The Fantasy Fallout Going Into Week 7 of the NFL Season

Major injuries and otherwise earth shaking fantasy news follow Week 6’s slate of games. We’ll suss it all out in the fallout going into Week 7…

 

Commanders – 12 @ Bears – 7

• Snoozefest of a game, but at least we now know that Brian Robinson(17/60/1) is the lead back in Washington. Antonio Gibson(8/53) caught 3 passes and looks like he’s transitioning to the pass-catching element in the backfield, potentially leaving Jd Mckissic(2/20) out in the cold.

 

• Turns out Carson Wentz is exactly who we thought he was. He fractured his hand on Thursday, possibly opening the door for rookie Sam Howell to get snaps. Howell was one of my favorite QBs at this year’s Senior Bowl, and he can’t be much worse than Wentz, even at this juncture – Taylor Heinicke is currently listed as the backup though. Regardless of who starts, queue up the Packers defense this week.

 

• It’s obvious to me that Khalil Herbert is the most dynamic and efficient back in Chicago, once again out gaining David Montgomery on fewer touches, posting 75 yards on 7 carries. We may have a bit of an Elliott/Pollard situation though, where the Bears have just decided to run the wheels off of Montgomery. Anyway, it’s a positive move from last week, when Herbert only got 4 touches.

 

• Dante Pettis(4/84/1) had a solid outing, but he literally hadn’t caught a pass since week 1. The Bears offense is just too unpredictable to rely on any of their pass catchers on a weekly basis.

 

Jaguars – 27 @ Colts – 34

• Travis Etienne(12/108) has a Khalil Herbert problem, as he is out playing James Robinson yet remains the no.2. Fortunately, he’s getting enough touches to keep him in flex consideration every week.

 

• Deon Jackson(22/121/2) did his best Jonathan Taylor impersonation Sunday, buoying a win against Jacksonville. It’s unlikely that Jackson makes another start this week, but it’d be prudent to hold onto him just in case.

 

• Parris Campbell(7/57/1) finally put up some numbers we can deal with, but he probably did it on everyone’s bench. Ashton Dulin going to IR might open things up for Campbell, in addition to the fact that the Colts won the game with his help. Matt Ryan is a shadow of his former self, so maybe he’ll realize that going to Campbell underneath helps his cause.

 

49ers – 14 @ Falcons – 28

• Jimmy Garoppolo finally realized that he and Brandon Aiyuk(8/83/2) play on the same team, peppering Aiyuk with 11 targets on the day. I think his usage was largely predicated on the 49ers falling behind by 14 in the 1st quarter, but I see a similar game script developing this week against KC. Start him.

 

• Caleb Huntley(16/59) and Tyler Allgeier(15/51) split touches almost evenly on Sunday, with Cordarrelle Patterson still on IR. Allgeier is the 1A, but the difference seems negligible. Huntley is a deep league flex in Week 7.

 

Bengals – 30 @ Saints – 26

• Tee Higgins told reporters he played at 85% on Sunday, which means he was probably really about 60%. He came out on the other side no worse for the wear it seems though, so he should be good to go this week.

 

• Tre’Quan Smith(3/43/1) led the Saints in receiving on Sunday, though Marquez Callaway(3/36) led the way in targets(7). Chris Olave might get out of concussion protocol by this Thursday, but if not, Smith and Callaway could be of use, as Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry are already unlikely to play.  
• Taysom Hill wasn’t quite the fantasy boon we all wanted him to be in Wk 6, but it was evident that he was a major part of the game plan. With so many pass-catchers still slated to sit on this short week, it makes sense to stream Hill once again this week.

 

Jets – 27 @ Packers – 10

• With Breece Hall(22/121/1) running on 6 cylinders, the passing game is an afterthought for a Jets team on a hot streak. It makes sense to put as little of the onus as possible on Zach Wilson, so we could see a lot of unevenness when it comes to the Jets’ uber-talented WR corps. I’m trading Jets WRs where I can find takers.

 

• Randall Cobb left the game with an ankle injury, leaving Robert Tonyan(10/90) to absorb targets(12) underneath. From the looks of it, Cobb could be out for some time, so I’m adding Tonyan in all formats.

 

Patriots – 38 @ Browns – 15

• I said it last week, and I’ll say it again. Bailey Zappe(24/309/2) looks like a better NFL QB to me than Mac Jones. That being said, Jones may find his way back under center as soon as this week. If not, I don’t mind streaming Zappe against the Bears.

 

• Rookie Tyquan Thornton(4/37/1) is starting to see more targets(5), but it might be an artifact of the second team doctrine, in conjunction with Bailey Zappe. The true test will be if Thornton remains viable with Mac Jones under. Thornton is worth stashing, as he’s got true breakout potential – He was the fastest WR at this year’s Combine.

 

• Donovan Peoples-Jones(4/74) had a good game, which I would normally chalk up to game script, as the Browns were trailing most of the time, but he has topped 50 yards in his last 3 contests. DPJ offers some deep league flex appeal this week against the pass funnel defense of the Ravens.

 

Buccaneers – 18 @ Steelers – 20

• No new fantasy perspectives emerged from the fallout of this game, concerning Tampa Bay, other than maybe Cameron Brate suffering a second half neck injury. Cade Otton(2/23) could be in line for more targets this week.

 

• Kenny Pickett left the game in the 3rd quarter with what looked like a concussion on Sunday. Considering the climate in the NFL concerning concussions right now, he’s unlikely to play against Miami this week. Mitch Trubisky starting under center would lessen George Pickens‘ fantasy value, as he is Pickett’s favorite target but seems like an afterthought to Trubisky.

 

• Chase Claypool(7/96/1) had his best game of the season, with Mitch Trubisky at QB. Most of Claypool’s action came on the game-winning drive, and he has some juice going into a matchup with Miami this week. The Steelers are going to have to keep up with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, so maybe Claypool eats.

 

Ravens – 20 @ Giants – 24

• It was all Kenyan Drake(11/127/1) and Mark Andrews(7/106/1) in this one for the Ravens. JK Dobbins(7/15) left early with a knee injury and will be questionable going into Wk 7, so Drake makes for a hot pickup this waiver period. Drake ran with pop and vigor Sunday, with numerous big gains, so I don’t hate him as a potential flex this week against Cleveland.

 

• Wan’Dale Robinson(3/37/1) led Giants WRs in receiving in his first action since Wk1. New York couldn’t get much going in the passing game on Sunday, so it wasn’t a groundbreaking performance, but it’s definitely encouraging for his future.

 

• TE Daniel Bellinger(5/38/1) led all Giants in receiving and seems to be getting more involved in the offense in general. He could be worth streaming, as long as most of the Giants receiving corps is still sitting.

 

Vikings – 24 @ Dolphins – 16

• Irv Smith(4/7/1) scored on Sunday but had just 7 yards otherwise. It’s hard to justify him as a TE1 at this point.

 

• Mike Gesicki(6/69/2) had his best game of the season, with Durham Smythe out with a hamstring injury. He offers some streaming appeal this week if Smythe continues to sit.

 

Cardinals 9 @ Seahawks – 19

• Eno Benjamin(18/66) didn’t get too much going on Sunday, but he out touched Keontay Ingram 18-3 on the day. He’s the clear no.1 in the Cardinals backfield while James Conner and Darrel Williams are out.

 

• Rondale Moore(6/49) paced the Cardinals’ WRs in targets, but opportunities like that are going to be few and far between once DeAndre Hopkins returns this week from suspension. Scratch that. Marquise Brown has what may be a foot injury that could keep him out for 6 weeks. Horrible news for Brown, but Moore has hope.

 

• Robbie Anderson has been acquired by the Cardinals to help fill the presumed hole left by Brown. Hopkins’ return stifled some of his potential shine, but Anderson would be added in most formats, as he should get quite a few over the top shots from Kyler Murray on a weekly basis.

 

 

• Noah Fant(6/45) led all Seahawks in receiving, but as long as Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson are mixing in, he’s not a viable streamer.

 

 

Panthers – 10 @ Rams – 24

• PJ Walker put up an anemic 60 yards on 16 throws Sunday before exiting with a headshot in the 4th quarter – Jacob Eason filled in and looked comparatively better. The Panthers could rush Baker Mayfield back from his ankle injury, but things are looking devastatingly bad for all Panthers skill players not named McCaffrey.

 

• Malcolm Brown(8/28) had 8 touches to Darrell Henderson‘s(14/52/1) 14 on Sunday, which is way too many if you’re a Henderson owner. Cam Akers has allegedly played his last snap with Los Angeles so we’re going to see plenty of Henderson moving forward, and in addition we may be seeing quite a bit of Brown. He should be added if you have the bench space, just in case the Rams don’t bring anyone else in.

 

• It appears that Matt Stafford has realized he has other WRs not named Cooper Kup, and the Rams actually won the game to boot. The Panthers stink, so that’s a big part of it, but hopefully Allen Robinson(5/63/1) stays involved moving forward.

 

Bills 24 @ Chiefs – 20

• Even with Jamison Crowder sidelined, Isaiah McKenzie(2/9) only played 60% of snaps for the Bills. It looks like Khalil Shakir(1/14) is the new thorn in his side, and neither player will be of much use while they’re splitting time.

 

• Mecole Hardman(3/42/1) has had his best 2 weeks of the fantasy season in Weeks 5 and 6, but he’s still not getting a full complement of snaps like Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster are. JuJu is the only KC WR

worth anything more than a DFS dart throw on a weekly basis.

 

Cowboys – 17 @ Eagles – 26

• This loss stings for Cowboys fans like myself, but at least there should now be no argument about whether Cooper Rush(18/181/1/3) or Dak Prescott should be the starter in Dallas. Rush showed that he’s a game manager at best and crumpled under the pressure of having to actually outscore the Eagles. Dak owners can breathe a sigh of relief, as he’s almost a lock to start in Wk 7 against Detroit.

 

• Rookie TE Jake Ferguson(4/40/1) managed to break away for a score on Sunday night, with Dalton Schultz being a surprise sit. First year TE Peyton Hendershot(2/22) had just one fewer target(5) though, so I’m taking it all with a grain of salt. Hopefully Schultz can make it back this week for a juicy matchup with the Lions

 

• Nothing new on the Eagles’ end. Boston Scott(6/16) and Kenneth Gainwell(5/25) had 6 and 5 touches respectively, but it was likely in an attempt to control the clock – Miles Sanders(19/72/1) still had 19 touches on the night.