The best part about fantasy football is winning. The second best part is the draft. However, the draft has come and gone, and fantasy owners struggle with who to start, who to sit, and who to target as a sleeper each week. Thankfully, four of our writers (Mike Fanelli, Joshua Abbe, Mason Thompson, and MJ Hurley) offer up their takes on who fantasy owners should start, sit, and play as a sleeper this week. Be sure to follow all of them on Twitter and reach out with any fantasy football questions you may have. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Quarterbacks
Starts
Ben Roethlisberger at Tennessee Titans
Last week, Big Ben left a sour taste in his fantasy owner’s mouth as he scored a season-low 11 fantasy points against the Browns. However, it was because the Browns didn’t put up much of a fight, and Roethlisberger threw only 22 times. The good news is, the Titans should give Pittsburgh a competitive game, meaning Big Ben will have to throw more this week. Meanwhile, the Titans have given up an average of 21 fantasy points per game to the position this season. Furthermore, they have allowed 12 passing touchdowns over their last four games. Expect Big Ben to have a big game and throw at least three touchdowns this week. – Mike
Justin Herbert vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Herbert has a nice matchup this week facing a Jaguars team that over their last three of five games has given up 24 fantasy points or more to quarterbacks. He is averaging 22 fantasy points a game and should continue that trend against a suspect secondary. With the Jaguars allowing the most completion percentage to the position, Herbert is a nice start this week. – Joshua
Matthew Stafford at Atlanta Falcons
For those that picked Stafford as their quarterback this year, the going has been rough. In five games, he is only averaging under 18 points per game. Thankfully, he gets a game against the Falcons defense that is allowing the most points to the quarterback position this year. In what should be a high-scoring affair on both sides, Stafford is a great option. – Mason
Deshaun Watson vs Green Bay Packers
Last week against the Titans, Watson played like a man on a mission. Facing off against the Packers defense in Week 7, Watson should have a favorable matchup. Don’t be surprised if the game turns into a shootout between Aaron Rodgers and Watson. After a four-touchdown, 335 yard performance last week, Watson is primed to do it again against the Packers. – MJ
Sits
Ryan Tannehill vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Tannehill has been great this season, averaging 23.5 fantasy points per game. He has scored at least 26.8 fantasy points in three of his last four games. In those three games, Tannehill has 12 total touchdowns compared to just two turnovers. However, left tackle Taylor Lewan torn his ACL last week and is done for the season. Meanwhile, the Steelers have one of the best pass rush duos in the league and have held opposing quarterbacks in check. This season, the Steelers are giving up an average of only 15.4 fantasy points per game to the position. Furthermore, they have held quarterbacks under 18.5 fantasy points in every game this season. – Mike
Jared Goff vs Chicago Bears
The Bears are allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Furthermore, they have allowed the fewest touchdown passes. His connection with wideout Cooper Kupp has been nothing but lackluster, to say the least, and with the Bears playing at the level they are, Goff is a sit here. Not worth the risk of getting extraordinarily little points for his efforts. – Joshua
Gardner Minshew at Los Angeles Chargers
Minshew is the QB14 on the season and is averaging over 19 points per game. Unfortunately, the Jaguars face off against the Chargers defense this week that has caused opposing quarterbacks into many mistakes. This week, the Jaguars have planned to get James Robinson more involved as the team is doing best when he’s more involved. Fade Minshew this week. – Mason
Tom Brady at Las Vegas Raiders
Although Tampa Bay has been doing well, Brady has only had one breakout fantasy game in 2020. Outside of his Week 4 performance against the Chargers, Brady was held to under 300 yards in every single week. Going to Las Vegas against a motivated Raiders team, Brady will again rely on his running game and defense to do most of the heavy lifting. Jon Gruden will not want Derek Carr to get into a shootout with Brady, and oddly enough, neither will Bruce Arians. – MJ
Sleepers
Kyle Allen vs Dallas Cowboys
In his first full game as the starter, Allen had a productive day against the Giants. He threw for 280 yards, two touchdowns, and scored 16 fantasy points. While Allen isn’t your ideal starter, for those in super flex leagues, Allen is a solid bye week filler. The Cowboys have given up an average of 21.4 fantasy points per game this season to quarterbacks. Furthermore, they have given up 28.5 or more fantasy points in three of their last five games. The Cowboys are giving up an average of over two passing touchdowns per game and in a game between two struggling teams, anything could happen. – Mike
Teddy Bridgewater at New Orleans Saints
Bridgewater in a revenge game narrative against the Saints this week has potential for big points. New Orleans has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game and the second-most touchdown passes to quarterbacks this year. The Saints are dealing with several injuries on defense, opening up the door for Bridgewater to have a big game. – Joshua
Drew Lock vs Kansas City Chiefs
Despite a rough outing last week against New England, Lock is a good streaming option this week. He will look to keep pace with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense, the Broncos desperately need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Lock should be getting some of his weapons back this week and will need it to keep up with Kansas City’s potent offense, and having Noah Fant back is a massive help to Lock. – Mason
Joe Burrow vs Cleveland Browns
Based on the number of pass attempts he will have, Burrow should be started in all standard size leagues. The Browns have allowed the sixth-most passing yards in the NFL and are giving up over 30 points per game this season. With Baker Mayfield injured and slowed down, the Bengals should and will take advantage of getting ahead early and taking it to their division rivals. – MJ
Running Backs
Starts
Justin Jackson vs Jacksonville Jaguars
With Austin Ekeler out for several weeks, Jackson took over the starting role in Week 5, scoring 14.4 fantasy points on his 20 touches against the Saints. Coming off their bye week, the Chargers have a great matchup against the Jaguars tomorrow. So far this season, the Jaguars are giving up an average of 31.3 fantasy points per game to running backs. They have given up seven rushing touchdowns, including three last week to the Lions. Furthermore, running backs have scored 43 or more fantasy points against the Jaguars in half of their games this season. In what should be a semi-high scoring game, expect Jackson to score 15 or more fantasy points. – Mike
Todd Gurley vs Detroit Lions
Gurley has scored more than 19 points in two of his last three games. The Lions have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs this season and the fourth-most rushing yards. With Dan Quinn gone, the offense is looking to reshape things, and Gurley helps move that offense down the field against a shaky Detroit defense. – Joshua
David Johnson vs Green Bay Packers
It seems like every year, the Packers’ run defense is subpar. Well, this year it is worse than that. Green Bay is allowing the most points to the running back position through their five games. Starting running backs have finished as the RB9, RB28, RB1, RB12, and RB3 against the Packers this year. Johnson has had at least 18 touches in each of the last three games and will find himself around that number again this week. – Mason
Ronald Jones vs Las Vegas Raiders
After worrying fantasy owners with a running back by committee situation to begin the season, Arians seems to have settled with Jones as their clear RB1. Jones produced three straight games with over 100 yards, something that the Buccaneers have not had since Doug Martin in 2015. With the Raiders allowing one of the highest rushing totals in the NFL, Jones should be in line for a fourth consecutive big day against Las Vegas. – MJ
Sits
Le’Veon Bell at Denver Broncos
Fantasy owners should have high hopes for Bell in Kansas City. However, they shouldn’t expect much out of him this week. Not only did Clyde Edwards-Helaire have his best game as a pro last week, but the Chiefs will want to work Bell into their offense slowly. Furthermore, the Broncos have given up an average of only 17.3 fantasy points per game to running backs this season. They have held running backs to 21 or fewer fantasy points in every game and have given up just one rushing touchdown. Between the bad matchup and CEH, Bell needs to be on your bench this week. – Mike
Jerick McKinnon at New England Patriots
The Patriots have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Along with allowing only one rushing touchdown to any running back this year. While also have allowed the fewest targets to running backs this year with 24. JaMycal Hasty should be cutting into McKinnon’s production, taking snaps away as well. – Joshua
James Conner at Tennessee Titans
Yes, the Titans have allowed the seventh-most rushing yards this year, but Conner won’t have much production this week. Tennessee and Pittsburgh is one of the best games of the week and should be a close game. The Steelers will likely be passing to keep up with Tennessee, which means limited production from Conner. There are better options this week. – Mason
Darrell Henderson vs Chicago Bears
Yes, Henderson has had some good games in 2020, but those have not been against the stout Bears defense. The Bears are allowing only 19 points and 113 rushing yards per game. Even if Henderson gets goal line touches, there are going to be very few scoring opportunities in this game. This game screams unfriendly for fantasy owners. – MJ
Sleepers
J.D. McKissic vs Dallas Cowboys
While Antonio Gibson is the running back to own in Washington, McKissic has earned a consistent role that has transformed into flex appeal in PPR scoring. Over the last two weeks, McKissic is second on the team with 14 targets. Furthermore, he is averaging 10.5 touches and 12.7 fantasy points per game over the previous two games. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have given up 32 or more fantasy points to running backs in two of their last three games. During that span, they have given up five rushing touchdowns as well. If you need a bye week filler at running back, McKissic should be your top target. – Mike
Phillip Lindsay vs Kansas City Chiefs
Facing the Chiefs on a short week, Lindsey should have a good performance this week. The Chiefs allow the second-most rushing yards per game to running backs. Yes, Melvin Gordon is returning this week, but the Broncos should run the ball enough for both running backs to have a good game. – Joshua
Latavius Murray vs Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to the running back position this year. While Alvin Kamara gets all the attention in the New Orleans backfield, Murray has been receiving an annoying amount of touches. Murray is the RB38 on the year and is averaging over nine points per game. Murray could steal a touchdown away from Kamara this week. – Mason
D’Andre Swift at Atlanta Falcons
Swift finally had his breakout performance in Week 6, and it was not a fluke. Swift can create touches in the rushing and passing game, which is something that brings enormous value to a Lions offense looking for production. Facing a Falcons team that has allowed 30 points a game, Swift will have consistent goal line touches in Week 7. – MJ
Wide Receivers
Starts
Tee Higgins vs Cleveland Browns
Don’t let A.J. Green‘s performance last week fool you. Higgins is still the wide receiver to own in Cincinnati. Higgins has four straight games with at least seven targets and is averaging eight per game since Week 2. Furthermore, Higgins has score 13 or more fantasy points and played 79 percent or more of the snaps in three of his last four games. Meanwhile, the Browns have given up an average of 45.3 fantasy points per game to wide receivers. They have given up 1.5 touchdowns per game to the position and at least 145 yards in every game. With Denzel Ward focused on Green, expect Higgins to have a big day. – Mike
Tyler Boyd vs Cleveland Browns
Last time against the Browns, Boyd scored 20.2 fantasy points, which was the ninth highest for that week. With the Browns having allowed the fourth-most receiving yards per game this year, Boyd is prime to repeat the same performance. Not to mention his quarterback Burrow is throwing 41 passes per game. – Joshua
Terry McLaurin vs Dallas Cowboys
McLaurin is currently the WR14 on the year, and nobody is talking about it. Well, he will shine this week against the Cowboys’ atrocious defense. McLaurin is averaging six receptions per game and has a 28 percent target share in the Washington passing attack. This game will likely be a messy one with tons of turnovers. Washington will likely have to keep tossing the ball around to stay with Dallas, which means more opportunities for “Scary Terry.” – Mason
Christian Kirk vs Seattle Seahawks
Kirk showed in Week 6 that he does not need eight or more targets a game to make an impact. Kirk caught two passes for two touchdowns in Week 6. With DeAndre Hopkins consistently getting the attention of any defense, Kirk will be left to roam the field and create big plays for Kyler Murray. Going up against a Seahawks defense that is depleted and allowing 27 points per game, Kirk is set up for another productive outing. – MJ
Sits
Michael Gallup at Washington Football Team
While Andy Dalton wasn’t very impressive Monday night, he was good enough for Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb to both score 13 or more fantasy points. However, Gallup had only two catches and 4.3 fantasy points. It has become clear that Gallup is the third receiver on this offense. With the change at quarterback, Gallup shouldn’t be anywhere near your starting lineup. Meanwhile, Washington has given up the fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers, giving up 27.4 per game. Furthermore, they have held wide receivers under 23 fantasy points in three of their last four games. – Mike
Robert Woods vs Chicago Bears
The Rams have been struggling as of late and now face a Bears team that has allowed only one receiving touchdown to wide receivers this season. They also provide a league-low 55 percent catching rate to wide receivers. Woods has a very tough matchup with one of the best secondaries in the league and will see plenty of Kyle Fuller. – Joshua
Henry Ruggs vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fantasy owners have been making trades to get Ruggs a ton lately. This week he should remain on your bench as he has a daunting matchup against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are the sixth-best against the receiver spot this year, and Ruggs will likely draw double coverage. The speedster’s target share isn’t as high as many would like it to be, and with him going against Jamel Dean this week, it will be difficult for him to create separation. – Mason
Mike Evans at Las Vegas Raiders
Before the pitchforks come out, let’s take a look at some numbers. In the three games Evans has played with Chris Godwin on the field, Evans has been targeted only 10 times and has four catches for 13 yards. For some reason, Evans has not produced in the Brady led offense when Godwin is on the field. With Godwin healthy and on the field against the Raiders, there is no reason to believe Evans will increase his production in Week 7. – MJ
Sleepers
Demarcus Robinson at Denver Broncos
Last week with Sammy Watkins out with an injury, Robinson led the team in snaps played. Robinson also had a season-high five catches on six targets for 69 yards and 11.9 fantasy points. Meanwhile, the Broncos have given up an average of 38 fantasy points per game to wide receivers. They have given up at least 36.5 fantasy points in four of five games this season. With Watkins out again this week, expect Robinson to have another good fantasy performance. – Mike
Chase Claypool at Tennessee Titans
In his last three of four games, Claypool has scored 17 or more fantasy points. Since Week 2, the Titans have allowed the second-most fantasy points to receivers. With the coverage focused on JuJu Smith-Schuster, Claypool has been able to take advantage of targets. With the building confidence with Roethlisberger, he has a chance at good numbers again. Then sell him. – Joshua
Cole Beasley at New York Jets
Even with Stefon Diggs, Beasley is the WR27 on the year, averaging over 12.5 points per game. He has had at least six targets in all but one of his games so far and has a fantastic matchup against the Jets. While the game could get out of control quickly, Beasley could score before he is relegated to the bench, thanks to the Jets being the Jets. – Mason
Darnell Mooney at Los Angeles Rams
Mooney has consistently been moving his way to a spot as the number two receiver in Chicago. With Anthony Miller struggling to produce outside of clutch time, Mooney appears to be a favorite of new starting quarterback Nick Foles. Mooney has at least five targets in the last four games, and when Foles is in charge, the Bears throw more than they do with Mitchell Trubisky under center. Mooney could be a flex option for a team struggling with injuries or byes. – MJ
Tight Ends
Starts
T.J. Hockenson at Atlanta Falcons
After an up and down rookie season, Hockenson has been consistent this season. He is averaging 11.3 fantasy points per game and has scored at least 9.3 in every contest this season. Furthermore, he has at least four targets in every game and has scored a touchdown in back-to-back games. Meanwhile, the Falcons have given up the second-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season, giving up 21 per game. Furthermore, they have given up at least 19 fantasy points to tight ends in four of their last five games, including six touchdowns. – Mike
Hunter Henry vs Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have allowed five receiving touchdowns to tight ends this season, the fourth-highest total on the year. Henry is TE12 in points scored. Scoring at least 10 points in four of his last five games, Henry is averaging just under 11 fantasy points a game. Having a nice matchup against a weak Jacksonville secondary, Jacksonville allows 15 yards per reception to tight ends, second-most in the league. Henry could be in line for a nice day. – Joshua
David Njoku at Cincinnati Bengals
Austin Hooper is out this week after needing emergency appendectomy surgery on Friday. With him out of the lineup and Jarvis Landry banged-up, Njoku could shine this week. This game should be a shootout as neither defense is very good. Furthermore, the Browns are trying to trade Njoku before the trade deadline and could feature him to improve his trade value. – Mason
Robert Tonyan at Houston Texans
One of the biggest reasons the Packers struggled in Week 6 was the lack of production from Tonyan. With Tonyan returning to the field healthy in Week 7, Rodgers and the Packers coaching staff will emphasize getting him involved early and often. With Davante Adams getting the WR1 treatment and Aaron Jones working the Packers down the field, Tonyan will get valuable goal line targets against a struggling Texans defense. – MJ
Sits
Jonnu Smith vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Smith is dealing with an ankle injury but is expected to play tomorrow. Whether he plays or Anthony Firkser gets the start, you shouldn’t play either this week. The Steelers are giving up only 10 fantasy points per game to tight end so far this season. Furthermore, they have given up only one touchdown to the position all season and held tight ends under nine fantasy points in 60 percent of their games. – Mike
Jared Cook vs Carolina Panthers
Yes, Cook is coming off his best game of the season last week, but he is wildly inconsistent and not worth the risk Sunday. The Panthers are tough on tight ends and have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. Furthermore, with both Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are out for tomorrow’s game, meaning the Panthers will do everything to slow down Cook. – Joshua
Darren Waller vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers stopped Tonyan’s streak of excellence last week and now look to stop Waller in his tracks. Tampa Bay is great against tight ends and while the Raiders could be down big, Waller won’t have much production as he will be facing off against the likes of Lavonte David and Antoine Winfield Jr. – Mason
Hayden Hurst vs Detroit Lions
Both Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley are off the injury report and ready to go for tomorrow’s shootout against the Lions. With good matchups at wide receiver and running back, Hurst will be the forgotten man. Furthermore, the Lions have given up the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. Find a different tight end on the waiver wire this week. – MJ
Sleepers
Jimmy Graham at Los Angeles Rams
Graham continues to be a consistent tight end every week for fantasy owners. Last week he scored 8.4 fantasy points, making it the fifth time this season he scored at least seven fantasy points. Furthermore, he has scored a touchdown in half of his games, and since Foles took over as the starter, Graham is averaging six targets per game. Meanwhile, the Rams have struggled to contain opposing tight ends, giving up an average of 14.1 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, they have allowed opposing tight ends to scored 11.5 or more fantasy points in four of their last five games. If Graham can find the end zone on Monday night, he should finish the week as a TE1. – Mike
Tyler Higbee vs Chicago Bears
While the Rams don’t offer a lot of good fantasy matchups in Monday night’s game, Higbee can have a big game this week. He can create such a matchup disadvantage in the red zone to be comfortable in starting here if you need a tight end. The Bears have allowed three receiving touchdowns to tight ends during this season, so they can be prone to sleeping on the position. – Joshua
Darren Fells vs Green Bay Packers
Fells finished as the TE5 last week and will continue his success this week. If there are things the Packers aren’t good at, it’s stopping the run and stopping tight ends. Fells has scored the second-most points of all tight ends over the last two weeks and will be targeted a ton against Green Bay’s leaky defense. – Mason
Dalton Schultz at Washington Football Team
Even though Dalton struggled last week, Schultz has been getting consistent targets no matter who is at quarterback. The Cowboys’ offensive line is a mess combined with Dalton’s limited scrambling ability, Schultz should be the recipient of several check down targets. With five or more targets every game, Schultz has the volume to produce as a TE1. – MJ
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