2011 NFL Fantasy Football Week 7: Wide Receivers Rankings and Projections

Torrey Smith @ Jaguars:

Keep an eye on Lee Evans' progress in practice, but if Torrey Smith continues to play well, it’s going to be hard for Evans to win a starting job again. Smith struggled early in camp, and the Ravens made a trade for Evans to give Joe Flacco a respectable No. 2 receiver that was ready to make an impact down field.

As fortune would have it, Evans suffered an ankle injury within the first 10 days with the team and has been slow to recover. Smith started the season injured in his own right but came back with perhaps the greatest receiver debut in NFL history as he torched the Rams secondary for three long touchdown receptions in the first half.

While making the big plays are important, fantasy owners need to see that a receiver can stay active in the offense even when he’s not making those big plays. While Smith struggled against the Jets, he bounced back in his third start against the Texans with three receptions for 84 yards.

Consider Smith a respectable WR-3 play this week as the Ravens head down to Jacksonville to play a Monday Night game against the Jaguars.

Flacco should take advantage of the Jaguars with the vertical passing game, giving Smith WR-1 upside this week should he convert on a long bomb.

Darrius Heyward-Bey vs Chiefs:

A waiver wire favorite of mine last week, Darrius Heyward-Bey didn’t disappoint with six receptions for 82 yards against the Browns. Going back and watching video of Heyward-Bey in recent games, it is not only apparent that this kid has matured into a true No. 1 receiver for the Raiders, but you can literally see his confidence growing with every reception.

While DHB was productive against the Browns, it could’ve been so much more if Jason Campbell wouldn’t have fallen to a broken collarbone in the first half. At that point in the game, DHB had two receptions for 30 yards, so I feel confident in recommending this talented receiver as a starter for Week 7 as he posted four receptions for 52 yards with Kyle Boller at quarterback.

The Raiders should have another quarterback in camp by week's end, but for now, Boller is likely to be the starter before the team heads into their bye week.

If you’re looking for an upside talent in a nice matchup, get Heyward-Bey in your lineup this week as Boller clearly favored this big target in the second half.

While Boller is a horrible quarterback, coach Hue Jackson does a great job of designing the offense to his players’ strengths, so while Boller may thrown for 160 yards, he should find Heyward-Bey for about 80 and possibly a score.

Teams On Bye Weeks: Bills, Bengals, Patriots, Giants, Eagles, 49ers

More Week 7 Rankings:  QB | RB | WR | TE |Flex | K/D

1	Calvin Johnson	Falcons
2	Mike Wallace	@ Cardinals
3	Steve Smith (Carolina)	Redskins
4	Greg Jennings	@ Vikings
5	Dwayne Bowe	@ Raiders
6	Miles Austin	Rams
7	Dez Bryant	Rams
8	Larry Fitzgerald	Steelers
9	Marques Colston	Colts
10	Vincent Jackson (I)	@ Jets
11	Nate Washington	Texans
12	Roddy White	@ Lions
13	Sidney Rice	@ Browns
14	Anquan Boldin	@ Jaguars
15	Santana Moss	@ Panthers
16	Jordy Nelson	@ Vikings
17	Santonio Holmes	Chargers
18	Eric Decker	@ Dolphins
19	Julio Jones (I)	@ Lions
20	Darrius Heyward-Bey	Chiefs
21	Reggie Wayne	@ Saints
22	Brandon Marshall	Broncos
23	Greg Little	Seahawks
24	Pierre Garcon	@ Saints
25	Torrey Smith	@ Jaguars
26	Percy Harvin	Packers
27	Arrelious Benn	Bears
28	Brandon Lloyd	@ Cowboys
29	Mike Williams (TB)	Bears
30	James Jones	@ Vikings
31	Devin Hester (I)	@ Buccaneers
32	Steve Breaston	@ Raiders
33	Kevin Walter	@ Titans
34	Hines Ward	@ Cardinals
35	Titus Young	Falcons
36	Mike Thomas	Ravens
37	Danario Alexander	@ Cowboys
38	Davone Bess	Broncos
39	Preston Parker	Bears
40	Plaxico Burress	Chargers
41	Harry Douglas	@ Lions