Tag: fantasy-football-week-7

Week 7 brings us some of the least exciting games of the season, lowlighted by a god-awful primetime slate that I will detail below.

Can we convince the NFL to flex both of these games out of the primetime lights? Plus, we are without some superstar QBs and WRs this week as Minnesota, Philadelphia, Buffalo, and the Rams are all on bye. Prepare to hold your nose as you set some not-so-fragrant Week 7 DFS lineups.

DFS: The Primetime Slate

Sunday Night

PITTSBURGH @ MIAMI

Just a couple of weeks ago, Mitchell Trubisky (QB2) was benched in favor of Kenny Pickett (concussion – QB4). Now he finds himself back on the pine after the rookie cleared the protocol. Miami’s secondary remains shorthanded, but that is by no way a vote of confidence.

Tua Tagovailoa (concussion – QB1) will be the top choice on this slate. It appears he will start, but watch the status reports this weekend. Teddy Bridgewater (QB5) was forced into replacement duty last week. He actually looked pretty good. If Tua cannot go, I wouldn’t mind going to battle with Teddy.

Najee Harris (RB3) continues to put up modest total yardage, but he did score again last week and has no real competition for touches. Miami is certainly beatable by RBs.

Miami has settled on Raheem Mostert (RB4) as their lead running back. He hasn’t done a ton to promote confidence in his role and this matchup is just so-so. Volume can put him in RB2 territory, at best. Meanwhile, Chase Edmonds (RB7) is not getting many touches but his passing game usage gives him some flex appeal. He also is a valuable Showdown play.

Diontae Johnson (WR3) should be your WR2 this week. That said, I feel better about him if Trubisky starts. That is because Pickett seemed to prefer George Pickens (WR8). If Pickett starts, bump up Pickens into the WR2 territory as well. Chase Claypool (WR6) is the wild card. He had a huge game against Tampa Bay, and his usage has remained solid no matter who is at QB. Consider him a safe WR3, if you don’t use one of the other two.

Tyreek Hill (WR1) is a beast regardless of who is at QB. He should never be benched in regular fantasy, and he is a WR1 regardless of the matchup in DFS. Jaylen Waddle (shoulder – WR2) gives Miami the top two WRs on this slate. They both are usable in DFS if you do a Miami Voltron stack. Despite being supposedly healthy, Cedrick Wilson (WR11) did nothing in Week 6. He gets a great matchup here, so use him as a WR3 to save some money. Trent Sherfield (WR13) actually played on 66% of the offensive snaps in Week 5, but the return of Wilson returns Sherfield to Showdown dart-throw territory.

Pat Freiermuth (concussion – TE1) missed Week 6, but he should return this week. He is easily the best choice on this board. If he is out, Zach Gentry (TE6) and Connor Heyward (TE7) have minimal appeal, at best. You should be able to ignore them.

Miami had not utilized Mike Gesicki (TE3) much this season. Then last week he caught two TDs from Bridgewater, so consider his value up if Teddy somehow plays.

Monday Night

CHICAGO @ NEW ENGLAND

Any of the backups that might start due to injury are safer plays than Justin Fields (QB7) versus the Patriots. If you like burning money, do a lineup featuring him.

Mac Jones (QB3) may return as the starter this week. I’m not sure that Bailey Zappe (QB6) isn’t a better option for New England. Both are solid choices at home against a bad Chicago defense as their corps of weapons has grown recently.

I love David Montgomery (RB2) most weeks. This week feels like a floor game for him. That will still be good enough to make him the second-best RB play on the slate. Khalil Herbert (RB6) can also be used as a cheaper RB2 or flex as he has carved out a niche for himself in this offense.

It took Rhamondre Stevenson (RB1) a few plays to get rolling last week. Once he found his sea legs, he went off. Chicago is no threat to this beast. Expect another huge line, especially if Damien Harris (hamstring – RB5) remains out. If Harris returns, consider him a reinjury risk RB2, at best. Pierre Strong (RB8) is a potential Showdown dart throw since Bill Belichick likes to do stupid stuff with his RB stable.

Dante Pettis (WR9) had a big game and scored in Week 6. Still, these were his first catches since Week 1. Don’t go chasing here … he is a WR3 or worse.  Darnell Mooney (WR4) is the only WR you can trust in this offense, and he is no better than a WR2. You can ignore Velus Jones (WR15) and Equanimeous St. Brown (WR16).

Don’t look now, but New England went from having no reliable WRs to having several. Jakobi Meyers (WR5) is the safest play, though he also is immune to scoring TDs. DeVante Parker (WR7) has the TD pedigree from his time in Miami, but his usage is more sporadic than Meyers. Consider Meyers a WR2 and Parker as a WR3. Nelson Agholor (hamstring – WR12) missed Week 6 but he can put up flex-worthy stats, if active. If he is out again, Tyquan Thornton (WR10) would be a great play. He scored twice in Week 6 and eventually will emerge as a starter. Kendrick Bourne (WR14) has fallen behind Thornton in the pecking order. He can be ignored outside of Showdown.

Cole Kmet (TE5) has 10 catches this year. That isn’t good. Fortunately for him, the Patriots are horrible against the position. Kmet’s natural athleticism makes him a sneaky punt TE.

Chicago is a better defense against the position. Still, both Hunter Henry (TE2) and Jonnu Smith (TE4) make solid plays.

The Main Slate: recommended DFS lineups

DK Lineup: QB Aaron Rodgers ($6k), RB Derrick Henry ($8.2k), RB Saquon Barkley ($7.9k), WR Allen Lazard ($6.1k), WR Alec Pierce ($4.6k), WR Wan’Dale Robinson ($4.5k), TE Gerald Everett ($4k), FLEX Kenneth Walker ($5.8k), DST New York Jets ($2.6k)

FD Lineup: QB Aaron Rodgers ($7.1k), RB Josh Jacobs ($8.6k), RB Ezekiel Elliott ($6.9k), WR Ja’Marr Chase ($8.5k), WR Allen Lazard ($6.6k), WR Wan’Dale Robinson ($5.5k), TE Evan Engram ($5.2k), FLEX Kenneth Walker ($7.3k), DST New York Jets ($4.3k)

FB Lineup: QB Joe Burrow ($6.7k), RB Derrick Henry ($7.2k), RB Ezekiel Elliott ($5.4k), WR Ja’Marr Chase ($7.1k), WR Tyreek Hill ($7.2k), WR Alec Pierce ($4.1k), TE Evan Engram ($3.5k), FLEX Kenneth Walker ($5.3k), FLEX Wan’Dale Robinson ($3.5k)

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – Paying up for one of the four highest-priced QBs is a smart strategy this week. Among them, Joe Burrow is my favorite. Consider Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr, Trevor Lawrence, or Geno Smith as discount pivots. I also like Daniel Jones, Matt Ryan, and even Taylor Heinecke, if you want to punt the position.

Fantasy Four-pack

Lamar Jackson, Ravens vs. CLE
($8,000 DK, $8,800 FD) The Browns struggle mightily against the running back position. Jackson isn’t an RB, but he might as well be as he averages over 75 rushing yards per game. His passing numbers have been down since Rashod Bateman’s (foot) injury. If Bateman suits up, boost Jackson’s ceiling even higher.

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs @ SF
($7,800 DK, $8,500 FD) This is a sneaky play as people will see San Francisco and immediately skip over Mahomes. That said, the Chiefs will go all out here to get back on the winning track after last week’s loss to Buffalo. Plus, San Francisco has multiple injuries at every level of their defense.

Joe Burrow, Bengals vs. ATL ($6,900 DK, $8,300 FD) The Bengals have all of their receiving weapons healthy once again. This week, they face an Atlanta team that has been clobbered by every QB they have faced this year, while facing only one QB that is close to on par with Burrow. The stack with Ja’Marr Chase is my favorite of the week and then run it back with Drake London or Olamide Zaccheaus.

Justin Herbert, Chargers vs. SEA
($7,200 DK, $8,100 FD) It feels like Herbert has underperformed all season. I put most of that on the bum hamstring of Keenan Allen. Fortunately for Herbert, Seattle has been very forgiving to the position. Look for him to get back on track here with another 300-2 game.

DFS Sleepers

Geno Smith, Seahawks @ LAC
($5,600 DK, $6,800 FD)  Smith has had solid performances in four of his six starts. That trend will continue here in a sneaky shootout. Bigger-bodied outside WRs have feasted on this defense, so stack Smith with DK Metcalf and then run it back with TEs Gerald Everett or Donald Parham. 

Daniel Jones, Giants @ JAX
($5,100 DK, $6,900 FD)
Jones gets sleeper value once again as he was clearly boosted by the return of Wan’Dale Robinson last week. Meanwhile, Jacksonville remains middle of the pack against the pass but they did just get gouged by Matt Ryan. Plus, Jones can add value with his legs.

Running Back

Weekly strategy – Austin Ekeler and Derrick Henry look to be the strongest options on the board. Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will be a great value if he is good to go. Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Dameon Pierce are all in a smash spot with a great DK price and a just “OK” FD price. Kenneth Walker and Cowboys RBs are all potential cheaper pivots. Travis Etienne, D’Onta Foreman, and whichever of J.K. Dobbins/Kenyan Drake starts are the only punt options that I like.

Fantasy Four-pack

Austin Ekeler, Chargers vs. SEA
($8,300 DK, $9,500 FD) Ekeler started the season slowly, but now he has six TDs over the last three games. He also leads all RBs in receptions and is second in RB receiving yards. Meanwhile, Seattle has been abused by pass-catching backs all season.

Derrick Henry, Titans vs. IND
($8,200 DK, $9,200 FD) Henry has already posted a 147-1 line against this defense. At home, I would expect a similar line here with perhaps more receptions as Tennessee is starting to get him the ball in the passing game.

Saquon Barkley, Giants @ JAX ($7,900 DK, $9,300 FD) Barkley leads the league in RB combo yards. He also has scored in four of six contests. With a lack of other talents on this roster, Barkley has found himself deeply involved in the Giants’ passing game. This sets up nicely as Jacksonville is allowing the second-most RB receptions and receiving yards.

Jonathan Taylor, Colts @ TEN
($8,100 DK, $8,000 FD) Taylor appears to be recovered from his ankle injury. Nyheim Hines (concussion) and Deon Jackson (quad) are both ready to go. Tennessee held Taylor in check in the earlier meeting, but he also watched Mo Alie-Cox hijack a pair of scores on drives that Taylor marched the team down the field.

DFS Sleepers

Kenneth Walker, Seahawks @ LAC
($5,800 DK, $7,300 FD) Walker looked elite last week and most importantly didn’t share the touches with anyone as many feared he might. The Chargers had allowed opposing backfields an average of 162 total yards and 1.6 total scores per game prior to last week’s screwy contest with the Broncos. Walker should finish with a floor of 125-1.

Travis Etienne, Jaguars vs. NYG ($5,400 DK, $6,200 FD) Despite splitting touches evenly over the last two weeks, Etienne has outproduced James Robinson by more than 2-to-1. Meanwhile, the Giants are allowing a league second-worst 5.5 YPC to opposing RBs. Etienne will top the century mark in total yardage for the third-straight week and will finally get into the end zone.

Wide Receiver

Weekly strategy – I want one of the Bengals’ top two in all of my lineups this week. Davante Adams is the other player I would consider up top. Michael Pittman and Mike Williams both have decent matchups, but their prices seem slightly inflated. WR2 offers me the chance to choose between Christian Kirk, Allen Lazard, Amari Cooper, and Tyler Lockett. I could even see using two of them if I need to save some money here. Hunter Renfrow would be a great WR3, if you don’t use Adams. Otherwise, look at Michael Gallup, Alec Pierce, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Joshua Palmer (if Keenan Allen remains out).

Fantasy Four-pack

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals vs. ATL
($8,200 DK, $8,500 FD) Amari Cooper is the only WR1 to not dominate this defense. Chase will go off for a second-straight week as long as he doesn’t have a setback with his hip. Stack him with Joe Burrow, and run it back with a WR from Atlanta.

Davante Adams, Raiders vs. HOU
($8,700 DK, $8,600 FD) Adams has scored in four of five games and in the other game, he topped 100 receiving yards. Houston has really had trouble stopping alpha WRs, like Adams, all season. Plus, Adams appears to be ready to play “angry” after his postgame incident in Week 5. This could be a 10-150-2 type of blowup game.

Michael Pittman Jr., Colts @ TEN
($7,400 DK, $7,500 FD) The matchup for Pittman is nice, but it would seem a hell of a lot better if the price was say $1k less on each site. Tennessee held Pittman in check back in Week 4, but if he gets another 16 targets like last week he will be fine. Personally, I would rather fade Pittman at this price and use Alec Pierce at his price instead. I think they will both score here.

Mike Williams, Chargers vs. SEA
($7,200 DK, $7,800 FD) When it comes to Williams you have two true outcomes. Either he breaks the slate with multiple long TDs, or he posts 2-20-0. Much like Pittman, the price is a bit high here. Still, this matchup should be an easy one for the deep threat.  

DFS Sleepers

Allen Lazard, Packers @ WAS
($6,100 DK, $6,600 FD) With Randall Cobb out for the next month expect Lazard to be featured even more than he already has been. In just five games, Lazard has scored in four of them and topped 100 yards in the other one (just like what Davante Adams has done in Vegas). Opposing WR1s are averaging 6-87 through the first six weeks, and they have given up four TDs to the position.

Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants @ JAX
($4,500 DK, $5,500 FD) Robinson clicked immediately with Daniel Jones last week and scored his first career TD. Jacksonville is middling against the pass, so anyone who suits up for New York is a decent play. Let’s see if the connection continues to grow.

Tight End

Weekly strategy – As usual when paying up here opt for Travis Kelce. Otherwise, go cheap and use one of Gerald Everett, Hayden Hurst, Daniel Bellinger, or my favorite option, Evan Engram. If Dalton Schultz (knee) remains out consider punting with Jake Ferguson. The other punt options are Donald Parham and Greg Dulcich.

Fantasy Four-pack

Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ SF
($8,000 DK, $8,300 FD) The matchup may seem tough on paper, but San Francisco is dealing with a pile of injuries among their starters. It is so bad that even a mediocre TE would get a boost against them. Kelce is a little better than a mediocre TE.

Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. CLE
($7,400 DK, $8,500 FD) Andrews (knee) is eighth among all players with 52 targets this year and third among all players in receiving scores. Cleveland has actually held the position in check until last week. So, expect more of a floor game here than a blowup, especially if his knee limits him. If he ends up unable to play because of the injury, Isaiah Likely will be chalk.

David Njoku, Browns @ BAL
($4,200 DK, $5,700 FD) Njoku has topped 50 yards in four straight games. This actually places him as the yardage leader among TEs during that span. He also is fourth among TEs in receptions during this stretch. Meanwhile, Baltimore has allowed a TE to score in four of six games.

Gerald Everett, Chargers vs. SEA
($4,000 DK, $6,300 FD) The stats for opposing TEs versus Seattle are bloated due to Taysom Hill’s three rushing scores. Still, they have given up huge receiving numbers to the position every game as well. Everett has struggled a bit the last two weeks, but Seattle is the slump-buster that he needs.

DFS Sleepers

Hayden Hurst, Bengals vs. ATL
($3,500 DK, $4,900 FD) Tee Higgins played through his injury last week and that limited Hurst’s production. That said, Atlanta is bad enough against the pass that Hurst, Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, and even Mike Thomas could score against this team. Heck, I’d even consider Samaje Perine as part of a mega-stack against them.

Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. NYG
($3,300 DK, $5,200 FD) Engram has put together a pair of quality starts in the last two weeks. Now, he gets the revenge game narrative versus the Giants. I love revenge game narratives, especially when they involve cheap TEs.