Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings: Carson Palmer and QBs to Avoid

With the NFL Trade Deadline providing fireworks for the first time since 2008, there are a lot of movers and shakers to pay attention to for your fantasy team heading into Week 7. The biggest name affected by the moves was Carson Palmer, who goes from being retired to playing for Oakland. 

The Raiders were able to pry Palmer out of Mike Brown's cold fingers for two first-round draft picks and now the only question is when will the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback play for his new team?

Considering that Palmer would have to get into camp today, study the playbook and practice day and night to have even a clue about what to do with the offense, odds are good that he will not play in Week 7. 

Plus, you have to take into account that Palmer has not played in a real game since January 2. That is a long time to go without any kind of training camp, offseason training activities and work with a professional team. 

ESPN fantasy football expert Eric Karabell summed up Palmer's value perfectly:

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What this major trade...does do, in addition to adding Palmer as a factor in deeper leagues, is make Darrius Heyward-Bey owners feel a bit better. Heyward-Bey has thrived for three consecutive weeks, averaging 99 receiving yards and nine targets per contest.

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Palmer is going to make Oakland's receivers better, but as an individual fantasy player he will not likely bring a lot of value this season.

Christian Ponder, Minnesota

In a move that comes as no surprise to anyone who has seen Donovan McNabb play, the Minnesota Vikings have announced that rookie Christian Ponder will be the starting quarterback in Week 7 against Green Bay. 

At least the team has no reservations about throwing Ponder into the fire, but that does not mean he is a fantasy quarterback that you want to start or even have on your bench. 

Aside from Adrian Peterson, the Vikings offense is a mess right now. Ponder does not have a prayer to have success against the Packers, who are starting to hit their stride on defense after a slow start. 

Eventually Ponder might develop into a capable No. 2 quarterback in the right matchup, but don't count on that happening any time soon.

Sam Bradford, St. Louis

The first big move of the NFL Trade Deadline was the Rams acquiring wide receiver Brandon Lloyd from the Broncos, with the idea that he will be able to help quarterback Sam Bradford's development this season and in the future. 

Bradford is walking around in a boot due to an ankle injury and he might not even play this week against Dallas, but when he does return don't play him hoping to see some dramatic turnaround now that he has a legitimate receiver to throw the ball to.

The offensive line in St. Louis is a disaster, which means that Bradford is going to take a lot more hits and throw a lot more interceptions.

Perhaps it is time for the Rams to write off 2011 and focus on improving for 2012.