10 sleepers in fantasy football for Week 7
Finding sleepers in fantasy football is essentially the name of the game. Getting value added to your lineup every week in addition to your studs is the goal of every fantasy football manager.
Actually putting that into practice is a much more difficult endeavor. We all take our shots but rarely do we truly come away with a game-changer. But that doesn’t mean we don’t continue to take our shots.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. – Wayne Gretzky” – Michael Scott.
Sleepers are even more important now with the bye-pocalypse arriving in Week 7. We’ve taken a look at the top streaming options for the week. Now, it’s time to take a look at the sleepers.
In order to qualify as a sleeper, we will be using the expert consensus rankings (ECR) from FantasyPros. Only players ranked outside of the top-12 for quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers along with those outside the top-six tight ends (adjusted for the barren landscape) are considered.
So let’s get to it. Here are 10 sleepers in fantasy football for Week 7:
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
FantasyPros ECR: QB13
Week 7: vs. Atlanta Falcons
After a rough start to the season that included a QB22 finish in Week 1 and fractured ribs in Week 2, Tua bounced back in a big way in his Week 6 return. Over in London, Tagovailoa scored 21.4 fantasy points and finished as the QB10. Now, the Dolphins host the Falcons, who have allowed three weekly finishes inside the top-eight. In those three games, opposing quarterbacks averaged 28.7 fantasy points. With so many players on a bye, Tua could easily find himself with another QB1 week.
QB Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
FantasyPros ECR: QB16
Week 7: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
During the preseason, I was touting Fields as one of my favorite late-round sleepers at quarterback. It hasn’t been a great look so far. That said, there is upside for Fields in Week 7. The matchup isn’t great on paper against the Bucs, but Fields is going to have to throw this week. The Bucs funnel their defense to stop the run. Fields will be forced to throw, and he saw a season-high 27 attempts in Week 6. In addition to that, the rookie quarterback took six carries for 43 rushing yards. The Bucs have also allowed three finishes inside the top-seven to opposing quarterbacks this season, including the QB5 from Jalen Hurts last week. With the expected passing volume due to game script and the hope that he continues to run the ball, Fields is a worthy sleeper for fantasy football.
RB Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
FantasyPros ECR: RB14
Week 7: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Since his RB12 finish in Week 1 when he stepped in for the injured Raheem Mostert, Mitchell hasn’t done much for fantasy purposes. Between a shoulder injury forcing him to miss two games and two finishes outside the top-36, some managers might be worried about Mitchell. Don’t be. In the three games he’s played this season, Mitchell has seen no fewer than 61% of snaps in a single game while posting running back rush shares of 86%, 68% and 82%. Those are near-elite shares. It’s clear he’s the lead back in Kyle Shanahan’s system while the Colts defense continues to trudge through injuries.
RB A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers
Samantha Madar/Green Bay Press Gazette via USA TODAY NETWORK
FantasyPros ECR: RB29
Week 7: vs. Washington Football Team
You’re still starting Aaron Jones. Don’t read what I’m not writing. But there is potential that Dillon winds up finishing much higher than the RB29 on the week. Dillon has had flex appeal over the last three weeks with rush shares of 50%, 36% and 46% over the last three weeks, respectively. Over the last three weeks, only the Detroit Lions have allowed more fantasy points than Washington. With the Packers likely leading in a big way, Dillon has the chance to see all of the work in the second half with plenty of touchdown upside.
RB J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
FantasyPros ECR: RB24
Week 7: at Green Bay Packers
Even if Antonio Gibson (shin) suits up for this game, McKissic is a strong flex play. Three times in the last five games, McKissic has finished as the RB7 (Week 2), RB18 (Week 4) and RB17 (Week 6). With Washington likely trailing and Gibson playing through injury, McKissic is likely to be used early and often. In four of his six games this season, McKissic has recorded a double-digit target share. In three of those four, his target share has been above 14%. The game script calls for Washington to throw the ball, which sets McKissic up nicely.
WR Sterling Shepard, New York Giants
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
FantasyPros ECR: WR23
Week 7: vs. Carolina Panthers
It’s unlikely the Giants will have Kenny Golladay (knee), Kadarius Toney (ankle) and Saquon Barkley (ankle) in Week 7. This screams another volume-filled matchup for Shepard, who legitimately might be the last man standing. In his three full games this season, Shepard has seen nine, 10 and 14 targets. The Panthers have been solid against wideouts this season, but the volume is going to be enough to trump that. Shepard was limited Thursday with a hamstring injury so keep an eye out on the injury report. But if he’s active, he’s a fantastic play.
WR A.J. Green, Arizona Cardinals
FantasyPros ECR: WR41
Week 7: vs. Houston Texans
Green has been a pleasant surprise this season even if he may be capping the upside of DeAndre Hopkins. As each week passes, Green has become more of a reliable target and flex option. Through the bye-pocalypse, there’s upside for the veteran in Week 7. In three of the last four weeks, Green has finished as WR21 or better. In all but one game this season, Green has seen exactly six targets and has found the end zone three times. He’s coming off a 91% snap share and while the matchup with the Texans isn’t great on paper in terms of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers, Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense should move the ball with ease through the air. Have confidence in Green as a flex play with WR2 upside.
WR Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
FantasyPros ECR: WR34
Week 7: at Tennessee Titans
The Chiefs rarely have a relevant WR2 in fantasy football, but the opportunity is there for Hardman. Over the last two weeks, Hardman has seen 17 targets. With Tyreek Hill limited due to a quad injury this week, there is a chance Hardman sees a higher snap and target share in Week 7. Hill should be expected to play unless ruled out on Friday after starting the week with two DNPs. The Titans have allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, including four weeks finishing in the top-two or better. Hardman is bit of a dart through, but the peripherals are there for a deep play.
TE Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
FantasyPros ECR: TE9
Week 7: vs. Detroit Lions
Higbee has been very inconsistent this season but what else should we expect from a mid-range TE1 in fantasy football? Outside of the top four or five options, the rest of the landscape is simply pain. But Higbee has a good matchup this week and one that could see a big finish. The Lions have allowed two finishes inside the top-10 to tight ends this season. Meanwhile, Higbee has recorded a target share of 13% or more in three of his last four games. His 17% target share in Week 6 is the highest he’s seen since Week 1. Given the matchup, Higbee has a chance to explode this week.
TE Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
FantasyPros ECR: TE13
Week 7: at San Francisco 49ers
This is a deep sleeper. The tight end landscape is extremely suspect, which gives Alie-Cox the chance to be a sleeper. The 49ers have been very strong against fantasy tight ends this season but the 6-foot-5 tight end finished as the TE3 in Week 4 and TE12 in Week 6. He has three receiving touchdowns in the last three games while posting target shares of 16%, 12% and 17% in each of the last three weeks, respectively. For those in need of a touchdown, look to the former VCU basketball standout.
1
1
1
1
