Lockett picks good time to break out
These players saw their fantasy football values increase or decrease the most based on their performances in Week 15:
SIZZLERS
WR Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks: Now we know the Los Angeles Rams can be beaten on deep routes. Lockett rang up 130 yards on seven receptions and a touchdown in a 24-3 blowout. Seattle started him ahead of Jermaine Kearse to get him more involved in the passing game. Expect that to continue.
RB Ryan Mathews, Philadelphia Eagles: Mathews was coming off a knee injury, so expectations weren’t high against the stout Baltimore Ravens. But 20 rushes for 128 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion later, Mathews sizzled as the Eagles’ lead back.
QB Matt Barkley, Chicago Bears: His three interceptions and lost fumble aside, Barkley put in a fine fantasy performance in frigid conditions against the Green Bay Packers — 30 completions for a career-high 362 yards and two touchdowns. Barkley has filled in admirably and assured he’ll get a chance to play in the NFL as a starter.
QB Matt Moore, Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins opted to keep the ball on the ground Saturday. Moore had only 12 completions, but he made the most of them. Four went for touchdowns while he passed for 236 yards in a fairly easy win against the New York Jets.
K Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers: Kickers rarely get any love, but Boswell had six field goals, including five from 40+ yards. In leagues with a bonus for kicks of 50+, fantasy owners were dismayed to find three of Boswell’s field goals were from 49 yards.
FIZZLERS
TE Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals: With A.J. Green inactive, more was expected from Andy Dalton’s favorite target than one catch for 9 yards. Considering Eifert had scored in his last three games and was targeted a total of 19 times in that stretch, this dud outing came at a terrible time for fantasy owners.
WR Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills: While he is still not 100% back from a foot injury, his involvement in the offense has continued to grow. In a juicy matchup against the struggling Cleveland Browns, Watkins managed a disappointing one reception for 10 yards.
WR Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings: The PPR league monster has had some huge games this season, but two catches for 13 yards against a porous Indianapolis Colts defense feels like pocket change.
WR Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders: Despite a shoulder injury, it seemed like all systems were go for Cooper on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. After he caught one of his three targets, many fantasy owners were left wondering what could have been.
WR Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers: No one would ever know Cobb played in the game if it weren’t for his one target (which he did not catch). Cobb was invisible against a Bears secondary that contained everyone but Jordy Nelson and Jared Cook as the Packers scored their three touchdowns on the ground.
Tony Holm, FantasySharks.com