With a third of the NFL season complete, now is a good time to examine players who are surging in usage and production. ESPN's Matt Bowen highlights six players climbing his rankings heading into Week 7, including a quarterback on a three-game hot streak, a tight end finally emerging after a slow start, and several wide receivers with defined roles in their offenses.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been excellent since the return of receiver Nico Collins in Week 4. He has scored 22.3 fantasy points per game, completed 71.7% of his throws and averaged 306.7 passing yards during that stretch. Stroud also leads the league with a 78.6% completion rate against the blitz over his past three games. Bowen says he should be started as a QB1 against the New York Giants in Week 7.
Carolina Panthers receiver Jalen Coker is another player on the rise. He scored 15.7 points in the Panthers' Week 6 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, catching six of a season-high 13 targets for 97 yards. In the three full games he has played this season, Coker has scored at least 14 points each time. As the No. 2 receiver opposite Tetairoa McMillan, he is seeing consistent volume, and Bowen recommends locking him in as a fantasy starter given Carolina's upcoming schedule.
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Germie Bernard scored 25.7 points against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6, catching 11 of 12 targets for 87 yards and his first professional touchdown. He has seen 21 targets over the past two games and is expected to stay in the No. 2 role opposite DK Metcalf with Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson on injured reserve. Bernard is rostered in 69.5% of ESPN leagues, but his volume makes him a clear option for managers.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing