Welcome to our weekly fantasy football stock watch, where we highlight players who are trending up and down on the fantasy football Value Meter.

Week 1 is always the trickiest to predict since most NFL teams keep their strategies simple during preseason. In fact, many top players haven’t even participated in any pre-game action yet.

This is an excellent chance to guide fantasy football players toward the right decisions so they can keep pace with emerging trends and make smart moves in pursuit of a fantasy league championship.

Boosting Fantasy Values

QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: Stafford wasn’t picked as a starting QB, but he has the potential to make a strong impact. He faces his old team, the Detroit Lions, where last season’s playoff dreams for the Rams faded. With a healthy Cooper Kupp and Kyren Williams at his disposal, Stafford has a chance to exceed expectations. If Puka Nacua returns from his preseason knee injury, he could really boost Stafford’s performance.

WR Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills: With Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs now off the roster, the Bills have openings at receiver. Drafted from Michigan State, Coleman is set to compete with Khalil Shakir for the top spot. If he earns the trust of QB Josh Allen quickly, he could become a key player right away.

TE Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins: Smith had the best season of his career last year with 50 receptions and 582 yards while playing for Atlanta. He is now back in Miami, where he was a star in college at FIU. Expect him to thrive in a much more dynamic passing offense compared to what he experienced with the Falcons.

WR Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons: After signing a significant three-year contract with the Falcons, Mooney is expected to start alongside Drake London. With QB Kirk Cousins adding a new dynamic to the offense, the Falcons should be much more effective through the air. Mooney previously recorded over 1,000 yards in a season back in 2021, and with Cousins, he could replicate that success.

TE Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears: Kmet had high expectations entering 2023 but fell short for the most part. Now, he has more talent surrounding him and a promising rookie QB in Caleb Williams, who may be able to consistently deliver him the ball.

Declining Fantasy Values

QB Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets: In Week 1, Rodgers will be making his debut on Monday night. Last season, he also started on a Monday, but his night ended prematurely with an Achilles injury after just four plays. While he’s healthy now, he’s also 40 and up against a tough 49ers defense that intercepted more passes than touchdowns allowed in 2023.

QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: Herbert is facing considerable changes, most of which are not favorable. New coach John Harbaugh and OC Greg Roman favor a run-heavy strategy, plus Herbert lost reliable WR Keenan Allen to a trade and is currently nursing a foot injury. The start of his season might not be smooth.

WR Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings: Addison faces some hurdles, including an ankle injury from preseason that may limit his participation in Week 1. Additionally, with a healthy Justin Jefferson in the lineup, his target opportunities might be reduced. When he does get the chance, it may come from QB Sam Darnold, which is a significant downgrade from Kirk Cousins.

RB Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns: Ford will take on the RB1 responsibilities in Cleveland as Nick Chubb is not yet back from his knee injury. He might find it tough going against the Dallas Cowboys’ rush defense, which allowed only 4.2 yards per carry and just 14 rushing touchdowns last season.

RB Devin Singletary, New York Giants: After a successful season in Houston on a one-year deal, Singletary is now in New York, but his situation isn’t as favorable. In Houston, he had a strong QB that helped ease the pressure on the running game. That won’t be the case with the Giants.