Trashman’s Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 7 of the 2023 NFL Season

It’s Week 7 and we’ve got to keep our heads on a swivel to keep up with the injuries and inefficiencies. This is the fallout going into this week’s games…

 

Broncos – 8 @ Chiefs – 19

• The Broncos offense is a garbage fire most weeks, and WK6 was no different. Jaleel McLaughlin(9/42) and Javonte Williams(10/52) are cannibalizing each other’s fantasy value, with each hovering around 10 touches. As long as they’re both on the field, we’re lucky to get deep league PPR flex value from either.

 

• Jerry Jeudy is expected to be traded before the deadline, opening up snaps for Marvin Mims. The Broncos have a brutal schedule up ahead, but Mims’ playmaking ability should provide enough upside to warrant fantasy consideration. He’s available in 75% of leagues.

 

• Rashee Rice‘s 4 targets were only the 4th most on the Chiefs Thursday, but his 72 yards were 2nd to only Travis Kelce. He continues to climb the fantasy ladder, and with the Chargers, Broncos and Dolphins up in the next 3 weeks, now is the perfect time to add him to your arsenal.

 

Commanders – 24 @ Falcons – 16

• Say what you want, but Curtis Samuel(4/42/1) has been better in fantasy than Jahan Dotson(0/0) thus far in the season. Despite putting up double (285/2) the offense, Dotson is 104/1 on the season, Samuel is owned in half the leagues Dotson is. Don’t get it twisted. Samuel is the better play.

 

• Jonnu Smith(4/36/1) and Kyle Pitts(4/43/1) continue to run neck and neck in fantasy. They have tough matchups in 4 of the next 5 games, so basically you’re hoping for scores from either aside from Miami in WK9.

 

Seahawks – 13 @ Bengals – 17

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba(4/48) is droppable, and what is happening with him is exactly why I didn’t have him ranked as high as some of my peers coming into the season. He’s almost completely reliant on his situation, and his situation is that he’s 3rd in the pecking order on a run first offense.

 

• Tyler Boyd(7/38/1) has had no fewer than 7 targets in his last 5 games, but he’s topped 39 yards in just one of those contests. If he’s not scoring TDs, he’s not a fantasy asset.

 

• Tee Higgins(2/20) had a quiet game, but he seemingly didn’t suffer any setbacks from his rib injury. Higgins has only had one fantasy viable game this season, and with the bye this week he makes for an intriguing buy low candidate, as the Bengals continue to regain their winning form.

 

Colts – 20 @ Jaguars – 37

• Trevor Lawrence suffered a knee sprain and is questionable for WK7. CJ Beatherd would get this start if Lawrence can’t go, downgrading all Jags WRs considerably. Evan Engram could actually see a boost in looks.

 

• Zack Moss‘(13/59/1) 7 carries were a far cry from the 23 he had in WK5, but his 6 catches put him in double-digit touches. Jonathan Taylor(13/65) carried the ball one more time than Moss, and it looks like the switch up is happening. Hopefully Moss can retain some flex appeal, but the writing is on the wall. You might be able to get some trade value for Moss, but this might be the last week you can.

 

• Josh Downs(5/21/1)was 2nd in team targets(8). His day was saved by a TD, but the targets are still encouraging. He needs to be owned in most formats.

 

Panthers – 21 @ Dolphins – 42

• Chuba Hubbard(20/90/1) looked better to me than Miles Sanders has as lead back in Carolina. His 4.6 YPC was solid too. The Panthers have a bye this week, but Hubbard needs to be owned in all formats.

 

• Even in what should’ve been a shootout with the Dolphins, the Panthers couldn’t get much going through the air outside of Adam Thielen(11/115/1). DJ Chark(3/26) was 2nd with 6 targets.

 

• Salvon Ahmed(9/34/1) was 2nd in touches behind Raheem Mostert, with Chris Brooks going down to an ankle injury. If Jeff Wilson can’t go this week, Ahmed will have limited flex appeal against a solid Eagles front.

 

Vikings – 19 @ Bears – 13

• Not sure why Cam Akers(2/15) is still owned in 66% of leagues. The Rams knew what we’re all finding out. Don’t hold onto him too long.

 

• The Vikings passing game was pretty anemic without Justin Jefferson around. Both Kj Osborn(4/48) and Jordan Addison(3/28/1) got 5 targets a piece behind TJ Hockenson(8) and Alexander Mattison(7). They’ll both be PPR flexes this week against the 49ers.

 

• D’Onta Foreman(16/62) led the backfield with 16 touches Sunday, and Darrynton Evans(10/34) had double digit touches behind him. Foreman will be a decent start this week against Vegas if Roschon Johnson can’t make it out of concussion protocol. Evans might also be a deep league flex if Justin Fields(thumb) can’t make it back and they have to depend on Tyson Bagent or Nathan Peterman as passer.

 

Ravens – 24 @ Titans – 16

• Ryan Tannehill went down with an ankle injury in the 3rd quarter of this one. Malik Willis relieved him and actually completed 4 of 5 for 74 yards, but all Titans pass-catchers would be downgraded if Tannehill can’t go coming out of the bye this week. Make sure Tyjae Spears isn’t owned in your league, as he could play a major safety blanket role.

 

49ers – 17 @ Browns – 19

• Christian McCaffrey suffered oblique and rub injuries Sunday and is questionable for WK7 as of now. Jordan Mason(5/27/1) and Elijah Mitchell(2/-3) are the immediate beneficiaries if CMC can’t go against the Vikings.

 

• The Browns won the game but PJ Walker(18/192/0/2) was hardly fantasy viable at QB. It looks like Deshaun Watson could miss multiple games, so Walker is likely to start this week against Indy. It’ll be an easier matchup than SF, but all Browns pass-catchers are downgraded. Amari Cooper is the only one really worth starting, though David Njoku could offer some value as a safety blanket.

 

• Kareen Hunt(15/61/1) played behind Jerome Ford(19/91), but he got enough touches to warrant flex consideration this week. He’s still available in 64% of leagues.

 

Saints – 13 @ Texans – 20

• 4 players had more targets than Rashid Shaheed(4/103/1), who had 6, but Shaheed had the best fantasy day of any pass-catcher. Only 2 of his touches were catches, and that’s concerning, but his upside in DFS formats is palpable.

 

• Devin Singletary(13/62) is running better than Dameon Pierce(13/34) behind the Texans’ bad O-line. They have a bye this week, but they face the Panthers in WK8, a team that shrinks to the run. Singletary makes for a desperation RB streamer that week.

 

• Dalton Schultz(4/61/1) scored for a 3rd straight week. The connection I noticed in camp between CJ Stroud and him has come into fruition. He needs to be owned in all formats.

 

Patriots – 17 @ Raiders – 21

• Kendrick Bourne(12/93) is the closest thing the Pats have to a no.1 WR. The Pats will have their work cut out for them against the Bills this week, but Bourne could see enough targets to stay viable in PPR.

 

• Zeke Elliott(8/49/1) scored his first TD of the season in a game that Rhamondre Stevenson left at one point due to multiple injuries. Stevenson was able to return at the end, but he’ll need to be monitored this week. If he can’t go Elliott makes for a volume based flex in most formats.

 

• TE Michael Mayer‘s(5/75) looks have gone up these last 2 weeks. The Raiders seem committed to getting him the ball more, and he makes for a fair streaming option against Chicago this week.

 

Lions – 20 @ Buccaneers – 6

• David Montgomery suffered a rib injury Sunday, leaving Craig Reynolds(12/43) to helm the backfield. Reynolds is a must add this week with Jahmyr Gibbs also unlikely to play.

 

• Jameson Williams(2/53/1) showed off his speed on a 45 yard TD grab Sunday, displaying why we were interested in him in the first place. He’s going to need more than 3 targets a game to be taken seriously, but his arrow is up.

 

• The Bucs attempted to get Ke’Shawn Vaughn(6/9) more involved in the running game with Rachaad White(10/39) being pretty ineffective, but Vaughn couldn’t capitalize. It might be time to take a look at rookie Sean Tucker.

 

• Trey Palmer(2/47) didn’t have a great line, but he did garner 7 targets on the day. A couple of his targets would have been big plays, but Baker Mayfield is starting to turn into a pumpkin.

 

Cardinals – 9 @ Rams – 26

• Keaontay Ingram(12/54) had a career high 40 yards on the ground Sunday, leading the Arizona backfield, Damien Williams(9/44) was the backup, while Emari Demercado(3/19) picked up the scraps. Ingram is the closest thing to a flex this week against Seattle.

 

• Puka Nacua(4/26) only had 2 less targets(7) than Cooper Kupp(7/148/1), but Kupp(9 tgt) did more with his looks. Nacua is still worth starting.

 

• Both Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers sustained injuries on Sunday, and both are questionable for WK 7. Zach Evans will be the immediate add this week, though Royce Freeman could get touches too.

 

Eagles – 14 @ Jets – 20

• Defense ruled in this one. The Jets managed a win in spite of Zach Wilson throwing less than 200 yards. Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall and Tyler Conklin are the only Jets worth fantasy consideration.

 

Giants – 9 @ Bills – 14

• Darius Slayton(4/69) led the Giants in receiving yards, but Wan’Dale Robinson(8/62) had the most targets on the day. Robinson gets more involved every week and needs to be owned in most formats.

 

• Tyrod Taylor(24/200) was actually kind of an improvement over Daniel Jones(neck), though he didn’t score. If Jones can’t go, Taylor could keep Giants WRs in the fantasy conversation against the Commanders this week.

 

• Latavius Murray(12/45) got double digit touches with Damien Harris suffering a scary neck injury. Harris should be ok, but he will probably miss this week’s tilt with New England. Murray could actually serve as a deep league flex this week if so.