Week 6 was difficult for fantasy managers to navigate. It wasn’t just that we had a lot of injuries to deal with; it was that we had a lot of confusing injury information that complicated our planning.
A single NFL team, the Colts, threw a couple of big curveballs at us.
There were reports that WR Michael Pittman would go on injured reserve with a back injury. Those reports affected our perception of Pittman’s fantasy value and also the value of Colts WRs Josh Downs, Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell. Not only did Pittman not go on IR, but he played on Sunday and logged 56 of a possible 70 offensive snaps.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson missed Week 5 with a hip injury, but he returned to practice last week and seemed good to go for Week 6. But we learned on Sunday morning that Joe Flacco would make a second straight at quarterback for Indy, and that Richardson would roam the sideline as the No. 3 QB.
It wasn’t just the Colts who swerved us. Devin Singletary was practicing last week after missing Week 5 with a groin injury, and Giants head coach Brian Daboll said the running back was “trending in the right direction.” Singletary was not, in fact, trending in the right direction and missed Week 6.
Dealing with injuries is challenging enough. These dekes and head-fakes with injury news compound the challenges. The run-up to Week 6 was reminiscent of 2021, when COVID testing made players unavailable to us on the spur of the moment and shook up the weekly fantasy landscape in all sorts of hard-to-decipher ways.
And now, we’ll be dealing with more injuries. Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave, Travis Etienne, Jerome Ford, Dallas Goedert and Dontayvion Wicks are among the players who left with injuries in Week 6.
You’ll need reinforcements. We’ve got a list of them for you.
Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice
Week 7 Waiver Grade: B
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings: Week 7
Note: Players chosen based upon having early-week consensus roster percent below 50%.
(Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues, Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)
RUNNING BACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Ty Chandler (MIN): 27% rostered
- Next Opponents: DET, @LAR, IND
- True value: $18
- Desperate Need: $28
- Budget-minded: $8
Analysis: Fresh off their bye week, the unbeaten Vikings need their running game to remain effective to keep the heat off of QB Sam Darnold. Aaron Jones is nursing a hip injury, so we figure to see a bump in reps for big-play threat Ty Chandler. He had two big plays called back by penalties in London in Week 5, so the stats are skewed, and we might not need to spend a FAAB fortune on Chandler. Although, if we get word early in the week that Jones’ Week 7 status is in jeopardy, the bidding on Chandler will be robust. There will be a number of sought-after RBs on waivers this week, but Chandler is the top prize.
Tyrone Tracy (NYG): 45% rostered
- Next Opponents: PHI, @PIT, WAS
- True value: $15
- Desperate Need: $23
- Budget-minded: $7
Analysis: The Giants have had a surprisingly effective running game this season, Devin Singletary was an early breakout sleeper, but his groin injury paved the way for Tyrone Tracy, the rookie from Purdue, to start breaking off chunk plays himself. The fifth-rounder averaged 7.2 yards per carry in Week 5 and flashed a well-rounded skill set. Singletary will work himself back onto the field, but Tracy’s performance could shrink how much work the veteran will have waiting upon his return.
Ray Davis (BUF): 13% rostered
- Next Opponents: TEN, @SEA, MIA
- True value: $12
- Desperate Need: $18
- Budget-minded: $6
Analysis: James Cook‘s toe injury caused him to miss a game for the first time in his career, and Ray Davis was stellar in Cook’s absence, with 20-97-0 rushing and 3-55-0 receiving in the Bills’ 23-20 Monday-night win over the Jets. If Cook misses another game, Davis will be an appealing lineup option this week against the Titans. But even if Cook returns to action in Week 7, Davis might be flex-worthy considering how much the Bills and offensive coordinator Joe Brady like to run the ball. The rookie is apt to draw some aggressive FAAB bids after putting on a show in a stand-alone game.
Isaac Guerendo (SF): 4% rostered
- Next Opponents: KC, DAL, BYE
- True value: $12
- Desperate Need: $18
- Budget-minded: $6
Analysis: Kyle Shanahan’s record of drafting RBs is a study in futility. For every Trey Sermon and Tyrion Davis-Price, however, there is a Jordan Mason or Isaac Guerendo. The rookie from Louisville was thrust into action on Thursday night for the injured Mason and gashed the Seahawks for 99 rushing yards. He would have had 100 and a touchdown if not for his unselfish slide at the 1-yard line to seal the game. Guerendo has incredible speed (4.33) for his size (6-0, 221), but he lacks vision and patience. It might not matter, since Shanahan’s zone running scheme seems to leave gaping lanes for anyone. The only reason to maybe not overbid on Guerendo is Christian McCaffrey‘s impending return in the coming weeks.
Braelon Allen (NYJ): 46% rostered
- Next Opponents: @PIT, @NE, HOU
- True value: $9
- Desperate Need: $16
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: Nobody really knows what direction the Jets offense will go in the wake of Robert Saleh’s dismissal. Todd Downing might be the only offensive coach with less credibility than Nathaniel Hackett, yet Downing has been tabbed by interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich with calling the plays going forward. Yikes. Ideally, Downing will just give Breece Hall his deserved bell-cow role. Realistically, rookie Braelon Allen will continue to be more than just a rotational piece to give Hall a breather. Allen is a premium stash with weekly flex upside if you can find him on waivers.
Kimani Vidal (LAC): 11% rostered
- Next Opponents: @ARI, NO, @CLE
- True value: $8
- Desperate Need: $15
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: Imagine my excitement when Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that Kimani Vidal would be activated to make his NFL debut in Week 6. J.K. Dobbins is the lead back in L.A., but Gus Edwards‘ trip to IR made room for the rookie from Troy. Vidal is stocky and explosive, and he asserted himself on his first NFL touch. He ran a wheel route, and Justin Herbert dropped a perfect pass into the bucket for a 38-yard score. The Chargers are a run-heavy team, but also very slow-paced. Vidal is a safe floor play while Edwards is on the shelf.
Jaylen Warren (PIT): 42% rostered
- Next Opponents: NYJ, NYG, BYE
- True value: $7
- Desperate Need: $12
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: One season ago, Jaylen Warren was clearly the best RB on the Steelers. Fast-forward to a new offensive system and a Warren injury later, and Najee Harris is the lead dog again. The league mate who drafted Warren in the middle rounds might have cut bait a few weeks ago. Warren is a breakout candidate in plain sight. He is more explosive and a much better receiver than Harris. The next step is for Warren to gain favor with his mercurial offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith.
D’Onta Foreman (CLE): 1% rostered
- Next Opponents: CIN, BAL, LAC
- True value: $5
- Desperate Need: $10
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Jerome Ford‘s injury in Week 6 opened up an opportunity for D’Onta Foreman to earn 12 touches in another Cleveland loss. He, along with the rest of the Browns, did virtually nothing in Philadelphia. Cleveland has three consecutive home games before a Week 10 bye and could welcome Nick Chubb back as early as this week. If the news on Chubb and Ford is anything other than favorable, you can remedy the quickly waning RB depth in fantasy football with the veteran bruiser from Texas.
Sean Tucker (TB): 1% rostered
- Next Opponents: BAL, ATL, @KC
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $9
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: The Buccaneers are an enigmatic 4-2 team. Plenty of criticism was heaved at Rachaad White for his poor performance compared to rookie Bucky Irving, but Tampa Bay has faced a gauntlet of difficult RB matchups. White missed Week 6’s blowout win over New Orleans, which opened up a chance for Sean Tucker to go ballistic for 36 fantasy points. Irving was also a solid play; he has been all season. Tampa Bay’s schedule does not get easier for this backfield, but White’s status as the lead dog has all but evaporated. Tucker has at least earned more touches alongside Irving in this high-octane offense.
Trey Benson (ARI): 19% rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, @MIA, CHI
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $7
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: The Cardinals are the most wildly inconsistent team in the NFL. They blew out the Rams and stymied the 49ers, but then they were obliterated by the Commanders and Packers. They even hung in until the bitter end in a Week 1 loss to Buffalo. James Conner stampeded over San Francisco, then was only given seven carries to Trey Benson‘s six at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Benson is the heir apparent to Conner. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry in Week 6. Conner is hardly a picture of health, so Benson is more than a stash as Arizona attempts to keep its veteran running back fresh.
D’Ernest Johnson (JAX): 0% rostered
- Next Opponents: NE, GB, @PHI
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Just because the Jaguars are a dumpster fire, I am forced to write up D’Ernest Johnson in a waiver column again in 2024. Johnson famously was the biggest waste of FAAB in fantasy football memory while in Cleveland when Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were both injured. Travis Etienne is hurt (and playing terribly), while Tank Bigsby was pulled for Johnson plenty in Jacksonville’s blowout loss to the Bears in London. Johnson is a decent receiver, but the only reason to chase his six measly points is if you expect an IR stint for Etienne and more negative game scripts for the Jags.
Stash Candidates:
Without the benefit of receiving work, Tyler Allgeier is a low-upside stash behind Bijan Robinson. Every once in a while, Allgeier’s presence as a goal-line thumper will trick fantasy managers into moving him up in the rankings, but it would take Bijan missing time to elevate Allgeier into a start-worthy role.
Just as Raheem Mostert returned to the field, Devon Achane went down with another injury. Jaylen Wright has the one fully healthy body in this Dolphins backfield, but the league’s worst offense doesn’t provide much reason to slot him into a lineup. This can be re-evaluated once Tua Tagovailoa returns.
Kyren Williams stands tall as the Rams’ lead back, but now-active rookie Blake Corum is laying in wait for any chance to show his abilities. The undersized Williams doesn’t fit the bell-cow prototype. With the way running backs are dropping like flies, Corum is a must-stash on moderate to deep benches.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton hinted that we might see more of Audric Estime, and it’s understandable that Payton might have an itchy RB finger when you consider how unproductive the Denver backfield has been. Javonte Williams was ineffective as both a runner and pass catcher against the Chargers in Week 6 and lost a fumble.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Written by Derek Brown
Josh Downs (IND): 48% rostered
- Next Opponents: MIA, @HOU, @MIN
- True value: $8
- Desperate Need: $13
- Budget-minded: $5
Analysis: Downs has been on a tear that doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon, with Michael Pittman (back) operating at less than 100% health. It’s insane that Downs remains below 50% rostered. Over the last three games, he hasn’t finished with fewer than seven grabs and 66 receiving yards in any game. Downs has scored in two of his last three outings. He just overcame a tough slot matchup in Week 6, so I have no worries that Downs can take advantage of middle-of-the-road matchups over the next three weeks. Miami, Houston and Minnesota have allowed the 18th-most, 14th-most and 17th-most PPR points per target to slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
JuJu Smith-Schuster (KC): 31% rostered
- Next Opponents: @SF, @LV, TB
- True value: $7
- Desperate Need: $11
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: Smith-Schuster broke out last week as the WR13 in weekly PPR scoring. He only had a 59% route share, but he was heavily involved, with a 20.5% target share, 31.6% air-yard share and 18.2% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). He finished with seven grabs and 130 receiving yards. Smith-Schuster doesn’t have standout matchups over the next three weeks, but if he continues to see this type of role and volume in the Kansas City offense, he’ll be in play for a flex or WR3 spot in lineups.
Christian Watson (GB): 41% rostered
- Next Opponents: HOU, @JAX, DET
- True value: $7
- Desperate Need: $11
- Budget-minded: $4
Analysis: I was surprised to see Watson active in Week 6. I figured his ankle injury would keep him out at least one more week, but Green Bay felt comfortable with him playing, and he rewarded their confidence. Watson played 60% of the snaps, seeing a 12.5% target share while leading the team with 68 receiving yards and logging one score. Jordan Love is in midseason form, and having two Green Bay wide receivers in this week’s waiver article is a treat. These are instant plug-and-play WR3/flex types. Watson should build upon his surprising Week 6 in the next three weeks. Houston, Jacksonville and Detroit are not pass defenses to fear. They have respectively allowed the 15th-most, most and third-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Romeo Doubs (GB): 35% rostered
- Next Opponents: HOU, @JAX, DET
- True value: $5
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Speaking of triumphant returns to the starting lineup. Green Bay ran on positive vibes in Week 6. After skipping practices and getting disciplined by the team, Doubs was back in the huddle in Week 6. He made his presence known with a 12.5% target share, 49 receiving yards and two scores. This Green Bay WR room can be tough to predict weekly, as it feels like we are constantly playing fantasy point Whac-A-Mole, but this is an offense that we should be looking to roster in every league when possible. Jordan Love is playing lights-out, and these talented receivers should continue to reap the benefits moving forward. As mentioned in the Christian Watson analysis, Houston, Jacksonville and Detroit are not pass defenses to fear. They have respectively allowed the 15th-most, most and third-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
DeMario Douglas (NE): 7% rostered
- Next Opponents: @JAX, NYJ, @TEN
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: People need to pay attention to Douglas. There’s no way he shouldn’t be rostered more heavily at this point. What else does Douglas have to do to enter the good graces of your fantasy roster? In Week 6, he scored his first touchdown of the season, but this was his third outing with at least nine targets, six receptions and 59 receiving yards. Douglas continues to prove he is the WR1 in this offense moving forward. He is an instant plug-and-play WR3/flex this week against a Jaguars secondary that has allowed the seventh-most PPR points per target to slot receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Xavier Legette (CAR): 19% rostered
- Next Opponents: @WAS, @DEN, NO
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Legette has cemented his WR2 status in the Carolina passing offense since Week 4. Across his last two full games played, Legette has averaged 7.0 targets, 4.5 receptions and 44.5 receiving yards while securing touchdowns in each game. Legette should keep the good times rolling this week against a Washington secondary that has allowed the 12th-most PPR points per target and the ninth-highest passer rating on targets to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Rashod Bateman (BAL): 11% rostered
- Next Opponents: @TB, @CLE, DEN
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Bateman finished Week 6 with a season-high 71 receiving yards while seeing only four targets. Bateman has been productive whenever Lamar Jackson has looked his way this season. On a per-route basis, Bateman has been one of the best wide receivers in the league, although the box scores won’t back up this fact. Among 65 qualifying receivers, Bateman ranks seventh in separation and 14th in route win rate (per Fantasy Points Data). While I don’t want to start him in Week 8 or Week 9, he’s in the flex conversation this week against a Bucs secondary that has allowed the ninth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers (per Fantasy Points Data).
Bub Means (NO): 0% rostered
- Next Opponents: DEN, @LAC, @CAR
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: With Chris Olave in concussion protocol on a short week and Rashid Shaheed now dealing with a knee injury, Means could operate as New Orleans’ WR1 this week. Last week, in Spencer Rattler’s first NFL start, Means had a 70.8% route share, 20% target share, 27.5% air-yard share, 1.32 yards per route run, one end zone target, and a team-leading 26.9% first-read share (per Fantasy Points Data). Means is a solid flex option this week based on volume alone. The matchup is tough, however. Denver has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Jordan Whittington (LAR): 9% rostered
- Next Opponents: LV, MIN, @SEA
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Whittington has been Matthew Stafford‘s WR1 across his last two games. Whittington saw a 24.3% target share and 20.8% first-read share while producing 2.19 yards per route run and 75.5 receiving yards per game (per Fantasy Points Data). Cooper Kupp could be back this week. That’s the only reason Whittington isn’t higher on this week’s waiver wire list. Kupp should soak up a massive target share if he’s back, which would leave everyone else in this passing offense searching for scraps. As soon as Puka Nacua is back, Whittington could also be headed back to the bench. He’s worth adding to the end of your bench, though, because if Kupp isn’t back this week, we should expect Week 7 volume similar to that of his last two games.
Jalen Tolbert (DAL): 35% rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, @SF, @ATL
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Tolbert is coming off somewhat of a letdown game. If there was ever a week to flex him, it was Week 6, and Dallas face-planted. Tolbert has flashed an intriguing ceiling, with two games this season with at least nine targets, six grabs and 82 receiving yards, but he has been inconsistent. In the other four games of the season, he has failed to surpass 50 receiving yards. In a pass-happy and consolidated offense, this inconsistency is honestly a bit surprising. With a bye upcoming, Tolbert won’t be heavily sought after on the waiver wire, but he’s a viable flex moving forward, depending on the matchup. It might be possible to sneak him through waivers with a $1 or $0 bid if you’re trying to bolster your team’s WR depth.
Stash Candidates: none
QUARTERBACKS
Written by Bo McBrayer
Daniel Jones (NYG): 22% rostered
- Next Opponents: PHI, @PIT, WAS
- True value: $5
- Desperate Need: $11
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Here’s hoping Malik Nabers can get back on the field soon. Daniel Jones is not an elevator but can be a facilitator in the right spots. His mobility makes him an intriguing fantasy streaming option in favorable matchups. The Giants’ opponent this week, Philadelphia, is one of the more favorable matchups for opposing quarterbacks. Danny Dimes is wildly inconsistent, but his peaks can help your fantasy team win.
Drake Maye (NE): 6% rostered
- Next Opponents: @JAX, NYJ, @TEN
- True value: $4
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: After nearly cracking 20 fantasy points in his NFL debut, I’m at least in on streaming Drake Maye in Week 7 against a horrendous Jacksonville defense. Houston got after the rookie, sacking him four times and forcing four turnovers. Maye responded with three touchdown passes and 38 rushing yards in the loss. He has the upside to crush it in a plus matchup, but beware the Mr. Hyde side now that opponents have some film on Maye.
Justin Herbert (LAC): 41% rostered
- Next Opponents: @ARI, NO, @CLE
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Sadly, Justin Herbert‘s 13.7 fantasy points in Week 6 were a season high. Now 3-2, the Chargers have a run-heavy offense that needs only mistake-free football from their gifted signal caller to succeed. The Chargers face a volatile Cardinals team in Week 7 that has shown a propensity to lapse in coverage. With the right game script, Herbert has 20-point upside and thus makes a valid streaming option for the first time in the Jim Harbaugh era.
Andy Dalton (CAR): 10% rostered
- Next Opponents: @WAS, @DEN, NO
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Andy Dalton understands his assignment. If he simply peppers Diontae Johnson with targets, good things happen. Carolina has assumed a run-heavy scheme featuring Chuba Hubbard of late, but the Panthers have dropped five of their six games. Week 7 brings a date with the pass-funnel Washington Commanders, and a pass-heavy approach might be needed to keep up on the scoreboard. Dalton isn’t a premier streaming option, but he still makes the list.
Stash Candidates:
It usually doesn’t make much sense to stash quarterbacks, but the Dolphins go from the league’s lowest-scoring offense to one of the highest-scoring with Tua Tagovailoa on the field. Tua is eligible to return from IR in Week 8, so stashing him has merit. Miami’s Week 8 opponent is Arizona, which is ninth-worst at defending fantasy quarterbacks.
TIGHT ENDS
Written by Derek Brown
Zach Ertz (WAS): 25% rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, CHI, @NYG
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Ertz has been a consistent TE streaming target this season. He’s produced for the fantasy GMs who have relied upon him in a pinch. Ertz has at least 8.8 PPR points in 50% of his games this season. He’s also flashed a ceiling, with at least 60 receiving yards twice this season. He hasn’t scored a touchdown yet this year, so he’s honestly due at this point. Ertz could break the scoreless streak this week and flirt with TE1 status this week against a Carolina pass defense that has allowed the 10th-most receiving yards and fifth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Cade Otton (TB): 36% rostered
- Next Opponents: BAL, ATL, @KC
- True value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Otton has stepped up as the No. 3 option in the Bucs passing attack since Week 3. Across his last four games, He’s had at least 44 receiving yards or a score in each game. Since Week 3, Otton has averaged 6.7 targets as a trusted weapon for Baker Mayfield. And Mayfield should look Otton’s way early and often in Week 7 against a Baltimore secondary that has allowed the second-most receiving yards and the eighth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Hunter Henry (NE): 26% rostered
- Next Opponents: @JAX, NYJ, @TEN
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Henry walked away from Week 6 with a solid stat line in Drake Maye‘s first start, earning a 15.1% target share and finishing with 41 receiving yards and a score. Henry has been a central figure in the New England passing attack at various points of the season, and that could happen again in Week 7. The Jaguars are fresh off a week in which they let Cole Kmet rumble for 70 yards and two scores. I’m not saying Henry will reproduce a stat line like that, but if he copied and pasted his Week 6 box score in Week 7, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Taysom Hill (NO): 33% rostered
- Next Opponents: DEN, @LAC, @CAR
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $-
Analysis: Hill could be back this week after dealing with fractured ribs. The last time we saw Hill, he rushed for 24 yards and two scores against the Falcons in Week 4. Now, he gets to face his former head coach in the Big Easy. If Hill returns for Week 7, don’t be surprised if the team leans on him in his usual Swiss Army knife role to help their rookie quarterback, Spencer Rattler.
Grant Calcaterra (PHI): 0% rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYG, @CIN, JAX
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Dallas Goedert left last week’s game with a hamstring injury. Once Goedert was out, Calcaterra was the Eagles’ full-time tight end, playing 91% of the snaps with a 16% target share. He was efficient with his four targets, producing 67 receiving yards (2.79 yards per route run). Calcaterra could only offer one week of streaming ability, but in Philly’s consolidated passing attack, it could be nice. The Giants rank 15th in receiving yards per game and 17th in yards per reception allowed to tight ends.
Stash Candidates: none
DEFENSES
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Cincinnati Bengals: 15% rostered
- Next Opponents: @CLE, PHI, LV
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Bengals’ defense ranked 31st in defensive fantasy scoring going into a Week 6 matchup against the Giants, but never mind that. We’re targeting the Cleveland offense with our streaming defenses, and the Bengals draw the Browns in Week 7. The Browns haven’t scored 20 points or amassed 300 yards of offense in any of their six games. They’ve produced fewer than 250 yards of offense in five of those games. Browns QB Deshaun Watson has been sacked a league-high 31 times, putting him on an 88-sack pace. The Bengals are a perfect one-week defense. Buy. Use. Discard.
New Orleans Saints: 34% rostered
- Next Opponents: DEN, @LAC, @CAR
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: Yes, a team that just gave up 51 points is one of our favorite streaming defenses of the week. Although the Saints gave up 594 yards of total offense to the Buccaneers, a Week 7 matchup against the low-octane Broncos offense puts the New Orleans defense on the radar this week. As bad as they were in Week 6, the Saints went into the week ranked No. 8 in defensive DVOA. They’ve forced 12 turnovers in their first six games and have recorded 15 sacks. Broncos QB Bo Nix has thrown five interceptions in his last three games. Denver has amassed more than 300 yards of offense in only two of its first six games.
Indianapolis Colts: 26% rostered
- Next Opponents: MIA, @HOU, @MIN
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Colts get an appealing Week 7 matchup against the Dolphins at home. Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa isn’t eligible to come off injured reserve until Week 8, so Tyler Huntley will quarterback the Dolphins for at least one more week. Miami has passed for only 257 yards in Huntley’s two starts. Huntley has thrown one interception, has lost one fumble, and has taken five sacks.
Green Bay Packers: 46% rostered
- Next Opponents: HOU, @JAX, DET
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Packers don’t have an attractive matchup this week. They have a home game against the Texans and their high-powered offense led by QB C.J. Stroud. But this Green Bay defense is forcing turnovers at a stunning rate. The Packers have forced an NFL-high 17 turnovers, with at least two takeaways in every game. If you can tolerate a less-than-favorable matchup against Houston this week, you’ll be rewarded with Green Bay’s sexy Week 8 matchup against Jacksonville.
New England Patriots: 9% rostered
- Next Opponents: @JAX, NYJ, @TEN
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Patriots get a Week7 date with the Jaguars, whose offense struggled against the Bears in Week 6. Jacksonville produced only 278 yards of offense in its 35-16 loss to Chicago in London. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence has been sacked 15 times in his last four games.
Stash Candidates: none
KICKERS
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Austin Seibert (WSH): 26% rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, CHI, @NYG
- True value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Our relentless Austin Seibert campaign continues. Seibert booted three more field goals for the Commanders on Sunday, giving him 15 field goals in five games. He’s also hit 15 extra points. The Washington offense has produced at least 20 points in all six of its games this season, giving Seibert a sturdy floor. The Commanders have a Week 7 matchup against the Panthers, who are giving up 33.8 points per game and have allowed 34 or more points in each of their last three contests.
Cameron Dicker (LAC): 17% rostered
- Next Opponents: @ARI, NO, @CLE
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The Chargers aren’t exactly an offensive juggernaut, but Dicker the Kicker gets a favorable Week 7 matchup against the Cardinals, who have given up 99 points in their last three games. Dicker drilled three field goals against the Broncos on Sunday and is 10-of-11 on FG tries for the season.
Will Reichard (MIN): 3% rostered
- Next Opponents: DET, @LAR, IND
- True value: $1x
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: The 5-0 Vikings have been one of the most pleasant surprises of the young season, and Reichard is benefitting from the team’s success. He went into Minnesota’s Week 6 bye ranked 10th in fantasy scoring among kickers, averaging 10 points a game. He’ll get an indoor home game this week against the Lions.
Jason Myers (SEA): 20% rostered
- Next Opponents: @ATL, BUF, LAR
- True value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-minded: $0
Analysis: It’s Halloween season, so can we offer you a kicker who’s a mashup of Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers? Even if you don’t appreciate a good slasher film, you should be able to appreciate Myers’ favorable Week 7 matchup. The Seahawks visit the Falcons for what profiles as a high-scoring indoor affair.
Stash Candidates: none
FOOL’S GOLD
Gabe Davis had a season-high eight targets Sunday against the Bears in London and had five catches for 45 yards and two touchdowns. But Davis doesn’t figure to get a steady diet of targets. WR Brian Thomas Jr. is a budding star. WR Christian Kirk is a consistent target earner. And TE Evan Engram had a team-high ten catches Sunday in his first game back from a hamstring injury. Don’t chase last week’s touchdowns.
DROP RECOMMENDATIONS
Droppable:
Quentin Johnston teased us with the possibility of a second-year breakout by scoring three touchdowns in his first three games. But Johnston simply isn’t drawing enough target volume in a conservative Chargers offense to be fantasy-relevant. Johnston hasn’t seen more than six targets in a game this season. He’s averaging 32.8 receiving yards per contest and topped out at 51 yards in Week 2. Johnson also sustained an ankle injury in Week 6.
There was faint hope that Rashee Rice might not be done for the season when the Chiefs slow-rolled information about his knee injury. Now we know that Rice had surgery to repair his LCL and will miss the remainder of the regular season. You can drop him.
Mike Williams is droppable now that the Jets have traded for Davante Adams. Williams has produced 34 or fewer receiving yards in 5-of-6 games this season, and his awkward slip-and-fall late in Monday night’s game led to an Aaron Rodgers interception that sealed the Jets’ loss to the Bills.
Droppable with a chance of regret:
Titans head coach Brian Callahan said last week that he needed to do a better job of finding ways to get Calvin Ridley the ball. Ridley had a season-high eight targets Sunday against the Colts … and caught zero of them. That’s alarming, because Ridley won’t get many matchups better than Sunday’s matchup against the Colts and their suspect outside cornerbacks. Over his last three games, Ridley has two catches for 14 yards. He might pop off with the occasional big game, but with the Titans’ QB situation looking bleak, we probably won’t get consistent production out of Ridley. Time to cut bait.
With the return of Christian Watson from an ankle injury and the return of Romeo Doubs from a one-game, team-imposed suspension, Dontayvion Wicks goes back to being Green Bay’s No. 4 receiver. Watson and Doubs combined for three touchdowns on Sunday, and Wicks sustained a shoulder injury that could potentially cost him games.
Don’t drop yet:
If your league has short benches and you have to make a move, we’ll understand. But under most circumstances, we recommend that you hold Travis Etienne even if he’s going to miss a few games because of the hamstring injury he sustained on Sunday. Etienne has a pretty solid track record. His role has been shrinking this year, but even if Etienne is merely a passing-down back now, he’ll be a very good passing-down back on a team that’s probably going to be playing from behind often and in a lot of pass-heavy game scripts.
