Are you plagued by injuries? Are your starters being phased out? Are the Cowboys being the Cowboys affecting you? Most people have five wins or two wins through seven weeks of fantasy football, with few records in between. But this is why you play in many leagues, so it’s not all terrible, right?
But even if you are near the bottom, there’s a plus. You get first dibs at the waiver wire.
Please don’t use it on a defense…
As long as you let other owners fill his or her rosters with another defense, you’re free to add some fliers ahead of this weekend’s slate. Roto Street Journal is here to recommend sneaky replacements.
In its second season, Roto Street Journal presents the top five sleepers of each week. Maybe it’s guys you haven’t heard of. Maybe they’re new to the NFL or on a new team? Maybe they’re filling in for an injury? Regardless, these picks ended up on the right side of the ball more often than not last season.
Let’s be honest. Do you really need to be told to start guys like Baker Mayfield, who’s handily leading the league in touchdown passes, against a vulnerable Ravens defense in what could be the highest-scoring game of Week 7? Or to sit someone like Zack Moss, who has clearly lost his starting job to Chase Brown?
But you may need that extra oomph to start someone you’re on the fence with. You also may have taken a gamble in the draft, feel depleted at a position, and are looking to slide someone in this week slyly. And let’s be honest, this happens most weeks.
Last week, we saw Giants’ QB Daniel Jones, Commanders’ RB Austin Ekeler, Browns’ RB Jerome Ford, Cowboys’ WR Jalen Tolbert and Jets’ TE Tyler Conklin make the list.
You know what they say: You can only go up from here.
So now that we’re back at the drawing board, we’re analyzing more matchups and more reasons why you need to start a boom/bust someone.
Editor’s Note: These selections rank Tier 4 or lower on The Wolf’s Week 7 Rankings.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sleepers
Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
vs Jacksonville Jaguars in London
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t pick the Patriots in an upset game last week with the disadvantage Houston had with all the unknowns for Drake Maye. However, even if he’s still looking for his first win, us fantasy ballers learned a lot about him after one week.
One game is no form of sample size, however if I’m in a sticky spot, I’m starting the fairly inexperienced signal caller against the team that allows the most points to opposing quarterbacks in fantasy.
While in theory, Maye’s two interceptions negated one of his Week 6 touchdowns, he still finished with multiple and almost 250 passing yards. In standard QB scoring leagues, this is close to 30 points. How many of us started Dak Prescott who finished with five points last week? Really puts it into perspective.
Maye found multiple receivers for scores last week, too, giving me confidence his successful reads can carry over to Week 7.
I’m not ecstatic that Jacksonville has already been in London for over a week, but until the defense proves it can stop something, I’m starting players against them.
Editor’s Note: Maye ranks in Tier 3 (QB 11) on The Wolf’s Week 7 Rankings. However, I believe this is too high for a quarterback making his second career start and playing overseas, qualifying him as a “Sleeper.”
Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
@ Cleveland Browns
Even though the only good thing the Browns can do currently is play defense, the last two weeks have shown me that Chase Brown can perform in challenging matchups with an increased workload.
Brown is now the lead back in Cincinnati, and a handful of backs have scored double-digit fantasy points against Cleveland.
While Washington is more tailored to the run than Cincinnati is, the fact that the Commanders were able to punch it in three times against the Browns makes me believe the Bengals don’t have to score only through the air. In theory, Cincinnati also shouldn’t be playing mostly from behind, allowing more work to potentially head Brown’s way.
For a defensive unit that can only be tired, Cleveland should have another game that gets away from them on Sunday.
Brown ranks in Tier 4 (QB 20) on The Wolf’s Week 7 Rankings.
DeMario Douglas, RB, New England Patriots
vs Jacksonville Jaguars in London
Did you catch the team that allows the most points to opposing quarterbacks in fantasy? If Jacksonville does that, then they also allow lots of points to receivers: second-most in the NFL, to be exact.
Demario Douglas was Maye’s favorite target last week and nothing suggests that was a fluke.
Not only was he targeted nine times, he found the end zone and nearly cracked 100 yards. This marks back to back games of nine targets for Douglas, even if Maye wasn’t the one passing to him in both games.
Using Houston as a gauge is actually relevant, as it ranks ninth-worst in the NFL in pass defense. While Houston and Jacksonville play in the same division and are very different teams, the Patriots should have a little relief knowing they’re again facing someone who struggles against the pass/wideouts.
I like Douglas in any form of PPR moreso than standard, however, if Rhamondre Stevenson (foot) misses Week 7, I like Douglas in all formats.
Douglas ranks in Tier 5 (WR 34) on The Wolf’s Week 7 Rankings.
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants
@ Philadelphia Eagles
Malik Nabers (likely) returning is going to actually help Wan’Dale Robinson in this divisional matchup. Although Robinson saw more targets in Week 6 without Nabers, he had his lowest total catches in the last three games (5) paired with his least impressive numbers.
Against Dallas and Seattle in weeks four and five, Robinson caught 17 balls (20 targets) for more than 100 yards and a score.
The Eagles’ defense is ranked fifth-worst in the league, which could allow the Giants’ offense to remain on offense longer and utilize its receivers.
Devin Singletary should return this week after missing the team’s two previous games, and Robinson’s change-of-pace abilities will give Daniel Jones a safety blanket again in the form of both short and long-yardage.
I like Robinson in PPR formats more than standard, but I could see myself starting him regardless if he is in a tight spot.
Robinson ranks in Tier 5 (WR 40) on The Wolf’s Week 7 Rankings.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
vs Seattle Seahawks
Kyle Pitts hasn’t found the end zone since Week 1 and has had five catches or less in all but one game this season. I don’t think this warrants a Tier 2 tight end ranking from The Wolf, so I’m going to use him as a top TE sleeper this week.
I think Kirk Cousins could be one of the most effective quarterbacks this week, and with that, he’ll need help from his receiving options.
Each of the last three quarterbacks against Seattle have thrown for at least 255 yards and fellow tight ends Hunter Henry and George Kittle have been successful against the Seahawks defensive unit.
Seattle corners can’t discredit Darnell Mooney as a threat in this game, and with having Drake London to cover to, one-on-one coverages present themselves. I like Pitts’ size, skill and impending breakout to pay dividends.
Honorable Mention: Nick Chubb vs Cincinnati
RSJ has never done an “honorable mention” category, but this week is special.
If you’re a Nick Chubb hater, reevaluate yourself. Chubb has had multiple gruesome career-threatening injuries, but he again is making a return — thus deserving of a category all. on. his. own.
The Bengals are middle of the pack against the run and Jerome Ford (hamstring) is out. Cleveland may not have a good quarterback, offensive line or receiving corps, but a guy on a tear and amped for his first game back, why not?
Just think, he could tie or pass Rodney McLeod for most touchdowns on the year for a Browns player!
Chubb ranks in Tier 5 (RB 27) on The Wolf’s Week 7 Rankings.
