What You Need to Know From Week 7

Sigmund Bloom Published 10/24/2023

JAX @ NO

Trevor Lawrence's knee is fine. So fine that he ran for 59 yards. Travis Etienne ran two scores for the third week in a row, but Lawrence will surely have some multi-touchdown games going forward. Buy low on Lawrence and know that Etienne could be in for a little touchdown turbulence.
Calvin Ridley was quiet again as the Jaguars aren't forcing the issue in the downfield passing game. Ridley is a boom/bust WR3 flex in a boom/bust matchup vs. the Steelers this week. It's not crazy to bench him for a more consistent option if you're stacked at wide receiver.
Derek Carr was the captain of all Captain Checkdowns again. Alvin Kamara has been the big winner in PPR leagues to almost absurd proportions. Carr isn't even worth a roster spot in typical 1QB leagues, but he's turning Kamara into a league winner.
Taysom Hill has been one of Carr's favorite targets the last two weeks, and he scored a rushing touchdown even though Jamaal Williams (on a pitch count) was back. It's not clear if the return of Williams or Juwan Johnson will hurt Hill's opportunity, but this morose offense needs him to play a role in some way, shape, or form, so he remains a viable option against the Colts if you don't have a reliable tight end.

ATL @ TB

Desmond Ridder had a better day as a passer but fumbled three times, including once at the goal line, preventing a second rushing score that would have made him a good fantasy start. Overall, this game was promising for Ridder and the passing game's value, and he doesn't seem to be in danger of being benched right now because the team won and is in first place. Ridder is worth QB2/Superflex consideration against the Titans.
Bijan Robinson was mostly out because he didn't feel good. He's expected to be back to his normal workload in Week 8. Cordarrelle Patterson was strong in his significant action and could make this a three-headed backfield. Patterson could have value if Robinson and Tyler Allgeier both get hurt.
Rachaad White had a good receiving stat line but continued to be a poor producer as a runner. Chase Edmonds should be activated from injured reserve in the next week or two, and he's worth an add in leagues with longer benches.

LV @ CHI

Brian Hoyer was bad enough to be benched for Aidan O'Connell. Jimmy Garoppolo is due back this week, but if he misses more time, we should pencil O'Connell in as the starter and 2QB/Superflex pickup.
Davante Adams got more targets, but this pass offense was limited to short stuff, even against the not-so-imposing Bears pass defense. He could be better with Garoppolo's return this week at Detroit on Monday night.
Michael Mayer was still the primary tight end but failed to produce. He's worth a hold in deep leagues if you are hard up at his position, but drop him for guys like Dalton Kincaid and Trey McBride if you can.
Josh Jacobs' fantasy output was miserable, along with the offense as a whole. He barely missed getting both feet inbounds on a touchdown grab, but the sell-high window has closed. If you have Jacobs, you're stuck with him and the Raiders offense. If you think he and they have better football in them in the second half of the season, get your offers out there.
Tyson Bagent was a serviceable game manager, which is impressive for someone facing (and acing) Division II defenses at this time last year. He'll be safe with the ball, so DJ Moore's ceiling is lower, but his PPR floor appears higher with Bagent. Cole Kmet isn't worth playing until Justin Fields returns, which won't be in Week 8.
D'Onta Foreman scored three times, highlighting that this backfield can be very productive in the right matchup, even without Fields. Foreman left the game, but there are no indications that his injury was serious. Roschon Johnson is due back this week, but now this backfield has the potential for one or both to have fantasy relevance in a shared backfield. Khalil Herbert isn't expected back until Week 10 at the earliest.

CLE @ IND

Deshaun Watson left the game for a concussion check and didn't look right. He didn't return and reportedly had an MRI on his problem shoulder. While we await results, he can't be started until we see him finish and put up at least one good game, if not two in a row. P.J. Walker had another nerve-wracking game, but the Browns won. No one in the passing game is a reliable play for now.
Jerome Ford had a 69-yard touchdown run and later left with an ankle injury. It is reportedly a low-grade high ankle sprain that will cost him 1-2 weeks, but setbacks and extended return timelines are known to happen with this injury. Kareem Hunt scored twice and is the higher priority pickup, but Hunt came in a game-time decision, while Pierre Strong got more carries than Hunt after Ford left. He's also worth a pickup while Ford mends.
Gardner Minshew had four turnovers again but also accounted for four scores, two on the ground and two through the air. He's a boom/bust play in QB1 leagues but worth more than expected in 2QB/Superflex.
Michael Pittman was a good play despite only getting two catches. He's complaining about his targets, so expect some oil for the squeaky wheel against the Saints.
Josh Downs got away from the Browns defense more than once and flashed his upside as a WR3/Flex play. He should be in lineups this week.
Jonathan Taylor decisively outperformed Zack Moss for the first time this year and posted his first fantasy RB1-level game. He should be in lineups going forward, while Moss is a what-the-heck RB2/Flex as long the workload continues to be split down the middle.