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Week 7 fantasy football rankings: Prepare for a Murray-Wilson slugfest

In Week 7, the Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings all are on bye. That means fantasy football teams will be without high-end starters like QB Lamar Jackson and RB Dalvin Cook. Given how injury-filled the 2020 season has been, the bye weeks feel like they’re hitting just a little harder.


Here are my half-point PPR fantasy football rankings to help you patch some holes caused by injuries or teams taking a breather for Week 7.

QB

1) Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Seattle Seahawks)

Murray finished as QB5 in Week 6, but his statline wasn’t what you’d typically expect from a top performer. Murray had only nine completions in his outing on Monday Night Football. That number will look different in a much more competitive game against the Seahawks this week. Although Seattle has had a lot of success to start this season, its pass defense remains a major weakness. The Seahawks have surrendered the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs this season and the second-highest total of passing yards despite already having a bye week.

2) Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (at Denver Broncos)

3) Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)

4) Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (at Arizona Cardinals)

5) Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans (vs. Green Bay Packers)

The departure of Bill O’Brien has done wonders for Watson’s fantasy football prospects. In the two games he’s played since O’Brien’s removal, Watson ranks second among QBs in fantasy points. The matchup against the Packers is a curious one this week as Green Bay has been tough against opposing passers in fantasy, but it hasn’t faced a QB yet this season with any sort of rushing ability: Kirk Cousins, Matthew Stafford, Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Tom Brady are the QBs they’ve battled. Watson’s ability to scramble poses a new issue for this unit to deal with, and it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.

6) Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (at Houston Texans)

7) Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (at Atlanta Falcons)

8) Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

Herbert’s ultra-soft schedule the remainder of the season gives him a real chance to finish the year as a QB1. It starts this week in a date with the Jaguars. Jacksonville is allowing 8.56 yards per attempt to opposing passers, the second-highest total in the NFL. The Jags have also allowed the fifth-most passing yards this season, setting Herbert up quite nicely this week.

9) Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Detroit Lions)

10) Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Tennessee Titans)

11) Gardner Minshew, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Los Angeles Chargers)

Minshew hasn’t topped 20 fantasy points since Week 2, but he’s still QB13 on the year. In Week 7, he matches up against the Chargers who have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing QBs over the past three weeks. With WR D.J. Chark Jr. seemingly healthier after a 14-target outing, Minshew’s No. 1 option should be readily available once again.

12) Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)

The 2020 NFL season has been a tail of two stories thus far for Burrow. From Weeks 1-3, the “Tiger King” was QB10 in fantasy football. Over the last three weeks, however, Burrow ranks as QB22. The schedule did get difficult for Burrow during this stretch, facing off against the Ravens and the Colts. He’s still an efficient passer as Burrow’s completion percentage above expectation ranks eighth amongst all passers and his 21.5% aggressiveness rating ranks third. If the Bengals’ offensive line can buy him some time, he’ll have an easier task battling the Browns in Week 7.

13) Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Las Vegas Raiders)

14) Cam Newton, New England Patriots (vs. San Francisco 49ers)

15) Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (vs. Carolina Panthers)

16) Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. New York Giants) Played on Thursday*

17) Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers (at New Orleans Saints)

18) Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

Over the past two weeks, Tannehill has accumulated the most fantasy points at QB. The return of A.J. Brown has made a big difference in how this offense operates. The issue for Tannehill in Week 7 is that he’ll be battling an elite Steelers defensive front without OT Taylor Lewan. Lewan tore his ACL last week and is one of the best in the league at his position. Through five games, Pittsburgh hasn’t allowed a QB to top 20 fantasy points in a game.

19) Andy Dalton. Dallas Cowboys (at Washington Football Team)

20) Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Chicago Bears)

21) Daniel Jones, New York Giants (at Philadelphia Eagles) Played on Thursday*

22) Kyle Allen, Washington Football Team (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

23) Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns (at Cincinnati Bengals)

24) Drew Lock, Denver Broncos (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)

25) Nick Foles, Chicago Bears (at Los Angeles Rams)

26) Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

27) Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers (at New England Patriots)

28) Joe Flacco, New York Jets (vs. Buffalo Bills)

RB

1) Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (vs. Carolina Panthers)

2) Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers (at Houston Texans)

Jones (calf) will be a game-time decision. If he suits up, he’s a surefire option at RB. In his absence, teammate RBs Jamaal Williams (38% rostered) and AJ Dillon (10% rostered) are viable options with the latter, in my estimation, being the main beneficiary in terms of usage.

3) Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (at Washington Football Team)

4) Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

5) Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns (at Cincinnati Bengals)

6) James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Tennessee Titans)

7) Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks (at Arizona Cardinals)

8) Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs (at Denver Broncos)

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid wasn’t sure whether or not RB Le’Veon Bell would be ready for this week’s game. His absence would obviously be great news for Edwards-Helaire’s fantasy value. CEH was a wrecking ball last week, gashing the Bills for 161 rushing yards on 26 carries. The issue with Edwards-Helaire remains his involvement in the passing game, as he had four receptions for just eight yards. The Broncos have not been a great matchup for opposing RBs, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to the position.

9) Mike Davis, Carolina Panthers (at New Orleans Saints)

10) Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Las Vegas Raiders)

Let’s give it up for Jones. He wasn’t someone I was very high on entering this season, but he has exceeded even the loftiest of expectations. He’s rushed for 100 yards or more in three-straight and has looked very physical as a runner. The question surrounding him is what kind of role RB Leonard Fournette will have when he returns, but that’s not a concern until we see Fournette healthy again. Jones will square off against the Raiders, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing rushers this season.

11) Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Due to RT Trent Brown’s positive COVID-19 test, the entire Raiders’ offensive line was sent home from practice on Wednesday. It would obviously not be great for Jacobs if his offensive line was sidelined this weekend against a tough Buccaneers defense.

12) Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Detroit Lions)

13) James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Los Angeles Chargers)

14) David Johnson, Houston Texans (vs. Green Bay Packers)

15) Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Seattle Seahawks)

Are we getting a Drake breakout? Sure, the receiving work hasn’t been there, but Drake has looked better over these past two games. Despite not racking up the receptions, his 105 carries are the fifth-most in the NFL. He hasn’t been efficient, but the Cardinals have stuck with him this entire time, and there’s no reason to believe they’ll stop. Over the past two weeks, he checks out as RB2 in fantasy football. Maybe it’s Week 7 where Drake is increasingly involved in the passing game, as RBs have been targeted the eighth-most frequently (49 targets) against Seattle.

16) David Montgomery, Chicago Bears (at Los Angeles Rams)

17) Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

It was originally thought that when RB Austin Ekeler suffered his hamstring injury rookie RB Joshua Kelley would be the lead back for the Chargers. He got the opportunity early on against the Saints in the team’s final game before the bye week, but he failed to do much (11-29-0, 1-9-0) with it. Jackson ran for 71 yards on 15 carries, adding 23 receiving yards on five catches. It’s reasonable to expect Jackson to continue shouldering the majority of the work against the Jaguars in Week 7. Jacksonville is tied for allowing the most fantasy points to opposing RBs, surrendering big performances to D’Andre Swift and Joe Mixon recently.

18) Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

19) D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions (at Atlanta Falcons)

Swift’s fantasy value made major strides in Week 6, as he rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries all while leading all Lions RBs in snaps. The matchup against Jacksonville was obviously a major plus, but his Week 7 opponent, the Falcons, aren’t impenetrable on the ground by any stretch. Atlanta is tied for allowing the 13th-most fantasy points to RBs over the past three weeks. Additionally, his passing-game prowess could play a factor this week as Atlanta has allowed the second-most receptions (46) to RBs this year.

20) Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. New York Giants) Played on Thursday*

21) Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)

22) James White, New England Patriots (vs. San Francisco 49ers)

23) Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)

24) Jerick McKinnon, San Francisco 49ers (at New England Patriots)

25) Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)

26) Devonta Freeman, New York Giants (at Philadelphia Eagles) Played on Thursday*

27) Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Chicago Bears)

28) Adrian Peterson, Detroit Lions (at Atlanta Falcons)

29) J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

30) Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

WR

1) DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Seattle Seahawks)

2) Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers (at Houston Texans)

3) Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs (at Denver Broncos)

4) D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (at Arizona Cardinals)

5) Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions (at Atlanta Falcons)

6) Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Detroit Lions)

7) Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)

8) A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

9) Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Detroit Lions)

10) Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

Regardless of the messy QB situation Washington has, McLaurin remains one of the more consistent receivers in the NFL. He’s topped 60 receiving yards in every game but one this year and has at least seven targets in all contests. There’s a major plus matchup on the horizon this week against the Cowboys, who are allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to the WR position this season. McLaurin’s 2.4 average yards after catch above expectation is third amongst all pass-catches.

11) Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

People may have forgotten just how well Allen was performing prior to the Chargers' bye week, and more specifically, prior to suffering back spasms early on against the Saints on Monday Night Football. From Week 2-4, Allen led all wide receivers in targets (40) and was WR10 in fantasy football during that stretch. Despite exiting Week 5’s game and playing just 12 snaps, he still managed to record two receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown. Coming up is a matchup against the Jaguars, who are allowing the ninth-highest yards per target total to opposing wide receivers.

12) Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Las Vegas Raiders)

I’m not panicking with Evans as much as others are. He saw a healthy dosage of Packers CB Jaire Alexander last week, which as I cover more thoroughly under No. 30 on this list, isn’t fun. The game-script of last week’s game also shifted to run-first very quickly as the Bucs defeated the Packers handily. I expect him to bounce back in a road date against the Raiders this week. Las Vegas is currently allowing the seventh-most yards per target to opposing WRs.

13) Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Las Vegas Raiders)

14) Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears (at Los Angeles Rams)

15) Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys (at Washington Football Team)

16) D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers (at New Orleans Saints)

17) Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Chicago Bears)

18) CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (at Washington Football Team)

19) D.J. Chark, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Los Angeles Chargers)

Chark saw a season-high 14 targets last week against the Lions. Although he wasn’t able to turn it into a major fantasy day (7-45-0) it’s still an encouraging development. He was removed from the injury report on Friday. Chark is seemingly getting healthier which is positive news for fantasy managers.

20) Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks (at Arizona Cardinals)

21) Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers (at New Orleans Saints)

22) Darius Slayton, New York Giants (at Philadelphia Eagles) Played on Thursday*

23) Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns (at Cincinnati Bengals)

24) Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans (vs. Green Bay Packers)

25) Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)

26) Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Tennessee Titans)

27) Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)

28) Tre’Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints (at Carolina Panthers)

Smith cracks the top-30 this week as both WR Michael Thomas (hamstring) and WR Emmanuel Sanders (COVID-19 list) are expected to miss this weekend’s game. He’s worth starting given the expanded role he’ll likely assume.

29) Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Chicago Bears)

30) Will Fuller V, Houston Texans (vs. Green Bay Packers)

Fuller has been very good in 2020, but he gets a very tough matchup in Week 7, likely going toe-to-toe with Packers’ CB Jaire Alexander. Alexander hasn’t allowed more than 70 yards to a receiver since Week 1, according to PlayerProfiler. For that reason, I actually prefer his teammate WR Brandin Cooks against the Packers this week.

TE

1) Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (at Denver Broncos)

2) George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (at New England Patriots)

3) T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions (at Atlanta Falcons)

Hockenson’s been able to score touchdowns to keep him fantasy-viable, but the usage has been extremely frustrating. Despite not having an abundance of playmakers in the passing game, Hockenson has exceeded five targets once this season. That’ll hopefully change this week as his opponent, the Falcons, have allowed the second-most receptions and fantasy points to the tight end position this season. He’s currently on pace for 54 receptions, 630 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2020.

4) Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

5) Noah Fant, Denver Broncos (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)

Fant battles the Chiefs in a game where the Broncos will likely have to play catch up. The second-year tight end was ranked eighth amongst TEs in targets through the first four weeks.

6) Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

7) Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers (at Houston Texans)

Tonyan tweaked his ankle during Green Bay’s poor performance against an elite Buccaneers defense and was limited in practice on Friday. If he plays, he’s in a good spot against Houston, who is tied for allowing the sixth-most receptions to tight ends this season while allowing the sixth-most receiving yards to the position as well.

8) Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

9) Evan Engram, New York Giants (at Philadelphia Eagles) Played on Thursday*

10) Jimmy Graham, Chicago Bears (at Los Angeles Rams)

11) Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys (at Washington Football Team)

12) Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Las Vegas Raiders)

Return of the Gronk? We got a vintage performance out of the future Hall of Famer in Week 6 as he posted 5-78-1 on the Packers last week. He was moving around smoothly in an effort that was certainly the most he’s resembled his former self this season. Given how depleted the position is, one flash of brilliance from Gronk is enough to qualify him as a low-end TE1.

13) Jared Cook, New Orleans Saints (vs. Carolina Panthers)

14) Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Chicago Bears)

15) Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

16) Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Tennessee Titans)

17) Hayden Hurst, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Detroit Lions)

18) Greg Olsen, Seattle Seahawks (at Arizona Cardinals)

19) Darren Fells, Houston Texans (vs. Green Bay Packers)

20) Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Chicago Bears)

DEF

1) Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)

2) Kansas City Chiefs (at Denver Broncos)

3) Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

4) New England Patriots (vs. San Francisco 49ers)

5) Philadelphia Eagles (vs. New York Giants) Played on Thursday*

6) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Las Vegas Raiders)

7) Pittsburgh Steelers (at Tennessee Titans)

8) San Francisco 49ers (at New England Patriots)

9) Los Angeles Rams (vs. Chicago Bears)

10) New Orleans Saints (vs. Carolina Panthers)

11) Chicago Bears (at Los Angeles Rams)

12) Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)

13) Cleveland Browns (at Cincinnati Bengals)

14) Green Bay Packers (at Houston Texans)

15) Tennessee Titans (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)

16) Washington Football Team (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

17) New York Giants (at Philadelphia Eagles) Played on Thursday*

18) Dallas Cowboys (at Washington Football Team)

19) Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

20) Detroit Lions (at Atlanta Falcons)

K

1) Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs (at Denver Broncos)

2) Wil Lutz, New Orleans Saints (vs. Carolina Panthers)

3) Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Detroit Lions)

4) Matt Prater, Detroit Lions (at Atlanta Falcons)

5) Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers (at Houston Texans)

6) Ryan Succop, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Las Vegas Raiders)

7) Greg Zuerlein, Dallas Cowboys (at Washington Football Team)

8) Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks (at Arizona Cardinals)

9) Zane Gonzalez, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Seattle Seahawks)

10) Tyler Bass, Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)

11) Ka’imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans (at Green Bay Packers)

12) Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

13) Graham Gano, New York Giants (at Philadelphia Eagles)

14) Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers (at Tennessee Titans)

15) Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)

16) Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. New York Giants) Played on Thursday

17) Dustin Hopkins, Washington Football Team (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

18) Randy Bullock, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)

19) Sam Sloman, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Chicago Bears)

20) Robbie Gould, San Francisco 49ers (at New England Patriots)

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