Lineup Prep: Week 7

Wed Oct 15 9:03am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Sutton can rebound big Week 7

We are at that time of the year when trades tend to happen most. Some teams are in panic mode and looking for a reset. Others want to just get rid of some players they have had enough of. And others want to set their roster up for a deep player run. I’m not sure what position you are in, but if you are looking at making a trade, I thought I would use my lead for this week’s column to give you some buy-low candidates at each position.

Here we go. . . .

I’m all in for grabbing Lamar Jackson. His team might be a mess but he is set to return from his hamstring injury after the team’s bye this week. Some Jackson owners are probably just ready to move on from him because of his injury woes. I would get him if you are looking for a spark at quarterback. Remember, he had 28-plus fantasy points each of his first three games before getting hurt in Week 4. This guy is as good as it gets when it comes to fantasy quarterbacks. I don’t care what is going on with this Ravens team.

So Chase Brown has been absolutely brutal. He has been maybe the biggest fantasy bust at running back. With that said, his owners are just dumping him for about nothing. I say go for it if the price is right. He still has no competition for carries and will get his weekly receptions, giving him a decent fantasy floor. I thought the Bengals offense looked better with Joe Flacco at the helm. Maybe he rights the ship a little and gets the Bengals offense going. This would be a plus for all involved, including Brown.

I also like taking a shot at TreVeyon Henderson. I know pass protection is the thing holding him back but he has to start doing better in that area sooner than later, right? Rhamondre Stevenson has been just brutal this year. He is losing fumbles on almost a weekly basis and averages just 3.1 yards per carry for the season. In his last two games, Stevenson has run 20 times for just 32 yards. I really think it is just a matter of time before Henderson starts getting more chances. The Patriots can’t keep sticking with Stevenson with his awful production.

Many thought Jameson Williams would have a breakout season this year. Well, that hasn’t been the case through six games. He did have maybe his best game of the season his last time out, though, catching six passes for 66 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. He has at least seven targets two of three games. The Lions like to spread the ball around, but Williams is capable of the monster game any given week. He has four games with fewer than seven fantasy points, so many of his owners don’t want to deal with that anymore. Having those boom players for the fantasy playoffs can pay off, so go get Williams if you want one of those guys on your roster.

Rookie Matthew Golden isn’t having quite the start to his career that most thought he might, but things are picking up. He still hasn’t had the monster game, but has three straight with double-digit fantasy points. He is producing more consistently and getting more weekly chances. He is the most talented of the Packers receivers and seems ready for a huge finish to his rookie season. Golden is another guy that seems setup to be a difference maker in the fantasy playoffs.

Tight end Evan Engram is another player that many were high on before the start of the season. He got off to a slow start and then got hurt. He is healthy now, though, and has at least six targets three straight games. He has at least four receptions three games. Engram is starting to form a nice rapport with quarterback Bo Nix. The Broncos offense can feature the tight end heavily, giving Engram a chance for some big games going forward. He seems ready to take off.

News and Notes: The Ravens released safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday. He didn’t last long in Baltimore and his career could be coming to an end.

HOT PLAYS

Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders. Daniels got it going again last week, scoring 25.75 fantasy points. He had his first three-touchdown game of the season. And he did this without his No. 1 receiver in the lineup once again. Daniels hasn’t been huge this year but very consistent, having at least 21 fantasy points all but a game. We think he might have his best game of the season this week against an awful Cowboys defense. Dallas allows the most fantasy points to quarterbacks and 30 or more points four of five games. Daniels is a must-start in Week 7.

Jordan Mason, RB, Vikings. Mason has been very consistent since taking over the starting role in Minnesota. He has double-digit fantasy points three straight games and touchdowns two of three. He has at least 16 touchdowns four or five games this year, getting consistent weekly touches. Look for more of the same this week against the Eagles. Philadelphia allows the eighth most fantasy points to running backs. The Giants just ran for 172 yards against them in Week 6.

Rachaad White, RB, Bucs. White is showing he is an elite fantasy back when getting a chance to start in this Bucs offense. He has 17-plus fantasy points two straight games and found the end zone each of those games. He has 11 receptions his last three games. White is a complete back in this offense. And despite having a tough matchup this week against the Lions, we think White is a great play because of his ability both as a runner and receiver in this offense. Plus, the Bucs are hurting at receiver, which could give White even more chances to make plays in the passing game.

Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos. Sutton had his worst game of the season last week, catching just a pass for 17 yards on three targets. Sutton had at least 17 fantasy points three straight games before that dud last week. We wouldn’t get too down on Sutton over a game. He has been great all season and should rebound in a big way this week against the Giants. New York allows the third most fantasy points to receivers. The Giants have allowed some big passing games, including 240-plus passing yards three times.

Davante Adams, WR, Rams. Adams is another receiver that had his worst game of the season last week, finishing with just 7.9 fantasy points. He had four receptions for 39 yards on nine targets. Adams had at least 13 fantasy points four straight games before last week. And with Puka Nacua banged up, look for Adams to possibly play an even bigger role this week. Adams might have his best fantasy game of the season Week 7. The Jaguars allow the seventh most fantasy points to receivers and 285-plus passing yards four of five games.

COLD PLAYS

Sam Darnold, QB, Seahawks. Darnold has played well in his move to Seattle. He has moved the offense well and been a solid spot starter for fantasy teams. He has at least 20 fantasy points three games. Darnold also has fewer than 19 fantasy points three games, showing he can be down at times for fantasy teams. He is not a sure weekly thing and we think a game this week against the Texans is a time to sit him. Houston has been fantastic against the pass this year, allowing the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. The Texans have allowed less than 195-passing yards two straight and three of four games.

Travis Etienne, RB, Jaguars. Etienne has cooled a little in recent weeks, having fewer than 50-rushing yards two straight games. He has failed to reach double-digit fantasy points each of those games. He is starting to show he isn’t quite as sure of a thing as fantasy owners hoped. It could be another down showing for Etienne this week against the Rams, a team that allows the third fewest fantasy points to running backs. The Rams have allowed fewer than 90-rushing yards three of four games.

Tony Pollard, RB, Titans. Pollard played a season-low 43 percent of the snaps last week. Tyjae Spears was on the field a lot more than Pollard, which is a bit concerning for Pollard owners. Pollard scored just 6.7 fantasy points. He has fewer than double-digit fantasy points three of six games and failed to reach 70-rushing yard four straight. Sure, the Titans made a coaching change this week, so the usage of Pollard could be changing. But until he starts to produce on the field, we leave him on your bench, especially this week against the Patriots. New England allows the sixth fewest fantasy points to running backs.

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Raiders. Meyers is not having near the season fantasy owners hoped. He has not gotten on the same page with new starter Geno Smith. Meyers has less than 40 yards three straight games and hasn’t reached double-digit fantasy points since Week 2. He isn’t worth the risk right now for fantasy owners. Tre Tucker is the go-to receiver for the Raiders right now. Plus, Meyers plays the Chiefs, a team that allows the eighth fewest fantasy points to receivers. Kansas City has allowed more than 200-passing yards just two of six games.

Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Giants. Robinson had one of his best fantasy games of the season last week, topping 20 fantasy points. He scored a touchdown for the second time this season. He has emerged as the go-to target in the Giants passing game with Malik Nabers sidelined. That isn’t a good thing this week against the Broncos, though. Cornerback Patrick Surtain just shuts down opposing No. 1 receivers, which is a big concern for Robinson this week. We would not expect another big showing from Robinson in this matchup.

SLEEPERS

Joe Flacco, QB, Bengals. Flacco didn’t have a huge fantasy game his first start with the Bengals but was solid for fantasy owners, scoring 20.95 fantasy points. The good news is he moved the offense and attempted 45 passes. This is going to be a pass-first offense because the Bengals can’t run the ball at all. Flacco is going to have some spot start appeal, especially this week against the Steelers. Pittsburgh allows the sixth most fantasy points to receivers and has struggled to stop the pass most of the year. It would not surprise to see Flacco have another game with 20-plus fantasy points.

Jonnu Smith, TE, Steelers. Smith has been a disappointment since Week 1 of the season. He has fewer than 30 yards every game this year. He does have at least three receptions all but a game, so he is getting some weekly chances. Smith has a dream matchup this week against the Bengals, a team that is a mess defensively. Cincinnati can’t stop the tight end at all, allowing the most fantasy points to tight ends. The Bengals have allowed at least 247-passing yards all but a game.

Tre Harris, WR, Chargers. Harris played the most football of his young career last week, playing 83 percent of the snaps. He had four receptions for 27 yards on five targets. It wasn’t a huge game for him but he was involved and made some plays. He could get another chance to shine this week with Quentin Johnston still hurting. If that happens, look for the best game of his young career against the Colts. Indianapolis allows the fourth most fantasy points to receivers and 300-yard passing games two of three.

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Patriots. Henderson has been a bust to date. He just isn’t finding the field enough to help fantasy teams. He has not played more than 50 percent of the snaps in any game. The only positive for Henderson is Rhamondre Stevenson continues to be terrible. He averages just 3.1 yards per carry and has run for less than 20 yards four of six games. The Patriots have to find a way to get Henderson more involved to spark the running game. Why not this week against the lowly Titans? Tennessee allows the fourth most fantasy points to running backs and at least 129-rushing yards all but a game. Henderson might be worth taking a shot on this week in a game he could break off a long run or two - even if he doesn’t get a ton of playing time.

Luther Burden, WR, Bears. With D.J. Moore banged up, this could be Burden’s time to finally shine. He even got more work last week with Moore in the lineup. Burden had a season-high four receptions for 51 yards on four targets last week. Things are looking up for Burden this week against the Saints. New Orleans allows the ninth most fantasy points to receivers. If Burden gets the start this week, look for him to have the best game of his young career.

High/Low Scoring Games

Each week we will take a look at some of the high and low scoring games for the coming week. In high scoring affairs, get your marginal players on those teams in your lineup to take advantage of the possible points barrage. And in the low scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.

High Scoring Games: Raiders/Chiefs, Saints/Bears, Commanders/Cowboys, Bucs/Lions, Falcons/49ers, Colts/Chargers.

Low Scoring Games: Dolphins/Browns, Panthers/Jets, Texans/Seahawks.

Bye Weeks: Ravens, Bills.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Lineup Prep: Week 7

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