Fantasy Football Week 7: Rankings, Stat Projections and Top Waiver-Wire Adds
Four NFL teams were out of action in Week 6 due to bye weeks, and four more won't be playing in Week 7. Only this time, some even bigger names won't be available for selection in fantasy football lineups.
The Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles all have byes in Week 7. So, fantasy managers need to be prepared with fill-in options for some of their top playmakers.
Here are some early positional rankings for Week 7, along with potential waiver-wire targets to help fantasy managers be prepared.
Quarterback
1 of 4
1. Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (vs. CLE)
2. Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert (vs. SEA)
3. Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (at SF)
4. Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow (vs. ATL)
5. Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (at WAS)
6. Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray (vs. NO)
7. Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (vs. DET)
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady (at CAR)
9. Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith (at LAC)
10. Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson (vs. NYJ)
Waiver-Wire Target: Atlanta Falcons QB Marcus Mariota (at CIN)
Need a one-week fill-in at quarterback? Marcus Mariota is proving he's a viable option, as he's been putting together some solid fantasy performances in his first year in Atlanta.
In Week 6, the 28-year-old accounted for three total touchdowns (two passing and one rushing) in the Falcons' win over the 49ers. He may not be passing for a ton of yards (less than 200 in four of his past five games), but he's making up for it with his legs, having scored a rushing TD in three of the first six weeks.
Atlanta may be playing from behind in Week 7 against Cincinnati, which means Mariota could get more opportunities to pass the ball. That makes him a solid choice to start in a fantasy lineup.
Stat projection: 268 passing yards and two touchdowns (one passing and one rushing)
Running Back
2 of 4
1. New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley (at JAX)
2. Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (vs. SEA)
3. Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb (at BAL)
4. Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (vs. TB)
5. Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry (vs. IND)
6. Seattle Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III (at LAC)
7. Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (at TEN)
8. Houston Texans RB Dameon Pierce (at LV)
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette (at CAR)
10. New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara (at ARI)
Waiver-Wire Target: Baltimore Ravens RB Kenyan Drake (vs. CLE)
J.K. Dobbins is now dealing with a knee injury, but Justice Hill (hamstring) and Gus Edwards (knee) should return in the near future. Despite that, none of the three may be the Ravens' best backfield option at the moment. That could be Kenyan Drake instead.
On Sunday, the 28-year-old had an impressive showing in a loss to the Giants, with 10 carries for 119 yards and a touchdown. Perhaps Baltimore will give him even more opportunities in the near future, especially if Dobbins misses time or if Hill and/or Edwards don't return as quickly as anticipated.
It's worth picking up Drake now and then waiting to see how the backfield mix shakes out. If he gets consistent touches, he may be a strong fantasy option moving forward.
Stat projection: 64 total yards and a touchdown
Wide Receiver
3 of 4
1. Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams (vs. HOU)
2. Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase (vs. ATL)
3. Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (vs. PIT)
4. San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel (vs. KC)
5. Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb (vs. DET)
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (at CAR)
7. Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton (vs. NYJ)
8. New Orleans Saints WR Chris Olave (at ARI)
9. Los Angeles Chargers WR Mike Williams (vs. SEA)
10. Cleveland Browns WR Amari Cooper (at BAL)
Waiver-Wire Target: New York Giants WR Wan'Dale Robinson (at JAX)
Wan'Dale Robinson returned from a knee injury on Sunday and immediately had the best showing of his rookie season so far. He had three receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown (the first of his NFL career) in the Giants' win over the Ravens.
New York's offense has fared well early in the year, and the 21-year-old should get increased targets as he gains more experience. So, while he isn't rostered in many fantasy leagues currently, now is the time to add him.
The Giants are rolling, and their offense should have success against the Jaguars in Week 7. That should make Robinson a possible flex play for managers as he looks to build off his solid performance at the weekend.
Stat projection: 55 yards and a touchdown
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Tight End
4 of 4
1. Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews (vs. CLE)
2. Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (at SF)
3. San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (vs. KC)
4. Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Waller (vs. HOU)
5. Arizona Cardinals TE Zach Ertz (vs. NO)
6. Detroit Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (at DAL)
7. Green Bay Packers TE Robert Tonyan (at WAS)
8. Los Angeles Chargers TE Gerald Everett (vs. SEA)
9. Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (at CIN)
10. Pittsburgh Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth (at MIA)
Waiver-Wire Target: Green Bay Packers TE Robert Tonyan (at WAS)
Coming off an ACL injury, Robert Tonyan needed some time to get going this season. But he's now back to being a solid contributor for the Packers' offense.
On Sunday, the 28-year-old set season highs in catches (10) and yards (90) while getting targeted 12 times. Green Bay needs some receiving options to step up to help get its offense on track, and the Indiana State product could be one of the playmakers to do that.
It can be tough to find multi-week options at tight end, but Tonyan has the opportunity to be that moving forward for fantasy managers.
Stat projection: 44 yards and a touchdown
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