This article is part of our NFL Barometer series.
RISING
Ronnie Hillman, RB, DEN
Turf toe or not, C.J. Anderson has consistently been outproduced by Hillman this year, and it appears that Denver's coaches plan to change the running back rotation strategy as a result. Coach Gary Kubiak said the Broncos likely need to give Hillman more touches, and Anderson's total of 117 yards on 43 carries (2.7 YPC) does nothing to argue otherwise. By contrast, Hillman has 191 yards on 39 carries (4.9 YPC). It's sputtered to this point with the Broncos, but Kubiak offenses are traditionally quite productive on the ground, so Hillman could make a stake in a growing market if the Broncos' offense starts to come in line with the averages of past Kubiak endeavors.
Willie Snead, WR, NO
We knew the Saints would largely lean on C.J. Spiller to replace Jimmy Graham, but obviously a backup running back wasn't going to give them a 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown kind of line as a receiver. There was still slack unaccounted for -- some group of Marques Colston, Josh Hill, Brandon Coleman and Nick Toon would have to pick it up, the reasoning went. As it turns out, it would be none of them. Toon was cut, Coleman is an off-the-bench player, Hill just runs in the flats and Colston is too old. It looks like Snead will be the unlikely contender to step up, and the last three weeks make it appear that he might actually be New Orleans' top receiver. Snead
RISING
Ronnie Hillman, RB, DEN
Turf toe or not, C.J. Anderson has consistently been outproduced by Hillman this year, and it appears that Denver's coaches plan to change the running back rotation strategy as a result. Coach Gary Kubiak said the Broncos likely need to give Hillman more touches, and Anderson's total of 117 yards on 43 carries (2.7 YPC) does nothing to argue otherwise. By contrast, Hillman has 191 yards on 39 carries (4.9 YPC). It's sputtered to this point with the Broncos, but Kubiak offenses are traditionally quite productive on the ground, so Hillman could make a stake in a growing market if the Broncos' offense starts to come in line with the averages of past Kubiak endeavors.
Willie Snead, WR, NO
We knew the Saints would largely lean on C.J. Spiller to replace Jimmy Graham, but obviously a backup running back wasn't going to give them a 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown kind of line as a receiver. There was still slack unaccounted for -- some group of Marques Colston, Josh Hill, Brandon Coleman and Nick Toon would have to pick it up, the reasoning went. As it turns out, it would be none of them. Toon was cut, Coleman is an off-the-bench player, Hill just runs in the flats and Colston is too old. It looks like Snead will be the unlikely contender to step up, and the last three weeks make it appear that he might actually be New Orleans' top receiver. Snead has 16 catches for 240 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets, while presumed lead wideout Brandin Cooks has just 20 catches for 215 yards on 31 targets.
Devonta Freeman, RB, ATL
The first 18 games of Freeman's NFL career produced little more than a "thud" noise, turning 87 carries into just 291 yards (3.35 YPC) and two touchdowns, but his last two weeks couldn't have been a more blaring contrast. With Tevin Coleman (ribs) out of the lineup, Freeman torched the Cowboys and Texans for a combined 219 yards and six touchdowns on 44 carries while catching 10 passes for 133 yards. Freeman's touchdown rate obviously isn't sustainable, and his rushing average likely will also drop, but he's locked in as Atlanta's clearly top runner. I'm confident that Coleman is still the better player and I would normally consider Freeman a sell-high candidate, but with many top draft picks disappointing this year, Freeman should be considered a prized asset even if/when Coleman saps some of his value.
Martavis Bryant, WR, PIT
Bryant is eligible to return from his four-game substance abuse policy suspension, giving the Steelers a second wideout target they so desperately need as Markus Wheaton continually confirms his inadequacy as a starter. Bryant's fantasy value is obviously limited as long as the inept Mike Vick is in at quarterback, but there will be WR2 upside once Ben Roethlisberger is back on the field.
FALLING
Lance Dunbar, RB, DAL
Just when Dunbar had begun to establish himself as one of the most interesting against-the-odds stories in the NFL, producing at a triple-digit catch rate even as the third running back on the Dallas roster, he suffered a torn ACL against the Saints on Sunday. It's a cruel development for the undrafted player who has consistently shown explosive traits despite lacking a lead role. He ran for 54 yards on three carries before getting injured Sunday, and he caught 21 passes for 215 yards on 23 targets in the three games prior. His injury means more opportunity for Christine Michael.
Brandin Cooks, WR, NO
While Snead ascends in New Orleans, Cooks sinks. Cooks' athletic profile and college production strongly imply a soon-to-be NFL standout, but his results in his career are not encouraging. Be it a mirage somewhere in Cooks' prospect profile or the Saints' offense not knowing how to utilize him optimally, the numbers just haven't been there through 14 career games. In that span he has 73 catches but for just 765 yards and three touchdowns on 100 targets. Cooks just turned 22 on Sept. 25 and is certainly still learning the game, but the lack of explosive plays and touchdowns is a huge concern. To this point, he's looking more Mike Furrey than Antonio Brown.
Karlos Williams, RB, BUF
Williams continued his promising rookie season Sunday, stepping in as starting running back while LeSean McCoy (hamstring) sat against the Giants, but Williams suffered a concussion and is questionable for Week 5. Williams still should be owned in most leagues in case McCoy continues to miss time, and he might be worth owning even once McCoy is back. Williams has 226 yards (5.4 YPC) and three touchdowns on the ground to go with five receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown.
Carlos Hyde, RB, SF
Hyde is still one of the more desirable running backs to own in fantasy leagues, but that might be due more to a thinned pool rather than any predictable, week-to-week production Hyde might be able to offer. Since his exciting breakout game against Minnesota in Week 1, when he ran for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries, Hyde has been shut down. Facing the Steelers, Cardinals and Packers, Hyde has just 114 yards and no touchdowns on 36 carries in the last three games. The predictable mess that is the 49ers offense likely will remain dysfunctional all year, so Hyde's useful games might not occur without favorable matchups or/and heroic performances on Hyde's part.
