Thursday Night Football was a bore. There were some moments for the Broncos offensively, with Bo Nix showing off his rushing prowess as well as his connection with college teammate Troy Franklin (at least in the first half) and Javonte Williams showing what he can do when given a positive gamescript. On the IDP side of things, Cody Barton went crazy with six solos, two assists, one sack, one pass defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and a touchdown. Justin Strnad continued his strong play, and Tyrann Mathieu dropped a sure interception as he started anticipating the return before he secured the ball. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.

Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Week 7

Start em

Nakobe Dean (LB – PHI)
Nakobe was excellent in Week 6, racking up seven solos and five assists. Nakobe has quietly tallied five or more solos in three of his five games this season and has been a solid LB3. He has failed to live up to the lofty expectations thrust upon him when he beat out Devin White, but is start worthy in all leagues that can start three or more LBs. Tap Nakobe as a top-25 option for Week 7, thanks to a plus matchup against the New York Giants.

Nate Landman (LB – ATL)
Landman was excellent in Week 7, tallying four solos, four assists, and two forced fumbles. Landman had been sidelined since Week 1, and has an expanded role for as long as Troy Andersen remains sidelined. Andersen has missed the first two practices of the week and is unlikely to play this weekend. Fire Landman up as an LB2 for a plus Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks.

Neville Hewitt (LB – HOU)
Hewitt flashed in Week 6, registering six solos and three assists against the New England Patriots. Hewitt saw an expanded role due to Azeez Al-Shaair being injured and should start this week if Azeez remains sidelined. Azeez has missed the first two practices of the week and fellow starter Henry To’oTo’o is still in concussion protocol (as of writing). Treat Hewitt as an LB2/3 for a plus Week 7 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, especially if both starters are ruled out.

Kobie Turner (DT – LAR)
Kobie inched himself back into the DT1 conversation with his Week 5 performance, racking up five solos, one assist, two sacks, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one pass defended. He topped his season total in fantasy points in this game alone, but it serves to highlight his upside when he gets going. He is going to remain inconsistent but has flashed enough in the solo department to feel comfortable plugging him into lineups as a DT1/DL3. Count him as one for Week 7, thanks to a plus matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Harrison Smith (S – MIN)
Harrison was excellent in Week 5, racking up five solos, one assist, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Harrison has been inconsistent this season, but spike games like this keep him in the DB2 discussion. Treat him as such for Week 7, thanks to a plus matchup against the Detroit Lions. Start Smith everywhere as a DB2.

Sit em

Jamien Sherwood (LB – NYJ)
Sherwood surprised in Week 6, racking up seven solos and six assists. He remained productive even with C.J. Mosley returning to the lineup, as the veteran played limited snaps. As productive as Sherwood was with Mosley sidelined, Mosley is going to return to an everydown role once he is ready. Leave Sherwood on benches for Week 7.

Edgerrin Cooper (LB – GB)
Cooper was solid in Week 6, tallying six solos and two assists. Cooper has been inconsistent this season and should not be plugged into lineups on a light bye. He has considerable upside and should remain rostered in deeper leagues, but leave him on the pine for Week 7 despite the plus matchup against the Houston Texans.

Alim McNeil (DT – DET)
Alim was excellent against the Cowboys, racking up two solos, two assists, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. McNeil McNeil had just half a sack prior to Week 6, so IDP managers should not go chasing this performance. He belongs on radars in DT leagues but should not be deployed as a DT2 option on a light bye. He is not an option for Week 7 in DL leagues despite the plus matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Keep McNeil on benches or the wire for Week 7.

Amani Hooker (S – TEN)
Hooker was excellent in Week 6, reeling off four solos, two assists, one tackle for loss, one interception, and one pass defended. Hooker has been inconsistent this season, but that is about what we expected. He has topped five solos just once all season and has hit four just twice. Treat him as more of a DB4/flex than a DB3. Those in leagues where you are required to start three or fewer DBs should league him on benches for a neutral at best Week 7 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

Taylor Rapp (S – BUF)
Rapp was excellent in Week 6, racking up five solos, three assists, and three passes defended. Rapp has dealt with consistency issues all season as far as solos are concerned, and this was his first game above four solos. Outings like this serve to accentuate the upside IDP managers keep chasing, but Rapp is going to be hard to trust outside of heavy byes until he starts showing said consistency. Treat him as more of a DB4 than a DB3 for Week 7.

Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.