Weekly Matchups: Three Rookies To Start In Week Seven

If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed a series of tweets I share on a weekly basis regarding player and team defensive performances, all from a fantasy lens. I’m going to be sharing some of that same information with you here. I use this each week as I am making my own lineup and waiver wire decisions and thought you might find this valuable as well.

We’re just six weeks into the 2024 NFL season, but it looks like another banner year for rookies. Looking only at the top-12 scorers at each position and we find a pair of quarterbacks, one receiver and one tight end. Digging deeper, the group becomes even more impressive. This week, let’s look at a three-pack of rookies that belong in your Week Seven starting lineups.

Brock Bowers, TE LV

We’ll start with the obvious one. If you used a first-round rookie pick on the former Georgia tight end, this is the type of start you were hoping for through six weeks. Bowers has four TE1 performances and is the overall TE2 so far this year. Considering the overall disappointment and frustration at the tight end position this season, Bowers becomes even more of a lock in lineups. This week, the Raiders and their star rookie tight end face the Rams, who have given up four TE1 games, which is second-most in the league. The Rams banged-up defense is one of only three teams surrendering more than 13.5 fantasy points per game to the position.

Drake Maye, QB NE

After a frustrating 1-4 start to the season, the Patriots turned to rookie quarterback Drake Maye last week, starting the clock for the top-three draft pick. While Maye couldn’t lead his team to a victory over the Texans, the Pats did score a season-high 21 points. Maye passed for 243 yards and three touchdowns, finishing as the QB12 for the week. Through the first five games of the season, New England totaled just two passing scores. This week, Maye faces the Jaguars, the worst team in the league when it comes to stopping quarterbacks. The Jags have allowed a QB1 game every week this year and give up more than 27 fantasy points per game to the position. Last week, Jacksonville allowed fellow rookie Caleb Williams to finish as the overall QB1. We could also slide the Patriots rookie receiver Ja’Lynn Polk into our lineups based on the matchup and the new starting signal caller.

Kimani Vidal, RB LAC

This one is a bit risky, but Chargers rookie back Kimani Vidal got off to an exciting start to his career last week and now gets a juicy matchup. The Chargers, who have been without veteran Gus Edwards, turned to Vidal to play behind JK Dobbins last week against the tough Broncos defense. Although Vidal drew just six touches, I expect that was enough to keep Edwards off the field moving forward. Vidal totaled 51 yards and scored his first career touchdown against Denver, who has only given up one RB1 game on the season. This week, Vidal faces the Cardinals, who have given up seven top-24 fantasy performances through six weeks. Arizona allows over 25 fantasy points per game, which should be enough to put Vidal in the double-digit fantasy point territory.

Note: The scoring system used is always PPR with four points for passing touchdowns and all stats and info are provided by Fantasy Data.

Quarterbacks

Week 6 QB1s

Season-Long QB1s

Most QB1 Games This Season

Most QB1 Games Allowed

The Jaguars are beginning to separate themselves as a pitiful pass defense, allowing a QB1 game in all six weeks and giving up nearly three fantasy points more per game than any other team. This is a great week to take a shot on the rookie Drake Maye.

The Ravens (vs. Baker Mayfield), Raiders (vs. Matthew Stafford), and Buccaneers (vs. Lamar Jackson) are next in line, having allowed four QB1 games on the year. The Cardinals are one of four teams allowing more than 23 fantasy points per week, making Justin Herbert a solid option. Finally, if you are desperate, give Tyler Huntley a chance as he faces the Colts’ defense that has struggled to stop opposing quarterbacks this year.

The Bears (BYE), Dolphins (vs. Anthony Richardson), and Steelers (vs. Aaron Rodgers) have yet to allow a QB1 game this year. With Richardson banged up, he’s an easy avoid if you have the options. Rodgers, reunited with his best bud Davante Adams, would be tough to ignore this week.

Other signal callers with difficult matchups include Justin Fields/Russell Wilson (vs. NYJ), Spencer Rattler (vs. DEN) and Josh Allen (vs. TEN.)

Running Backs

Week 6 RB1s

Season-Long RB1s

Most RB1 Games This Season

Most RB1/2 Games Allowed

The Panthers have given up nine RB1/2 performances through six games. That makes Brian Robinson a great start this week, assuming he is fully healthy after missing last week with a knee injury. Carolina also allows a league-high 33.5 fantasy points per game, 3.5 more than any other team. The Bills (vs. Tony Pollard), Cardinals (vs. JK Dobbins), Raiders (vs. Kyren Williams), and Patriots (vs. Tank Bigsby) have given up at least seven top-24 games this year.

The Vikings have still allowed only one top-24 game on the year, which makes David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs players who could perform below expectation this week. The Ravens (vs. Bucky Irving/Rachaad White), Lions (vs. Ty Chandler), Texans (vs. Josh Jacobs), and Chiefs (vs. Jordan Mason?) have given up just two RB1/2 performances on the year.

Wide Receivers

Week 6 WR1s

Season-Long WR1s

Most WR1 Games This Season

Most WR1/2 Games Allowed

Just like the quarterback position, the Jaguars are a standout in a bad way at the wide receiver position. It is difficult to know which Patriots wide receiver will perform, but chasing Maye’s one week of data is a good place to start. Demario Douglas led the way with nine targets, while rookie Ja’Lynn Polk was next among wideouts with four looks.

The Falcons (vs. DK Metcalf/Jaxon Smith-Njigba/Tyler Lockett), Panthers (vs. Terry McLaurin), and Packers (vs. Stefon Diggs/Tank Dell) have allowed seven top-24 performances, making each of those wideouts must-starts. Other quality matchups include Amon-Ra St. Brown/Jameson Williams (vs. MIN), Justin Jefferson/Jordan Addison (vs. DET), Mike Evans/Chris Godwin (vs. BAL) and Diontae Johnson (vs. WAS.)

The Titans have allowed just one top-24 wideout performance on the season, making newly acquired Amari Cooper a tough start in his first game with the Bills. The Bears (BYE), Broncos (vs. Bub Means), and Dolphins (vs. Michael Pittman/Josh Downs) are next in line, allowing a pair of top-24 performances.

Tight Ends

Week 6 TE1s

Season-Long TE1s

Most TE1 Games This Season

Most TE1 Games Allowed

The Packers have gotten hammered by opposing tight ends, allowing a handful of TE1 games through six weeks. That, along with the injury to Nico Collins, makes Dalton Schultz a solid starter this week. Other matchups to chase in Week Seven include the Ravens (vs. Cade Otton), Rams (vs. Bowers), Chiefs (vs. George Kittle), and Colts (vs. Jonnu Smith.)

The Falcons and Titans have yet to allow a TE1 game on the season, though each face tough tests in Week Seven. The Falcons matchup with Noah Fant while Tennessee will need to slow down Dalton Kincaid. Other tight ends with difficult matchups in Week Seven include Tucker Kraft (vs. HOU), Mo Alie-Cox (vs. MIA), Theo Johnson (vs. PHI), and Johnny Mundt/Josh Oliver (vs. DET.)

Finally, here is the chart summarizing how teams have fared against each position. I’ve also included the schedule for this week for reference.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.

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