Fantasy football risers, fallers: Jahan Dotson shows off sleeper potential

Offense came back in a big way this past week (well, except for one game in particular) and fantasy managers rode the rising tide with better scoring totals overall. Looking ahead, we have high-profile injuries, the Oct. 31 trade deadline and a number of playing time questions that need to be resolved before we can begin to think about setting our lineups for the next slate of games.

FANTASY WAIVER WIRE: 9 players to pick up for Week 9

UPCOMING BYES: Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers

These players saw their fantasy values increase or decrease most based on their performances in Week 8:

Sizzlers

WR Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders: The 23-year-old receiver was held without a catch in Week 6 and managed 43 or fewer yards in each of his first seven games with one touchdown. However, Dotson blew up for eight receptions, a career-high 108 yards and a score in Week 8 against the Eagles. He’s back, and showing why he was on so many preseason sleeper lists.

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QB Will Levis, Tennessee Titans: Levis made his first start in place of the injured Ryan Tannehill, and he might not look back. The rookie tossed four touchdowns, including three to WR DeAndre Hopkins. It’s going to be hard for head coach Mike Vrabel to even consider going back to Tannehill if Levis continues playing this well.

WR Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints: The speedster averaged 51 yards per reception in Sunday’s game in Indianapolis, and he now has six plays of 40 or more yards this season. With fellow wideouts Chris Olave and Michael Thomas also in the mix, Shaheed has to fight for his targets, but he's making the most of his opportunities.

WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers: Johnston saw his most extensive action of the season Sunday night against the Bears, hauling in five of six targets for 50 yards. With No. 2 receiver Joshua Palmer ailing, the rookie is a great pickup in deeper leagues and dynasty formats.

TE Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals: McBride had career highs with 10 catches and 95 receiving yards on Sunday, and he scored his first touchdown of the season. Veteran Zach Ertz is on injured reserve, giving McBride low-end TE1 viability with upside.

Fizzlers

RB Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers: Harris was limited to 13 rushing yards on seven attempts Sunday against the Jaguars. He's found the end zone just once in seven games this season, and if not for five catches Sunday, it would have been a complete disaster. Backup Jaylen Warren has been much more effective.

WR Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants: Robinson had four or more catches and five or more targets in each of his first four games, emerging as a solid fantasy option, especially in PPR leagues. However, he's struggled since QB Daniel Jones went down to injury, and has just one catch and three targets in the past two games.

RB Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots: Stevenson is averaging just 3.2 yards per rushing attempt, and it’s just a matter of time before coach Bill Belichick goes another way. The overall numbers have been marginal, and Stevenson has rushed or 46 or fewer yards in each of the past five outings, and has devolved into more of an RB3 in leagues of 12 or more teams.

QB Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons: Ridder looked to be trending upward with back-to-back 300-yard games, but he was benched Sunday in favor of veteran backup Taylor Heinicke. While coach Arthur Smith committed to Ridder after the game, the storm clouds could be forming in Atlanta.

WR Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns: The good news is Moore has 27 receptions in seven games. However, he's averaging just 9.5 yards per reception, and still hasn’t found the end zone for his first Cleveland touchdown. At this point, there's very little reason to believe in Moore.