Wide Receivers — Week 7 Fantasy Football Start/Sit
Tight Ends — Week 7 Fantasy Football Start/Sit
Fantasy Football Start ’em, Sit ’em: Week 7 RBs
Start: Kareem Hunt Fantasy Outlook vs. Colts
ECR Rank: 21
Thanks to the scarcity of reliable and healthy running backs, both Kareem Hunt and Jerome Ford could be considered top-25 material at the position in Week 7. That said, we would prefer to start Hunt of the two. Last week served as a clear warning that the Cleveland Browns would prefer to use both backs in tandem. Despite being on the short end last week in terms of snap percentage, Hunt was the one who found the end zone and was more productive in the passing game.
The fact that Hunt managed to finish as the RB12 last week in PPR scoring despite only playing 37% of the Browns’ offensive snaps is remarkable. The performance is that much more impressive when one considers the San Francisco defense he was up against. It was by far his greatest workload since rejoining the team and that percentage only figures to grow.
With the Indianapolis Colts having allowed the sixth-most receptions to opposing RBs on the year, this figures to be a positive matchup for a pass-catching back. Hunt is obviously more than capable in this phase of the game.
Start: Roschon Johnson Fantasy Outlook vs. Raiders
ECR Rank: 20
At the time of writing, Chicago Bears rookie Roschon Johnson remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol. After missing last week’s contest, he has yet to get on the practice field in advance of Week 7. That said, he sustained the injury over two weeks ago in a Thursday night game. Knowing this, it would be a bit surprising if he was not able to return in time for Sunday’s tilt against the Las Vegas Raiders.
If Johnson is healthy and available, he figures to be primed for a sizeable role as the Bears’ lead back. With Khalil Herbet on IR, Johnson is the top RB on the team’s active depth chart. The former Texas Longhorn has done nothing but impress when called upon so far this season. He is explosive as a runner and is more than capable in the passing game. With Chicago having to rely on a backup QB this week, Johnson could see ample work as a check-down safety valve.
Assuming good health, it’s hard to find a more favorable matchup than the one Johnson will encounter on Sunday. The Raiders enter allowing the third-most PPR points to opposing RBs, the third-most of any team. That kind of matchup also makes D’Onta Foreman a start candidate, especially if Johnson fails to clear concussion protocol.
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Sit: Zach Evans Fantasy Outlook vs. Steelers
ECR Rank: 28
Rookie running back Zach Evans has been one of the most sought-after players on fantasy football waiver wires this week. The Ole Miss product is in line to make his first career start with both Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers expected to miss this week’s contest. Unfortunately for Evans, he and the Los Angeles Rams have a difficult fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em matchup looming against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On the season overall, the Rams rank 17th in rushing yards per game (108.2) as a team. That average balloons to 132.3 when the sample size is narrowed to their three most recent games. However, two of those matchups were against Indianapolis and Arizona. Against stiffer defensive teams, the Rams’ offensive line is still overmatched. Look no further than the loss against Philadelphia two weeks ago in which L.A. only mustered 54 yards rushing as a team.
While the Steelers have allowed their fair share of rushing yards to opponents, they have only allowed 16.92 PPR points per game to RBs. Evans certainly won’t be the first option in the passing game, which could result in a firm ceiling on his production on Sunday, even in the starting RB role.
Sit: Gus Edwards Fantasy Outlook vs. Lions
ECR Rank: 29
It’s pretty well-documented that we here at FlurrySports love us some Gus Edwards. When it comes to fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em decisions, however, it’s important to think with your head, not your heart. In case you haven’t been paying attention, this isn’t your dad’s Detroit Lions defense anymore. For as good a rushing team as the Baltimore Ravens are, it could prove to be tough sledding for Edwards in Week 7.
The Lions come into this week’s contest allowing only 64.7 rushing yards per game to opponents. That represents the best mark in the NFL. If not for allowing a slew of touchdowns, there’s no doubt that Detroit’s defense would rank as one of the toughest for RBs to go up against in fantasy. Even as it stands, the Lions check in with the 11th-fewest points allowed to the position.
While Edwards has garnered the lion’s share of snaps and carries for the Ravens in recent weeks, Justice Hill will continue to see his fair share of opportunities. As the better pass-catcher, Hill might actually have the better fantasy output this week given the matchup. That said, both Baltimore backs are difficult to trust. Check out our fantasy football rankings to see if you have a better option available.
