Last-Minute Movers

Fri Aug 29 11:41am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

TeSlaa is shooting up draft boards

We thought it would be a good time to look at some of the biggest movers in our ADP the last week. We will explore whether you should be buying or selling their big moves. Sometimes you can take advantage of these moves come draft day and other times it might be best to let someone else take them at their new price tag.

Here are our thoughts. . . . .

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Commanders (+61). Croskey-Merritt is the biggest mover in our drafts. He has jumped 61 spots and now has an ADP of 81, so you have to use a sixth or seventh round pick to get him. He was an afterthought for most until the Commanders traded Brian Robinson. He still carries plenty of risk, though, because he is an unknown. And with his current price tag, we might let someone else take a chance on him. He still is likely to rotate work and this backfield might even be a three-headed monster. It is a scary scenario that we might let some other drafter just deal with.

Dameon Pierce, RB, Texans (+42). Pierce is quickly moving up draft boards with the news of Joe Mixon’s season is possibly in jeopardy. It seemed most thought Nick Chubb would be the starter in Houston but Pierce is in the mix. He has played well this preseason and camp. You can still get him really cheap (174 ADP) and he might be worth it despite climbing up draft boards. Remember, he wasn’t even getting drafted early in the season. Pierce might be the top back in this backfield to start the year. How much does Chubb really have left in the tank?

Isaac Guerendo, RB, 49ers (-44). Guerendo has dropped like a rock since the acquisition of Brian Robinson. It makes sense, but we aren’t convinced Brian Robinson is just giving the backup job or the starting duties if Christian McCaffrey were to get hurt. Guerendo just seems like a better fit for the 49ers scheme. He is a better pass catcher than Robinson and looked great with his chances last year. So we think it might be more of a timeshare at running back if something were to happen to Robinson, meaning Guerendo still has some fantasy value and could be worth a late-round bench spot.

Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Lions (+38). TeSlaa had a great camp and preseason, earning the No. 3 job in the Lions explosive offense. You keep hearing comparisons to Puka Nacua’s rookie season for TeSlaa. That might be a stretch but he has some real potential in year one to do some good things. We would just expect him to be a little up and down with so much to compete with for targets in Detroit. But even with that said, his ADP is 181, so it is pretty dang cheap still despite his recent jump. He is a good late-round dart throw for fantasy teams.

Dont’e Thornton, WR, Raiders (+37). The team just signed Amari Cooper but that isn’t deterring fantasy owners from grabbing Thornton. He has won the starter’s job opposite Jakobi Meyers and drew all sorts of buzz in camp. He is a playmaker. He is another good late-round grab for fantasy owners. His ADP remains just 167. Thornton will be the No. 2 receiver for the Raiders and maybe their top field stretcher, making him capable of the big game any given week. Cooper is not going to put much of a dent in his playing time.

Mason Taylor, TE, Jets (+30). Taylor is starting to gain some fantasy relevance. His ADP is up to 177. He has moved up 30 spots the last week. He is still going as a TE2 late in drafts, though. We like the hype starting to surround him, though. Taylor could be the second-best pass catcher on this team behind Garrett Wilson. He is a great athlete that fills a big need at tight end for the Jets. Remember, a rookie tight end has led fantasy tight ends in scoring each of the last two years. We aren’t saying he reaches those levels, but it shows rookie tight ends can make a big impact in the right situation.

Joe Mixon, RB, Texans (-29). The news of Joe Mixon possibly not playing at all this year because of his ankle injury has him plummeting in draft rooms. It obviously makes sense because you don’t want to use high draft capital on a player that might not play at all. But on the flip side, Mixon is falling so much that he could be worth grabbing as like a fifth back for fantasy teams. Why not? His track record shows he can make a huge different when healthy and starting in this offense.

Tory Horton, WR, Seahawks (+28). Horton is another rookie that showed very well in camp and preseason action. He is going to be the No. 3 receiver to open his rookie season in Seattle. And with the injury history of Cooper Kupp, you can see why a lot of fantasy owners are now taking a chance on Horton late in drafts. Horton is another one of those players suddenly worth a late-round draft pick. Horton gives the Seahawks a little different dimension at receiver, having more size than his teammate.

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Steelers (+32). This one is a little confusing, seeing Freiermuth rise so much recently. Jonnu Smith is battling a knee injury but should be ready for Week 1. That probably is the only driving factor of his rise. Owners might be banking on Smith missing some time, giving Freiermuth the starts early in the season. We aren’t sure Freiermuth is worth the risk. There are better options with more upside going around Freiermuth come draft day.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Last-Minute Movers

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