The Fantasy Feed – Everything Fantasy for Week 7

Bold Predictions for Week 7

Nick Chubb

Jason Miller/Getty Images

With Jacksonville acquiring Carlos Hyde from the Browns, the backfield in Cleveland all of a sudden belongs to the second round pick out of Georgia.  This trade also scares me for Fournette owners but that’s beside the point. So far this season Chubb hasn’t rushed more than 3 times in a game and now he’s expected to take over the bulk of the downs.  Of course he’ll have Duke Johnson helping him out but the Browns decided it was time to utilize their draft pick and make him the workhorse. Chubb’s best game was against Oakland where he rushed 3 times for 105 yards and 2 TDs.  The big play ability is obviously there and he has a great matchup lined up against Tampa Bay this week. Prediction: 16 carries, 116 yards, 2 TDs 

Bilal Powell

GREGORY SHAMUS VIA GETTY IMAGES

With Isaiah Crowell not expected to play, this becomes Powell’s backfield.  He has silently averaged 4.31 yards a carry this season and hasn’t had a true “blow-up” game just yet.  If it all plays out like I think it will, Powell will take the reins this week and take off. Last year, Powell had 2 games where he rushed about 20 times for over 140 yards and a TD (one being against JAX).  He started in both of those games. He’s a ballsy play against the ninth best rushing defense in the league though. Prediction: 21 carries, 121 yards, 1 TD.

Greg Zuerlein

Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG

Greg the leg is back! But who cares because he doesn’t play in St. Louis anymore…he’ll finally return since last kicking on September 10th against Oakland.  That’s great for fantasy owners who drafted him earlier than the last round because you thought he’d be a difference maker for your team. Moral of the story: never draft a kicker until the last round.  The Rams released Cairo Santos this week which locks-in Zuerlein playing against San Francisco.  Greg is a serious talent but the reason he takes on the “bold” status this week is because he’s coming back from a groin injury which could easily become bothersome down the road. Prediction: Perfect on the day.

Start or Sit

• Will Fuller – Sit…facing one of the strongest secondaries in football this week.  He has been underperforming and a lot of that is due to Deshaun Watson struggles.  The only reason he was so high scoring last year is because Houston was down in every game and Watson had to chuck it deep to which made Fuller a threat. Plus, the hammy injury will never heal.
• Dede Westbrook – Sit…Bortles is a mess at QB and the Houston defense has only allowed single-digit points to receivers over the past 2 weeks.  With him being a slot receiver, he’ll be locked down this week by Kareem Jackson.
• Taylor Gabriel – Start…he’s a sneaky speedster this week especially after his 110 yard game last week. He is also the Bears’ leader in receptions and yards.
• Tarik Cohen – Start…The Bears are utilizing him much more in the pass game.  New England has allowed 18 receptions to opposing RB’s in the past 2 weeks
• Jordan Howard – Sit…I don’t like him. Since his rookie season he hasn’t impressed me. He had a couple of good runs last week which saved his day but his yards per carry has been dropping since his entry into the league. 5.1 to 3.5 yards now.
• David Njoku – Start…the Tampa defense is one of the worst in the NFL against TE allowing 70+ yards and a TD over the last 3 games.
• Kerryon Johnson – Start…I like Johnson and it’s time for him to become the #1. He’s been taking the majority of the snaps and the Dolphins haven’t held a lead rusher to under 4.2 yards per carry over the last 3 weeks.
• Alvin Kamara – Sit…I know people are going to tell me I’m crazy, but before the bye week he rushed 6 times for 24 yards. Mark Ingram took over and it looks like Kamara’s status went from elite to solid. We’ll see if he can bounce back after a tough matchup this week against Baltimore.  I vote no…

Watching the Waiver

• Darren Sproles – PHI RB – don’t snag him just yet, but keep an eye on him.  When he comes back he will be the passing down back for sure. Plus, if you get points for return yards in your league, you can expect a boost in that category as well.  At the start of the season he was listed as the #2 back on the depth chart which tells me the Eagles likely will get him going as soon as they can.
• Tre’Quan Smith – NO WR – With a lot of question marks on the receivers in New Orleans, other than Michael Thomas, Smith is an interesting add. He caught 3 balls for 111 yards and 2 TD’s against Washington before the bye.  The rookie is truly a high-risk, high-reward play. With Ted Ginn out, they’ll use Smith again as the deep ball threat.

Week 7 Picks

(9-5) last week and this week I also took the Broncos on Thursday Night.

More next week…Good Luck!

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Twitter: @AndrewLilRogers