Fantasy Football Week 7 Rankings: Updated Positional Breakdown for Flex and PPR

As we head toward the seventh Sunday of the 2016 season, you may find yourself looking to bolster your fantasy rosters. Injuries have changed the fantasy landscape quite a lot since the start of the season, and bye weeks probably aren't helping.

If you're the proud fantasy owner of Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Newton, Ezekiel Elliott or Greg Olsen, you are in need of a temporary replacement for at least the current week.

We're here to help with some positional fantasy rankings. We'll be examining the top players at each position, providing standard and PPR lists for skill players and looking in-depth at some individual fantasy situations.

Our choices are based on factors such as past performances, projected role, matchup and injuries where applicable.

Rank	Player
1	Tom Brady, NE
2	Matt Ryan, ATL
3	Drew Brees, NO
4	Blake Bortles, JAX
5	Andrew Luck, IND
6	Kirk Cousins, WAS
7	Philip Rivers, SD
8	Matthew Stafford, DET
9	Alex Smith, KC
10	Andy Dalton, CIN

There are some favorable matchups to exploit this week, especially at quarterback. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady goes up against a feisty, but often inconsistent, Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts battle a Tennessee Titans defense that just gave up 336 yards and two touchdowns to Cody Kessler.

However, Week 7 also features the absence of Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger, who recently underwent surgery for a torn meniscus. If you're a Roethlisberger owner, find a replacement now. We also have to consider how Roethlisberger's injury affects skill-position players such as receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le'Veon Bell.

Rank	Standard	PPR
1	DeMarco Murray, TEN	Le'Veon Bell, PIT
2	Le'Veon Bell, PIT	DeMarco Murray, TEN
3	David Johnson, ARI	David Johnson, ARI
4	Devonta Freeman, ATL	Devonta Freeman, ATL
5	Spencer Ware, KC	Spencer Ware, KC
6	Melvin Gordon, SD	C.J. Anderson, DEN
7	C.J. Anderson, DEN	Lamar Miller, HOU
8	Lamar Miller, HOU	Melvin Gordon, SD
9	Todd Gurley, LA	Todd Gurley, LA
10	Mike Gillislee, BUF	Jacquizz Rodgers, TB
11	Jacquizz Rodgers, TB	Mike Gillislee, BUF
12	Christine Michael, SEA	Giovani Bernard, CIN
13	Mark Ingram, NO	Christine Michael, SEA
14	Isaiah Crowell, CLE	Mark Ingram, NO
15	Giovani Bernard, CIN	Frank Gore, IND

Bell should realistically be fine, as he will likely be the centerpiece of the offense. With Landry Jones under center, the Steelers are likely to implement a run-oriented, conservative offense.

"A shootout is not the type of game we're looking for," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. "We have to work to possess the ball on offense."

While Bell should be OK, Brown is likely to see a dip in production. He simply isn't the same player with Big Ben on the sidelines. In fact, Brown has never caught a touchdown pass from a quarterback not named Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger's injury isn't the only significant one this week. Tampa Bay Buccaneers back Doug Martin is still out, and Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy is largely expected to miss Week 7 as well.

Consider starting Jacquizz Rodgers in place of Martin this week. Mike Gillislee should get the call if McCoy cannot play. Gillislee should be an especially strong spot start—he's averaged 6.9 yards per carry and nine yards per reception this year with the Bills.

Tennessee Titans back DeMarco Murray is healthy and is an absolute must-start this week. He's already racked up 698 combined rushing and receiving yards this season, and he'll be going against an Indianapolis Colts defense that is rated dead last by Pro Football focus.

Rank	Standard	PPR
1	Allen Robinson, JAX	Allen Robinson, JAX
2	T.Y. Hilton, IND	Julio Jones, ATL
3	Julio Jones, ATL	T.Y. Hilton, IND
4	A.J. Green, CIN	Odell Beckham Jr,. NYG
5	Odell Beckham Jr., NYG	Mike Evans, TB
6	Mike Evans, TB	A.J. Green, CIN
7	Amari Cooper, OAK	Amari Cooper, OAK
8	Bandin Cooks, NO	Brandin Cooks, NO
9	Antonio Brown, PIT	Terrelle Pryor, CLE
10	Terrelle Pryor, CLE	Antonio Brown, PIT
11	Jarvis Landry, MIA	Jarvis Landry, MIA
12	Marvin Jones, DET	Marvin Jones, DET
13	DeSean Jackson, WAS	Jeremy Maclin, KC
14	Jeremy Maclin, KC	DeSean Jackson, WAS
15	Stefon Diggs, MIN	Julian Edelman, NE

Also keep an eye on Cleveland Browns receiver Terrelle Pryor. The surprising fantasy star has been dealing with a hamstring issue and could be held out of Sunday's contest with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Browns also might be without cornerback Joe Haden, which could mean big things for Bengals receiver A.J. Green. Haden has been one of the few cornerbacks to really limit Green, dating back to their years in college. Green produced just 73 yards in his last two games against Haden (both in 2014). He could go off if Haden can't go at all.

Rank	Standard	PPR
1	Rob Gronkowski, NE	Rob Gronkowski, NE
2	Travis Kelce, KC	Travis Kelco, KC
3	Delanie Walker, TEN	Martellus Bennett, NE
4	Martellus Bennett, NE	Delanie Walker, TEN
5	Hunter Henry, SD	Cameron Brate, TB
6	Cameron Brate, TB	Jimmy Graham, SEA
7	Jimmy Graham, SEA	Hunter Henry, SD
8	Julius Thomas, JAX	Julius Thomas, JAX
9	Antonio Gates, SD	Charles Clay, BUF
10	Charles Clay, BUF	Gary Barnidge, CLE
11	Zach Ertz, PHI	Dennis Pitta, BAL
12	Gary Barnidge, CLE	Zach Ertz, PHI

The Bengals (and fantasy owners) may also benefit from the potential return of tight end Tyler Eifert. Though the Bengals haven't made a final decision on Eifert's status, the Notre Dame product was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

“In my mind, I’m ready,” Eifert said, per Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “Two weeks ago, before it happened, I was in really, really good shape, and I’ve kind of been laid up just trying to get the back right. All things considered, I don’t think there’s anything else I have to pass.”

When it comes to defense, there probably isn't a better play than the Denver Broncos. Not only is Denver rated first in overall defense by Pro Football Focus, but the team welcomes back former quarterback Brock Osweiler.

Osweiler has had his fair share of struggles since joining the Houston Texans. He's thrown for over 1,400 yards so far, but he's also tossed eight interceptions to go with just eight touchdowns. The Broncos are looking to add to that pick total.

“He’s like a gunslinger right now,” cornerback Chris Harris said, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post. “He’s throwing the ball a lot. He’s throwing it everywhere, and he’s also forcing a lot of throws, so there’s a lot of opportunities to get picks.”

Expect a big day for the Denver defense and a not-so-big day for Osweiler.

Rank	Player
1	Matt Bryant, ATL
2	Stephen Gostkowski, NE
3	Matt Prater, DET
4	Mike Nugent, CIN
5	Cairo Santos, KC
6	Jason Myers, JAX
7	Dustin Hopkins, WAS
8	Adam Vinatieri, IND
9	Josh Lambo, SD
10	Dan Carpenter, BUF

Rank	Team
1	Denver Broncos
2	New York Giants
3	Baltimore Ravens
4	Cincinnati Bengals
5	Seattle Seahawks
6	New England Patriots
7	Buffalo Bills
8	Oakland Raiders
9	Minnesota Vikings
10	Arizona Cardinals