This has less to do with Bryant's ability and more to do with the team's quarterback situation and fading offense. Now that Tony Romo is finished for the season, Bryant is paired with a less-able Matt Cassel. Suddenly a receiver who was a must-start every week is looking more like a matchup-based option. That's good news for this week's game against Washington. Not so good for the rest of the schedule.

Brees has been tough to start on a weekly basis this season as the once-reliable quarterback has been the picture of inconsistency this season. The veteran is in danger of finishing the season outside the top 10 at his position -- a feat that has been nearly unthinkable during his tenure in New Orleans. With an unfriendly schedule for the remainder of the season, it's probably time to think about other fantasy quarterbacking options.

Chandler's spot in this space is going to be pretty short-lived. But as long as Rob Gronkowski is out of action, the Patriots reserve tight end is going to be a fantasy factor. This week's matchup against a sieve-like Eagles defense is worth taking advantage of. Get in on this now ... it might not last very long.

What would Stock Watch be without a running back who moves up due to injury? David Johnson is the latest to fill that bill after Chris Johnson went down with a broken leg and Andre Ellington developed turf toe. Johnson was a popular waiver pick early in the season and will return to a prominent role in the Cardinals offense for the foreseeable future. He's a bruiser with excellent speed and should make an impact both on the field and in fantasy.

This isn't going to be some screed on Forte declining with age. He's been just as steady as ever -- so steady that we haven't talked about him much. But Forte doesn't appear likely to return to Chicago next season, a departure that could be hastened by the recent emergence of Jeremy Langford. If we learned anything from last week's win over the Packers, it's that the Bears aren't afraid to use both of their running backs. Forte will still have his chances to be productive, there just won't be as many as there once were.

It's about time that we give Kirk Cousins his due. Insert "You like that!" joke here Washington's quarterback hasn't exactly been a fantasy favorite this season, but he has been pretty good at home in recent weeks. Cousins has tallied 21 or more fantasy points in each of his past four home contests and he faces the rival Dallas Cowboys whose defense is less than great. If you have the confidence, this is a week to roll with Cousins.

While Cousins has been on the way up recently, Matt Ryan has gone in the other direction. Matty Ice has been pretty cold this season posting just two 20-point performances in 2015. More troubling has been the rate at which he's turning the ball over. Ryan has thrown five interceptions in the past two weeks, giving him 12 for the season. His season-ending schedule isn't one you'd like to fool around with making him expendable on your fantasy roster.

Vance McDonald wasn't the 49ers tight end most imagined we'd be talking about this late in the season. But here we are. Since Blaine Gabbert took over at quarterback, McDonald is one of his favorite targets. This isn't the same Niners offense that we saw at the start of the year and with the tight end position thinning out, McDonald could get a spot in your lineup.

Some of us (we won't mention who) have been trying to make Frank Gore happen this year. He's probably not going to happen this year. The Colts offensive line has struggled mightily in the running game and Gore has been dealing with nagging injuries. It's enough of an issue that there is talk about Dan Herron possibly seeing some carries. Sadly, this might be the end of Gore as a super reliable fantasy option. All good things must come to an end.

Two 49ers in one column?! And both on the positive side?! It might sound crazy but as I wrote earlier, the 49ers ofefnse has been much better since Gabbert took over. The other thing that might shock you is that since the change at quarterback, Shaun Draughn has been the most targeted player on the team. He's dominated the snaps in the backfield and is worth a flex start this week against the Bears.