Fantasy Football Week 7: The 5 Most Surprising Fantasy Seasons
The NFL season is never without its surprises, and that includes the fantasy leagues. Some players have been more than fantasy owners hoped for, while others have fallen short.
At Week 7, it's time to review the surprising studs and duds so far in fantasy football.
Players with injuries or contract holdouts have been held out of the mix. Let's just focus on those that are on the field.
Honorable & Dishonorable Mention
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WR Marques Colston, Saints
Colston was high on a lot of boards. The intrigue of the Saints offense and Colston’s recent play had fantasy owners gobbling him up on draft day. However, the Saints’ O has been sluggish this year, and, despite the offense finding some rhythm last Sunday, Colston has yet to find the end zone.
QB Kyle Orton, Broncos
Orton had a nice fantasy season last year, but has taken another step this season. Selecting Orton and then banking on a career year was a smart move.
WR Jeremy Maclin, Eagles & WR Hakeem Nicks, Giants
Neither Maclin or Nicks were complete surprises, as both were drafted in the early rounds, but both have taken their play to star levels at times this season.
WR Mike Williams, Buccaneers
When looking at the Bucs' receivers, many were looking at Arrelious Benn, but Williams is leading the team in the receiving yards and touchdowns.
RB Marion Barber, Cowboys
It was expected he would share time with Felix Jones in the Cowboys backfield, but clearly Jones has taken the bulk of the load in recent weeks. Since week one, Barber is averaging a dismal 3.1 yards a carry. Barber may still be used in the short-yardage and goal line situations, giving him some fantasy value, but one has to wonder whether his days as an impact fantasy player are over.
QB Brett Favre, Vikings
After a career year at the age of 40 last season, Favre has had trouble getting going this year. Losing Sidney Rice hurt and, despite the obvious distraction, may have found some rhythm since his second half against the Jets.
TE Brent Celeck, Eagles
Viewed as a potential fantasy star, Celeck hasn't had much chemistry with Michael Vick.
5. RB Jonathan Stewart & WR Steve Smith, Panthers
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Like their team, Stewart and Smith have struggled this year. Smith missed a game with an injury, but even when playing hasn't been able to get the ball much. Stewart continues to play a distant second fiddle to DeAngelo Williams, but even when on the field, is averaging 1.7 yards a carry less than last season. While many expected the Panthers to be a team in transition, not many expected this nosedive in fantasy points.
Stewart's Stats
| ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST | |
| 36 | 119 | 3.3 | 24 | 1 | 4 | 77 | 19.3 | 55 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Smith's Stats
| REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST | |
| 13 | 174 | 13.4 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
4. WR Austin Collie, Colts
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It helps when you have Peyton Manning pitching you the ball, but Collie wasn’t rated highly on many fantasy boards. Thanks to some injuries, Collie has found a spot in the Colts passing game. He’s already had two games of over 10 receptions and 100 yards and has caught a touchdown in all but one game.
| REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST | |
| 44 | 503 | 11.4 | 73 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
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3. WR Brandon Lloyd, Broncos
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The Kansas City native has bounced around during his eight-year career currently playing on his fourth team. However, he seems to have found a home, for one season at least, in Denver.
Last year he played in just two games and caught eight passes for 117 yards for the Broncos. But this year he’s not just leading the team in receiving, but the whole league with three touchdowns to boot.
It was expected that Jabar Gaffney would pick up the slack left by Brandon Marshall, but, while Gaffney hasn’t been a bust, clearly it opened the door for Lloyd.
| REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST | |
| 34 | 663 | 19.5 | 61 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2. RB Arian Foster, Texans
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While Foster wasn’t a complete unknown, his rise to top fantasy status was unexpected. The second-year undrafted running back out of Tennessee is leading the league in rushing and tied for the league-lead in touchdowns. It makes you wonder how a player like this could slip through the cracks, but right now he is making fantasy owners very happy.
| ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST | |
| 115 | 635 | 5.5 | 74 | 6 | 19 | 180 | 9.5 | 50 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
1. RB LaDainian Tomlinson, NY Jets
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Seen as nothing more than a backup to the young Shonn Greene, the once fantasy star has had a revival in the Big Apple. With his early performances, Tomlinson has seen his workload increase scoring five touchdowns in the last four weeks.
| ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST | |
| 92 | 490 | 5.3 | 31 | 5 | 19 | 107 | 5.6 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")