Chris Godwin (vs CLE): All Chris Godwin has done is catch a TD in 4 of his 5 games this season and netted 13 points or more in all 4 of those games. There are a lot of hungry mouths in the Bucs receiving game, but with Jameis Winston back in the fold I can see all those baby birds getting fed by mama Winston especially against a Browns team that has surrendered the 5th most receiving yards.
O.J. Howard (vs CLE): Another mouth to feed in Tampa Bay? Yea, but Howard was well fed even before Winston’s return. In his last three games played he’s had 18 fantasy points, 13 fantasy points and 16 fantasy points respectively. Howard will continue to gobble up a decent amount of targets even against a Browns secondary that has been a little stingy to opposing TEs. Should I end this eating analogy now? OM NOM NOM!
Quarterbacks
Dak Prescott (@ WSH): After looking dead in the water after averaging 9.666666 fantasy points in the Cowboys first three games, Prescott has turned it around by averaging 19.333333333 in the last three weeks including a second-most in the week 29 in week 6 against the Jaguars. In week 6 Cam Newton rushed for 43 yards against the Redskins on his way to a 23 fantasy point week. Prescott is capable of similar numbers.
Mitchell Trubisky (vs NE): Okay Trubisky. First you had my curiosity, but now you have my attention. After a 43 point week 4 against the Buccaneers I left the Trubs out of this column because he had a bye week and he only had 31 combined fantasy points over his three previous weeks. Now, after another solid fantasy game in week 6 (26 points) I’m keeping an eye on this young man. The Patriots have allowed the second most passing TDs on the season — maybe the #2 overall pick is starting to emerge.
Eli Manning (@ ATL): I know. I know. I know. I know. I know. I KNOW! Okay?! But here’s what’s going to happen in week 7: Eli is going to silence his doubters. His doubters are still going to be right — that a QB over the age of 35 who has been decidedly average his entire career doesn’t all of a sudden get better with age. Yes, if you are Tom Brady or Drew Brees, two of the top-5 QBs of all time, you can still be good past age 35. But Eli? League average ol’ Eli? Nah. Here’s the deal though. Eli is facing the Falcons in week 7. The Falcons have allowed the most passing TDs and most passing yards on the season. You don’t think Eli shows up and shows out after every single football fan, expert and analyst has called for him to lose his job? It could happen!
Running Backs
Marlon Mack (vs BUF): Is this the breakout game we’ve been waiting to see from a Colts back? He out-attempted his two competitors 12 to 3 to 4 in their week 6 loss to the Jets. If you’re desperate for rushing help, Mack’s ownership percentage is at the lowest it’s going to be all season — swipe him up and hope he stays healthy and continues to be the lead dog in Indy. He could/should be.
Ito Smith (vs NYG): Here’s the long and short of it — Devonta Freeman is not expected to play again in week 7. Tevin Coleman hasn’t exactly run away with the starting gig in Freeman’s place. And Smith just had more rushing attempts than Coleman in week 6 (11 to 10) including the only rushing TD on the day for the Falcons. If Coleman doesn’t step up and Freeman’s injury lingers there’s an opportunity here for Smith.
D’Onta Foreman (@ JAX): Foreman isn’t expected back yet in week 7, but the two running backs at the top of the Texans food chain had another disappointing day rushing a combined 22 times for only 72 total yards. Neither Lamar Miller or Alfred Blue have done enough to show that they deserve the RB1 tag in Houston so maybe Foreman can come in and run away with that title when he returns in week 8. This could be a huge gamble, but if you’re desperate you gotta do what you gotta do.
Wide Receivers
Taylor Gabriel (vs NE): Another guy who I think is criminally under-owned is Gabriel. He just put up his second 100+ yard receiving game and seems to have developed a rapport with Trubisky. Gabriel has played in 83% of the Bears snaps this season and has been targeted in 22% of those snaps — only 3% less than Allen Robinson. Check out more snap/target stats here: Chicago Bears Depth Chart.
Chester Rogers (vs BUF): I keep telling you to grab Rogers and you keep disobeying. Rogers has lead the Colts in targets in each of the last three weeks and has scored at least 14 fantasy points in each of those three games. No word on the status of T.Y. Hilton for the Colts week 7 game against the Bills, but even if he plays I’d still expect a healthy dose of targets for Rogers.
Willie Snead IV (vs NO): That makes 5 of 6 games where Snead has scored double-digit fantasy points in PPR leagues. John Brown and Michael Crabtree get all the attention, but don’t forget about steady Snead if you’re in need of WR help. His week 7 opponent, the Saints, have allowed the 4th most receiving yards and second most receiving TDs so there’s plenty of value to go around in the Ravens receiving game.
Jermaine Kearse (vs MIN): Don’t forget about Jermaine Kearse’s 50.6 receiving yards per game he averaged in 2017. Sam Darnold and the Jets have shown that they are not afraid to throw the ball all around the yard in 2018. After only having 7 total catches in his previous 4 games, Kearse grabbed 9 passes for 94 yards in week 6. After missing week 1 I’m guessing Darnold didn’t have the right chemistry with Kearse — but guess what? Chemistry here now. With Quincy Enunwa out for 3-4 weeks and Terrelle Pryor possibly missing time too — it is Kearse’s time to shine. He should be available in your league too unless you’re in one of the 0.9% of leagues where someone accidentally owns him.
Tight End
C.J. Uzomah (@ KC): Uzomah had a nice 6 catch, 7 target game for 54 yards in his second game as Tyler Eifert’s replacement. I told you to grab Uzomah last week. His week 7 opponent, the Chiefs, have also allowed the most receiving yards to TEs this year. One of these days you’ll listen to me.Â
Defense/Special Teams
Los Angeles Chargers D/ST (vs TEN): Quiet simple really. Chargers are playing the Titans. Titans have scored the third fewest points and acquired the third fewest yards on the season. The Chargers have scored double-digit fantasy points against the team that has scored the fewest points on the season (Bills), the fifth fewest points on the season (Raiders) and 10th fewest points on the season (Browns.)
Kicker
Brett Maher (@ WSH): I told you to add Maher last week. Here are his point totals since week 2: 8, 9, 15, 12, 21. You all gonna ignore me again?
