Week 7 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Matt Cassel and This Week's Diamonds in Rough

Has your fantasy football team fallen asleep on you? Are your buddies passing you by each week that comes and goes in the 2011 NFL season?

It can be tough to turn your fortunes around halfway through the fantasy schedule, but don't lose hope. These three players will help you get your team back on track in short order.

Matt Cassel, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

You wouldn't be alone if you thought Matt Cassel had dropped off the face of the fantasy world. Cassel's performance through the first three games of the season was nothing short of catastrophic, with just three touchdowns against five picks and well under 150 yards passing per contest.

Cassel's performance has picked up considerably since, with 517 yards and five touchdowns combined over his last two games. With an extra week of rest under his belt, Cassel should be well equipped to put up some serious points against a Raiders defense that's been the third-friendliest for opposing fantasy quarterbacks.

And, chances are, the Chiefs will put the ball in Cassel's hands early and often as they try desperately to keep up with Oakland's scamper-happy offense.

Ryan Torain, RB, Washington Redskins

Trusting any one running back in Mike Shanahan's offense can be a risky proposition, though Ryan Torain is a solid bet to garner carries in Washington this week. Tim Hightower could've played against the Eagles but was held out with a sore shoulder.

As such, Hightower should be back but will likely serve as second fiddle to Torain in the Redskins' backfield. Either way, there figure to be plenty of touches to go around while the team breaks John Beck into his new role as the starting quarterback.

Touches that should go for big yardage against a Carolina Panthers defense that ranks as the most fantasy friendly in the NFL for running backs to romp over.

Greg Little, WR, Cleveland Browns

It's tough to recommend much of anyone playing in the Browns' moribund offense, but Greg Little deserves some fantasy love nonetheless. The big, physical rookie will be in the starting lineup alongside Colt McCoy against the Seahawks, whose pass defense is among the 10 softest in the NFL.

With the way Cleveland has struggled to run the ball of late, look for "The Real" McCoy to throw early and often and for Little to get the biggest share of looks from the second-year signal caller.