This week's article is jam-packed with trending quarterbacks, some up and some down. With some big names trending down, now might be a good time to get a last-minute trade in before fantasy playoffs kick off in just a couple of weeks.
Three Up
QB Trevor Lawrence and WR Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars
Apparently, Zay Jones is the skeleton key that unlocks that Jaguars passing attack. Trevor Lawrence has recorded 15-plus fantasy points in four of the five games Jones has been active this year. From Weeks 6-10 (all sans Jones), Lawrence averaged 13.4 points per game, putting up QB24 production. In the last two games, both with an active Jones, Lawrence has posted 32.2 and 25.6 points, being outscored only by Josh Allen. And while Lawrence is trending up, Calvin Ridley is another clear beneficiary. He's averaging 20.6 PPR points in games with Jones active and just 7.5 without Jones. When in the lineup, Jones can play out wide and allow Ridley to play a more versatile role, where he can line up in different areas and run routes across the middle of the field. That change in usage benefits both Lawrence and Ridley. Until we have reason not to, Lawrence and Ridley should both be started as high-end options whenever Jones is on the field.
QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers
With Matt Canada relieved of his offensive coordinator duties, the Steelers' offense immediately took a step forward. They busted a 58-game slump of being unable to crack 400 yards. Pickett had his second-most yardage in a single game through his career. It didn't all show up on the box score. He failed to throw a touchdown and posted just 11.6 fantasy points. He was graded as PFF's third-best quarterback for Week 12. Rather than being hamstrung by play-calling that kept him throwing short and outside the numbers, Pickett sprayed the ball all over the field, taking rare deep shots and completing passes across the middle of the field. Pat Freiermuth's return from IR was also a reason for Pickett's big game. And in addition to the passing game taking a step forward, Najee Harris had his best game of the season. Things are trending up in Pittsburgh, and Pickett may find his way to fantasy relevance.
RB Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Only Christian McCaffrey is scoring more points per game at the running back position than Kyren Williams this year. Early in the season, concerns about his rushing efficiency caused many to temper season-long expectations. But his usage in the passing game and gaudy workload has been impossible to ignore. And the extra work seems to be getting him into an efficient rhythm. After recording the lowest rushing yards over expectation per attempt in three of his first four starts, he has finished top three in his last two games, including a league-high 4.43 in Week 12. He's gobbling up a ton of high-value touches in the passing game and near the goal line, making him a fantasy goldmine. With the Browns and Ravens on deck, his schedule gets a bit tougher than his last two matchups against the Cardinals, but Williams should be viewed as a plug-and-play RB1 going forward.
Three Down
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
As the season progresses, the Dolphins' identity is changing a bit. A high-flying passing attack early in the year has started to slow down a bit. After recording 302 yards and 2.3 touchdowns per game through Week 8, Tua Tagolvailoa has averaged just 253.7 yards and 1.3 touchdowns since. The team is starting to control the time of possession and lean on their run game. Tagovailoa was the QB5 in scoring through Week 8. But with his fantasy output dropping nearly 40 percent, he's been the per-game QB23 since Week 9. He's a tough player to bench, which makes him a sell candidate in trades. Gamescripts and tough opponents through the end of this season could make his production volatile. Coming off of a 9.8-point performance, it will be tough to recoup value now, but looking at some potential trade offers to move off of Tagovailoa may be prudent.
WR Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
For the first time in his career, Cooper Kupp has recorded single-digit fantasy points in four straight outings. Kupp was in the trending down section of Week 9's article and hasn't done anything to look better since. A preseason hamstring injury was reaggravated right before Week 1. He looked good in his first two games back. Since then, he's looked sluggish on his routes. He is picking up minor injuries. He and Matthew Stafford appear disconnected in the deep game. There's concern that the end is here for Kupp. After being the per-game WR1 in back-to-back seasons, it's tough to imagine. But injuries beget more, especially for a wide receiver on the wrong side of 30. As Puka Nacua cools off as well, Tutu Atwell found himself in a role that led receivers in yards and first downs in Week 12. Kyren Williams generated over 200 scrimmage yards. Tyler Higbee scored two touchdowns. The Rams are turning to other weapons. Kupp has quickly gone from the offensive focal point to a complementary piece of this offense.
TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons passing attack has been bad. And Kyle Pitts isn't even the focal point of it anymore. His eye-popping 27.3% target share last year has dropped to 18.9% this year. Drake London has seen a significant ding to his target share, as Jonnu Smith, Mack Hollins, and Van Jefferson are much more prominent parts of the offense than initially anticipated. Shockingly enough, Jonnu Smith is outscoring Pitts in fantasy points this year! Pitts has scored double-digit points just twice all season. He's scored just one touchdown. He's the TE18 on the year. Since Week 7, he's averaged just 6.8 PPR points per game, 24th among tight ends. Regardless of the draft capital spent on Pitts, you can cut him from your fantasy roster now.