game. Analysts are hoping for a return to the 2023 pass-happy approach to boost receiver upside.

Jordan Love is currently QB 18 at 140th overall ADP in real-time drafts; the source has him ranked higher and would take him ahead of Patrick Mahomes, indicating significant upside relative to his current draft position.

Currently QB 18 at 140th overall ADP; source would take him ahead of Patrick Mahomes and ranks him back-to-back with Kyler Murray, indicating significant upside relative to his draft position.

Jordan Tyson was expected to be a big piece of the Saints offense, but the source indicates this expectation did not materialize, making him a fallback option rather than a primary target.

Compared favorably to Jayden Reed in draft value; one the source prefers Downs over Reed, noting Downs is a round eight guy in full PPR while Reed is more round eight–nine. Both are in the same tier, with Downs going just after Reed in real-time ADP (105th overall).

Court date moved up to September 10th, four days away. The source interprets this as Jacobs and his legal team trying to get resolution so the league can make a decision on suspension length, with a chance he could play this year. Heath moved him up to round 9 in tournament-style drafts due to playoff upside if available; Dave keeps him in round 10 due to uncertainty he may not play this year. Real-time ADP has Jacobs at RB31, 88th overall.

Packers running back whose performance in the second half of last season was poor and injury-plagued, raising concerns about the Packers' run game efficiency. His weak second-half production (even the first half was only 'pretty good') supports the case for a more pass-happy Packers offense in 2024, which would benefit pass catchers like Jayden Reed.

Juwan Johnson was awesome at the end of last season for fantasy managers given his cost, making him and Jordan Tyson easy fallback options at tight end when other targets are unavailable.

Luther Burden missed a month during the offseason, which reduced his status as a potential offseason darling compared to Parker Washington. The source notes that if Burden had not gotten hurt, there might have been a close battle between him and Washington for the most positive offseason vibes.

Given A'Mariah Brown's toe injury and missed camp time, the source now prefers Luther Burden over Brown in draft decisions, stating 'Luther Burden or Emeka Buka? I think you got to go Burden now.' This represents a shift in relative value between the two receivers.

NFC average draft position over last two days has Lloyd at RB29, 80th overall, between Jalen Warren and Jonathan Brooks. Fantasy Pro's real-time ADP shows Lloyd at 91st, 34th overall. FFPC real drafts from last two days (22 drafts) show Lloyd at 76th. Source notes casual players may not know about Lloyd, explaining some ADP variance. Jamie suggests drafting him after round six. Lloyd is the Packers' starting RB but has only played one game, creating uncertainty about durability and role.

Packers running back whose potential success could limit upside for pass catchers; if Lloyd emerges as a strong runner, it would reduce the likelihood of a pass-happy offense and lower target projections for Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and other receivers.

Projected to receive approximately 85 targets in a best-case Packers passing attack scenario, contingent on the running game underperforming and the offense maintaining a pass-happy approach similar to 2023.

Stafford had a special year recently that resulted in a top-one fantasy quarterback finish; the source uses this as a comparable outcome for Goff if he has a similar special year.

Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports Najee Harris could be anywhere from RB2 to inactive if the Giants don't deem him fully ready to contribute at the opener, but if not ready by week one, Duggan's sense is it won't be long until Harris becomes RB2. From there, workload distribution will depend on performances of Harris and Saquon. Duggan notes it wouldn't surprise him if Harris becomes a lead back at some point this season. Jamie notes Harris could be a waiver wire pickup with value if Saquon doesn't produce early.

Nico Collins is referenced as a primary receiving target for CJ Stroud, with Dalton Schultz serving as the safety valve when Collins is not open.

Washington is a riser going 66th overall as WR29 in round six; the source is now ahead of his ADP but has only drafted him twice in 20 drafts, suggesting reluctance and uncertainty about how much to react to his rise.

The source describes Parker Washington as either 'the most obvious breakout ever' or 'one of the most hilarious rounds of coach speak,' with every reporter providing positive vibes about him throughout the offseason. He was 'easily the darling of the offseason,' particularly after Luther Burden's injury reduced competition for receiving opportunities.

Now WR 41, going just ahead of Jaden Reed; source prefers Johnston over Reed and targets him in round six. Johnston scored 8 TDs over last two seasons; in 2024's first four games averaged 19.9 PPR points per game with healthy Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater back; full-season 2024 average was 11.7 PPR points per game. Source sees path to 1,000+ yards and 10+ TDs with healthy offensive line and Mike McDaniel's system.

Quinton Johnston has risen in ADP and is now wide receiver 41, going just ahead of Jayden Reed, indicating a significant market shift in his favor relative to other receivers in that tier.

Stevenson is a riser for the source; ranked 28th in February and now a top-24 running back. The source cites improving game reports out of New England and Travion Henderson's lack of improvement as reasons for the rise. Current ADP is RB25 in recent 61 NFC drafts, with Henderson at RB26. The source prefers drafting Stevenson in round six, noting he could handle every touch in week one and remain the 1A back thereafter.

Identified as a riser before Week 1; ranked ahead of Jaylen Warren in at least one the source's rankings. Despite limited Super Bowl usage (seven carries for 23 yards), he scored 18.5 PPR points on a late touchdown, demonstrating touchdown upside even in low-volume games.

Mentioned as a riser on the list but not discussed in detail in this segment; source notes he was already covered earlier in the podcast.

Sam Laporta is one of four top-70 draft picks among Goff's targets, cited as a reason for confidence in Goff's volume and scoring potential.

The source advises against taking Saquon Barkley in the third round and probably not in the fourth round either, suggesting his ADP is too high relative to his expected fantasy value.

Tank Dell was expected to be healthy and contribute to the Texans offense alongside Jaden Higgins, but both players are starting the season injured, limiting Dell's availability and role.

Ted Hurst 'has been making inroads on getting playing time' with the Buccaneers, and Baker Mayfield 'loves Ted Hurst,' indicating increased offensive involvement. This growing role in a crowded receiving corps is relevant context for the Buccaneers' target distribution.

Terrence Ferguson is being drafted as an eighth-round pick in FFPC drafts, which the source considers undervalued given his upside as a tight end in the Rams offense. The source expresses strong conviction: 'If he hits, he's going to be crazy' and states 'I would definitely take a flyer on Terrence Ferguson of all the tight ends in Los Angeles.' One the source took him 151st overall (round 13) in an elimination league, suggesting he's available much later than his ceiling warrants.

Projected to receive approximately 95 targets in a best-case Packers passing attack scenario, contingent on the running game underperforming and the offense maintaining a pass-happy approach similar to 2023.

Tyrone Tracy still has talent that the Giants can use and could spell Saquon. Dan Schneiers posted that Tracy is the Giants' most explosive running back and the team would be stupid not to use him in some capacity. Tracy is not being drafted in many leagues and could be a waiver wire value pickup. Source notes Tracy could be used on third downs or as a spell back.

Woody Marks is going significantly behind David Montgomery in ADP. Source suggests the gap between them shouldn't be as wide, implying Marks could have more value than his current ADP reflects.