In an effort to aid you in your lineup-setting endeavors, I’ll be providing a weekly glimpse into my rankings; meaning, I’ll be highlighting players I like or dislike more compared to the expert consensus rankings as listed on FantasyPros.com or who I simply like or dislike for that given week. My ranking at the time of the writing will be alongside the player’s name. Needless to say, that ranking will likely change as the week progresses.
Bear in mind that I start this writing earlier in the week, so Expert Consensus Rankings will likely be different by the time of publication. These cannot be held against me – only used for credit.
While I do acknowledge that kickers are people too, neither they nor D/STs will be included.
Finally, these cannot be held against me – only used to give credit when credit is due.
As always, feel free to reach me on Twitter for any queries before the slate and I’ll try to get back to you.
*Note that half PPR scoring applies.
Week 7 Likes
DET @ ATL – QB5
I don’t know about you guys, but Mr. Stafford was one of my biggest Week 6 disappointments. He played fine but underperformed as he let D’Andre Swift break out. If he disappoints in this matchup then he will officially enter my fantasy doghouse.
It’s been well-documented – or at least documented – how poorly Atlanta has defended the pass in 2020. Opposing starters not named Nick Foles have finished on average as the QB5 after facing the dirty birds. Stafford deserves Top 5 QB attention heading into what may very well turn into the highest-scoring game of the slate.
CAR @ NO – QB13
Revenge game alert! Theodore Bridgewater faces the squad on which he served as Drew Brees’ backup for two seasons. The Saints aren’t giving up a high average in terms of passing yards, but they’ve allowed an astonishing 15 touchdown passes through five games. For those who hate math, that’s three touchdown passes per game. With bye weeks in play, Bridgewater can be a serviceable QB1 in a pinch.
BUF @ NYJ – RB16
Singletary didn’t do much with what he was given on Monday afternoon/night, but he still led the Bills in carries. Volume aside – and more bluntly speaking – you start your players when they play the New York Jets. Enough said. The game script should favor Singletary and Zack Moss too. The writing is on the wall for this to be Singletary’s best outing of 2020.
HOU vs. GB – RB17
The Packers trail only the Texans in fantasy points per game yielded to running backs. What we really like about Johnson is that “v” word – volume. While it hasn’t been sexy, Johnson sits at 11th in carries among running backs (87). Given the workload and the matchup, he’s a comfortable RB2 for me with an RB1 ceiling.
AZ vs. SEA – WR34
Well, well, well – look who finally broke out. Kirk put in a big stat line Monday night primarily thanks to a beautiful 80-yard catch and run for a touchdown. He is steadily becoming more involved in this offense and outperformed the usually consistent DeAndre Hopkins. Bear in mind that Kyler Murray did only complete nine passes. Anyway, Kirk and company now draw the worst wide receiver defense in the NFL. What’s not to like? He’s a viable WR3 or flex with WR2 potential.
LAC vs. JAC – WR27
I know Williams has only produced one standout performance in 2020 and that was with Keenan Allen injured. Nonetheless, I’m willing to give him another chance here. He’ll be an automatic start if Allen is sidelined; I’m writing his name in pen as a WR3/flex and as high as a WR2 even if Allen is active.
DET @ ATL – TE4
Don’t look now, but… just kidding, you can look – Hockenson has caught a touchdown in each of his last two outings and has snagged three touchdowns through his first five games of the season. The glass-half-empty outlook is that he’s only caught four passes over his last two games. Even so, don’t be surprised to see a third straight touchdown with Atlanta coming up next.
DAL @ WAS – TE8
Andy Dalton trusts Dalton Schultz. That became evident and became a silver lining in the Cowboys’ primetime loss to the Cardinals. The output wasn’t impressive – only four catches for 35 yards. Pedestrian stat line aside, I’m looking for Schultz to serve as a safety blanket in a crucial divisional bout.
Week 7 Dislikes
LAR vs. CHI – QB20
In what was a crazy week in the NFL and in fantasy we saw Jared Goff throw for fewer than 200 yards in a game for the first time in 11 months. That was against a solid pass defense in the San Francisco 49ers. It doesn’t get any easier for Goff versus the Bears, who boast the best fantasy pass defense to date. In fact, the Bears are one of three teams so far to intercept more passes than they’ve allowed passing touchdowns. I’m waiting at least another week before considering Goff.
OAK vs. TB – QB22
We saw what Carr did in the Kansas City game, surprisingly impressing the fantasy masses. We saw what the Buccaneers did to Aaron Rodgers in Week 6, too, though. Tampa Bay is one of the other two teams alluded to in the previous paragraph. If there weren’t teams on bye, Carr might not have made it inside my Top 25 quarterbacks.
KC @ DEN – RB38
Don’t get me wrong – Bell is intriguing; I’m just keeping him on the bench this week if I can afford to so as to see how he is utilized by Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy alongside Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The rookie has impressed, coming off a season/career-high 161 rushing yards on 26 carries. I imagine CEH will still receive 20 or more touches a game with Bell spelling him for 10 or so touches. There is flex intrigue in the future to be sure, I’m just not ready to ring this Bell again.
NE vs. SF – RB39
Hey, I warned you about Damien Harris a week ago. My rule of thumb with New England from here on out is I will only seriously entertain starting Cam Newton, James White and Julian Edelman; I’m not even comfortable starting Edelman anymore. He’s not nearly as valuable in the Pats’ new run-focused offense. Bottom line: White is the only New England running back I’ll consider this week.
DEN vs. KC – WR42
I, for one, was ecstatic when the Broncos seemingly stole Jeudy with the 15th pick in the first round of the 2020 draft. My excitement has waned and wanes by the week. With Courtland Sutton unavailable, Jeudy was supposed to take the reins as Denver’s preeminent No. 1 wide receiver. That has not been the case.
The unheralded Tim Patrick has outclassed Jeudy, tallying over 100 yards in back-to-back contests. Meanwhile, there hasn’t been a game yet in which Jeudy has surpassed 62 yards. The game script should favor Denver as they are big underdogs to the Chiefs. However, Jeudy needs to show me consistent numbers with Drew Lock before I trust him as a starter.
DAL @ WAS – WR39
It’s important to note that Gallup dropped what should have been a touchdown during Dallas’s abysmal offensive display Monday night. That catch would have saved his night. The reality was that he managed two catches on six targets for a season-low 23 yards. Everyone aside from Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb appeared to be out of sync with Andy Dalton under center for his first start in the blue and silver.
Making matters worse is that Zack Martin left the game and his status for Week 7 could be in jeopardy. And don’t let the record fool you; Washington’s defense is good. They’re in seventh place in Defensive DVOA according to Football Outsiders while allowing the second-fewest FPPG to wide receivers. I’ll swipe left on starting Gallup.
NO vs. CAR – TE12
I’m not necessarily saying to bench Cook. The problem is he was only targeted six times over his last two contests; that was without Michael Thomas. The other problem is Thomas might be returning and Carolina has guarded tight ends well. The tight end position is ugly, though, so I don’t blame you if you can’t do better than Cook.
HOU vs. GB
If Akins is even active he could see a limited snap count coming off ankle and concussion issues. Nonetheless, it would behoove the Texans to attack the Packers on the ground, where they have been more vulnerable. Again, if Akins is active he’s startable in a pinch given the state of the tight end position.
Zach hails from the bustling metropolis of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Three things Zach enjoys are football, food and water. Three things Zach doesn’t enjoy are kale, mushrooms and the company of those who enjoy either (except hobbits). Zach is a life-long Broncos fan and has been playing fantasy football longer than he hasn’t. He had top-five finishes in FantasyPros’ 2016 NFL DFAC competition and the 2016 SFB480.
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