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OT JC Latham, Tennessee Titans: Prior to the Titans’ bye week, Latham did not perform well against the Miami Dolphins. As such, his previous upward trajectory came to a screeching halt.
OT Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers: Alt played quite well in his first two appearances and then struggled when facing the Pittsburgh Steelers and T.J. Watt (understandably so). Alt has been dealing with an MCL injury that cost him a start against the Kansas City Chiefs before the Chargers entered their bye week.
OT Taliese Fuaga, New Orleans Saints: Yet another young offensive tackle, who’s overall performance has dipped as the season progresses. Fuaga started strongly, but it’s reached the point where he’s been exposed to a degree as a left tackle who needs plenty of help on the edge instead of playing on an island.
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants: The Giants may have found a new feature back if Tracy’s performance against the Seattle Seahawks is any indication. The fifth-round draft pick carried the ball 18 times for 129 yards—which is slightly more than any singular effort from Saquon Barkley last season.
WR Jordan Whittington, Los Angeles Rams: The Rams appear to have found another excellent wide receiver after minimal investment. Sean McVay used Whittington, whom the Rams drafted in the sixth round, to serve in the Cooper Kupp/Puka Nacua role and the rookie responded with seven receptions for 89 yards against the Green Bay Packers.
WR Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers: While Adam Thielen continues to deal with a hamstring injury, opportunities arise for the young receivers on the Panthers roster. Coker answered the ball against the Chicago Bears with a team-leading four receptions for 68 yards. Not much went right for Carolina in the Windy City, but they may have found a diamond in the rough.
C Tanor Bortolini, Indianapolis Colts: Stalwart center Ryan Kelly continues to deal with a neck injury. Bortolini started the last two games and didn’t look out of place. According to the 33rd Team, the rookie pivot didn’t allow a single pressure against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His athleticism and second-level block can be an asset if Kelly misses significant time.
S Evan Williams, Green Bay Packers: The Packers know they have multiple young defensive backs who are talented and need to be on the field, especially Williams, who led the team Sunday with 10 total tackles and two pass breakups.
“That was kind of the plan going in to put [Keisean Nixon] outside and put [Javon Bullard] down in the nickel position, which opened up the door for Evan Williams,” head coach Matt LaFleur said. “That’s a luxury—he’s another guy that’s very smart, instinctive, and has a knack for the football.”