Let's take a look at four players who are establishing themselves down the stretch and raising their stock in the process:
David Johnson, RB, ARI
The Cardinals may have stumbled on their franchise back, evne if Bruce Arians wanted to ride with his veterans this year. With Chris Johnson out for the season and Andre Ellington banged up and nearly out of the picture entirely, Johnson has dominated as the lead back in of the league's most explosive offenses. Over the last three weeks, Johnson has 70 carries, 378 yards (5.4 YPC), 11 receptions and four touchdowns. Those are monster, RB1, Le'Veon Bell type numbers.
The question is, will Arizona let Johnson be a feature back like this next year? Chris Johnson will be a free agent, but the Cardinals may look to bring him back. If the path is clear, it's easy to see Johnson being drafted in the late first or early second round next season. His talent and potential role in a great offense will be tough to pass up next year.
Tyler Lockett, WR, SEA
The rookie receiver, like most of Seattle's receiving corps, is coming on in a big way. Over the last three weeks, Lockett has 18 receptions, 249 yards and three touchdowns. With the Seahawks leaning more on the pass and taking more chances, Lockett could establish himself as Seattle's top option on the outside sooner rather than later. The return of Jimmy Graham and Marshawn Lynch next year may scare some away, but Lockett has big play potential every time he gets the ball.
If he closes the rest of the year strong, it's not unthinkable that Lockett will go in the fourth or fifth round of drafts next year. He has talent, and Wilson is finally making receivers relevant in Seattle.
Kamar Aiken, WR, BAL
Ever since Steve Smith went down for the season, Aiken has established himself as a legitimate fantasy option. Is most of it garbage time? Yes, but the numbers have been there and Aiken has made some impressive catches, even with spotty quarterback play.
Aiken has averaged 6.1 catches a game over the last seven weeks, which puts him firmly on the WR2 radar. Steve Smith should be retired, and Breshad Perriman may take a backseat to Aiken in the receiving pecking order. Unless Baltimore drastically improves their defense, Aiken should be in line for a lot of targets next year. He could fly under the radar in the 7th or 8th round of drafts.
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, TEN:
The rookie wide receiver struggled to make an impact early on in the season, but he's come on very strong as of late. Green-Beckham has 14 catches over the last three weeks, and he's topped 110+ yards twice in that time span. With Marcus Mariota looking like a dangerous quarterback, Green-Beckham could emerge as a valuable big play and goalline target going forward.
The talent was always there, and it appears Green-Beckham has earned more trust in Tennessee for the time being. He'll be a better target in standard leagues than PPR next year, but he's going to generate a lot of sleeper appeal and shoot up draft boards next year, possibly all the way to the 6th round or so.
Waiver Wire:
QB: Kirk Cousins, Matt Hasselbeck, Sam Bradford
RB: Karlos Williams, Bryce Brown, Danny Woodhead, Jerick McKinnon, Travaris Cadet
WR: Dwayne Harris, DeVante Parker, Jermaine Kearse, Devin Funchess
TE: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Will Tye, Jared Cook
D/ST: Detroit, Houston, Buffalo
