Fantasy Football Trust or Bust: Week 7
Host Matt Noah, Zech Lambert and Ben Mooney recap Week 6 in the NFL and look forward to Week 7 from a fantasy football standpoint, hoping to help shape up your lineup for Sunday:
Week 6 was full of upsets and surprises, ranging from Stefon Diggs’ first big performance of the season to the entire Rams offense being nonexistent. With four teams on bye this week, some fantasy teams will need to look for new options. Let’s recap the best and the worst from the last week and preview what to expect of these players for Week 7.
Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan, Falcons
Ryan threw 356 yards, four passing touchdowns and zero interceptions in Week 6, finishing with 30 fantasy points for the second week in a row. With that statline, most QBs would be surprised to find their team lose, like the Falcons did Sunday to the Cardinals 34-33. Despite the loss, the 2016 MVP has powerful weapons like Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Austin Hooper. In Week 7 against the Rams, ride the hot hand and start Matty Ice.
Decision: TRUST
Jared Goff, Rams
In an atrocious Week 6 performance, Goff threw for only 78 yards and lost a fumble during a 20-7 loss to the undefeated 49ers. He finished with only a single fantasy point, making him the worst QB of the week. The reigning NFC champs got a very clear wake-up call that the offense needs to get back on track, as it could not find a spark against San Francisco all game. To be fair, Goff was hot in the previous two games, and last Sunday’s game was against a stout 49ers defense. In reality, the Rams have a great offensive core and are set for a great matchup next week versus Atlanta. Goff is a low-end QB1.
Decision: TRUST
Running Backs
James Conner, Steelers
Conner had 16 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown and had seven receptions for 78 yards and another score through the air. He finished with 30 fantasy points in PPR, leading his position in Week 6 and rewarding the owners who started him during Sunday's win over the Chargers. Despite the Steelers rolling out a third-string quarterback in Devlin Hodges, Conner was able to carry his team to victory. However, Conner did leave the game after suffering a quad injury in the second half. Keep an eye on his status for now, but based on volume, he is a must start after he returns from the bye week, facing the Dolphins in Week 8.
Decision: TRUST
Joe Mixon, Bengals
Mixon was held to only 10 yards on eight rushing attempts during Sunday’s close loss to the Ravens. He was a tad more effective through the air, catching two passes for 29 yards, but he finished with only 5 fantasy points in PPR and even fewer in standard leagues. He currently sits at RB29 on the season and has nowhere near returned his draft stock from the beginning of the year. Mixon is a great talent, but his QB and offensive line are dreadful. It’s time for Mixon to be put on the bench in Week 7 against a tough Jaguars defense.
Decision: BUST
Wide Receivers
Stefon Diggs, Vikings
Diggs hauled in seven catches for 167 yards and a hat trick of touchdowns, leading the Vikings to a 38-20 victory over the Eagles in Week 6. Finishing first among all wide receivers, Diggs ended the game with 42 fantasy points in PPR. Facing a poor Eagles secondary, this was the best chance for the Vikings wide receiver to break out, and he did just that. With internal drama regarding Diggs’ role on the team and trade rumors mulling about, his future is uncertain. But Diggs will still look to build on his biggest game of the year as Minnesota faces the Lions in Week 7.
Decision: TRUST
Robby Anderson, Jets
Anderson caught five balls for 125 yards and a touchdown in the Jets’ 24-22 upset victory over the Cowboys. Finishing with 23 PPR fantasy points, it was Anderson’s first 100-yard game of the season, albeit most of his points came on a 92-yard touchdown pass. Anderson was someone who was drafted to appear in starting lineups, but the majority of fantasy owners see him as a bench stash. With quarterback Sam Darnold returning, Anderson will see an increase in his production. However, the Week 7 matchup against the Patriots has Anderson riding the pine in most lineups. If he does make a starting appearance, it is only for a very risky big-play upside.
Decision: BUST
Matt Noah is a freshman majoring in journalism. To contact him, email matthewnoah29@gmail.com.
About the Contributors
Matt Noah
Freshman / Broadcast Journalism
Matt Noah is a freshman based 6 hours away, 30 minutes outside of Boston in Framingham, MA. He is a Boston sports fan but can keep a conversation in any sport thanks to his passion. Big fantasy football enthusiast. Planning to pursue a career in Broadcast Journalism.
Ben Mooney
Freshman / Broadcast Journalism
Ben is a freshman from Franklinville, NY and this is his first year with Comm Radio. His focus is primarily on sports. He hopes to one day do play-by-play for a major sports network. For now though, Ben is an analyst on podcasts and a writer. He can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Zech Lambert
Senior / Broadcast journalism
Zech is a senior from Northampton, Pennsylvania. He is a football insider for CommRadio. He is also a co-host on the weekly talk show Ducks on the Pond, while also doing play-by-play for CommRadio and B1G+. On top of that, Zech is a sports editor at the Daily Collegian. Over the summer, he interned with the Charlottesville Tom Sox of the Valley Baseball League doing play-by-play, among other media roles. To contact him, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). You can also tweet him @Zech_Lambert with any random thoughts or just to have some sports banter.
