Fantasy Stock Risers

With one game left in the 2020 NFL season, many of us have started looking at next years' played rankings. However, while the fantasy season runs 17 (often 16) games, player performances in the playoffs have significant effects on player rankings. For example, Damien Williams and Sony Michel were both players who had mediocre regular seasons and exploded in the postseason, raising their draft stocks significantly. Here are players who have risen their draft stock in the 2019-2020 postseason and their likelihood to perform up to their higher expectations.

Derrick Henry's dominant playoff performance has pushed him to number 2 on many draft boards.

Derrick Henry (RB Titans) - Derrick Henry led the league in rushing and finished as a top-5 running back in all formats. I'm not saying that his draft stock was low to begin with, but after 2 monster games against 2 of the top teams in the league (446 yards in 3 playoff games!), he firmly entered himself into the conversation for 2nd overall pick behind Christian McCaffrey. Some people might even take him ahead of CMC, which I feel is a massive reach over the number 1 PPR running back by over 150 points. If Henry can continue his dominance on the ground, and all signs point to that happening again behind one of the best O-lines in football, he has a clear path to another high-end RB1 finish.

Despite throwing 24 fewer TDs than last year in the regular season, Pat Mahomes has been incredible this playoffs.

Patrick Mahomes (QB Chiefs) - Like Henry, Patrick Mahomes would still be a high pick (rounds 4-5 maybe) next year, but the former MVP has reached a whole new level this postseason. He still threw for over 4000 yards and 26 touchdowns in 12 games in the regular season, but fantasy owners who took him in the 2nd and 3rd round expected a season closer to his 5000 yard 50 TD season. This postseason, however, Mahomes has shown us that he is still the best quarterback in the league my no small margin. Regardless of his Super Bowl performance, I believe that he is still a third round quarterback with a very strong possibility for another QB1 performance next year.

Raheem Mostert's performance atop the 49ers RB depth chart has him moving up draft boards.

Raheem Mostert (RB 49ers) - Mostert blew onto the scene in the second half of the 49ers season after seeing minimal workload in the beginning of the year. Despite a very crowded backfield with Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida ahead of him, Mostert took advantage of his carries en route to a breakout. And then last week happened. In his first game with over 20 carries (29), he exploded for 220 ground yards and 4 TD. I believe that next year, you will be able to still get him at a discount thanks to the presence of Coleman and Breida, but he put himself firmly in the RB2 conversation.

DK Metcalf has shown his ability to succeed as a number 1 option this postseason.

DK Metcalf (WR Seahawks) - DK Metcalf is a star in the making, and he proved it these playoffs, accumulating 219 yards through 2 games. Evolving into a true number 1 receiver for Russell Wilson, DK Melcalf has all signs pointing to a monster 2020-2021 season. He has the talent to make spectacular catches, the speed to gain YAC, and the physical tools to become an elite Red Zone threat. People might overdraft him next year after his last few performances, but there is absolutely no shortage of potential for Metcalf.