Weekly Positional Rankings: Week Seven

In this series, I’ll give you my top 30 quarterbacks, 60 running backs, 60 wide receivers, and 30 tight ends each week to help you with your start/sit decisions in your leagues. To generate this list each and every week, I examine team trends, Vegas over/unders, implied points, pace of play, among various other factors to build a projection for each player and subsequently adjust rankings for upside and more detailed matchup specifics.

Among the rankings, there will surely be some that surprise you or that you may disagree with. At the end of each position section, I’ll give you my thoughts on some players that perhaps are ranked higher/lower than you might expect and insights as to why they are a good/bad play this week. Ultimately, these rankings should help your start/sit dilemmas and ensure you have the requisite resources to make an informed decision. With bye weeks kicking into full gear, start/sit decisions are even more crucial to your team’s success.

Without further ado, let’s dive into week seven’s positional rankings!

Quarterbacks

Pos	Player	Matchup	Week 7 Rank
QB	Deshaun Watson	@IND	1
QB	Patrick Mahomes	@DEN	2
QB	Kyler Murray	@NYG	3
QB	Lamar Jackson	@SEA	4
QB	Dak Prescott	PHI	5
QB	Aaron Rodgers	OAK	6
QB	Matt Ryan	LAR	7
QB	Russell Wilson	BAL	8
QB	Jared Goff	@ATL	9
QB	Carson Wentz	@DAL	10
QB	Daniel Jones	ARI	11
QB	Jimmy Garoppolo	@WAS	12
QB	Tom Brady	@NYJ	13
QB	Josh Allen	MIA	14
QB	Jacoby Brissett	HOU	15
QB	Garnder Minshew	@CIN	16
QB	Kirk Cousins	@DET	17
QB	Joe Flacco	KC	18
QB	Derek Carr	@GB	19
QB	Philip Rivers	@TEN	20
QB	Andy Dalton	JAC	21
QB	Matthew Stafford	MIN	22
QB	Chase Daniel	NO	23
QB	Sam Darnold	NE	24
QB	Teddy Bridgewater	@CHI	25
QB	Ryan Tannehill	LAC	26
QB	Case Keenum	SF	27
QB	Josh Rosen	@BUF	28

 

Start ‘em: Jared Goff, QB LAR

Goff just had one of the worst performances in recent memory against a stout 49ers defense, finishing with just 78 yards on the day. It’s a difficult proposition to go right back to him the following week, but those who do will be rewarded. Goff’s week seven matchup against the Falcons is a prime bounce-back spot for the veteran QB. After letting up a huge game to rookie Kyler Murray, the Falcons now rank worst at points per game allowed to quarterbacks. Allowing an average stat line of 276 yards, 2.5 touchdowns, and just 0.33 interceptions per game, the Falcons are the perfect matchup for Goff and the struggling Rams. While Goff’s terrible performance in week six is on top of mind, in the previous two weeks, Goff was the QB6 thanks in large part to massive volume. In week seven, look for Goff to bounce back into QB1 territory against this exploitable matchup.

Sit ‘em: Philip Rivers, QB LAC

Rivers made the sit list a few weeks ago playing against the Denver Broncos, and he finds himself here yet again against a strong Titans defense. While only 2-4 on the season, the Titans problems haven’t been on the defensive side of the ball. They’ve allowed over 250 passing yards just once all season and overall rank eight best in points per game allowed to quarterbacks. This Chargers team has been in shambles over the past two weeks and has scored over 20 points just once over the past five weeks. Despite fantasy appeal across the team from the likes of Melvin Gordon, Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, and Hunter Henry, this Chargers offense has been middling at best. With plenty of other quarterbacks facing better matchups with higher upside, Rivers is best left on the bench yet again in week seven.

If you’re desperate: Daniel Jones, QB NYG

After bursting onto the scene in week two, Jones has looked much like a rookie quarterback since. While it’s fair to question his fantasy appeal on the season as a whole, week seven brings an inviting matchup against the Cardinals for a bounce-back game. Over the past two weeks, Jones hasn’t been much of a fantasy option at all, but that was to be expected. He faced a very good Vikings and Patriots defense in back to back weeks, and last week he was without his top three playmakers. This QB11 ranking is contingent upon the health of Evan Engram, Sterling Shepard, and Saquon Barkley, so monitor their status throughout the week. I expect at least two of the aforementioned trio to suit up on Sunday, and Jones stands to benefit. The Cardinals defense has been exploitable this season, allowed the most passing touchdowns in the league (16) while also not recording an interception. Given the strength of the matchup, Jones is absolutely in play as a low-end QB1 with upside this week barring the health of his weapons.

Running Backs

Pos	Player	Matchup	Week 7 Rank
RB	Leonard Fournette	@CIN	1
RB	Dalvin Cook	@DET	2
RB	David Johnson	@NYG	3
RB	Saquon Barkley	ARI	4
RB	Ezekiel Elliott	PHI	5
RB	Alvin Kamara	@CHI	6
RB	Le’Veon Bell	NE	7
RB	Josh Jacobs	@GB	8
RB	Chris Carson	BAL	9
RB	Devonta Freeman	LAR	10
RB	Kerryon Johnson	MIN	11
RB	Melvin Gordon	@TEN	12
RB	Phillip Lindsay	KC	13
RB	Mark Ingram	@SEA	14
RB	Todd Gurley	@ATL	15
RB	Marlon Mack	HOU	16
RB	Joe Mixon	JAC	17
RB	James White	@NYJ	18
RB	David Montgomery	NO	19
RB	Tevin Coleman	@WAS	20
RB	Derrick Henry	LAC	21
RB	Austin Ekeler	@TEN	22
RB	Matt Breida	@WAS	23
RB	Aaron Jones	OAK	24
RB	Sony Michel	@NYJ	25
RB	Carlos Hyde	@IND	26
RB	Jamaal Williams	OAK	27
RB	Royce Freeman	KC	28
RB	Damien Williams	@DEN	29
RB	Frank Gore	MIA	30
RB	Duke Johnson	@IND	31
RB	Jordan Howard	@DAL	32
RB	Miles Sanders	@DAL	33
RB	LeSean McCoy	@DEN	34
RB	Kenyan Drake	@BUF	35
RB	Latavius Murray	@CHI	36
RB	Chase Edmonds	@NYG	37
RB	Devin Singletary	MIA	38
RB	Chris Thompson	SF	39
RB	Malcolm Brown	@ATL	40
RB	Tarik Cohen	NO	41
RB	Adrian Peterson	SF	42
RB	Nyheim Hines	HOU	43
RB	Alexander Mattison	@DET	44
RB	Rashaad Penny	BAL	45
RB	Justice Hill	@SEA	46
RB	JD McKissic	MIN	47
RB	Giovani Bernard	JAC	48
RB	Wayne Gallman	ARI	49
RB	Dion Lewis	LAC	50
RB	Tony Pollard	PHI	51
RB	Jalen Richard	@GB	52
RB	Ito Smith	LAR	53
RB	Darrell Henderson	@ATL	54
RB	Kalen Ballage	@BUF	55
RB	Ryquell Armstead	@CIN	56
RB	Raheem Mostert	@WAS	57
RB	TJ Yeldon	MIA	58
RB	Gus Edwards	@SEA	59
RB	Darren Sproles	@DAL	60

 

Start ‘em: James White, RB NE

White has been one of the most consistent running backs in all of fantasy football in PPR leagues. While he has yet to exceed 14 points in a game, his floor has been a very solid 12 points as well. With the Patriots lacking weapons at receiver due to injury, White has been a reliable target for Tom Brady to move the chains. Last season, White was an RB1 on the season due to unsustainably high touchdown numbers. This season, White finds himself on the other end of the spectrum. Having scored just twice on the season – both against Miami – White’s opportunity would suggest he’s in line for positive touchdown variance. In a good matchup against the Jets, who have allowed 44% of their points against to running backs in the receiving column, White is a must-start.

Sit ‘em: Tarik Cohen, RB CHI

Another receiving specialist RB1 from 2018, Cohen has not enjoyed the same success as the aforementioned James White has this season. Cohen is averaging under 10 PPR points per game thus far, which ranks outside the top 40 at the running back position. Seeing the field for only about 50% of Chicago’s snaps, Cohen just has not had the same opportunities he had just a year ago. In week seven, Chicago faces a good New Orleans defense against running backs. Specifically, New Orleans ranks seventh-best in receiving yards allowed to running backs per game. This is the clear area Cohen would look to exploit, but in a tough matchup, it’s hard to trust him as even a FLEX play. Cohen will surely have his big games throughout the season, but this matchup doesn’t look to be one of them. He can stay on your bench.

If you’re desperate: Royce Freeman, RB DEN

The Denver Broncos backfield is a full-on running-back-by-committee, and both backs are thriving. While Phillip Lindsay has been the better fantasy asset due to a slightly more volume and more touchdowns, Freeman has been a solid producer as well. Freeman has had at least 15 touches in four of six games this season, which is remarkable for a “backup” running back. He and Lindsay have essentially split duties, and both are in a position to thrive in week seven against arguably the worst run defense in the league. While “only” the sixth-worst team in points per game allowed to running backs, the Kansas City Chiefs have allowed the most rushing yards in the league and have allowed a staggering 5.21 yards per attempt to running backs. The risk with Freeman is that Lindsay takes the important carries, as Lindsay has ten touches inside the ten-yard line to Freeman’s five. However, Freeman has solid appeal as a FLEX play this week because of projected volume and efficiency. If he gets a touchdown, he could find his way into high-end RB2 territory on the week. He’s a great desperation play.

Wide Receivers

Pos	Player	Matchup	Week 6 Rank
WR	Cooper Kupp	@ATL	1
WR	Julio Jones	LAR	2
WR	Amari Cooper	PHI	3
WR	DeAndre Hopkins	@IND	4
WR	Michael Thomas	@CHI	5
WR	Tyreek Hill	@DEN	6
WR	Adam Thielen	@DET	7
WR	Tyler Boyd	JAC	8
WR	Julian Edelman	@NYJ	9
WR	Larry Fitzgerald	@NYG	10
WR	Courtland Sutton	KC	11
WR	TY Hilton	HOU	12
WR	Kenny Golladay	MIN	13
WR	Robert Woods	@ATL	14
WR	Keenan Allen	@TEN	15
WR	John Brown	MIA	16
WR	Stefon Diggs	@DET	17
WR	Tyler Lockett	BAL	18
WR	DJ Chark	@CIN	19
WR	Terry McLaurin	SF	20
WR	Tyrell Williams	@GB	21
WR	Allen Robinson	NO	22
WR	Golden Tate	ARI	23
WR	Will Fuller	@IND	24
WR	Michael Gallup	PHI	25
WR	Marquise Brown	@SEA	26
WR	Emmanuel Sanders	KC	27
WR	Brandin Cooks	@ATL	28
WR	Dede Westbrook	@CIN	29
WR	Calvin Ridley	LAR	30
WR	Sterling Shepard	ARI	31
WR	Geronimo Allison	OAK	32
WR	Alshon Jeffery	@DAL	33
WR	Mecole Hardman	@DEN	34
WR	Mike Williams	@TEN	35
WR	Corey Davis	LAC	36
WR	Cole Beasley	MIA	37
WR	Robby Anderson	NE	38
WR	Mohamed Sanu	LAR	39
WR	DK Metcalf	BAL	40
WR	Demarcus Robinson	@DEN	41
WR	Auden Tate	JAC	42
WR	Dante Pettis	@WAS	43
WR	Marquez Valdes-Scantling	OAK	44
WR	Albert Wilson	@BUF	45
WR	AJ Brown	LAC	46
WR	Marvin Jones	MIN	47
WR	Jamison Crowder	NE	48
WR	Zay Jones	@GB	49
WR	Preston Williams	@BUF	50
WR	Paul Richardson	SF	51
WR	Marquise Goodwin	@WAS	52
WR	Deebo Samuel	@WAS	53
WR	Damiere Byrd	@NYG	54
WR	Allen Lazard	OAK	55
WR	Ted Ginn Jr	@CHI	56
WR	KeeSean Johnson	@NYG	57
WR	Keke Coutee	@IND	58
WR	Jaron Brown	BAL	59
WR	Robert Foster	MIA	60

 

Start ‘em: John Brown, WR BUF

Brown has multiple positives going his way this week that make him a quality WR2 start. First, quarterback Josh Allen has had the bye week to recover more from his concussion sustained a few weeks ago. Second, he faces a Miami defense that has allowed 15.28 yards per reception and eight receiving touchdowns to wide receivers. Third, receiver Zay Jones was traded this past week, leaving more opportunity for Brown as the primary deep threat on this Bills team. Brown’s peripheral numbers have been great this season. He’s seeing 22% of Buffalo’s targets as well as 34% of the team’s air yards. Despite this fantastic opportunity share, however, Brown has scored just one touchdown on the season. That should change this week against a terrible Miami team, and Brown could even be in store for one of those 6-120-2 games as he finishes as a top receiver on the week. Brown is both a safe and high-upside play this week and should be in your lineups.

Sit ‘em: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR GB

MVS has not made the most of his opportunities this season. Despite Davante Adams being inactive over the past two weeks, Valdes-Scantling has earned just six targets. Of course, he missed part of last week’s game with an injury, but MVS has yet to truly make an impact this season outside of one “free play” penalty deep ball. With the Packers receiving core shaken up, MVS may seem to be an intriguing option. However, I would not trust MVS as anything more than a WR4 this week, assuming Geronimo Allison is cleared from the concussion protocol to play this week. Should Allison sit, move MVS into back-end WR3 range in a good matchup for deep ball receivers. Overall, Aaron Rodgers seems to trust other receivers on this team more than MVS. MVS has been a full-time player, recording over 85% of snaps in most games, but the production just hasn’t been there. I’d feel comfortable leaving him on the bench this week if you have other options during what seems to be an impactful bye week for many fantasy teams.

If you’re desperate: Dante Pettis, WR SF

Once hyped as a second-year breakout receiver, Pettis has been largely a disappointment for dynasty owners this season. This seems to be trending up, however, for Pettis after San Francisco’s week four bye. Over the past two weeks, Pettis has played over 60% of San Francisco’s snaps in each game and even finished second on the team in targets in week six. His production hasn’t been anything to write home about, but a breakout game is in play for week seven against a bad Redskins secondary. Washington has given up the fifth-most points to opposing wide receivers this season along with ten touchdowns, second-most in the NFL. If Pettis sees another 18% target share on Sunday, he should be in for a good game. If you’re desperate, there are certainly worse options.

Tight Ends

Pos	Player	Matchup	Week 7 Rank
TE	George Kittle	@WAS	1
TE	Austin Hooper	LAR	2
TE	Mark Andrews	@SEA	3
TE	Travis Kelce	@DEN	4
TE	Evan Engram	ARI	5
TE	Hunter Henry	@TEN	6
TE	Zach Ertz	@DAL	7
TE	Darren Waller	@GB	8
TE	Jared Cook	@CHI	9
TE	Jimmy Graham	OAK	10
TE	Gerald Everett	@ATL	11
TE	Delanie Walker	LAC	12
TE	TJ Hockenson	MIN	13
TE	Jason Witten	PHI	14
TE	Dawson Knox	MIA	15
TE	Darren Fells	@IND	16
TE	Noah Fant	KC	17
TE	Dallas Goedert	@DAL	18
TE	Jack Doyle	HOU	19
TE	Chris Herndon	NE	20
TE	Eric Ebron	HOU	21
TE	Tyler Eifert	JAC	22
TE	Tyler Higbee	@ATL	23
TE	Kyle Rudolph	@DET	24
TE	Geoff Swaim	@CIN	25
TE	Foster Moreau	@GB	26
TE	Mike Gesicki	@BUF	27
TE	Hayden Hurst	@SEA	28
TE	Vernon Davis	SF	29
TE	Luke Willson	BAL	30

 

Start ‘em: Jared Cook, TE NOS

After a slow start, Cook has rebounded nicely over the last few weeks as a solid TE1. Cooks is the TE7 in points per game since week four and has recorded a 15% target share over those weeks. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater seems to have come into his own in this Saints offense and has efficiently lead this team to playoff contention while Drew Brees is sidelined. While Cook has yet to exceed 50 yards in a game this season, in the state of the tight end landscape, he doesn’t need to in order to be a low-end TE1. In week seven, the Saints face a very good Bears defense coming off their bye week. If there’s one area the Bears haven’t been amazing at, though, it’s defending against tight ends. The Bears have let up the fifth-most receptions per game to tight ends this season. While their fantasy points against to the position rank 11th, the Bears have let TEs have the opportunity to score points. As a clear top three option in the Saints passing game, Cook should see another six or more targets on Sunday. That will put him in good territory as a TE1 this week.

Sit ‘em: Eric Ebron, TE IND

Once Andrew Luck retired, Eric Ebron’s fantasy stock took a major hit. Most fantasy gamers knew Ebron wouldn’t come close to his 13 touchdowns a year ago, but the former first-round pick has been unstartable thus far in fantasy. Ebron has been the TE23 in fantasy points per game this season and has eclipsed eight fantasy points twice in five weeks solely because of his two touchdowns. With Jack Doyle’s return, the two have been nearly splitting all tight end work, which means neither is a good option for fantasy. Against a Houston team that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends in 2019, Ebron should be staying on your bench this week. Doyle is also not a strong play this week, but if I had to choose one to start, it’d be Doyle. Overall, avoid the Colts TEs this week if at all possible.

If you’re desperate: Dallas Goedert, TE PHI

Goedert finally had a solid game after what’s been a lackluster second season for the rookie tight end. In a game where the Eagles were playing catch-up, Goedert was able to haul in five receptions on eight targets, good for a 20% target share. In week seven, the Eagles take on the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. While Zach Ertz should continue to be a target hog in this offense, there’s plenty of room for Goedert to make an impact against a defense that has allowed the ninth most points to tight ends. Goedert has played at least 69% of snaps over his last three games, and while you shouldn’t expect another 20% target share outing on Sunday night, just five or six targets should be enough for borderline TE1 production in a good matchup.

That concludes this week’s rankings article! As this series is released on Thursdays, be sure to follow any lingering injuries and changing injury status updates for players as Sunday approaches. If you’re wondering about a player I didn’t dive into detail about, feel free to reach out to me @FFzinger on Twitter. Best of luck this week, and I’ll be back next week to give Week Eight’s positional rankings.