Football Draft Kit: Team-by-Team Risers, Fallers

Whose stock is on the rise? Whose isn't? And who's being underappreciated? Compiled from this year's crop of Training Camp Previews, the RotoWire staff pegs three players per team that prospective fantasy owners need to be aware of heading into draft season.

Arizona Cardinals
By Eric Caturia

RISING: J.J. Nelson
Boasting none of the perceived health concerns of John Brown, Nelson has reeled off 19.3 yards per catch and nine TDs in two seasons. Further understanding of the offense could help Nelson complement Larry Fitzgerald.

FALLING: Andre Ellington
Ellington attempted a move from RB to WR due to David Johnson's emergence as a bell-cow back, but those plans were nixed in the middle of the offseason program. Now, Ellington could be a roster casualty with a subpar camp.

SLEEPER: John Brown
If Brown's woes from last season have been alleviated by an offseason procedure on his spine, he may recapture his form from 2014-15, when he recorded 8.3 yards per target and made 12 end-zone visits.

Atlanta Falcons
By Mike Wendt

RISING: Austin Hooper
Atlanta has been searching for a reliable tight end since the retirement of Tony Gonzalez, and Hooper may just be that guy. Matt Ryan looked his way more often in the playoffs, a trend that may continue in 2017.

FALLING: Devonta Freeman
Freeman has struggled to be effective running out of shotgun sets, something that he may see more of under new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. Ten touchdowns may be the ceiling, not the expectation.

SLEEPER: Tevin Coleman
Despite playing second fiddle to Freeman last year, Coleman still recorded 11 total touchdowns, meaning he's more than just a handcuff. Coleman will see plenty of carries and targets as the backup.

Baltimore Ravens
By John McKechnie

RISING: Mike Wallace
It was unclear how Wallace would fit in Baltimore in 2016, but he showed he still had something left in the tank with 72 grabs on 117 targets for 1,017 yards. He should see even more opportunities as the team's new WR1.

FALLING: Kenneth Dixon
Already facing a four-game suspension, Dixon could be out for the season with a knee injury and will have to fend off Danny Woodhead on third downs even if he were to return at some point in the 2017 campaign.

SLEEPER: Ben Watson
Baltimore enters camp without a clear-cut starter at tight end following Dennis Pitta's hip injury, but Watson is a complete player who can contribute as a blocker and as a pass catcher. If Watson's Achilles injury from 2016 is fully behind him, he should be able to win the starting job outright over unreliable or unproven options such as Crockett Gillmore, Nick Boyle, or Maxx Williams (knee). A repeat of Watson's 2015 in New Orleans is unlikely, but he could be a viable tight end in deeper formats should he lock down the starting job.

Buffalo Bills
By Dave McKay

RISING: Zay Jones
After hauling in a staggering 158 passes as a college senior, Jones lands in a good context with Buffalo. With Robert Woods having left as a free agent, the team needs someone to step up as a complement to Sammy Watkins.

FALLING: Charles Clay
Since agreeing to a lucrative offer sheet with the Bills after the 2014 season, Clay has underwhelmed from a fantasy perspective. His production picked up down the stretch last year, but prior to that, he was often an afterthought.

SLEEPER: Jonathan Williams
With Mike Gillislee having left, Williams is the top candidate to secure the team's No. 2 RB job behind LeSean McCoy. With that, added short-yardage opportunities also could be in the cards for the 2016 fifth-rounder.

Carolina Panthers
By Nick Pitner

RISING: Christian McCaffrey
Similar to his ascent in advance of this year's draft, McCaffrey's stock figures to climb as the regular season approaches and his multifaceted skill set is incorporated into an offense in desperate need of some extra juice.

FALLING: Jonathan Stewart
With McCaffrey in tow, the aging, oft-injured Stewart should be able to stay fresh, but improved health may come at the expense of his previously heavy workload, which sustained his value the past couple years.

SLEEPER: Curtis Samuel
Instantly the fastest player on the Panthers, Samuel is no one-trick pony, as he proved equally adept at catching and carrying the ball in college, making him a unique asset to get touches from the slot position.

Chicago Bears
By Jim Coventry

RISING: Cameron Meredith
With Alshon Jeffery in Philly, Meredith is the sole Bears holdover with a track record of recent success. Of the seven games in which he garnered six-plus targets last season, Meredith racked up at least 104 yards four times.

FALLING: Jeremy Langford
After posting 816 total yards as a rookie in 2015, Langford managed 3.0 yards per carry in the first two contests of this past campaign before getting injured in Week 3, giving Jordan Howard a chance to lead the backfield.

SLEEPER: Kevin White
If he can stay healthy, White will be given every opportunity to prove his worth as a 2015 first-round selection. To date, though, he's caught just 19 of 36 passes for 187 yards across four career appearances.

Cincinnati Bengals
By Jeff Erickson

RISING: Andy Dalton
If the offensive line woes can be fixed -- admittedly a big "if" -- Dalton will have a collection of speedy, early-round skill position players around him. He showed his upside before an injury ended his 2015 season.

FALLING: Jeremy Hill
Hill said all the right things after Joe Mixon was drafted, but the Bengals clearly had replacing him in mind when they selected Mixon. As just one barometer, Hill went undrafted in the RotoWire PPR Mock Draft.

SLEEPER: Tyler Boyd
The Bengals have already said that neither John Ross nor Josh Malone will work in the slot, which means that Boyd, last year's second-round pick, will still have a role in the offense and could take the leap.

Cleveland Browns
By Justin Schultz

RISING: Kenny Britt
Britt's quarterback situation isn't much better than it was with L.A., but if Corey Coleman breaks out as expected, it should only help Britt's value. Fewer double teams could do wonders for his targets and production.

FALLING: Cody Kessler
Kessler has a solid shot to open the season as the team's starting QB, but in such a scenario, his grip on the job figures to be tenuous. Ultimately, next year's draft could produce Cleveland's franchise signal-caller.

SLEEPER: Ricardo Louis
It was sporadic, but Louis showed flashes of potential in 2016. With Andrew Hawkins gone, the third wideout spot is his for the taking, and Louis could see his share of action while defenses focus on Coleman and Britt.

Dallas Cowboys
By Erik Siegrist

RISING: Dak Prescott
Prescott put together a surprisingly strong rookie season for a fourth-round pick, and the quarterback's production should only improve while defenses stack the box in an effort to slow down Ezekiel Elliott.

FALLING: Jason Witten
After signing a new contract in the offseason to keep him in a Cowboys uniform until he retires, the 35-year-old tight end stalwart is in the twilight of his career. Expect Witten's production to continue to decline.

SLEEPER: Rico Gathers
Gathers spent last season on the practice squad honing his football skills after playing basketball in college. Boasting the physical tools to dominate, he also has the perfect mentor as a tight end in Witten.

Denver Broncos
By Andy Segedin

RISING: A.J. Derby
Derby is the safe bet to emerge from Denver's logjam of young tight ends as the group's primary pass catcher. Acquired in a midseason trade, Derby caught at least four passes in three of his last four games.

FALLING: Bennie Fowler
Fowler's 2015 playoff heroics made him a favorite to emerge as Denver's No. 3 receiver in 2016, but injuries got in the way. Now, he enters 2017 with two rookie speedsters added to the competition.

SLEEPER: Jamaal Charles
His name and reputation say "star," but Charles' age and injury history scream "flier!" Look for Charles' receiving ability to be a plus working with coordinator Mike McCoy, under whom Danny Woodhead thrived in San Diego.

Detroit Lions
By Logan Larson

RISING: Eric Ebron
Ebron's numbers have improved across the board year to year in nearly every statistical receiving category aside from touchdowns since coming into the league as a first-round pick in 2014. He just needs more work in the red zone.

FALLING: Marvin Jones
Jones looked the part of a true No. 1 receiver during the onset of the 2016 campaign but turned out to be more of a field-stretching role player. The selection of an early-round wideout could bump him down the depth chart.

SLEEPER: Dwayne Washington
Washington, who RB coach David Walker said has "done a 180" since his inconsistent rookie season, is much more athletically gifted than teammate Zach Zenner. Now in his second year, Washington likely will be more prepared if injuries again hit the Lions' runners.

Green Bay Packers
By Kevin O'Brien

RISING: Davante Adams
After disappointing in his second season, Adams got back on track, and then some, in 2016. If the Packers offense looks like it did late last year, he should have no problem recording his first 1,000-yard campaign.

FALLING: Randall Cobb
Injuries were a factor, but for the second straight year Cobb's yardage fell and he finished fifth on the team in yards per catch. He looks like the third-best fantasy option among Packers wide receivers these days.

SLEEPER: Jamaal Williams
While the Packers appear comfortable with Ty Montgomery and Aaron Ripkowski seeing the bulk of the backfield snaps, neither is a natural halfback. If either or both falter, Williams could take over as the top runner.

Houston Texans
By John Clemeno

RISING: C.J. Fiedorowicz
Tom Savage is slated to open the season as the team's starting quarterback, so expect an emphasis on passes in the short-to-medium range. That's an area where tight ends like Fiedorowicz typically thrive.

FALLING: Will Fuller
While Fuller may develop into a top receiver over time, we don't expect big things in 2017. There won't be much field-stretching to the passing attack, and he needs to get stronger to be more effective against NFL cornerbacks.

SLEEPER: D'Onta Foreman
The Texans finished next to last in the NFL in touchdown percentage in the red zone. Some of that was due to quarterback play, but a big back like Foreman could be a weapon in situations where yards are hard to come by.

Indianapolis Colts
By Peter Schoenke

RISING: Jack Doyle
Doyle had a breakout season in 2016 and took over as the primary receiving tight end, producing 59 receptions for 584 yards and five touchdowns. His role in the offense should grow with the departure of Dwayne Allen.

FALLING: Phillip Dorsett
A 2015 first-rounder, Dorsett has been a disappointment thus far, with just 51 receptions for 753 yards and three touchdowns in 26 career games to date. He's now set to face competition from free-agent signee Kamar Aiken.

SLEEPER: Erik Swoope
The former college basketball player showed explosive ability (averaging 19.8 yards per reception) in his first real playing time last season. He could break out in the No. 2 role like Doyle did in 2016.

Jacksonville Jaguars
By Nick Whalen

RISING: Allen Robinson
Blake Bortles' struggles helped make Robinson one of the biggest fantasy disappointments in 2016. He'll be discounted on draft day and could be poised for a bounce-back in what should be a more balanced offense.

FALLING: Chris Ivory
T.J. Yeldon's name also belongs here, as both will see reduced roles in the wake of Leonard Fournette's arrival. The rookie needs backup, but the Jags have barely been able to produce one fantasy-viable back, let alone two.

SLEEPER: Allen Hurns
After putting up more than 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns over his first two seasons, Hurns fell off a cliff in 2016. If he can stay healthy, the 25-year-old should reclaim his spot as the No. 2 option behind Robinson.

Kansas City Chiefs
By Chris Benzine

RISING: Tyreek Hill
Hill's workload gradually expanded after he exploded onto the scene in 2016, en route to accumulating 61 catches for 593 yards and six touchdowns. The speedster should play an even larger role in the offense in 2017.

FALLING: Spencer Ware
Ware emerged as the lead back for the Chiefs last season due to Jamaal Charles' various ailments. While Charles has departed, Kansas City's third-round selection, Kareem Hunt, could eat into Ware's workload.

SLEEPER: Kareem Hunt
Hunt's ability to catch the ball makes him an attractive option, especially given quarterback Alex Smith's tendency to dish the ball off to his running backs frequently. Charcandrick West is on notice.

Los Angeles Chargers
By Joe Bartel

RISING: Tyrell Williams
Williams was the biggest beneficiary of Keenan Allen's injury in 2016, surprisingly recording more than 1,000 receiving yards. In a contract year, look for the 25-year-old to prove that last season wasn't a fluke.

FALLING: Travis Benjamin
Benjamin's results in his first season with the Chargers after joining the team via free agency were disappointing. With Mike Williams, Tyrell Williams and Keenan Allen also in the fold, his current path to targets is spotty.

SLEEPER: Kenjon Barner
Barner figures to help out as a returner, at a minimum. If the 5-9, 195-pounder ends up seeing significant snaps in the offense, however, he could develop into a PPR threat for the Bolts.

Los Angeles Rams
By Neil Parker

RISING: Robert Woods
A Southern California native and former USC star, Woods returns home and could lead the Rams in targets, receptions and receiving yards, while becoming a safety blanket for second-year quarterback Jared Goff.

FALLING: Tavon Austin
The speedster's game-breaking ability cannot be questioned, but Austin is still a raw route runner and pass catcher. A dependence on gimmicks makes him an unreliable weekly option, and L.A. added receivers this offseason.

SLEEPER: Josh Reynolds
The Texas A&M product already has the straight-line speed to spread the field and the size and ball skills to be an end-zone threat. The roster doesn't include another wideout with Reynolds' skill set, either.

Miami Dolphins
By George Kurtz

RISING: Jay Ajayi
It's difficult to believe that the Dolphins didn't know what they had in Ajayi last year, with Arian Foster initially tabbed to start. Ajayi proved to be a tough, between-the-tackle runner with the speed to break long runs.

FALLING: Jarvis Landry
The knock on Landry has always been the same -- he'll catch plenty of passes but doesn't get huge chunks of yardage in his role out of the slot. He's still a PPR factor, but DeVante Parker could cut into his value in standard formats.

SLEEPER: Kenny Stills
There's justifiably plenty of focus on Landry and Parker, who the team hopes can emerge in 2017. Stills did catch nine TDs last season, though. His big-play ability gives him sneaky value in deeper fantasy leagues.

Minnesota Vikings
By Peter Schoenke

RISING: Adam Thielen
Thielen didn't start until Week 5 last season, but the former undrafted free agent quickly became one of Sam Bradford's favorites in the passing game, pacing the team in both receiving yards and yards per catch.

FALLING: Jerick McKinnon
McKinnon took over as the top running back when Adrian Peterson was hurt in Week 2 but was unable to stake a legitimate claim to the job long term. Now, McKinnon is third on the depth chart after high-profile pickups.

SLEEPER: Dalvin Cook
In desperate need of a dynamic offensive playmaker, the Vikings will give Cook, the rookie, a chance to emerge as the No. 1 RB. His pass-catching chops could help him stay on the field on first, second and third down.

New England Patriots
By Mike Doria

RISING: Mike Gillislee
Though he's part of a deep running back corps, Gillislee's nose for the end zone and tidy 5.7 YPC in each of the last two seasons bode well for his chances of helping replace some of LeGarrette Blount's production in close.

FALLING: Dion Lewis
While Lewis enters the coming season healthy, his fantasy upside is suppressed by the presence of Mike Gillislee, fellow pass-catching specialist James White and jack-of-all-trades Rex Burkhead.

SLEEPER: Dwayne Allen
As long as Rob Gronkowski is able to stay on the field, Allen will work in a complementary role in the offense. If the injury bug hits the breakable Gronk again, Allen's red-zone prospects would skyrocket.

New Orleans Saints
By Justin Fielkow

RISING: Michael Thomas
New Orleans would not have traded Brandin Cooks if it didn't have the utmost confidence in Thomas. The Ohio State product posted impressive numbers as a rookie and will now enter 2017 as the Saints' clear No. 1 receiver.

FALLING: Mark Ingram
Finally healthy for a full season, Ingram posted career highs in rushing yards (1,043) and total TDs (10) in 2016. However, he'll be hard-pressed to repeat those numbers with Adrian Peterson and Alvin Kamara in the fold.

SLEEPER: Willie Snead
Thomas will get the hype, but Snead will be a far more affordable commodity come draft day. Drew Brees trusts him, and the consistent slot receiver could see his output increase with Cooks in New England.

New York Giants
By Chris Liss

RISING: Eli Manning
Manning is past his prime and provides nothing on the ground, but the team is so loaded in the passing game this year, and Ben McAdoo's play calling has nowhere to go but up. There's 30-touchdown potential here.

FALLING: Brandon Marshall
Marshall might have something left in the tank, but at 33 years old and playing a complementary role opposite Odell Beckham Jr. (with Sterling Shepard in the slot and Evan Engram at tight end), it's tough to see the upside.

SLEEPER: Giants Defense
The Giants defense trots out two top pass rushers, three strong cornerbacks, an elite run stopper and arguably the best safety in the game. In addition, Steve Spagnuolo has proven himself a quality defensive coordinator.

New York Jets
By Andrew M. Laird

RISING: Bilal Powell
Powell showed at the end of last year that he can lead the backfield. With Matt Forte coming off the worst season of his career and a torn meniscus, Powell could get a chance to stay atop the depth chart.

FALLING: Matt Forte
While no Jet has high fantasy expectations, Forte may find it tough to reach even modest projections. Back-to-back years with fewer than 900 rushing yards have him trending in the wrong direction, especially at age 31.

SLEEPER: Robby Anderson
The passing game isn't expected to be prolific, but Anderson showed in the final weeks of the 2016 season that he can be a valuable piece. If the Jets get any kind of stability under center, he could flourish.

Oakland Raiders
By Bryce Danielson

RISING: Marshawn Lynch
A 31-year-old RB on the rise? Lynch is a unique case, as he'll be running behind one of the league's most dominant offensive lines, well-rested after a year away from football. Beast Mode is back.

FALLING: Clive Walford
The free-agent addition of fellow TE Jared Cook will severely limit Walford's volume in the Raiders' high-powered offense after a disappointing 2016 campaign in which he caught just 33 passes for 359 yards on 52 targets.

SLEEPER: Seth Roberts
Although Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree run the show at WR in Oakland, Roberts notched five TDs in the team's first 11 games last season. The third-year pro will be attempting to prove he's worthy of a long-term deal.

Philadelphia Eagles
By Jerry Donabedian

RISING: Carson Wentz
Coming off a competent debut campaign in a lifeless offense, Wentz has everything in place to take a huge step in Year 2, supported by a variety of downfield weapons in a system that's expected to rely on his arm.

FALLING: Jordan Matthews
Matthews should be heading into his prime as he prepares for his fourth NFL season, but the slot specialist's inconsistency was undeniably a major motivating factor in Philadelphia's offseason overhaul at wide receiver.

SLEEPER: Wendell Smallwood
While likely resigned to a minor role to start the season, Smallwood has the best mixture of size, speed, quickness and pass-catching ability amongst a backfield that otherwise features role-specific players.

Pittsburgh Steelers
By Rick Kinigson

RISING: Juju Smith-Schuster
Checking in at 6-1, 215 pounds, Smith-Schuster has drawn comparisons to Anquan Boldin. He gives the Pittsburgh passing offense a physical and competitive player to pair with all-universe wideout Antonio Brown.

FALLING: Sammie Coates
After a solid start last year, a bothersome hand injury hampered Coates down the stretch. He's on notice now following Martavis Bryant's reinstatement, the signing of Justin Hunter, the drafting of Smith-Schuster and offseason arthroscopic knee surgery.

SLEEPER: James Conner
DeAngelo Williams' exit creates a void behind Le'Veon Bell, who has missed 20 games since joining the league. The physical Conner could have the edge over both Fitzgerald Toussaint and Knile Davis on that front.

San Francisco 49ers
By Josh Fathollahi

RISING: Jeremy Kerley
The veteran posted a career-high 64 receptions on an offensively challenged 49ers team last year. Kerley's performance earned him a deserved extension, making him a top target in what should be an improved aerial attack.

FALLING: Vance McDonald
McDonald was the focus of trade rumors heading into the draft, despite posting career bests in yards (391) and TDs (four) last season. Kyle Shanahan prefers blocking tight ends, which could result in fewer targets in 2017.

SLEEPER: Marquise Goodwin
Comparisons to Taylor Gabriel, who had his most productive years working with Shanahan, were made when the 49ers signed Goodwin. In the upcoming campaign, Goodwin could serve a similar deep-threat role.

Seattle Seahawks
By Jason Thornbury

RISING: Jimmy Graham
Defying expectations about his knee injury and role in the offense last year, Graham finished second on the team in targets (95) and first in red-zone targets (20). He could see more work if Jermaine Kearse's role shrinks.

FALLING: Thomas Rawls
Rawls is a quality running back when active, but there's the rub -- 10 missed games in two seasons. Now he'll at best share touches with Eddie Lacy. For his draft position, though, Rawls likely can only provide upside to owners.

SLEEPER: Paul Richardson
Richardson showed big-play ability late last season, totaling 15/213/2 on 21 targets in four games. With Tyler Lockett coming off a broken leg and Kearse's role likely reduced, Richardson could make an impact.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By Juan Carlos Blanco

RISING: Jameis Winston
Winston is primed for another leap forward with pass catchers DeSean Jackson and O.J. Howard joining holdovers Mike Evans and Cameron Brate, plus a potentially rejuvenated Doug Martin providing valuable balance.

FALLING: Jacquizz Rodgers
Rodgers' playing time could be much scarcer this season. Martin appears to be on the right track, fifth-round selection Jeremy McNichols brings an impressive skill set, and Charles Sims remains a pass-catching option.

SLEEPER: Jeremy McNichols
With aptitude as both a runner and pass catcher, McNichols will be given a chance to carve out a prominent spot in the backfield, especially if Rodgers and Sims don't take advantage of Martin's absence to begin the season.

Tennessee Titans
By Sasha Yodashkin

RISING: Derrick Henry
After averaging 4.5 yards per carry as a rookie, Henry should be able to step up if DeMarco Murray shows signs of wear following a 293-carry campaign. Look for the power back to vulture some touchdowns as well.

FALLING: Tajae Sharpe
Sharpe exceeded expectations by earning a starting job out of camp as a rookie, but the 2016 fifth-rounder finished with just 522 receiving yards. Plus, Corey Davis wasn't drafted fifth overall to sit on the bench.

SLEEPER: Jonnu Smith
Projects to work in a "move tight end" role, but could enter the fantasy equation in the event of an injury to Delanie Walker.

Washington Redskins
By Gabe Myers

RISING: Jamison Crowder
Crowder was efficient with his opportunities in 2016 and now will get a real chance to shine without DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. The 24-year-old is slowly but surely becoming a well-rounded receiver in the league.

FALLING: Matt Jones
Jones went from being the running back of the future to benchwarmer in eight games last season. With a variety of backfield options in D.C. this year, his value is expected to remain next to nonexistent.

SLEEPER: Samaje Perine
The 2017 fourth-round selection is a dark horse to become the Redskins' main back. A 1,000- yard rusher in all three seasons at Oklahoma, Perine eagerly will be waiting in the wings should Robert Kelley stumble.