There are some players that are great plays in Week 7 and some that aren’t. We look at those, plus a few that could surprise, in this week’s Stud, Dud and Sleepers.
QUARTERBACKS
Stud: Dak Prescott – Dak has a great matchup this week against the 49ers. San Francisco is allowing the eighth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. They’ve allowed over 300 yards passing in their past three matchups. Prescott is a top five quarterback in my rankings this week and is a great option in daily leagues.
Dud: Jameis Winston – Winston has plenty of talent and weapons to put up big points every week. The problem is he may not play and he won’t be 100 percent healthy if he does. He sprained his throwing shoulder last week against the Cardinals. Now, he has to go on the road to play the Bills who have limited opposing quarterbacks’ fantasy points all season. He’s a QB2 this week and you shouldn’t consider him or his backup Ryan Fitzpatrick in daily leagues.
Sleeper: Brett Hundley – Hundley is a sneaky play in daily formats this week. No, he isn’t Aaron Rodgers, but Green Bay has plenty of weapons around him. Hundley is playing at home against an average-at-best Saints’ defense. The Packers have a nice 1-2 punch at running back and three legitimate wide receivers to throw to. Hundley is a nice contrarian play in daily formats and two quarterback leagues.
RUNNING BACKS
Stud: LeSean McCoy – McCoy has yet to have a huge game this season. He’s been solid, but he has an opportunity to have a big game against Tampa Bay this week. McCoy will be big in the passing attack (Tyrod Taylor should also have a solid game). I expect 100+ yards from scrimmage and a touchdown against a defense that’s allowing over 400 yards-per-game.
Dud: Jordan Howard – He had 36 rushing attempts last week and 167 yards on the ground. Howard is a workhorse, but Carolina is not weak on defense. The Panthers are limiting opponents to 83 yards rushing. Howard will still have RB2 value in season-long leagues because of volume, but I’m staying away in daily leagues.
Sleeper: Aaron Jones – The Packers are going to have to run the ball against the Saints this week. Jones has established himself as the better between-the-tackles runner. Ty Montgomery will play on passing downs, but Jones should get plenty of work against the Saints’ 10th-ranked defense. Jones is a sneaky starting option.
MORE WEEK 7 ADVICE:
- GSI Cheat Sheet – Rankings
- Listen: Weekly Fantasy Segment on ESPN 1530
- FOX19 Fantasy Friday: Week 7 Lineup Advice
- Week 7 Podcast – Fantasy Happy Hour
- Office Pool Picks: Week 7
WIDE RECEIVER
Stud: Julio Jones – Jones doesn’t have a touchdown this season. He’s only scored more than 10 fantasy points once in standard leagues. This is the week that changes. The Patriots have allowed the most yards to wide receivers this season. Jones should have a decent outing this week after being a letdown in Week 6.
Dud: Jordy Nelson – Nelson has had two down weeks in a row. This week he has a good matchup, but Brett Hundley will be throwing him the ball. Nelson is hard to sit in season-long leagues, but avoid him in daily leagues until he shows he can be a worthwhile option with Hundley under center.
Sleeper: Robert Woods – Woods has a chance to surprise people this week. Patrick Peterson should shadow Sammy Watkins, which means Woods will be a primary option in the offense. The Cardinals are allowing 250 yards-per-game. Those yards shouldn’t go to Watkins, so that makes Woods and Cooper Kupp relevant this week. Woods has more value in PPR leagues.
TIGHT END
Stud: Jimmy Graham – Graham has a great matchup against the Giants this week. They’re allowing the most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Graham has 17 receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown in his past three games. Graham is a rock solid TE1 and could end up being the top fantasy tight end for Week 7.
Dud: Tyler Kroft – Kroft finds himself on the fantasy radar after hauling in 10 receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns in the past two games. He’s been productive, but owners shouldn’t plug him into their lineups yet. The Steelers have held opposing tight ends to the sixth fewest fantasy points this season. Kroft is worth owning in deeper leagues, but leave him on your bench this week.
Sleeper: Austin Hooper – Hooper is fresh off of a seven reception performance. This week he gets a swiss cheese Patriots team. Hooper is a low-end TE1 with plenty of upside. He’s a nice play in daily leagues.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
Stud: Jacksonville – The Jaguars have a very good defense and a lot of great matchups left on their schedule. This week they’ll take on a Colts offense that has been competent without Andrew Luck, but has also turned the ball over. The Colts have given up the second most points to opposing defenses this season.
Dud: Denver – The Broncos’ defense hasn’t been as dominant as fantasy owners were expecting them to be entering 2017. They’ve only forced four turnovers this year and have to go on the road to play a solid offense. Philip Rivers and the Chargers have limited opposing defenses’ fantasy points all season and I expect the same trend this Sunday.
Sleeper: Carolina – The Panthers take on a crappy Bears offense that can only run the ball. They should slow down Jordan Howard and company, which would force Mitch Trubisky to throw it more than he wants to. I like Carolina in most formats this week. The Bears are giving up the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing defenses this season.
