Somehow, the fantasy football season is heading into Week 7. For those that start the fantasy playoffs in Week 14, this is the mid-point of the season.
It seems like it was just draft day, but it’s now time to take a hard look at your roster and cut the dead weight. If you haven’t started a guy yet (and he’s not a handcuff), think about if you are actually going to start him. If the answer is no or maybe, check the waiver wire for a better option. Especially if your team is 2-4 or 3-3, you need wins. Find players that can help you get them.
Teams on bye: Carolina, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (47 percent owned)
Cousins had been struggling as the offense was run-first and he was limited in what he could do. Even when he did throw the ball, he didn’t look as good as he did in Week 6. With 333 yards and four touchdowns, Cousins will finish the week as a top-three QB. If the Vikings are able to continue this trend (and based on the past two weeks, it seems likely), Cousins may make his way back into the high QB2/low QB1 ranks.
Sam Darnold, New York Jets (16 percent owned)
Darnold was likely dropped when he had to miss three games over four weeks due to mono. However, now that he’s back, the Jets’ offense looks like it may have some fantasy value. In Week 6, Darnold threw for 338 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with Robby Anderson and the whole offense looked better with Darnold at the helm. The Jets face the Patriots on “Monday Night Football” in Week 7, and Darnold wouldn’t be a recommended start for that game, but the schedule gets pretty soft starting in Week 9.
Running Backs
Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals (34 percent owned)
When David Johnson missed practice last week, some fantasy owners proactively grabbed Edmonds just in case. Johnson ended up playing through his back injury, but he certainly is at risk to aggravate the injury. Edmonds has been involved even with Johnson in the game. He caught a touchdown in Week 6 and scored a rushing touchdown in Week 5. He has some value on his own, but he should be owned by those who have Johnson.
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams (28 percent owned)
Todd Gurley missed Week 6, and Henderson had six carries for 39 yards and one reception for nine yards. Malcolm Brown had 11 carries for 40 yards and was not involved in the passing game. Henderson looked like the better runner in this game, but neither back has a lot of value with Gurley active. However, Gurley is injury prone. It seems that Henderson would be the better backup, but it is a muddy situation.
Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers (15 percent owned)
After Aaron Jones fumbled the ball on Monday night and later dropped a would-be touchdown pass, Williams got more snaps and made the most of his opportunities. He finished with a game-high 104 yards on 14 carries and added four more catches, one of which went for a touchdown. The Packers may have been punishing Jones (who got a few touches later in the game), but this shows that Williams may have some value in this backfield.
Wide Receivers
Jamison Crowder, New York Jets (42 percent owned)
In Week 1, with Sam Darnold, Crowder had 17 targets. He caught 14 passes for 99 yards. He struggled until Week 6 when Darnold came back. He had nine targets on Sunday, catching six of them for 98 yards. Clearly, Darnold and Crowder have chemistry, and that will likely continue. The Jets face the Patriots on “Monday Night Football” in Week 7, so it will be a tough game, but after that, the schedule gets easier and Crowder will have fantasy value in the second half of the season.
N’Keal Harry, New England Patriots (6 percent owned)
Harry was the second wide receiver taken in this year’s draft (No. 32 overall), but injured his ankle in the first preseason game. It’s hard to gauge how Harry will be in the NFL, but Harry could practice this week after coming off of injured reserve. He is eligible to return in Week 9, so fantasy owners don’t need to grab him just yet. However, he is one of those players that may be a difference-maker at the end of the fantasy season into the playoffs.
Devin Smith (2 percent owned)
Amari Cooper left the game with a quad injury and his Week 7 status is up in the air. The Cowboys have a bye in Week 8, so that may factor into the team’s decision. That would leave Michael Gallup as the No. 1, but Smith will likely fill in as the No. 2. When Gallup missed time, Smith didn’t take advantage of it, but this is another chance. Desperate fantasy owners will likely find Smith on their waiver wire.
Tight Ends
Chris Herndon, New York Jets (27 percent owned)
Herndon served his suspension… and then proceeded to suffer a quad injury. He missed Week 6 because of the injury, but he was activated. While it’s not clear if he’ll be back for Week 7, he isn’t a great fantasy option against the Patriots anyway. Herndon is someone to pick up and keep in mind for the second half of the season.
Luke Willson, Seattle Seahawks (1 percent owned)
A blocking tight end, Willson isn’t a great fantasy option. However, fantasy owners that just lost Will Dissly to a ruptured Achilles may be scouring a picked-over waiver wire. If Hunter Henry (63 percent owned) is available, by all means, grab him. However, Willson will provide a few fantasy points each game with the hope he find his way into the end zone.
Defense/Special Teams (DST)
Kansas City Chiefs (24 percent owned)
While the Chiefs aren’t exactly known for their defense, they face the Broncos on Thursday night this week. The theory was that Thursday games were typically lower-scoring, but lately that hasn’t always been the case. However, the Broncos don’t often put up a lot of points, which bodes well for an opposing defense. The Chiefs DST has had their share of interceptions and fumble recoveries this year, and they should get some points on Thursday night. It’s a rough week for streaming defenses, but the Chiefs are likely available.
