Week 7 Fantasy Starts

QB

Jared Goff
Fantasy owners who started Goff last week are likely thinking of benching him this week for his terrible performance against the 49ers. However, that might be a mistake. The Falcons secondary was torn apart last week by Kyler Murray and the Cardinals. The Rams have a lot of talent in the passing game still. This could be a retaliation week for Goff.


Carson Wentz

Going into this week, Philadelphia head coach Doug Pederson said in an interview that he expects to win against the Cowboys this week and officially claim the top of the NFC East. Confidence is high for the Eagles, despite a tough loss against the Vikings a week ago. Wentz is possibly getting receiver Desean Jackson back this week, and the Cowboys are dealing with a rash of injuries. An inspired Wentz performance could be coming.


Daniel Jones

The Giants suffered against a superb Patriots defense, but this week they get to play the Cardinals. Jones made some throws against New England that proved why he was a first round pick. If he can avoid more rookie mistakes this week, he could have a boom week now that stars like Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley are coming back from injury.


RB


Tevin Coleman

Since returning from his ankle injury, Coleman has been getting around 20 touches a game for the best running offense in the league. His pass catching has value in PPR leagues, and this week against Washington he’ll be in the lead for likely most of the game, meaning more running opportunities. Coleman is a flex play at least.


Josh Jacobs

The Raiders have been using Jacobs as their workhorse tailback, and against the Packers that could equate to a good fantasy day. The Packers looked better than expected against the run on Monday night, limiting Lion’s RBs to minimal yards, but Kerryon Johnson still found the endzone. Jacobs floor is similar to Johnson’s Monday night game, and his ceilingis high. Jacobs is worth a start this week.


Devin Singletary

This week may be the week Singletary finally returns from his hamstring injury. He’s had time to fully heal, and the Bills play the Dolphins this week. Singletary was a much better halfback than Frank Gore in the pass game and in yards per carry when he was healthy. The Bills could attempt to feed him and let him get back to his dominant ways against Miami. I consider him a possible flex play, but watch his injury status and look at your other options before throwing him in the starting lineup.


WR


T.Y. Hilton

The same thing happens every year: T.Y. Hilton destroys the Houston secondary. A couple of weeks ago, it looked like Houston may have finally found the solution to slow T.Y. - Bradley Roby- but he will miss the week with a hamstring injury. Him and Jonathan Joseph will likely be out, meaning there’s not a top corner to stop Hilton. T.Y. is a must start.


Julian Edelman

Just a month ago, the Patriots were among the best at wide receiver. Now, in week 7, AB has been cut, Josh Gordon will likely play limited snaps after getting hurt last week, and N’Keal Harry might be coming off of the injured reserve list. However, Julian Edelman is still there for Tom Brady. Against a Jets defense that blitzes a lot, Brady will have to throw more quick passes and checkdowns. Edelman could have a big week because he is the WR1 on the team, and in PPR his value is even higher against the Jets.


D.K. Metcalf

Right now Seattle QB Russell Wilson is at the top of most MVP conversations and the Ravens defense has taken a considerable step back from their usual dominant ways. Baltimore will likely double team Tyler Lockett, and TE Will Dissly is now out for the season with an achilles injury. This week, that could mean more targets for D.K. Plus, if new Baltimore cornerback Marcus Peters plays this week, he could still be catching up with his new playbook, and make a costly mistake that could give Metcalf a touchdown. All it takes is one big play for a deep threat like Metcalf. He is a possible flex play this week.


TE


Evan Engram

Now that Saquon Barkley is back, the Giants will be able to move the ball more on offense, meaning more opportunities for Engram. If New York is in the red zone often, Engram has a high probability of scoring against the Cardinals' bad TE defense.


Noah Fant

Fant had a terrible fantasy performance last week after I predicted he’d be a worthy start. I’m going to stick with him one more week though; this week, the Broncos play a beat up Chiefs defense who was recently run over by the Texans tight ends. If the Broncos play the Chiefs close at Mile High, Fant could have a good fantasy game.




D/ST


New Orleans Saints

The formula to shutting down the Bear's offense is what the Packers did week one: shut down the run, and force Chicago to throw. The Saints have a stout run defense, and enough playmakers in the secondary to force a turnover or two. Turnovers are what you need in fantasy, so give the Saints a start this week.


San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have established themselves as a top fantasy defense, and should be rostered in every league. If they’re not rostered in your league, pick them up this week. They play a terrible Redskins offense, who is trying to focus their efforts on the run game. Running the ball won’t work against San Fran, who have five first round picks on their defensive line. Play the 49ers this week.


Detroit Lions

The Lions were ripped off against the Packers. After a solid defensive night, the refs threw the game in the Packers favor with some terrible calls. They are now last in a close NFC North, and will look to recover by winning this week’s NFC North matchup: the Vikings. Minnesota won’t be as effective in the pass game against Detroit, and the Lions have a chance to make some big fantasy plays. The Lions are startable in a deep league, or for a fantasy team that has their starting defense on a bye week.