NFL Barometer: Looking Ahead To 2019

The conclusion of the 2018 regular season presents an ideal opportunity to examine which players finished the campaign on either a sharp rise or decline. This season, an outstanding rookie class that frequently delivered on the hype leaves us with a plethora of appealing options to pore over. Naturally, the fantasy realm is a year-round operation, so it's never too early to begin prospecting for next summer's drafts. With that in mind, let's take a closer look at who raised or hurt their 2019 stock with their performances during the just-concluded season.

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Quarterback

Sam Darnold, Jets: Darnold was thrust into the starting quarterback job from Day 1. The baptism by fire naturally had its share of rocky moments, but it concluded the way one would hope under those types of circumstances – with Darnold showing marked improvement and seemingly headed in the right direction. The 2018 first-round pick remained interception-free over his final three games, and he threw just one pick overall across four contests after returning from a three-game absence due to a foot injury. Conversely, he'd being guilty of 14 interceptions over the first nine outings of the campaign. Additionally, Darnold displayed improved accuracy as the season wound down, posting a completion rate of better than 63.0 percent in three of his final four games, after only accomplishing the feat in three of his first nine NFL contests. Darnold showed particularly encouraging rapport with speedster Robby Anderson in the latter portion of the season, and he'll also look to benefit from a healthier receiving corps in 2019 after both Quincy Enunwa (ankle) and Jermaine Kearse (Achilles) finished 2018 on the shelf. Just as important, the potential arrival of an offensive-minded head coach such as Kliff Kingsbury would stand to be a boon for the acceleration of Darnold's development, and by extension, his fantasy production.

Josh Allen, Bills: Allen was the second member of an outstanding rookie quarterback class that was making a significant impact on his team's fortunes by the time the 2018 season concluded. The strong-armed Wyoming product flashed some of the best mobility at the quarterback position this side of Lamar Jackson, and he also improved as a passer as the season unfolded. While his accuracy very much remains a work in progress, Allen did generate a serviceable 5:3 TD:INT over his last three games, as opposed to 5:9 ratio in the nine contests prior. He also put together a pair of 100-yard rushing performances and tallied an eye-opening eight scores on the ground overall while averaging 7.1 yards per tote. Just as encouraging was the obvious chemistry Allen was developing with young wideouts Zay Jones and Robert Foster during the stretch run, a development facilitated by the release of veterans Kelvin Benjamin and Andre Holmes. A second consecutive season in Sean McDermott's system coupled with the likely additions of offensive weapons through the draft and free agency – the latter which will be supported by what's currently the third-most cap space in the NFL ($84.3 million) -- should certainly benefit Allen as he looks to put together a strong sophomore effort.

Running Back

Damien Williams, Chiefs: The early-December release of Kareem Hunt combined with a nagging hamstring injury to Spencer Ware opened a late-season door for Williams, who served as the de facto lead back for Kansas City over the final three games of the campaign. His production over that span – 34 carries for 203 yards and three TDs, along with 14 receptions for 119 yards and another score – already snagged him a two-year contract extension, and his prospects for 2019 are especially intriguing. Ware is a year older and has been much more injury-prone to date while offering the same skill set as his teammate, but Williams brings a bit more stature and bulk to the position. A training camp battle likely looms, and there's naturally the likelihood that competition is added through free agency or the draft. However, the team's recent financial commitment and Williams' own late-season performances lend credence to the notion he'll be a significant component of Kansas City's 2019 plans, and he still has the postseason to further prove his worth.

Kalen Ballage, Dolphins: A new coaching staff in Miami that will lay a fresh set of eyes on the roster is very likely to benefit Ballage, who flashed late in the season with a 12-carry, 123-yard performance versus the Vikings in Week 15, and who wrapped up the campaign with a solid 47 yards on 12 rushes versus Buffalo last Sunday. The 2018 fourth-round pick should have every opportunity to battle Kenyan Drake and any offseason additions for the top job next season, barring a marquee free-agent signing such as Le'Veon Bell. Granted, the soon-to-be second-year back's ability to shoulder a true workhorse role is up in the air to an extent, considering he never toted it more than 157 times in any of his four seasons at Arizona State. However, like Drake, Ballage is a proven receiver out of the backfield, supporting the idea that he could serve as a true three-down option at the position.

Wide Receiver

Zay Jones / Robert Foster, Bills: The Bills' air attack was essentially a fantasy abyss over the first half of the season due to a combination of rookie quarterback Josh Allen's struggles and ineffective veterans such as Kelvin Benjamin and Terrelle Pryor soaking up valuable reps to varying degrees. However, both were eventually jettisoned, with the duo of Jones and Foster capitalizing on the added opportunity.

Jones had actually put together some strong performances alongside Benjamin earlier in the season, and he finished out the campaign with 11 receptions (18 targets) for 160 yards and three touchdowns over his final two games against the Patriots and Dolphins. Jones ultimately more than doubled his reception total (27 to 56) and receiving yardage (316 to 652) from his rookie campaign, while also seeing a five-touchdown boost over his first-year total of two. He's poised to enter 2019 as the de facto No. 1 wideout in Buffalo, barring a high draft choice or marquee free-agent/trade addition at his position.

For his part, Foster rendered his undrafted rookie status irrelevant by performing like a player of much higher pedigree. The Alabama product finished the campaign with a 27-541-3 line, numbers that were partly comprised of a pair of 100-yard performances and a 94-yard tally as well. The 6-foot-2, 196-pound wideout showed off some nice burst to go along with his size, with nine of his receptions exceeding 20 yards, and four of those grabs eclipsing the 40-yard mark. Having shown excellent chemistry with Allen, Foster looks primed for an important role once again in 2019 and will be poised to benefit from his first full offseason as a pro.

Antonio Callaway, Browns: Callaway had a bit of up and down to his production all season, but the rookie's raw talent was evident. Blessed with elite speed, Callaway saw eight of his 43 catches go for over 20 yards, including a trio that went over 40. While he never quite eclipsed the century mark, the Florida product posted between 79 and 84 yards on three occasions and found the end zone five times overall. As is often the case with rookies, drops were somewhat of an issue, as Callaway was charged with six overall on the campaign. However, with an impending offseason in which he should have ample time to develop further chemistry with Baker Mayfield – as well as sharpen both his hands and routes -- Callaway could experience a significant Year 2 boost in 2019 as one of the up-and-coming offense's best deep threats.

Mike Williams, Chargers: Williams essentially had a redshirt rookie NFL season in 2017, as a back issue limited him to 10 games. Then, he somewhat surprisingly saw minimal usage during the contests he suited up for, which left him with an anemic 11-95 line. While there were still games this past season in which he was underutilized, he's heading into the postseason coming off a strong second half of the campaign. Williams posted over 50 receiving yards in four of his final seven regular-season contests, racking up half of his 10 touchdowns during that span as well. The 2017 first-round pick demonstrated he could leverage both his impressive size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) and 4.5 speed, with 11 of his 43 catches exceeding 20 yards, and Williams generating a solid 15.4 yards per grab. He also outjumped defenders on several of his touchdowns and converted half of his 14 red-zone targets into scores. Looking ahead to 2019, fellow wideout Tyrell Williams is an unrestricted free agent, and Mike Williams' showing this year is likely enough for the Chargers to allow the former to walk, a development that would slide the latter into the No. 2 job alongside Keenan Allen.

Keke Coutee, Texans: Despite dealing with the "naggiest" of nagging injuries in the form of a hamstring issue, Coutee has shown enough this season to corroborate a bright fantasy future. However, a likely ascension to the No. 2 role next season alongside double-coverage magnet DeAndre Hopkins pushes Coutee's stock up even further. Demaryius Thomas (Achilles) can't conceivably be brought back in 2019 at a cap hit of $14 million, especially since he could well miss a chunk of the season, and while Will Fuller should eventually be back from a torn ACL, he has yet to make it through an NFL campaign in one piece. That will represent more opportunity for Coutee, who proved his mettle as a primary receiver during his final season at Texas Tech in 2017 with a 93-1,429-10 line off 123 targets. He'll also have a chance to further his development in the upcoming postseason, and a full NFL offseason should certainly help him in a quest to add some needed bulk to his 180-pound frame.

Dante Pettis, 49ers: The early portion of Pettis' first pro season was considerably nondescript after a 2-61-1 line in the opener against the Vikings. The rookie went on to tally just seven receptions for 108 yards over the subsequent six games while also missing three contests as a result of a knee issue. He then finished the campaign on injured reserve with the sprained MCL he suffered in Week 16. However, it's what Pettis did in between Weeks 12 and 15 and the likely elimination of Pierre Garcon as positional competition that brightens the former's outlook heading into next season. Pettis produced a 17-338-4 line during the aforementioned four-game span, logging 26 targets over that stretch and four catches of over 20 yards. Meanwhile, Garcon's second straight injury-shortened season and the fact he'll be 33 by the start of next season could certainly make him a candidate for an offseason release, considering he's on the books for cap hits of between $8.4 and $12 million over the next three seasons.

Tight End

Chris Herndon, Jets: Herndon got right down to the business of making an NFL impact in his rookie season. Playing on an offense helmed by the promising but often inaccurate Darnold – and for three games, by the serviceable but way-past-his-prime Josh McCown – Herndon produced a solid 39-502-4 line across 16 games. The rookie showed solid hands as well, with only three drops on his ledger. The downfield component of his game was prominent, as nine of Herndon's catches went for more than 20 yards. Herndon also boasts a 6-foot-4 stature that's complemented by impressive speed, so a notable leap in 2019 is certainly within the realm of possibility, especially when factoring in an improved Darnold feeding him targets and the previously cited possibility of an offensive guru taking the head-coaching reins in New York.

Blake Jarwin, Cowboys: Only time will tell if the second-year tight end's late-season surge is the sign of even better things to come, and the upcoming postseason could further help illuminate that possibility. However, for the time being, the OSU product has to be considered one of the emerging fantasy prospects at the tight end position after generating a 20-228-3 line over the final four regular-season contests. There were 25 total passes directed Jarwin's way by Dak Prescott over that span, blowing away the 11 he'd seen up that point. At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, size is certainly on Jarwin's side, giving him a leg up on what's been a relatively barren position for the Cowboys all season.

Ian Thomas, Panthers: Greg Olsen's future remains at least somewhat in doubt despite proclamations of a planned 2019 return, considering he recently completed a second surgery in as many years on his troublesome right foot. The bone graft procedure Olsen underwent leaves him with a 3-to-4-month recovery time at minimum, and the soon-to-be 12-year veteran will be 34 by the time the 2019 campaign kicks off. Enter Thomas, the presumed future at the position for the Panthers who saw more action than planned during his rookie campaign and largely thrived with the opportunity. Thomas finished the Week 13 game against the Buccaneers that marked the end of Olsen's season with five catches for 46 yards. He then posted a 20-200-2 line in the final four games. With some NFL skins now on the wall and 6-foot-3, 260-pound size in tow, the Indiana product should see plenty of action next season irrespective of Olsen's status, considering the Panthers are also likely to be a bit more judicious with the latter's snaps given his age and checkered medical history.

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Quarterback

Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins: Head coach Adam Gase is already out the door, and conventional wisdom, not to mention plenty of rumors, have Tannehill following suit in fairly short order. Coming off a 2017 season wiped out by a torn ACL, Tannehill showed early promise with 687 yards and a 7:2 TD:INT over the first three games of 2018. However, it was mostly downhill from there, with Tannehill even accomplishing the improbable feat of throwing for under 150 yards in four of his last five games. The underwhelming (likely) ending to his Dolphins career belies the fact that Tannehill could probably still serve as a borderline starter in the NFL at just 30 years of age, and that he did put together some solid fantasy numbers in past seasons. However, a backup role could well be in the cards for 2019, leaving his fantasy outlook depressed heading into the offseason.

Running Back

Leonard Fournette, Jaguars: Hopes and average draft position were both high for the talented second-year back coming into 2018, but a hamstring injury derailed matters almost immediately. After only playing a total of 24 snaps between Weeks 2 and 9 because of the issue, Fournette then rushed for 53 yards or fewer in four of the final six games of the season. Back-to-back 95-yard efforts in Weeks 11 and 12 against the tough defenses of the Steelers and Bills, six total touchdowns (five rushing) and 18 receptions during that span prevented his season from being a total fantasy washout. However, a one-game suspension for a brawl versus Buffalo didn't help his standing by any stretch, with either fantasy owners or his real-life bosses. The Jags are apparently down on Fournette overall, not surprising considering he's only been able to suit up for 21 games over his first two NFL campaigns, as they utilized the aforementioned one-game ban to void the remaining guarantees in his rookie contract earlier this week. Additionally, general manager Tom Coughlin called out Fournette for his aloof demeanor on the bench during the Week 17 loss to the Texans. In an offseason that already began with a bit of housecleaning that included Fournette's position coach Tyrone Wheatley, it remains to be seen if the 2017 first-round pick could find himself elsewhere, and in a role that comes with a much smaller potential workload, by next summer.

Wide Receiver

Randall Cobb, Packers: Cobb could also be on the move in 2019, and he's unlikely to find the same success in a new uniform he enjoyed at times while playing with Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay also has a new coaching regime on the horizon with no previous ties to Cobb, and the slight-of-frame slot man has unsurprisingly proven increasingly vulnerable to injury the older he's gotten. He missed seven games during what was his age-27 season in 2018, which led to his lowest reception (38) and receiving yardage (383) totals since the 2013 season, as well as his lowest touchdown tally (three) since his rookie 2011 campaign. Moreover, Cobb is unsigned for 2019, and Packers brass may ultimately decide that it's as prudent a time as ever to move on, especially given the younger receivers who will be pushing for snaps and targets in 2019, such as Equanimeous St. Brown and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Tight End

Rob Gronkowski, Patriots: Defensive coordinators seem to be catching on to the fact that the perennial Pro Bowler is nowhere near the downfield threat he once was, a decline evidenced by Gronkowski posting his lowest YPT (9.5) and YPC (14.5) figures since the 2014 season, as well as the fewest catches of over 20 yards (eight) in his career. For what it's worth, the 29-year-old often failed the eye test this season too, as he appeared to be laboring to get downfield on many occasions. Naturally, a player with his raw talent and physical skills is still going to to produce flashbacks to their halcyon days on occasion, and to that end, Gronkowski could well make this designation look foolish during the upcoming postseason. However, in terms of overall forward-looking fantasy value, he definitely appears to have reached his apex and is now headed down the opposite side of the mountain.