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.
