With Warren back in action, Gainwell slid into his customary
reserve role once again. He still got a dozen touches, though,
including six receptions, making him the leading pass catcher
for the Steelers versus Cleveland. The yardage failed to impressive
-- those 12 combined touches resulted in just 36 yards -- but
the team clearly trusts him, and on a short week against a Bengals
club that has struggled to stop the run (135.7 yards/game; 28th
in the NFL) we could see an increased workload in an effort to
keep Warren fresh after just returning from injury. There is a
bit of a last stand element at work for the Bengals, so an inspired
effort is possible, it’s just far from clear they have the
horses to hold up over a full 60 minutes. Gainwell is an interesting
flex play.
Rodgers’ season-to-date stats aren’t bad, and he
made some throws against the Browns that reaffirmed he still has
elite arm talent. All that being said, the veteran has averaged
just 194 yards and 1.5 TDs per game since the opener. He doesn’t
run anymore, either, meaning his value derives entirely from his
passing exploits. Make no mistake, this is a positive matchup
for Pittsburgh’s passing game with Cincinnati sitting 31st
in pass defense (258.5 yards/game). This just feels like a game
where the Steelers will look to protect Rodgers, who will be playing
his second game in five days at age 41. While not unplayable,
he’d be a risk.
PIT FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.8
PIT FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.17
PIT FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.16
PIT FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.3
We saw signs of life from the Bengals offense under Joe Flacco
this past Sunday as they scored on three of their final four drives
in Green Bay. Brown didn’t get a ton of work, actually setting
a season low with 11 touches (compared to eight for Samaje Perine),
but he averaged 4.7 yards per carry, which was easily his best
mark of 2025. The Steelers currently sit 16th against the run,
though neither the Vikings nor Browns got a lot down on the ground
in Pittsburgh’s two most recent outings. Further clouding things
was the emergent use of Perine against the Packers, which was
a far cry from the early weeks when Brown was literally the only
back getting any touches. Things remain a work in progress with
Flacco, but Brown looks usable as a risk/reward flex.
While early returns suggest that Flacco will run the offense more
effectively than Jake Browning did, we’re still miles from
Joe Burrow territory, and as such only Chase can be considered
a no brainer at this point. Higgins had his moments with Flacco,
catching five of eight targets for 62 yards. As it happens, that
62-yard effort represents a new season high -- for comparison,
he averaged 76 yards per game in 2024. The Bengals could find
themselves in a spot where they need to throw to catch up, but
then Pittsburgh can pin their ears back and get after the immobile
Flacco, which is less than ideal. If you want to roll the dice
on Higgins as a WR3, you can, but even in that capacity he can’t
be viewed as a sure thing.
The Rams head to London to take on the Jags in all likelihood
without their top offensive weapon. Puka Nacua (ankle) has been
one of the best fantasy performers early in the season, leading
all wide receivers in fantasy points (half-PPR). With Puka out,
we should expect at least a 30% target share for Adams with upside
for more as Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell (hamstring) haven’t
seen more than 4 targets in any game this season. The Jags are
a plus matchup for wideouts, giving up 100-yard games to JSN,
Nico and Chase.
Perhaps the Rams will shift a few Puka targets way Kyren’s way?
He’s certainly capable as evidenced by his 8-66-2 receiving line
in Week 5 against the 49ers. Kyren has yet to have a 100-yard
rushing game but this could be the spot if the Rams chose to lean
more on the running game with their No.1 receiver on the sidelines.
The matchup isn’t great as the Jags have done a decent job against
the rushing attacks of CAR, CIN, HOU, SF, KC and SEA. However,
volume is king at the running back position and with Blake Corum
iffy due to an ankle injury, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see
25 touches for Kyren this week.
The offense as a whole is going to take a hit if Puka doesn’t
play. That reduces the outlook for Stafford who’s coming
off just 26 pass attempts last week against Baltimore. Back in
2024 with Puka on the sidelines (five games), Stafford’s
competition percentage, yards per attempt, passing TDs and passing
yards all were down from his averages with Puka on the field.
The Jags have given up 300-yard games to Purdy, Mahomes and 295
yards to Darnold just last week, but I’m not sure the Rams
have the horses at wideout to predict that here. You’ll
need him to have an outsized TD performance in order crack low-end
QB1 status.
Fade: N/A
LAR FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.24
LAR FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.29
LAR FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.22
LAR FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.18
BTJ is coming off his best fantasy output of the season (8-90-1)
and had a long TD called back due to Travis Hunter being lined
up offsides. His target share in recent games remains healthy
(23.8%, 24.0%, 23.3%) and the Rams, while stingy overall, have
given up some decent games to No.1 wideouts (A.J. Brown: 6-109-1,
Kendrick Bourne: 10-142-0). Thomas is currently the WR33 in fantasy
points per game but his arrow seems to be pointing up as he recovers
from his disastrous start to the season where he accumulated just
7 catches in his first three games.
Nothing about the first six weeks of the season suggest that
Trevor Lawrence is going to break into QB1 status this season.
He’s averaging 221 passing yards and 1.7 total TDs per game
and is currently just the QB21 in fantasy points per game thanks
in large part to an edge case rushing performance (10-54-2) in
Week 5 against the Chiefs. The Rams-D is good at putting pressure
on the QB and rank 4th in sacks (19). I’d be looking for
other QB options this week if possible.
After a hot start to begin the season, the Jags main ball carrier
has been in a bit of a slump, with just 76 rushing yards, 37 receiving
yards and zero TDs the last two weeks against KC and SEA. On the
plus side, Etienne is still handling the bulk of the work in the
backfield as Bhayshul Tuten has just 9 touches in the same time
frame. The Rams have been stingy to running backs and have yet
to allow a rush TD to the position this season. This isn’t a great
setup but, hopefully Etienne’s volume will provide enough opportunity
for a RB2 performance.
Long stepped into the No.1 tight end role last week for Brenton
Strange who is out with a hip injury. Long played 80 percent of
the snaps but saw just 3 targets and doesn’t figure to be
a focal point of the offense moving forward.
Maye is averaging a healthy 8.5 yards per attempt as the Patriots
offense has been successful at hitting on throws down the field.
He’ll need that same efficiency this week if he wants to
sustain his QB1 status as it’s unlikely passing volume is
going to be needed against the woeful Titans who are unlikely
to keep pace on the scoreboard. This is the only concern that
keeps Maye out of the No-Brainers section this week. He’s
thrown multiple touchdowns in four out of six games and given
the struggles New England has had in the rushing department, any
early lead built up is likely to come through Maye’s arm.
Henry’s been quiet the last two weeks (5-73-0) and like
most tight ends, is really dependent on TDs in order to crack
TE1 status on the week. The Titans have only given up 2 touchdowns
to the position but Henry is one of the TE leaders in redzone
opportunities and given the New England scores are likely to come
through the air, he’s a good bet to have success this week.
The Patriots were forced to shrink their three-headed running
back committee down to two last week as Antonio Gibson is now
out for the year with an ACL injury. The result was a combined
23 touches for 54 yards and zero TDs from Stevenson and Henderson
against the Saints. At least nobody fumbled, right? The matchup
here against the Titans is superb as Tennessee has allowed the
most rushing TDs to the position but how comfortable and you be
with Rhamondre in your lineup? He’s averaging 3.1 yards per carry
and just 10.7 touches per game. Given his lead back status, I’d
be inclined to roll the dice here and hope he finds the endzone
but he’s a very uncomfortable start at the moment.
Diggs (3 tgts) was left out of the passing party last week, playing
just 59.4% of the snaps. Kayshon Boutte was the big winner with
a 5-93-2 line. It’s a reminder that the Patriots are rotating
their receivers which make all of the more volatile than usual
on weekly basis. Diggs has one double-digit target game this season
(Wk5) and has been held to under 60 yards receiving in four out
of six games. He’s not trustworthy as a WR3 but can be a Flex
consideration if your team is ravaged by injuries.
Given how poorly Rhamondre has played this season (leads the
position in fumbles… again) it’s a bit discouraging
that Henderson hasn’t been able to fill the void. He quite
simply hasn’t been playing well – averaging 3.6 yards
per carry with no explosive plays on 57 touches. The matchup is
so good I wouldn’t fault someone for starting him, but expectations
should remain low.
NE FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.19
NE FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.28
NE FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.13
NE FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.7
It’s ugly in Tennessee right now. So ugly, head coach Brian
Callahan was fired this week and Mike McCoy named interim head
coach. QB coach Bo Hardegree will continue to call plays. Ayomanor
is the one piece in the passing game I would consider this week
if you’re desperate. He’s led the Titans wideouts
in snap percentage this season (78.4%) and is sure to lead the
team in targets this week with Ridley (hamstring) likely sidelined.
Spears saw his participation ramp up in Week 6. He actually out-snapped
Pollard 36-26 in a 20-10 loss to the Raiders but only had 9 touches
to Pollard’s 12. Both of these backs can be used as Flex
options and I’d slightly prefer Spears in PPR leagues in
what’s likely to be a trailing game script for Tennessee.
The Patriots have been difficult for opposing RBs, allowing just
62 rushing yards per game to the position.
Ward has been downright dreadful in the first six games of the
season. He’s making the typical rookie QB mistakes like
holding on to the ball too long and taking unnecessary sacks.
The lack of playmakers at the skill positions isn’t helping
either. He has 3 TDs and 4 INTs in six games while completing
just 55% of his passes. Perhaps the coaching change will help
regenerate the offense, but we need to see it before believing
it.
Ridley is trending towards missing this week after leaving Week
6 early with a hamstring injury. Van Jefferson (73.8% snap rate)
saw an uptick in snaps with Ridley out so I wouldn’t be rolling
the dice on veteran Tyler Lockett either.
In the proud tradition of names like DeSean Jackson, Will Fuller,
Mike Williams, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Shaheed is a consummate
boom-or-bust archetype. To that end, Shaheed had a 4-52-1 line
in Week 2 and a 4-114-1 effort in Week 5, while in the other four
weeks he’s failed to reach the 50-yard mark and hasn’t scored.
Chicago has been better than expected in some ways defensively,
particularly taking the ball away, but their secondary has been
far from airtight. Only three teams have allowed more TD passes
than the Bears, and all of them have played an additional game.
One need only look at Monday night to see some breakdowns when
Washington, minus two of their top three wideouts, had three passing
scores. This is a decent week to take a chance on Shaheed to boom.
Expectations were very low for Rattler and the Saints coming
into 2025. When you take that into account, the first six weeks
don’t look too bad. Judged in a vacuum, however, things
don’t hold up. On the season, Rattler is averaging 203 yards
and 1 TD per game through the air while running for 24 yards without
a score. As noted, the Bears have given up a lot of TD passes
this year, and half of Rattler’s six scores came in one
game, but the reward isn’t worth the risk.
NO FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.5
NO FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.19
NO FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.10
NO FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.11
With the exception of Week 3 against the Cowboys (298 yards,
4 TDs), Williams has had a pretty quiet first month-plus under
new head coach Ben Johnson, averaging 220 yards and 1.3 TDs per
game while adding two more scores on the ground. That last stat
feels a little deceiving, though, as ever since running for 58
yards and a TD in the opener, Williams has totaled just 50 yards
and 1 TD combined as a runner. Only Dallas has allowed more TD
passes than New Orleans, though, and they had no success trying
to check Drake Maye this past Sunday. With the Saints being more
stout as a run defense this year, this is a week where Williams
is positioned to post QB1 numbers.
It’s been a tough start to the season for Moore. The team’s erstwhile
No. 1 receiver has been supplanted in that role by Odunze, and
it’s unclear how much separation there really is between him and
Luther Burden III and Olamide Zaccheus for the supporting roles.
He spent Monday night in a Washington D.C. hospital with a “groin”
injury, and it’s unclear if he’ll play this Sunday. Whether he
does or not may not matter much to fantasy owners, which is a
damning statement considering he was a pretty reliable WR2 a season
ago. Through five games this year, he’s averaging just 3.8 catches
for 43 yards a game with only one TD. If he’s cleared to play,
Moore still feels like a stretch for a spot in your lineup, even
as a WR3 or flex.
While it may be an overstatement to say that Waller has been
a revelation since he came out of retirement with Miami, he’s
immediately emerged as a red-zone favorite for Tua Tagovailoa.
In three games this season, the veteran has four touchdowns, including
at least one in each outing. His usage remains a bit on the low
end -- he has seen four, five, and three targets, respectively
-- and outside of Week 5, he’s finished with less than 30 yards.
The loss of Tyreek Hill (knee) created a vacuum that seemed like
it could move Waller into a featured role all over the field,
but thus far it’s been inside the 20 where most of his work is
being done. With Tagovailoa coming off a turnover-filled performance
in Week 6, we could see a trend toward safer passes this Sunday,
and that might mean more Waller. He’s a low-end TE1 with upside.
It’s been an up-and-down year for Tagovailoa, who was terrible
in Week 1, rallied to play some solid ball from Weeks 2-5, and
then struggled again last Sunday. For the Dolphins, turnovers
are the biggest issue. For fantasy owners, it’s the lack
of consistent yardage. In six games this season, the Alabama product
is averaging 202 yards, 1.8 TDs, and 1.2 INTs. Since he’s
a nonfactor as a runner, those numbers aren’t enough to
even approach QB1 status. You can roll the dice on Tagovailoa
in plus matchups, but the Browns and their seventh-ranked pass
defense aren’t that.
MIA FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.2
MIA FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.8
MIA FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.23
MIA FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.6
With David Njoku (knee) suffering a knee injury last Sunday,
it appears unlikely he’ll be available in Week 7 -- and even if
he is, he won’t be at full strength. That should open the door
for Fannin to see even more involvement. The rookie has already
been one of the few bright spots for the Browns offensively in
2025, recording 28 receptions, 254 yards, and a touchdown, and
he’s coming off a 7-81-0 effort in Pittsburgh. Fannin has good
chemistry with Dillon Gabriel, functioning as a reliable option
underneath the coverage. Fellow rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden
II had seven grabs for 68 yards a week ago versus the Dolphins,
so expect Fannin to stay busy against Miami. He’s a possible TE1.
Despite all the quarterback turmoil a year ago, Jeudy (knee) delivered
more often than not and seemed to establish he could succeed regardless
of who was throwing the football. That narrative has not held
up in 2025. After opening with a respectable 5-66-0 line in Week
1, Jeudy has averaged three receptions and 35 yards per game since.
He’s now dealing with a knee injury as well. The Dolphins
are a poor pass defense, though, with only Dallas allowing a higher
QB rating on the season. Gabriel has a couple of starts under
his belt as well, which should help as he grows more comfortable
running the offense. Given his recent production and balky knee,
Jeudy is far from reliable, but if he’s been gathering dust
on your bench and you’re looking for a matchup to try him
in, this one has some potential.
Rico Dowdle dazzled in his revenge game against Dallas, racking
up 239 total yards on 34 touches during Carolina’s Week 6 win.
Since Chuba Hubbard’s calf injury, Dowdle has gone nuclear with
473 total yards across two games, forcing the Panthers’ hand in
what was once a committee backfield.
Hubbard’s return could complicate things—coaches
often defer to injured starters—but Dowdle has earned at
least a 50/50 split, if not a larger role.
The Jets have been solid against RBs on paper, but they’ve
allowed 99+ all-purpose yards to a lead back in four of six games,
giving Dowdle a sturdy floor even in a tougher matchup. With a
touch floor around 12 and upside well into the 20s, he’s
a strong RB2 play regardless of Hubbard’s status.
Patience finally paid off for Tetairoa McMillan managers in Week
6. Despite logging his fewest targets of the season (5), the rookie
delivered a breakout game with 3 catches for 29 yards and 2 TDs,
showing elite efficiency after eight-plus targets in every prior
contest.
This week brings a major litmus test: likely coverage from Sauce
Gardner, who’s been as stingy as advertised. If McMillan
can produce in this matchup, he’ll solidify himself as a
weekly lineup lock. For now, he’s a high-variance WR2 --
capable of both splash plays and quiet nights.
Chuba Hubbard returned to practice Tuesday, but reclaiming his
old role isn’t guaranteed. Dowdle’s back-to-back dominant
performances have shifted the backfield dynamics, and Hubbard’s
early-season play didn’t exactly demand feature-back treatment.
The most likely scenario is a timeshare with Dowdle leading,
and against a Jets defense that’s held RBs in check for
most of the season, that makes Hubbard tough to trust. Until we
see how the workload shakes out, he’s a desperation flex
at best.
CAR FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.18
CAR FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.21
CAR FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.28
CAR FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.2
Breece Hall endured a rough Week 6, managing just 5.9 fantasy
points on 22 carries without a single target—his lowest involvement
in the passing game this season. But even in an ugly loss, the
usage told the story: this is still his backfield, with Isaiah
Davis touching the ball only three times.
Carolina’s run defense has stiffened lately, holding all backs
to 75 or fewer rushing yards since Week 1. But Hall’s elite workload
and role as the focal point of the offense, especially with Garrett
Wilson sidelined, keeps him locked in as a high-floor RB1 despite
the matchup.
Rookie Mason Taylor’s one-catch dud against Denver might
scare managers off, but a closer look offers reason for optimism.
Carolina has been abysmal against tight ends, allowing the top
opposing TE to score at least 9.9 fantasy points in every game
this season.
With Garrett Wilson (8+ targets per game) sidelined, Taylor should
see increased volume in a thin pass-catching group. He’s
volatile, but in a weak TE landscape, he’s a legit upside
swing at TE1.
Justin Fields bottomed out in Week 6, completing just 9-of-17
passes for 45 yards and no touchdowns, adding a modest 31 yards
on the ground. It was the kind of performance that fantasy managers
can’t ignore. The "Justin Fields Experience" has
always been a rollercoaster of mountainous highs and cavernous
lows, but this dud lacked even a ground-game salvage, rendering
it unacceptably poor for fantasy managers.
He now faces a Carolina defense that’s quietly ranked in
the top half against QBs, and he’ll likely be without Wilson
again. The Panthers have already contained mobile passers like
Kyler and Maye this year, and while Fields’ rushing ceiling
is higher, the floor is alarmingly low. He’s hard to bench,
but equally hard to trust as anything more than a boom-or-bust
QB2.
There’s no question Philadelphia’s offense has been
in a funk this season, struggling with balance from one game to
the next. Early on, it was the passing game that was nonexistent.
Then, in the last two weeks, Hurts threw for 563 yards. While
Brown didn’t do a lot in Week 5, he posted six catches for
80 yards during their Thursday night loss to the Giants. With
extra time to prepare for the Vikings, the defending champs have
no excuse not to come out focused and looking for ways to get
their top weapons more involved. The Vikings rank second in pass
defense, allowing just 157.6 yards per game, but that’s
a bit deceiving. Their five games this season featured three quarterbacks
with fewer than 10 career starts, including two that opened 2025
as backups. Minnesota hasn’t faced someone like Hurts, and
Brown feels overdue for a breakout effort. Play him as a WR3 and
hope he overdelivers.
Like Brown, Smith has fared better in the last two weeks, though
his best game came in Week 5 when he put up an 8-114-0 line against
the Broncos. Smith didn’t enter 2025 with the same top 10
fantasy expectations of his running mate, but most considered
him as a possible midrange WR2 or high-end WR3. He’s marginally
outperformed Brown overall, though Smith has only tallied more
than 60 yards in a game once this year. It’s possible that
the Vikings focus their efforts on slowing Brown, allowing Smith
to step up, but Brown has been the bigger threat since arriving
in Philly back in 2022. That makes Smith a shakier WR3 or flex
option this Sunday.
Fade: N/A
PHI FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.16
PHI FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.7
PHI FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.18
PHI FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.30
With Aaron Jones (hamstring) still on IR, Mason continues as
the lead back. In three games in that role, the former 49er has
averaged 75 yards rushing and 1 TD per game. He’s fumbled twice,
losing one, and isn’t a force in the passing game the way Jones
is, but Zavier Scott lost a fumble his last time out, and the
team doesn’t seem to see value in Cam Akers, so Mason remains
in line for a heavy workload. The Eagles had all kinds of trouble
with Cam Skattebo, who ran for three TDs, in Week 6, and Mason
has a similar build and powerful running style. He holds RB2 value
and could exceed that if he follows in Skattebo’s footsteps.
In two games since returning from suspension, Addison has posted
solid numbers, going off for a 4-114-0 line in his season debut
and then catching the game-winning TD before the Bye as part of
a five-catch, 41-yard effort. The issue is that Addison has been
very close to two complete duds. In Week 4, the USC product caught
an 81-yard pass with just over three minutes left when the Steelers
blew coverage and left him wide open; prior to that, he had three
catches for 33 yards. Then, in Week 5, his touchdown grab came
with 25 seconds left; before that, he had a 4-29-0 line. The point
is Addison did little in either game before one big play late.
That’s not a formula for sustained success, and it makes
him a risky flex.
As of this writing, it’s far from certain that McCarthy gets
the nod. He’s on record this week saying he’s not 100%, and he
was limited in practice on Thursday, which means we could see
Carson Wentz (shoulder) this Sunday. While it’s McCarthy’s name
on the designation, both he and Wentz would fit the bill as fade
candidates. McCarthy struggled for most of his first two NFL starts,
and Wentz has been uneven, putting up his best numbers in a loss
while functioning as more of a game manager in two wins. No matter
who takes the snaps for the Vikings in Week 7, they don’t belong
in your lineup.
Jakobi Meyers’ four targets in Week 6 matched a season low, but
he converted all four for 39 yards, continuing to build chemistry
with Geno Smith. Over the past two games, the pair has connected
on 80% of Meyers’ targets. With Las Vegas likely to be forced
into a pass-heavy script against Kansas City, Meyers should see
increased volume.
There are, however, variables to monitor: Meyers missed Thursday’s
practice with knee and toe issues, and trade rumors have suddenly
surfaced. If active and still with the Raiders, he should push
beyond his 7 targets/game average, making him a flex option with
WR2 upside—especially if the Raiders are playing from behind.
Tre Tucker also showed strong rapport with Geno Smith last week,
catching all five of his targets for 70 yards. With Brock Bowers
sidelined, Tucker has quietly flirted with WR3 relevance, and
that role could grow if Meyers misses Week 7 or is moved.
Tight end Michael Mayer made his return from injury in Bowers’
absence and posted a solid 5/50/1 line. The Chiefs have allowed
the fifth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season, but
with limited veteran pass-catching options in the Raiders’
offense, Mayer carries deep-league intrigue as long as Bowers
is out.
Geno Smith threw his league-leading 10th interception in what
should have been a soft matchup against Tennessee. With Brock
Bowers still sidelined and trade rumors swirling around Meyers,
it’s hard to build a case for starting him against Kansas
City. Even if game script leads to volume, his floor remains low.
LV FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.20
LV FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.16
LV FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.6
LV FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.25
Xavier Worthy finally found the end zone last week, though it
came on a quiet stat line (4 targets, 26 total yards). He’s
still averaging 7 targets per game since returning from injury,
with Kansas City consistently scheming in 1–2 designed runs
to get the ball in his hands. Against a Raiders defense that’s
surrendered six touchdowns to opposing WRs, Worthy carries strong
WR2 upside in Week 7.
Rashee Rice returns from a six-week suspension and a significant
injury, making his usage one of Week 7’s biggest wild cards.
He could slide right back into a full role—or see his workload
ramp up gradually. His talent is undeniable, but he’s a
volatile flex option in his first game back.
Kareem Hunt hasn’t topped 57 total yards in any game this
season, so his fantasy value is touchdown-dependent. Fortunately,
the matchup helps: Las Vegas has allowed seven rushing TDs to
opposing RBs in the past five weeks, making Hunt a reasonable
flex consideration for managers looking to patch holes.
Travis Kelce has seen reduced target volume (likely to dip below
six per game with Rice back), but he’s producing his best YAC
numbers in years (6.2 YAC/reception). The Raiders’ season-long
numbers against tight ends look solid, but recent results tell
a different story—Tyler Warren went for 12.4 fantasy points two
weeks ago, and Chig Okonkwo with David Martin-Robinson combined
for 14.2 last week. Kelce remains a back-end TE1 with efficiency-driven
upside, though his ceiling now hinges more on big plays than sheer
volume.
While Pacheco’s 12 carries last week were encouraging,
Kansas City has little reason to lean heavier on the run with
their full receiving corps finally healthy. The Raiders’
soft run defense could lead to another touchdown opportunity—but
Hunt is more likely to benefit from those looks than Pacheco.
At this point, Pacheco offers a fairly low ceiling and is best
viewed as a borderline bench stash in Week 7.
Jaxson Dart has thrown for no more than 202 yards in any of his
three starts, with two interceptions in his only game above 25
pass attempts. His fantasy appeal comes entirely from his legs,
not his arm — and that’s a risky profile against a
Broncos defense that just held the Jets under 100 total yards.
The silver lining: Dart has taken only three sacks over the last
two games and already looks more polished as a passer than Justin
Fields. That offers some hope he can deliver just enough through
the air to supplement his rushing output. But with a thin receiving
corps and limited experience, his floor is still extremely low.
Having run for at least 50 yards in each start, Dart is a serviceable
option in superflex or deep leagues, but he’s a desperation
play in standard formats.
Wan’Dale Robinson has seen 7+ targets in four of six games this
year (and both since Malik Nabers landed on IR), but he’s managed
32 or fewer yards in four of those six. Two of those came with
Dart at quarterback.
Against an elite Broncos secondary, Robinson is more likely to
disappear again than replicate last week’s 6-84-1 line.
With Dart unlikely to post a big passing day, Robinson’s
floor is too low to trust in Week 7.
NYG FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.15
NYG FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.10
NYG FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.3
NYG FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.22
J.K. Dobbins was bottled up by the Jets last week (40 rushing
yards, 1 target), but Denver’s backfield usage leaves little doubt
about his role. RJ Harvey saw just two carries, and no other Bronco
had more than one. Dobbins remains the clear RB1 and should rebound
against a Giants defense allowing steady production to opposing
backs. He’s a solid RB2.
Courtland Sutton also had a quiet Week 6 (1-17-0 on 3 targets),
but the matchup is tailor-made for a bounce back. New York has
allowed the most receptions and yards to opposing WRs this season.
Sutton is a strong WR2 with WR1 upside this week.
Tight end Evan Engram has seen at least six targets in each of
the last three games since returning from injury. He’s yet to
post a big game (42 yards max in that stretch), but the Giants
have been routinely beaten by tight ends — Dallas Goedert put
up 21.5 against them in Week 6, and both Jake Ferguson and Zach
Ertz reached double digits earlier this year. With Bo Nix likely
looking to get the ball out quickly against a fierce pass rush,
Engram has top-5 TE upside this week.
Despite facing Jayden Daniels, Dak Prescott, Patrick Mahomes,
Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts, the Giants rank just 15th in
fantasy points allowed to QBs. That’s not an inviting matchup
for Bo Nix, who sits 22nd in FPts/G and has been held under 16
points in four of six games. He’s been better of late (19 FPts/G
over the last three), but this still shapes up as a high-end QB2
spot rather than a breakout opportunity.
Troy Franklin’s volume has dipped since Evan Engram returned
to health — just nine targets over the last two weeks. But
against a beatable Giants secondary, his speed and big-play ability
give him flex upside, especially if this game tilts in Denver’s
favor.
RJ Harvey saw just two carries last week in a game where Denver
controlled the Jets, and his snap share has dipped over the last
two weeks. Outside of very deep leagues where his modest 3.5 receptions
per game might have some utility, he’s not a viable option.
He’ll need a meaningful role change before becoming startable
again.
Los Angeles has been stingy against opposing receivers overall
(3rd-fewest fantasy points allowed), but that hasn’t extended
to opposing WR1s. Excluding early exits from Xavier Worthy and
Malik Nabers, WR1s are averaging 6.5 receptions, 94 yards, and
0.5 TDs against the Chargers this season. Courtland Sutton (20.8
points) and Deebo Samuel (19.6 points) both cleared 19 fantasy
points in Weeks 3 and 5.
Pittman, currently WR17 in FPts/G, profiles as a solid WR2 with
legitimate WR1 upside in this matchup.
Daniel Jones enters Week 7 ranked as the QB10 in FPts/G. He’ll
face a Chargers defense that has forced multiple QBs into three-interception
games and hasn’t yet allowed more than one passing touchdown
in a contest.
The one area where the Chargers have struggled is containing
mobile quarterbacks—they’ve allowed the second-most
rushing yards and two rushing scores to the position. Jones’
mobility and accuracy give him a strong floor in an offense that
can stress defenses horizontally and vertically. His ceiling is
capped a bit here, but he remains a high-end QB2.
Even with 15 targets and 12 catches over the last two weeks,
this isn’t the spot to rely on Josh Downs. The Chargers
have smothered secondary and tertiary receivers all year, and
even if Downs clears the concussion protocol, he’s best
left on the bench in Week 7.
IND FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.17
IND FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.25
IND FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.5
IND FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.17
The Colts have faced a soft slate of opposing quarterbacks but
have still allowed 20+ fantasy points three times. Jacoby Brissett
was the latest to post a strong outing, throwing for 320 yards
and two scores. A cooled-off Justin Herbert (QB13 in FPts/G) should
bounce back here as a confident QB1 option.
Quentin Johnston returned to full practice and is on track to
play after missing last week. In his absence, Ladd McConkey delivered
a vintage performance, going 7-100-1 and scoring for the second
straight game. With the Colts allowing the fifth-most points to
opposing WRs and likely missing star corner Charvarius Ward (concussion),
both Johnston and McConkey carry WR1 upside in what could be a
high-scoring game.
At running back, Kimani Vidal handled the bulk of touches in
Week 6 and erupted for 124 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown.
The Colts haven’t allowed massive RB blowups but have given
up at least 10.9 points to a back in every game this season. There’s
some risk of a hot-hand split, but Vidal’s upside keeps
him firmly in RB2 territory.
Keenan Allen started the season hot, clearing 60 yards and scoring
in each of the first three games. Since then, he hasn’t
surpassed 60 yards or found the end zone, despite averaging nearly
8 targets per game over that stretch.
With a crowded receiver room and just 9.6 yards per reception
on the year, Allen may be the “odd man out” in terms
of ceiling. He’s still a viable—if streaky—flex
option in Week 7.
Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt didn’t light up the fantasy
scoreboard during Washington’s Week 6 loss to Chicago, but
his 17 carries for 61 yards and a seven-yard reception reaffirmed
his status as the Commanders’ clear bell-cow. It was his
second straight game with at least 16 touches, and no other Washington
back made a meaningful dent in the workload.
The efficiency hasn’t fully popped yet, but the usage profile
is borderline elite—and it’s coming at the perfect time. With
Jayden Daniels back under center and Terry McLaurin (quad) potentially
returning, this offense has room to climb.
Dallas’ defense has been a sieve against opposing backfields,
allowing 150+ all-purpose yards to the RB1 in three straight games.
It’s an ideal spot for Croskey-Merritt to bounce back with
volume and scoring upside. He’s a strong start in Week 7
despite last week’s modest output.
The Cowboys have been a dream matchup for fantasy players all
season, with their defense collapsing across the board. The one
area where they’ve been passable is against tight ends,
roughly league average—but that’s mostly been against
weaker competition. The best TEs they’ve faced (Goedert,
Kraft, Mason Taylor) have all produced usable fantasy lines.
Ertz is coming off a 6/43/1 performance in Week 6, and while
his ceiling isn’t massive, he’s been a steady option
at a volatile position. He’s a viable streamer again here.
Deebo Samuel was one of Week 6’s bigger disappointments—five
targets, four catches, just 15 yards in a soft matchup. But this
week’s outlook is much brighter. The Cowboys have given
up more fantasy points to opposing WRs than any other team in
the league and by a comfortable margin. Nine receivers have already
posted double-digit PPR games against them, and they’ve
allowed an average of two WR touchdowns per week.
If McLaurin (quad) sits again, Samuel could step into a larger
role and be a borderline WR1. If McLaurin plays, Samuel’s
volume may dip, but he remains a strong WR2/Flex thanks to the
matchup.
Terry McLaurin is expected back at practice this week, putting
him on track to return against Dallas. He missed practice Thursday
so keep track of his status over the weekend. Washington has clearly
missed his ability to stretch the field, and his presence would
boost the offense overall.
However, after missing three straight games, McLaurin is unlikely
to return to a full workload immediately. Snap count limitations
and a restricted route tree are both realistic concerns. The matchup
against Dallas’ leaky defense alone makes him playable,
but expectations should be tempered in his first game back.
WAS FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.11
WAS FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.14
WAS FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.9
WAS FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.23
If Dallas had even a middle-of-the-pack defense, Dak Prescott
might be in the MVP conversation. He’s thrown 13 touchdowns with
just three interceptions through six weeks, leads the league in
attempts, and sits second in passing yards—all without CeeDee
Lamb since Week 3.
He now gets a Commanders defense ranked in the bottom 12 against
fantasy QBs. Outside of holding Russell Wilson in check back in
Week 1, they’ve struggled against quality passers. Prescott’s
high-volume role gives him one of the strongest floors at the
position. He’s a confident QB1 play again this week.
Javonte Williams’ streak of five straight double-digit PPR games
ended in Week 6 as Carolina bottled him up for 29 yards on 13
carries. He salvaged some value with five catches—already the
third time he’s hit that number this year. With Miles Sanders
on IR and only rookie Jaydon Blue behind him, Williams remains
the unquestioned workhorse in a pass-heavy offense.
The Commanders were torched by D’Andre Swift on Monday
night but have otherwise kept opposing RBs in check—no other
back has topped 84 rushing yards against them this season, and
they’ve allowed just three rushing scores to the position.
Williams remains a solid start, but his ceiling is capped more
at RB2 levels this week.
CeeDee Lamb is trending toward returning after a three-game absence,
and it’s tough to imagine managers sitting him if he’s
active. Still, the high ankle sprain he suffered is a real concern—this
is the type of injury that can linger well beyond the return date.
He’s been limited in practice all week.
The matchup is juicy, and Lamb always carries WR1 upside in Dallas’
passing attack. The Commanders have not been good at defending
opposing wide receivers, and the Cowboys’ passing game has
been excellent, so he’s got the potential to get right back
to WR1 territory, but there’s also the chance that he’s
limited in his first game back. This “fade” recommendation
is more for DFS, but seasonal league managers should be aware
that this is a risky situation unless we hear reliable reports
that Lamb is back to full health before Sunday’s game.
Tucker Kraft enters Week 7 ranked seventh among tight ends in
fantasy scoring (10.8 FPts/G), and the matchup couldn’t
be more favorable. The Cardinals have allowed the most receptions
to opposing tight ends this season, putting Kraft firmly in the
mix for a top-five finish at the position this week.
The Cardinals’ pass defense has been inconsistent. They were
torched by Calvin Ridley in Week 5 (5-131-0) but locked down Michael
Pittman Jr. last week (2-20-0). Notably, they’ve struggled most
with receivers who can stretch the field—Ricky Pearsall, Tetairoa
McMillan, and Ridley all went over 100 yards against them. That
plays directly to Matthew Golden’s strengths as a downfield threat,
making him an appealing flex option in Week 7.
Jordan Love currently ranks 16th in fantasy points per game (19.0)
and draws a Cardinals defense that has allowed the 12th-fewest
points to QBs so far. That number, however, is a bit misleading:
none of the quarterbacks they’ve faced ranks higher than
QB10 on the season. Game script could also limit Love’s
ceiling. He’s averaging just 29.3 pass attempts per game,
and the Packers may not need to air it out to control this matchup.
Love projects as an upper-mid QB2 with a stable floor but modest
ceiling this week.
Fade: N/A
GB FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.23
GB FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.31
GB FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.15
GB FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.4
Marvin Harrison Jr. remains in concussion protocol as of Thursday,
putting his Week 7 status in serious doubt. If cleared, he’ll
face a Packers secondary that has struggled to contain opposing
WR1s recently—George Pickens and Ja’Marr Chase both topped 20
fantasy points against them over the last two games. If Harrison
plays, he’s a back-end WR2. If he doesn’t, the Cardinals’ passing
attack takes a major hit.
Fade: Cardinals QBs, Cardinals RBs
Kyler Murray
(foot) has been limited in practice, throwing to practice squad
receivers while Jacoby
Brissett has taken first-team reps. All signs point to Brissett
starting, but even if Murray is active, this isn’t a matchup to
exploit.
Green Bay has allowed just 5.5 yards per pass attempt and completely
neutralized rushing QBs, giving up only 18 rushing yards to the
position all season. A depleted receiving corps without Harrison
would only make things worse. Murray would be no more than a QB2
here.
The Cardinals’ backfield offers no clarity or upside. Whether
it’s Bam Knight,
Michael Carter,
or a split, facing a Packers defense that has allowed just 3.7
yards per carry and 4.1 yards per reception to RBs doesn’t leave
enough ceiling to justify a start.
Drake London has caught fire after a quiet start to the season.
Following three straight games under 55 yards, he’s now
posted back-to-back 100+ yard performances, including a dominant
10/158/1 line on 16 targets in Week 6. After averaging 13.6 fantasy
points per game a year ago, he’s up to 14.1 this season
and looks every bit like a borderline WR1 heading into a matchup
with San Francisco.
Tyler Allgeier has averaged 11 touches per game and already found
the end zone three times, giving him streaming value in the right
matchups. This week, he gets one of those: the 49ers have surrendered
the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing RBs and will be without
All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. Tampa Bay exploited that weakness
in Week 6, punching in scores with both Rachaad White and Sean
Tucker. Allgeier profiles as a viable RB3/flex this week, especially
if Atlanta can keep the game script neutral.
Michael Penix Jr. offers very little rushing production, meaning
he typically needs to push 300 passing yards to have a meaningful
fantasy outing. He’s thrown just four touchdowns on the
year in an offense built around its dynamic backfield, making
him a low-end QB2 against a 49ers defense that’s still capable
of limiting big plays.
Meanwhile, Darnell Mooney has just seven receptions for 79 yards
on 16 targets over three games. Even if he suits up this week,
he’s unlikely to make a meaningful impact against a defense
that has allowed the 13th-fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts.
ATL FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.28
ATL FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.30
ATL FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.27
ATL FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.32
George Kittle appears on track to return this weekend. If active,
he’s a locked-in top-three TE1 regardless of who starts
at quarterback. His presence alone elevates the passing game and
provides a high-value red-zone weapon.
Mac Jones and Brock Purdy are both dealing with injuries, though
Jones has practiced in full while Purdy remains limited. Atlanta’s
defense has quietly stifled opposing QBs, including holding Josh
Allen to just 180 yards and two picks last week.
If Jones starts, the 49ers should have a steadier passing attack—especially
with Kittle back—making him a high-end QB2. If Purdy goes,
expectations should be lowered to a mid-range QB2.
Ricky Pearsall has yet to return to practice and looks unlikely
to play. Should he suit up, he’d be a low-end flex against a Falcons
secondary that’s allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to WRs.
Kendrick Bourne, meanwhile, has erupted in Pearsall’s absence
with 142 receiving yards in each of his last two games. But the
likely return of Kittle will eat into that volume, and Atlanta’s
defense won’t be caught off guard this time. Bourne projects
as a WR3 if Jones starts and a WR4 with Purdy.
Jauan Jennings is dealing with multiple injuries—including
broken ribs by his own admission—and faces a tough matchup
against a disciplined Atlanta defense. He’s likely to function
more as a decoy than a meaningful fantasy asset this week.
With Bucky Irving (shoulder) set to miss his third consecutive
game, White will function as the lead back once again. The past
two weeks, White has averaged 79 total yards and scored three
times. He can’t match Irving in terms of explosiveness, and he’ll
cede a handful of touches to Sean Tucker, who scored in Week 7,
but he’s a capable receiver out of the backfield that should see
plenty of work. Detroit has been a middling group defensively,
and though it’s their secondary that’s short-handed, the Bucs
may still try to ride White early and often on Monday night as
they try to limit the number of snaps the Lions’ explosive offense
gets. Consider White an RB2.
You could go with just about any Bucs pass catcher here, as the
team will be without both Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) and Chris Godwin
(leg) against the Lions. The thinking is that Evans will return
from a three-week absence, making him a difficult cover for Detroit’s
threadbare defensive backfield. If he does, plug him right back
into your lineup as a WR3 with serious upside. If Evans can’t
return, Sterling Shepard would become playable as a flex/WR3.
Either way, there’s some juice with Otton. Invisible throughout
the month of September, Otton has tallied nine catches for 132
yards in the past two games and heads into Monday night with some
sneaky TE1 potential.
Fade: N/A
TB FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.9
TB FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.13
TB FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.19
TB FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.14
One of the more interesting statistical items from Week 6 belongs
to Goff. From Weeks 3-5, when Detroit posted 36.3 points per game,
Goff averaged 209 yards and 2 TDs. Last Sunday night, when Detroit
scored 17 points, Goff passed for 203 yards and 2 TDs. That’s
nearly identical production from the quarterback while the offense
scored less than half as many points. That, in a nutshell, is
why it’s so hard to decide whether or not to slide Goff into your
starting lineup each week. It’s a dilemma again this Monday. Tampa
Bay is better against the run, and last year when Goff threw for
307 yards against the Bucs it doubled as one of just two games
all season without a touchdown pass. He’s a risk/reward option
as a low-end QB1.
In six games this season, Williams has made an impact in two.
In Week 2, he turned two catches into 108 yards and a score. Last
Sunday night, he posted a 6-66-1 line. In his other four games,
Jamo has just nine receptions, 115 yards, and no TDs combined.
He’s become one of the poster boys for lottery-ticket production
alongside other designated deep threats like New Orleans’
Rashid Shaheed. A year ago, against the Bucs, he had a season-high
11 targets and finished with a respectable 79 yards on five grabs.
He’s been far more inconsistent this year, however, and
he’s very difficult to rely on. Consider him no more than
a desperation WR3.
C.J. Stroud has caught fire since Christian Kirk entered the
lineup, throwing four touchdown passes with an 85% completion
rate in his last outing. On the season, he’s completing 71% of
his throws and showing increased mobility—already halfway to last
year’s rushing total.
But Houston continues to limit his volume. Stroud has topped
30 pass attempts just once and hasn’t yet reached 300 passing
yards this season. A dominant defense and shaky offensive line
have kept the Texans from needing to lean heavily on his arm.
His improved scrambling and red zone efficiency offer upside,
but against a strong Seattle defense, he’s best viewed as
a mid-to-low QB2 and a consideration for managers in need.
Christian Kirk adds a new dimension to this offense, but with
just a 58% snap share and a passing game averaging under 30 attempts
per contest, the path to weekly fantasy relevance is narrow. His
role could grow as the year progresses, but for now, he’s
too risky to trust.
Nick Chubb handled most of the work last week and continues to
offer big-play potential, but Seattle has been a brick wall against
the run—allowing just one back to top 50 yards and only
two rushing touchdowns all season. That makes Chubb a tough start
in Week 7.
The Seahawks’ lone vulnerability has been in the passing
game against running backs, having surrendered the most receptions
and yards to the position. Woody Marks flashed with a 4-50-1 receiving
line in Week 4 but has just four targets across all other games
combined. His inconsistent usage makes him a bench stash, not
a starter.
HOU FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.32
HOU FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.24
HOU FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.29
HOU FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.27
Sam Darnold has been red hot of late—seventh among QBs
in FPts/G over the last three weeks and averaging 318 passing
yards and three scores over his past two games. But the Texans
defense is an entirely different challenge. They’ve held
three straight QBs under 10 fantasy points and haven’t allowed
anyone to top 20 all year.
Darnold remains playable as a high-end QB2, but expectations
need to be tempered against this stingy secondary.
Meanwhile, Zach Charbonnet remains locked in a timeshare with
Kenneth Walker and has been inefficient on the ground (under 3
YPC). His value is tied almost entirely to touchdown chances.
Fortunately, Houston has allowed five rushing scores in five games,
giving Charbonnet some deep-flex appeal in a matchup that could
come down to red zone execution.
Kenneth Walker ranks just RB23 in total fantasy points despite
Charbonnet missing time earlier in the season. Since Charbonnet’s
return, Walker has managed just 9.1 and 4.2 fantasy points over
the last two weeks and has failed to reach double digits three
times overall.
In a tough matchup against a Texans defense that has smothered
opposing run games, Walker is the odd man out in this backfield.
He’s best left on benches in Week 7.
