David’s Daily Digest
Saturday Evening Edition
Fantasy Football: Week 7 Starts & Sits
The available options off the Wire or from the free agent pool may feel scarce this week with six teams (Cincinnati, Carolina, Houston, Tennessee, Dallas, and New York Jets) on byes, but there are still plenty of streaming options available to fill lineup holes. With CeeDee Lamb, Nico Collins, Derrick Henry, and others taking the week off, fantasy managers will have to check in every nook and turn over every stone to find some fantasy value in Week 7.
Well, that’s why I am doing here. In my search under rocks and behind opened doors, here’s what I have found for the Week 7 slate.
Week 7 Starts
The Passers
Sam Howell (Commanders) Howell has been the fantasy QB3 the past two weeks passing for 539 yards with 5 touchdowns. A Week 7 matchup against a middle of the pack Giants defense puts Howell on the streaming radar.
Jordan Love (Packers) With the Packers coming off their Week 6 bye, Love and company are on the road at Denver. Love did not look good in his last game, back in Week 5, but nothing spells get-well better than the Broncos defense. The Broncos defense has allowed a top-7 performance to opposing quarterbacks in 3 of their last 4 games. The Pack are getting healthy with Christian Watson and Aaron Jones expected to be available, Love is in the streaming mix this week.
Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) Mayfield versus the Falcons this week would be more of a reach play for fantasy managers in most leagues. The Falcons have allowed 4 passing touchdowns the past two weeks and Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans is now a couple of weeks removed from his hamstring injury before the team’s bye. With a healthier Evans, these two should hook-up for a score.
The Ball Carriers
Brian Robinson Jr (Commanders) Facing the Giants defense that is allowing more than 5-yards per carry this season, including over 140 yards on the ground per game for the last four weeks, Robinson Jr figures to get plenty of work. He’ll be a mid-to-high RB2 this week.
Jerome Ford (Browns) Over the past four weeks, the Colts defense has allowed the 6th most fantasy points to opposing running backs. The Browns running back Jerome Ford should find plenty of success this week. Consider him a strong RB2 this week.
Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots) The Patriots offense would like to keep the ball out of Josh Allen’s hands, so it’s safe to expect a heavy dose of the run game. In this one Stevenson is the preferred option in the Patriots backfield, now off the injury report. Facing the Bills defense that has been rolled the past two weeks surrendering over 250 yards on the ground and over 4 yards per carry. Stevenson figures as a back-end RB2 this week.
The Pass Catchers
Marquise Brown (Cardinals) The Seahawks secondary has allowed the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Brown has been targeted 31 times over his last three games. This week Hollywood shows up.
Wan’Dale Robinson (Giants) The Giants receiver has been seeing a steady diet of targets the past several weeks. In his last three games he’s been targeted 20 times, including 8 in Week 6. Over the past four weeks the Commanders defense has allowed the 3rd most receiving yards to opposing receivers. This matchup sits well for Robinson, he’s a WR3/flex play this week.
Zay Flowers (Ravens) I like this kid a lot this week against the Lions. He’s the clear number one and over the past three weeks, he’s getting 7.7 targets, 4.7 receptions, 59.7 yards per game. Over their last two games the Lions defense has allowed the 4th most receptions to opposing receivers. Flowers is a borderline WR2/WR3 play this week.
Mecole Hardman (Chiefs) Having just been traded back to his old team, Hardman could be a sneaky sleeper play this week. For weeks he was comatose in New York (Jeets), but he returns to a Chiefs team that has yet to find their big play receiver this season.
The tight ends
Cade Otton (Buccaneers) The Bucs have not gotten much production from the tight end spot this season, but fantasy managers with few options might want to take a flier on Otton this week when he faces the Falcons. The Falcons defense has had some trouble this season with the tight ends, allowing the 7th most fantasy points. With fewer options this week Otton, a boom or bust candidate, could score his second touchdown of the season on Sunday.
Michael Mayer (Raiders) Mayer is coming off his most productive game this season a week ago against the Patriots. With Brian Hoyer getting the start for injured Jimmy Garappolo against the Bears this Sunday, Mayer could be in line for continued success. The Bears have allowed the 5th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends over the past 4 weeks. Mayer could crack TE-1 scoring this week.
My Week 7 Sits
Russell Wilson (Broncos-QB) The Broncos play host this week and Wilson will get a taste of the Packers defense that allows the 5th fewest points to opposing quarterbacks. Wilson is coming off a poor Week 6 (Thursday night) showing and fantasy managers would be better served to steer clear.
Gus Edwards (Ravens-RB) Already in a crowded backfield that includes quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens running back could struggle this week to find running room against the Lions. The Lions defense allows the 2nd fewest yards per carry and the 6th fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.
Ram backfield - With Kyren Williams placed on IR, the Rams have added pieces and elevated players. It’s just a tough situation to predict and with the return of Cooper Kupp, head coach Sean McVay may place the ball in the hands of quarterback Matt Stafford. I’m avoiding this situation altogether.
Josh Downs (Colts-WR) Downs has been seeing steady work, but this week he draws a tough matchup against a very good Browns defense. The Browns have allowed the fewest fantasy points, receptions, and receiving yards to wide receivers this season. I am looking elsewhere this week.
Elijah Moore (Browns) Facing the Colts this week, Moore’s outlook is not good. First he’s only caught 6 passes for 39 yards the past two weeks, there’s uncertainty at the quarterback position this week (although Watson may return), and the Colts have allowed the 6th fewest fantasy points to wide receivers the past 4 weeks. I’m moving along here.
That's my take!
~David G. Ortega
