Whether due to their own play, the play of others, or injuries, players' stock increases and decreases on a weekly basis. Perhaps more than any other, the NFL is a league that experiences ups and downs at a rapid pace. With only 16 games, there’s little room for error and seemingly endless opportunities for improvement. The same goes for fantasy football, and managing rosters effectively is key to winning that championship.

Throughout the season, players get hot and see an increased role while others struggle and fight to stay relevant. Experienced fantasy players know this happens every year. In this weekly column, we’ll showcase those who have taken important steps forward and those who have taken steps back.

These are the key fantasy risers and fallers heading into Week 9 of the NFL season. Dynasty owners, check out our separate Dynasty Risers/Fallers segment each week as well.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Week 9 Risers

Deshaun Watson (QB, HOU)

How exactly can the #1 overall fantasy QB be a riser? He was already at the top. Well, the reality was that Watson had feasted on bottom of the barrel defenses. All he had proven was that he was capable of beating up on the have nots of the NFL. Cue week 8 - the week Watson silenced the last of the doubters. Watson still has his issues reading defenses and making decisions, but his playmaking ability is undeniable. He roasted the vaunted Legion of Boom in Seattle to the tune of 402 yards, 67 rushing yards, and three touchdowns. Watson is an elite QB1 until he proves otherwise.

JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, PIT)

Please don't take his appearance here as me saying I think this is legit. Smith-Schuster is a legit NFL player, but he's also 20 years old. Last week's 7-193-1 outburst may go down as the best game of his career. With that being said, Smith-Schuster is probably a weekly WR3 going forward as I can't imagine Martavis Bryant takes the field again. He is as good as gone from Pittsburgh. They have mentally checked out on him as much as he has on them. Smith-Schuster seems like a really fun kid and comes across as very likable. After the incident with his stolen bike for him to have a game like this is a really nice story. He's the second guy in Pittsburgh now.

Rex Burkhead (RB, NE)

After missing a handful of games with a rib injury and appearing to fall completely off the radar, Rex Burkhead reemerged last week, logging a season high 26 snaps and showing high efficiency in the receiving department, catching all seven of his targets for 68 yards. Mike Gillislee as good as dead in the Patriots backfield. It's hard to imagine three backs being useful, but Burkhead could carve out enough of a role to be a backup flex with the upside for more should anyone get hurt.

Jack Doyle (TE, IND)

When you catch 12 passes on 14 targets for 121 yards and a touchdown and you play TE, you make the risers list. Doyle Rules in week 8 as Jacoby Brissett can't do much beyond throw to his checkdown option. Doyle has become his primary option ahead of T.Y. Hilton. This is Doyle's third consecutive game with double digit fantasy points and he has firmly established himself as a TE1. Andrew Luck is not playing this season, but that doesn't seem to be an issue for the season TE5.

Week 9 Fallers

Jameis Winston (QB, TB)

Just one week after playing through a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder and posting 24 fantasy points on the Bills, Jameis Winston barely reached 1/5 of that total against the Panthers, throwing for just 210 yards with no touchdowns against two interceptions. Winston is a bad real life QB that has been inconsistent and unreliable in fantasy. If a trip to New Orleans doesn't get him going this week, I don't know if there is much hope. Winston may not even get the chance as Ryan Fitzpatrick should be considered 50-50 or better to start this week. He's really not much worse than Winston, if even at all.

Nelson Agholor (WR, PHI)

I love hating on Nelson Agholor. I'm jumping at the opportunity here because the people need to remember that he's not good at football. He was the least efficient WR in the NFL over his first two seasons. He appeared to be a useful fantasy receiver because he had been scoring touchdowns. Well, this is what happens when he does not. Three catches on three targets for 26 yards. Next week the Eagles are at Denver and then they're on bye. Agholor is not a weekly WR3.

Ezekiel Elliott (RB, DAL)

It's rare that an RB could post 150 yards on 33 carries and touchdowns and appear on the fallers list. Ezekiel Elliott managed to do so on account of the fact that he won't be playing football until week 15. That's the rest of the fantasy regular season and week 1 of the playoffs for those counting at home. Elliott saw his suspension reinstated for the 163rd time on Monday night. He will continue to appeal and litigate his case, but it has become moot for fantasy owners - Elliott is going to miss the next six games and there is nothing we can do about it.

Jordan Reed (TE, WAS)

I hate this man. I hate him so much. I don't know why I ever draft him. I deserve everything I get and so do you (sorry, but you know it's true). He was unstartable every week outside of his explosion against Philly whether it be due to injury or underperformance. Shocker, he's hurt again. This time it's a hamstring issue. He caught one pass before departing last week. He will not play this week and who knows when he'll be back. I've had enough and I have no qualms dropping him and never looking back.

More Week 9 Lineup Prep