Fantasy Football Week 7: 20 Under-the-Radar Sleeper Point Machines

It's week 7 and we are going to get deep this week. I have been accused of picking the easy scorers lately so I am going to dig into the crates for players this time around.

Just be careful... with high reward comes high risk.

Here are the guys you are going to have to have the stones to take a shot on.

Whether it is because of your bye week, low production from stars or you just like to live dangerously.

Put your coal mining hat on and let's go underground.

20. Derrick Mason: Wide Receiver

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BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 10: Derrick Mason #85 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Players wore pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Ravens de

Why is he a Sleeper?

Because slowly but surely Flacco is getting acclimated to having two big time receivers at his disposal (Boldin and Houshmandzadeh).

He is also fifty years old and has only scored in double digits once this year in non PPR leagues.

If he is available, grab him. If he has been on your bench all season, start him at a flex.

Buffalo's secondary is soft and juicy.

19. Jermaine Gresham: Tight End

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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 26: Jermaine Gresham #84 of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Why is he a Sleeper?

He's a sleeper because he is a rookie on a team with two huge name receivers.

And now with Tony Moeaki in Kansas City making strides and Aaron Hernandez in New England getting attention, everyone has forgotten how good Gresham was at Oklahoma.

If TO keeps putting up numbers and Ochocinco wakes up, you can expect defenses to crowd those two and Gresham continue his steady growth.

18. Jonathan Stewart: Running Back

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 11: Jonathan Stewart #28 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates after a game winning touchdown run against the Washington Redskins at Bank of America Stadium on October 11, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka

He hasn't put up any numbers this year.

But Steve Smith is back so maybe they can get some goal line carries for Stewart.

There is no way a back this good can continue to have this bad of a season. I think he gets in the end zone against San Francisco.

17. Davone Bess: Wide Receiver

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 4: Davone Bess #15 of the Miami Dolphins makes a catch against Jonathan Wilhite #24 of the New England Patriots at Sun Life Field on October 4, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

I'm going so far under the radar with this one I think I hurt myself.

Bess has been catching passes, but he is listed as the number three behind Marshall who gets 75% of the passes, Hartline (10%) and there's also Fasano (10%).

But the Steelers are going to stop the run and make sure Marshall is bracketed.

I like Bess underneath.

I don't love him. But I like him.

16. Fred Jackson: Running Back

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 10: Fred Jackson #22 of the Buffalo Bills lines up against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Jacksonville won 36-26. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

I'm in a couple of leagues where you have to start two running backs. So at times you can get stuck. Let me first point out that all the experts hate Jackson this week against the Ravens.

But they said that about Peyton Hillis from the Cleveland Browns and he went crazy against the Baltimore Ravens.

Jackson will get the touches and the goal line love.

Fitzpatrick is feisty. What if they complete a couple passes into the red zone?

Everyone hates him, but I'm telling you that you can do worse.

I see 65 yards rushing and a touchdown.

15. Chris Ivory: Running Back

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Runningback Chris Ivory #29 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the football past Clark Haggans #53 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. Th

He's a sleeper because even though he exploded against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 158 yards, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas are due back really soon.

You won't get many weeks out of him but if you need a spot starter this could be your guy.

Don't expect him to run silly like that against Cleveland though.

14. Justin Forsett: Running Back

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ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 3: Justin Forsett #20 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on October 3, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Seahawks 20-3. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Forsett is the third down and change of pace back for Seattle now that Marshawn Lynch is there. So what does that mean?

It means he had his best fantasy week of the year last week.

He'll catch the ball out of the backfield and for PPR leagues that can add up.

He can also break one every once and a while since he is the faster of the two backs.

13. Danario Alexander: Wide Receiver

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ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 17: Danario Alexander #84 of the St. Louis Rams attempts to catch a pass against Antoine Cason #20 of the San Diego Chargers at the Edward Jones Dome on October 17, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Chargers 20-17. (Phot

Yes, he is a rookie, but so is everyone else on the St. Louis Rams.

Yes, it was only one game, but no one else is stepping up for Sam Bradford.

Yes, he has had four knee operations on the same knee, but you aren't looking for a replacement for Andre Johnson, you just need a sleeper, right?

Last year at Missouri he put up: 113 receptions for 1,781 yards and 14 touchdowns.

12. Deon Butler: Wide Receiver

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 19: Wide receiver Deon Butler #11 of the Seattle Seahawks makes a reception against cornerback Perrish Cox #32 of the Denver Broncos during NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 19, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by

Matt Hasselbeck threw the ball 15 times to Mike Williams last week.

I'm sure every fantasy geek and the Cardinals defensive coaching staff knows this stat.

Which means Mike Williams is the guy to stop when you play the Seahawks. Especially with Deion Branch gone.

So that means Deon Butler can roam free down the middle and go deep. He is faster and younger than Williams.

Butler could be the most solid pick up on the list.

11. Alex Smith: Quarterback

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 10: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Juqua Parker #75 of the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on October 10, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Smith has way too many weapons to be this inconsistent. He is clicking with Michael Crabtree right now and Vernon Davis is a stud.

He also has Gore coming out of the backfield

I think Alex Smith is going to turn the corner, and against the Carolina Panthers he should thrive.

10. Seattle Seahawks: Defense / Special Teams

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SEATTLE , WA - SEPTEMBER 13: Lofa Tatupu #51 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with Aaron Curry #59 during the game against the St. Louis Rams at Qwest Field on September 13, 2009 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

I keep doubting Pom Pom Pete and his merry men.

But they keep putting up points. Whether it's sacks, int's or return touchdowns, Carroll has these guys playing.

Don't be a fool like me, snatch them up if you can.

Especially with Max Hall and the Cardinals coming to town.

9. Thomas Jones: Running Back

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 17: Running back Thomas Jones #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs scores in the fourth quarter agasint the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Houston, Texas. Houston won 35-31. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

I got a guy in my league that can't wait for Thomas Jones to retire. He is making life hard for Jamaal Charles' owners.

But Jones put up his first 100 yard game of the season last week, and now he gets Jacksonville on a short week after they got beat up.

I like Thomas to keep frustrating Charles' folks.

8. Steve Johnson: Wide Receiver

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 10: Steve Johnson #13 of the Buffalo Bills runs the sideline against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Jaguars won 36-26 (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

I blew it on Johnson in my league. I figured I could pick up Johnson after last week's game because no one was paying attention to Bills' players.

But I was wrong. Someone grabbed him up.

I think Johnson is going to be the most consistent scorer on the BIlls the rest of the year.

If that means anything.

7. New Orleans Saints: Defense / Special Teams

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 10: Linebacker Jonathan Vilma #51 of the New Orleans Saints stands on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defe

Slowly but surely the Saints are getting back their mojo, and this week they get to face Colt McCoy and the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns are going to be behind and McCoy is going to have to pass.

Definitely worth grabbing up the Saints "D".

6. Josh Freeman: Quarterback

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TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the game at Raymond James Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

If you are one of those guys who didn't carry a second quarterback behind Schaub or Manning because you needed that spot for another flex, you are scrambling right now.

But if your team is strong enough and you feel like taking a flyer on an up-and-comer for one week, Freeman could be your guy.

He went for 280 yards and a touchdown against Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago and this week he faces the St. Louis Rams defense, and he is at home.

He might surprise you.

5. Matt Prater: Kicker

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 19: Place kicker Matt Prater #5 of the Denver Broncos attempts a field goal from the hold of Britton Colquitt #4 against the Seattle Seahawks at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 19, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated

Prater is 11 out of 12 for the year in that altitude, and the one he missed was 49 yarder.

He went ahead and hit a 59 yard a 48 yarder to make up for it.

Lots of attempts for the Broncos this week against the Raiders.

Kickers are usually interchangeable but Prater is setting himself apart.

4. Benjamin Watson: Tight End

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 17: Benjamin Watson #82 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to go up and over Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on October 17, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Ima

Both Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi were knocked unconscious last week. Neither has been cleared to play as of yet, so there is quite possibly no one for Colt McCoy to throw to except for Watson.

Last week BW looked like he was back in New England during his glory days with the Pats.

If the Browns want to move the ball against New Orleans it will be through Watson and a banged up Hillis.

3. Patrick Crayton: Wide Receiver

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 10: Patrick Crayton #12 of the San Diego Chargers warms up before their game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 10, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Here's what the list of pass catchers looks like for San Diego right now:

Malcom Floyd: Questionable

Buster Davis: Questionable

Legedu Naanee: Questionable

Antonio Gates: Questionable

Patrick Crayton is starting this week after having a great game last week.

And Philip Rivers is still his quarterback. I see big numbers in his future against the young Pats' secondary.

2. Joe Flacco: Quarterback

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Flacco has not had the kind of season everyone thought he would have, especially with the late acquisition TJ Houshmandzadeh.

Most would say he's not a top 10 quarterback on a non-bye week, but there are signs that he is warming up.

No offense intended, but what better team is there to build momentum on than the Buffalo Bills?

I like Flacco to be a top 5 quarterback this week. If you have him, start him.

1. Matt Cassel: Quarterback

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws passes during warm ups before playing the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

They are playing a bad team who had a short week. And Cassel is coming off of a three touchdown passing game.

If he doesn't put up a 250 yard two touchdown game here, I'll never put him on another one of these lists again.