Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings: Daniel Thomas and the Smartest Flex Plays

The dreaded flex spot can make you bang your head against the wall.

The ongoing debate on whether to start a guy based on matchup, injury status or recent production makes you feel like it’s better to flip a coin.

Not so fast.

These three fringe starters have a lot going their way in Week 7:

Daniel Thomas, RB Miami Dolphins

Thomas is the man in Miami, no doubt about it. He is getting the carries (56) and yards (249) despite dealing with injuries for a large portion of the season. The problem is the lack of touchdowns, where he currently has one.

Now Thomas is healthy and there is a story today in the Miami Sun Sentinel about how the coaching staff hinted on using Thomas more in the red zone.

The Broncos' defense is susceptible to the run, as they allow over 123 yards per game. Oh, and Reggie Bush is looking more washed up by the day.

Ryan Torain, RB Washington Redskins

Torain was a no-show last week, but don’t get caught up on that.

He’s still the starter with a banged up Tim Hightower questionable, and is facing a Carolina Panthers team that has surrender more fantasy points to running backs than any other team in the league.

Expect the Redskins to feed him the ball at least 20 times as coach Mike Shanahan eases the pressure on QB John Beck.

Earnest Graham, RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers

LeGaurette Blount won’t be playing and Graham did just fine without him last week (109 yards). This week they play the Bears, whose defense gives up lots of dump-off passes and check downs…something WB Josh Freeman does quite often anyways.

Graham, despite his limited playing time, is fifth in the NFL in receptions among running backs.

Also keep in mind that the Bears give up a big, fat 5.4 yards per carry.