By this point in the season, you should have a pretty good idea if your Fantasy team is a contender or not. Even if you're a .500 team heading into Week 7, you should be able to figure out if you have the chance to compete for a championship.
If that's the case, then you should be aggressive via trade in trying to enhance your roster. Look at the teams struggling at 2-4, 1-5 or even 0-6 and see if you can poach their best player for a package of mid-level guys. This way, you can potentially help them get a much-needed win, while you fortify your roster for a playoff run.
It's a good idea to check out the Fantasy managers dealing with bye-week issues this week, and remember we're without the stars from the Bills, Eagles, Vikings and Rams. Some desperate Fantasy manager with a bad record might be willing to trade you someone like Josh Allen, Dalvin Cook, Cooper Kupp or Justin Jefferson just to get a win, and then you can have that stud player for the rest of the year.
There are plenty of ways to approach trades in the hopes of improving your Fantasy roster. But the point is you should be planning for the postseason if your Fantasy team is in good shape right now. Stars win championships, and it's never a bad idea to turn some of your depth into difference-making players who can help you at the end of the season.
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I'm going to include Tony Pollard as a must-start Fantasy option this week as well given the matchup for Dallas against Detroit. This is a great setup for both Cowboys running backs this week.
I'll still give the nod to Elliott as the better Fantasy option, and he continues to play more snaps than Pollard. Elliott is coming off his best game of the season in Week 6 at Philadelphia with 15 PPR points, and he looked good on 13 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown, along with one catch for 5 yards on one target.
He hasn't been involved in the passing game this year with just six catches for 32 yards on eight targets, but maybe that will change with Dak Prescott back from his thumb injury. The best part of Prescott's return is opposing defenses now have to respect the passing game, which should open up better running lanes for Elliott and Pollard.
The Lions come into this game No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Five running backs have scored at least 15 PPR points against Detroit, with eight rushing touchdowns allowed.
The offensive line has performed better of late for Dallas, and Prescott's return should make this offense pop. I'm excited for Elliott for the first time all season, and he has top-15 upside in Week 7.
As for Pollard, he has top-20 upside this week, and I would start him as a No. 2 running back in all leagues. His big-play potential should be on display this week, and he has at least 10 PPR points in three of his past five games, including two rushing touchdowns and one outing with over 100 rushing yards over that span.
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- More Week 7: Sleepers | Starts, Sits, Sleepers and Busts | PPR Cheat Sheet | Non-PPR Cheat Sheet | Waiver Wire | QB Preview | RB Preview | WR Preview | TE Preview | Trade Values
Quarterbacks
This feels like the perfect landing spot for Prescott to make his return to action after being out since Week 1 with a thumb injury. A home game against the Lions feels like a great opportunity for Prescott to have a big game. The Lions are No. 4 in Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, allowing an average of 24.6 Fantasy points per game. Jalen Hurts, Carson Wentz, Kirk Cousins and Geno Smith have all scored at least 22 Fantasy points against Detroit, and the only quarterback who failed to reach that total was Bailey Zappe in Week 5. Prescott has also scored at least 22 Fantasy points in three career meetings with the Lions.
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Smith was a backup for the Chargers in 2018, but we won't put this in the revenge game category. He struggled last week as the Start of the Week from a production standpoint since he only scored 11 Fantasy points, but he did run for 48 yards, which is encouraging. This is now the second game in his past three outings with at least 48 rushing yards, and hopefully that continues. This week, he's facing a Chargers defense that has only allowed two quarterbacks to score at least 21 Fantasy points, but they have also played Davis Mills, Jacoby Brissett and Russell Wilson the past three games. Smith should get back on track this week as a top-10 quarterback in all leagues.
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Carr hasn't been a great Fantasy quarterback this season, but he has scored at least 21 points in three of his past four games. And now coming off a bye in Week 6, he should continue to be a quality starter in all leagues. Speaking of bye weeks, the previous eight games for Carr after a bye in his career he is averaging 23.6 Fantasy points per game. And in his past two meetings with the Texans he has combined for 580 passing yards, six touchdowns and one interception. Houston has only allowed one quarterback to score more than 17 Fantasy points this season, which was Justin Herbert in Week 4, but I'm still fine starting Carr in this spot.
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Ryan is coming off his best game of the season in Week 6 against Jacksonville with 33 Fantasy points, and he has now scored at least 22 points in two of his past three games. He scored 22 Fantasy points against the Titans in Week 4, and hopefully he can at least replicate that performance in the rematch this week. Tennessee has allowed four quarterbacks in a row to score at least 22 Fantasy points, and the Titans allow an average of 25.4 Fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks for the season, which is No. 3 in the NFL. Ryan has top-10 upside this week.
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Garoppolo could be in line for a big game this week. He has consecutive games with at least 20 Fantasy points heading into Week 7, and he just attempted a season-high 41 attempts in Week 6 at Atlanta when the 49ers were chasing points and couldn't rely on their ground game. The same thing could happen this week against the Chiefs, even at home. And this is a beautiful matchup since Kansas City is No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. The Chiefs allow an average of 26.0 Fantasy points per game to the position, and five of six opposing quarterbacks have scored at least 21 points against this defense.
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Tagovailoa is cleared to return in Week 7 against the Steelers after being out for the past two games with a concussion, and he's worth using as a low-end starter in all leagues. This is a good matchup against Pittsburgh, especially if the secondary is still banged up with injuries to cornerbacks Cam Sutton (hamstring), Levi Wallace (concussion) and Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring) and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee). The Steelers have allowed four of six quarterbacks to score at least 20 Fantasy points this season, and Tagovailoa should follow suit now that he's healthy. He could be a top 10 Fantasy quarterback again in this matchup.
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Tannehill only scored 17 Fantasy points in Week 4 at the Colts, but he did throw two touchdown passes. Hopefully he can at least do that again, and he would be a safe fallback option in deeper leagues. Prior to that game, Tannehill had scored at least 20 Fantasy points against the Colts in three games in a row. And he has scored at least 35 Fantasy points in two of his past three games coming off a bye. He could end up as a surprise top-10 Fantasy quarterback in this matchup at home.
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This has typically been a bad spot for Goff this season when he's on the road against a quality opponent. He played at Minnesota in Week 3 and at New England in Week 5, and he combined for 20 Fantasy points in those two outings. By comparison, in three home games against Philadelphia, Washington and Seattle, Goff is averaging 31.0 Fantasy points per game. Jalen Hurts in Week 6 is the lone quarterback with 20 Fantasy points against Dallas, including matchups with Tom Brady, Joe Burrow and Matthew Stafford. I would only start Goff in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
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Mariota was great in Week 6 against San Francisco with 28 Fantasy points, but that's his lone outing with more than 19 points this season. I like that he ran for at least 50 yards in consecutive games, but he's attempted 26 passes in five games in a row, including a season-low 14 against the 49ers. He might have to throw more this week against the Bengals if the Falcons are chasing points, but Cincinnati has been outstanding against opposing quarterbacks all year. No quarterback has more than 15 Fantasy points against this defense, including Lamar Jackson in Week 5.
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Fields has played better of late as a Fantasy option, scoring 18 points at Minnesota in Week 5 and 19 points against Washington last week. He also attempted a season-high 27 passes against the Commanders, and he has run for at least 47 yards in four games in a row. But he's still waiting to score at least 20 Fantasy points in any game this season, and he now he's dealing with a bad shoulder heading into Week 7. While we expect him to be fine, he's risky as a Superflex or two-quarterback Fantasy option at New England. The Patriots allow an average of just 18.7 Fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and four of six opponents have scored 16 Fantasy points or less against New England. Fields could have a tough time against this defense on Monday night.
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Wilson continues to struggle as a Fantasy quarterback, and he's now dealing with a hamstring injury heading into Week 7 against the Jets. While he should play against the Jets, it's hard to start him in the majority of leagues. He has one game this season with more than 19 Fantasy points and has scored 12 points or less in three outings. There's little reason to trust him now, especially if he's not at 100 percent. And this Jets defense has been outstanding of late, holding three quarterbacks in a row to 14 Fantasy points or less, including Aaron Rodgers last week in Green Bay.
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I had Lawrence in this spot last week, and he proved me wrong by scoring two rushing touchdowns and getting three total scores for 26 Fantasy points. We'll see if he can prove me wrong again, but this Giants defense has been tough on opposing quarterbacks all season, including holding Aaron Rodgers in Week 5 and Lamar Jackson last week to a combined 37 Fantasy points. For the season, opposing quarterbacks are averaging just 16.0 Fantasy points per game against the Giants, and I expect Lawrence to struggle in this matchup.
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Running Backs
Walker looked amazing in Week 6 against Arizona and should be locked into your starting lineups now. He had 21 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown, along with two catches for 13 yards on three targets. He's now scored in consecutive games, and he has a fantastic matchup in Week 7 against the Chargers. Six running backs have scored at least 14 PPR points against the Chargers this season, including five in the past three games. This should be a top-10 performance for Walker in Week 7.
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Pierce comes off his bye in Week 6 with Texans coach Lovie Smith saying the running back "needs to get at least 20 carries" a game. Pierce wasn't far off from that already with at least 20 total touches in three games in a row, including two with at least 20 carries over that span. And it's great that he has 11 targets in his past two games, with nine catches, so keep throwing him the ball. The Raiders have only allowed two running backs to score more than 14 PPR points this season, but Pierce should get enough work, once again, to be a standout Fantasy option in all leagues.
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Etienne is starting to play much better of late, and hopefully a monster game is on the horizon. He scored 14 PPR points against Houston in Week 5 and then 12 PPR points last week at the Colts, and he hasn't scored a touchdown yet this year. But he's playing more than James Robinson over the past two games, and he should have the chance for another quality outing this week against the Giants. Four running backs have scored at least 14 PPR points against the Giants this year, including Kenyan Drake last week for the Ravens.
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Is Harris going to deliver a top-10 performance this week at Miami? Probably not. But can he still function as a No. 2 running back in all leagues? That should be safe. He's actually scored at least 12 PPR points in three of his past five games, with two touchdowns over that span. The games where he failed to reach that total were against the Jets and Bills, and those run defenses are solid. The Dolphins have allowed five running backs to score at least 15 PPR points over the past four games, with six touchdowns scored over that span. While Harris has been a bust this season based on where he was drafted and his overall production so far, he can still be a starter in the majority of leagues this week on Sunday night.
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A physical running game has caused problems for Green Bay this season, and the Commanders will hopefully recognize that and lean on Robinson. The Packers have allowed four rushing touchdowns in the past three games to Damien Harris, Saquon Barkley, Gary Brightwell and Breece Hall over that span, and for the season, seven running backs have scored at least 12 PPR points against Green Bay. Robinson took over as the lead running back in Week 6 at Chicago with 17 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown, and he should have the chance for a hefty workload again this week. While Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic will get touches, this should be a good matchup to trust Robinson as a No. 2 running back in all leagues, with his value higher in non-PPR.
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J.K. Dobbins (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, and he could be limited or out this week against the Browns. That could put Drake in a spot to be the lead running back in a solid matchup, and he just had 10 carries for 119 yards and a touchdown, along with one catch for 8 yards on two targets, against the Giants in Week 6 when Dobbins couldn't finish the game. Now, keep in mind that Drake failed to succeed in the first two weeks of the season when Dobbins was out, combining for five PPR points against the Jets and Dolphins. But Cleveland has allowed six running backs to score at least 13 PPR points this season, and Drake would be a flex option if Dobbins can't go.
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The Ravens are among the league leaders in receptions allowed to running backs with 41, and hopefully Jacoby Brissett can get Hunt involved in the passing game this week. There have been eight running backs with at least three catches against Baltimore this season, and Hunt has three games with at least three receptions on the year. Hunt will most likely need a touchdown to reward Fantasy managers since he's still stuck behind Nick Chubb, but Baltimore has allowed three touchdowns to running backs in the past three games.
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It seems like the Packers are going to try and get their backfield going to help make things easier on offense. At least that's the hope for Aaron Jones and Dillon, and Dillon can be used as a flex option this week in the majority of leagues. Washington has allowed six total touchdowns to running backs, and Dillon is due to score after not finding the end zone since Week 1. I also like that he got four catches in Week 6 against the Jets on six targets, and hopefully Aaron Rodgers will start throwing to him and Jones on a consistent basis this week and moving forward.
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The downside for Edwards-Helaire was on display the past two weeks when he didn't score a touchdown, and he failed to score against Las Vegas in Week 5 and Buffalo in Week 6, combining for nine PPR points over that span. He's played fewer snaps than Jerick McKinnon in four of the past five games, and Edwards-Helaire could struggle for positive production again this week. The 49ers have only allowed three touchdowns to running backs all season and just two to score more than 11 PPR points. It's hard to completely bench Edwards-Helaire in most leagues, but I consider him more of a flex option this week given the matchup.
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Robinson actually ran well in Week 6 at Indianapolis with 12 carries for 54 yards, but he failed to score a touchdown for the third game in a row. He's now combined for 13 PPR points over that span, and he's getting outplayed by Travis Etienne. If Robinson scores this week against the Giants, Fantasy managers will be happy, but he doesn't do enough in the passing game (nine catches for 46 yards on 10 targets) to trust him without a touchdown. And he has just one game with more than 66 rushing yards this year. Robinson is better left for a flex play in non-PPR leagues.
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I originally had Latavius Murray listed here until we got word Wednesday afternoon that Gordon will start again in Week 7 against the Jets. So whether it's Gordon or Murray or Mike Boone, this is a backfield to avoid. One of these running backs will likely need to score a touchdown to help Fantasy managers, and the combination of Gordon, Murray, Boone and Javonte Williams has one touchdown this season. The Jets also have allowed just one rushing touchdown to a running back in their past three games, including matchups with Joe Mixon, Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon.
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Mostert should once again be the lead running back for the Dolphins in Week 7, but he's only worth using as a flex. Despite three games in a row with at least 15 total touches, he only has one outing with more than nine PPR points. The Steelers have allowed five total touchdowns to running backs this year, but only one running back has gained more than 71 yards on the ground. If Mostert scores his second touchdown of the season Sunday night then Fantasy managers will be happy to have used him, but I would only start him as a flex in most leagues.
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Montgomery is expected to be the focal point of the Patriots defense Monday night, and that will likely be bad news for the Bears running back. New England has yet to allow a running back to score this year, and aside from the overtime game at Green Bay in Week 4 when Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon combined for 183 rushing yards, no running back has more than 60 yards against this defense, including Nick Chubb in Week 6 when the Patriots held him to 70 total yards. Montgomery should be considered a flex option at best in most leagues for Week 7.
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Wide Receivers
Hopkins' return from his six-game suspension comes at the right time for the Cardinals and Fantasy managers with Marquise Brown (foot) getting hurt. Hopkins should step in as the target leader for Kyler Murray, and hopefully he can pick up where these two left off before Hopkins was injured last season. In 26 games with the Cardinals, Hopkins has topped 15 PPR points 14 times. The Saints are without Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) this week, and nine receivers have scored at least 12 PPR points against New Orleans this year, including six in the past three games. Rondale Moore is also a great flex play in PPR this week.
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Higgins played in Week 6 at the Saints through the ankle injury that limited him in Week 5 at Baltimore and only had six catches for 47 yards, but Joe Burrow still targeted him 10 times. That's the first time this season where Higgins had at least seven targets and failed to score at least 14 PPR points. Burrow will likely keep going to Higgins this week again, and he should post a much better stat line against the Falcons. Eight receivers have scored at least 15 PPR points against the Falcons this year, so Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd should all have the chance to do well this week. For Boyd, consider him a sleeper No. 3 receiver after he had six catches for 66 yards on six targets last week at New Orleans.
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Lazard has been the one constant in this offense this season, and Fantasy managers have enjoyed his production. It should continue this week against the Commanders, who are No. 6 in Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Lazard has at least six targets in four games in a row, and he has scored at least 13 PPR points in each game over that span. He has either a touchdown or 100 receiving yards in all four of those games as well. Romeo Doubs is also worth using as a No. 3 receiver this week, and Washington has allowed nine receivers to score at least 12 PPR points this season.
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Look at what happened in Week 6 at Atlanta. The 49ers were chasing points, Jimmy Garoppolo attempted a season-high 41 pass attempts and Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle all had big games. Aiyuk was the star with eight catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns on 11 targets, and that was his third game this year with at least eight targets. He scored at least 11 PPR points in the other three outings, and he could have another big game this week against the Chiefs, who are No. 5 in Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Nine receivers have scored at least 13 PPR points against Kansas City this year.
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We pointed out last week with Adam Thielen that all it takes is seven targets from a receiver against the Dolphins to be successful, and that continued against Minnesota. Justin Jefferson and Thielen both had eight targets at Miami in Week 6, and both scored at least 13 PPR points. That's now six receivers on the season with at least seven targets against the Dolphins, and all six have scored at least 13 PPR points. Johnson has at least seven targets in five of six games. He's due for his first touchdown this season, and it will come this week. Miami has allowed six total touchdowns to receivers on the year.
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We had Pierce as a start receiver last week against Jacksonville, and he delivered with 13 PPR points on three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. But it was close to being a disaster since he needed a 32-yard touchdown with 17-seconds left to save his production. Still, this is now three games in a row with at least 12 PPR points, including Week 4 against Tennessee when he had four catches for 80 yards on six targets. Pierce could replicate that performance this week since the Titans are No. 2 in Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and eight have scored at least 12 PPR points against this defense in 2022.
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Prior to his bye in Week 6, Reynolds was rolling for the Lions and Fantasy managers. In his past four games, he scored at least 12 PPR points in each outing, and he had at least eight targets in his past three games. Part of that stretch came with Amon-Ra St. Brown and D.J. Chark dealing with injuries, so keep that in mind, and Chark (ankle) could be out again this week. Jared Goff and the Lions coaches trust Reynolds, and Goff and Reynolds were also teammates with the Rams. The Cowboys have allowed four receivers to score at least 13 PPR points in their past two games against the Rams and Eagles, and Reynolds is worth trusting as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.
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