As we enter the second week of August, we are beginning to get a clearer picture of what to expect from rookies, veterans in new places, and shifting depth charts. Training camp and preseason highlights, snap percentages with first team offenses, and coaching soundbites have resulted in shifting ADP’s as we head towards the final weeks of the preseason.
Below are my top risers and fallers. Players are listed in no particular order but each one is highlighted because I feel that there has been enough new evidence of a changing role, either positive or negative, that fantasy gamers need to adjust their rankings heading into their upcoming drafts. The list is not just an accumulation of players whose ADP’s have changed, but whose changed outlook appears so certain that they need to be viewed under a new lens.
Risers
Tony Pollard, RB, Titans
Yes, this one is obvious. When Tyjae Spears was forced out of Tennessee’s first preseason game with a high-ankle sprain, the up-arrow emojis immediately began popping up all over Twitter. What is not as obvious is just how up Tony Pollard’s arrow is pointing in response to Spears’ injury. The fact that the Titans’ RB 1b suffered his injury with a full month to recover before the start of the regular season should work to keep Pollard’s ADP from moving from up-arrow emoji to full-on rocket emoji, but this presents a buying opportunity in the coming weeks. Pollard’s ADP will undoubtably rise in the coming days, but I don’t anticipate it to accurately represent just how much work he is set to receive in Titans improving offense. High-ankle sprains are notoriously difficult to recover from, especially for running backs. Spears’ Week 1 availability has to be considered in doubt, and even if he were to suit up, he would be limited. It could be that Spears struggles for the bulk of the early season and beyond, giving Pollard high-end RB2 upside.
Tyrone Tracy, RB, Giants
All signs point to Tyrone Tracy not only beginning the season as the Giants starting running back, but also being set to receive the bulk of the backfield touches. Cam Skattebo has missed valuable practice time with a hamstring injury, Tracy has been impressing in camp, and reports are that there is “no competition” right now for lead back.
Omarion Hampton, RB, Charger
Omarion Hampton has the talent, draft capital, and offensive fit to be a fantasy stud for the foreseeable future. There has long been little doubt about the rookie’s dynasty potential. The presence of Najee Harris did initially temper Hampton’s redraft expectations. However, with Najee Harris still not practicing with an eye injury suffered over the fourth of July, Hampton’s RB1 potential increases.
Kyle Monangai, RB, Bears
Kyle Monangai continues to fly under the radar thanks to his 7th-round draft capital. Expect the buzz to start to build after a strong preseason debut where he ran for 30 yards on six carries, with a touchdown called back. His performance did not come out of nowhere, as Monangai has been frequently praised in camp for his hard running style, has earned practice snaps with the first-team offense, and is a part of an underwhelming running back room. Don’t be surprised to see Monangai earn meaningful touches early into the season.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Buccaneers
Similar to Omarion Hampton, Tampa Bay’s talented rookie wide receiver, Emeka Egbuka, has gone from a dynasty asset with a bright future, to seeing his redraft projections steadily climb the more it seems likely that Chris Godwin will be severely limited, at best, to start the season. Egbuka has been a camp standout, has quickly earned Baker Mayfield’s trust, and could step right into a starting role in the Buccaneers high-flying offense.
Tory Horton, WR, Seahawks
Tory Horton has gone from being readily available in the 4th rounds of rookie drafts, to being poised for a starting role for the Seahawks in three-receiver sets after an impressive training camp that continued into Seattle’s first preseason game, where he caught three passes for 31 yards and a touchdown.
Fallers
Joe Mixon, RB, Texans
Memories of Joe Mixon’s 2024 RB2 season and the question marks on Houston’s running back depth chart has kept Joe Mixon’s ADP from plummeting too far as he nurses an ankle injury. As we head into August and there still is not any clarity about when Mixon is set to return, it is looking more and more like the Texans starting running back is a player to avoid.
Tyjae Spears/Cam Skattebo/Najee Harris
If the above trio’s backfield mates each made the risers list, it would stand to reason that their collective rising, means an inverse to their injured teammates. Each one should come into Week 1 with enough concerns to fade them at cost.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Browns
Quinshon Judkins is unsigned, was arrested on July 12th and faces accusations of domestic abuse.
Khalil Shakir, WR, Bills
Similar to Tyjae Spears, Khalil Shakir is dealing with the dreaded high-ankle sprain, putting his Week 1 status in doubt. Joshua Palmer, who has had a hot start to camp, would stand to benefit the most from Shakir’s absence.
Rashee Rice/Jordan Addison
Both players came into the offseason looking likely to be suspended for part of the 2025 season. The fact that Addison was handed down a three-game suspension should not be a surprise, but now that it is official, look for his ADP to slide, as will the likelihood of Rice’s, after the precedent has been set.
Chris Godwin/Brandon Aiyuk/Isaiah Likely
Injuries to each of the talented pass-catchers have the start of their seasons in doubt. Expect their ADP’s to continue to drop as we get closer to the start of the season.
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Matthew Hill
Fantasy Sports Writer