As the NFL’s Week 7 slate begins, fantasy football managers everywhere are scouring the latest news, analyzing the matchups, and agonizing over their lineup decisions in hopes of securing another crucial victory. Fortunately, our team of ESPN fantasy experts – Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, and Tristan H. Cockcroft – is here to guide you through the chaos with answers to all your pressing start/sit questions and sage advice on how to optimize your rosters. Whether you’re grappling with an injury-riddled lineup, a brutal bye week, or simply need a second opinion on a tricky flex spot call, our gurus have you covered from the first kickoff to the final whistle. Let’s dive into their top takeaways for this pivotal week in the fantasy season.
Navigating the Injury Report
As always, managing injuries is a critical aspect of fantasy success, and Week 7 is no exception. According to our experts, staying abreast of the latest updates right up until kickoff is essential, as game-time decisions can make or break your matchup. As Karabell notes:
Knowing which star players are active, limited, or out can massively swing projections and force last-second pivots in your lineup. Don’t get caught flat-footed by surprising inactives – have contingency plans ready.
Some key injuries to monitor include the hamstring ailments plaguing Marquise Brown and Jonathan Taylor, the lingering ankle sprain affecting Keenan Allen, and the murky statuses of concussed stars like Damien Harris and Darren Waller. As always, have capable backups and realistic expectations, especially in the dicey world of soft tissue injuries.
Weighing Boom/Bust Potential
In addition to injury management, our experts emphasize the importance of weighing weekly upside against floor when making difficult start/sit calls. As Cockcroft explains:
Depending on your matchup and risk tolerance, chasing ceiling can be the optimal play, especially in potentially high-scoring contests. Don’t fear volatility in the right spots – fortune favors the bold!
Some intriguing boom/bust candidates for Week 7 include Mike Williams in a projected shootout against Seattle, Gabe Davis as an explosive Bills stack option, and George Pickens as an ascending rookie facing a beatable Miami secondary. In the flex, opting for a high-variance play like Rhamondre Stevenson or Rondale Moore over a safe-but-unexciting veteran could be a slate-breaking decision, for better or worse.
Mining the Waiver Wire
Even at this relatively advanced stage of the season, our experts assert that the waiver wire remains a crucial resource, especially when trying to offset a rash of injuries or navigate a brutal bye week gauntlet. Moody advises:
Don’t neglect the wire, even if the options seem less than inspiring. Temporary starters and speculative adds can still move the needle, particularly in deeper formats. Embrace the churn and stay active!
Some priority pickups to target include Wan’Dale Robinson as the increasingly featured rookie in the Giants’ offense, Alec Pierce as a surging downfield threat in Indy, and Latavius Murray as the likely lead back in Denver with Russell Wilson on the shelf. For tight end-needy squads, Robert Tonyan and Hayden Hurst are widely available options with respectable floors and sneaky upside.
Trusting the Schedule
Finally, our experts remind managers not to overlook the impact of scheduling when making weekly lineup decisions and waiver adds. As Cockcroft points out:
Matchups matter, both in terms of the opposing defense and the game script. Targeting players in projected high-scoring affairs or exploiting plus draws can provide a tangible edge, especially in toss-up situations.
Some offenses with enticing Week 7 matchups include the surging Bengals against the defensively-challenged Falcons, the high-octane Bills squaring off with the inconsistent Packers, and the uber-efficient Vikings hosting the lowly Cardinals. On the flip side, fading strong defenses like the Cowboys, Patriots, and Broncos, especially when combined with subdued point totals, is often a savvy approach.
Ultimately, while navigating the ever-shifting landscape of fantasy football can seem daunting, even overwhelming at times, expert advice from trusted sources like ESPN’s Moody, Karabell, and Cockcroft can help illuminate the path to success. By staying informed, open-minded, and proactive, you can position yourself to not only survive the weekly whirlwind, but to thrive in it. Best of luck in Week 7!
