With bye weeks starting and injuries demolishing fantasy rosters, getting the most out of your players is as crucial as ever. This week is all about matchups and mismatches, so we broke down target shares, defensive rankings, and yards per attempt. The NFL season is moving too fast, as we have reached week seven, which is underway with a lot on the line.
Lineup locks for Week Seven:
Quarterbacks:
Bryce Young (vs. NYJ):
The Carolina Panthers have a date with the New York Jets, who have allowed 22 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Last week, they held Bo Nix to just 13 points in a very low-scoring game in London. Bryce Young, against the Dallas Cowboys last week, had three passing touchdowns, which matches a season high, as well as a season-high 7.96 yards per attempt. Young looks to add another week of 18 or more fantasy points, as he faces the only team without a win this week.
Dak Prescott (vs. WAS):
In a must-watch divisional game against the Washington Commanders, the Dallas Cowboys’ star looks to get back on track after a loss to the Carolina Panthers. The Commanders allow the most fantasy points to quarterbacks with 21.67, and this season, Dak Prescott has reached that tally four times in six weeks. Prescott is second in passing yards and passing touchdowns through six weeks of the season. Prescott is a must-start, especially against a bad passing defense, where the MVP candidate could have another big day.
Running Backs:
Quinshon Judkins (vs. MIA):
The Cleveland Browns continue to struggle with their passing offense, but they consistently boast a strong run game. This week, the Browns take on the Miami Dolphins, who allow 20 points to running backs on average, and just gave up over 200 rushing yards to Rico Dowdle in week five. The rookie has been exceptional, averaging 4.56 yards per carry in an offense that needs to run the football to win. Judkins has a path to success this week and could very well have a top-five scoring week against a struggling defense.
Josh Jacobs (vs. ARI):
The Green Bay Packers, coming off a nice win versus the Cincinnati Bengals, have another date with a mediocre defense in the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals allow 16.67 fantasy points a game to running backs which is the ninth-worst in the NFL. Josh Jacobs is coming off back-to-back 30-point outbursts, scoring two touchdowns in both games. Jacobs has the fifth-most receiving yards among running backs with 176, adding another level to his fantasy ceiling. He should be a lineup lock this week and every week upcoming.
Wide Receivers:
Drake London (vs. SF):
The Atlanta Falcons took the Buffalo Bills to school on Monday Night Football, beating the reigning MVP by 10 points in an offensive explosion from Drake London. Michael Penix connected with London 10 times for 158 yards and a score. This week, the Falcons face the San Francisco 49ers, who are missing several key defensive players, most notably All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. London has the third-highest target share in the NFL, with 32.92% making him the top target in this Atlanta offense, and a must-start against a banged-up 49er defense.
Ladd McConkey (vs. IND):
The Los Angeles Chargers need to get their offense going, and against an Indianapolis Colts defense that ranks 29th in receiving yards and 31st in catches allowed to wide receivers, this might be the game to do it. Ladd McConkey got off to a slow start through week five, but has had two big games since then. It’s a must-win game for the Chargers, and with Quentin Johnston still questionable, McConkey looks to have another big game against a horrible pass defense.
Tight Ends:
Harold Fannin Jr. (vs. MIA):
The only bright spot in the Cleveland Browns’ passing offense has been the rookie Harold Fannin Jr., whom they selected with the 67th pick in the NFL draft. The Browns face the Miami Dolphins this week, who allow the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends. Fannin Jr. ranks four spots ahead of his tight end counterpart, David Njoku, with a 16.31% target share to Njoku’s 15.45%. In the tight end’s best game of the season, he was targeted 10 times, catching seven of those targets for 81 yards. Fannin Jr. is this week’s must-start tight end, where he is slated for a significant role against a poor defense.
Lineup Flops:
Quarterbacks:
Jaxsen Dart (vs. DEN):
The New York Giants’ rookie quarterback has lit a spark under his team, but it may be halted by a tough Denver Broncos defense that only allows 11.33 fantasy points to quarterbacks, which ranks second in the NFL. The Broncos shut down Justin Fields last week, allowing him to have only 4.9 fantasy points, where he threw only 45 yards and ran for 31 yards. Dart has the same playstyle as Fields and could be in for a rough week against a top-tier defense.
Runningbacks:
Travis Etienne Jr. (vs. LAR):
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been a surprisingly good team this season, but they go to London to face the Los Angeles Rams who allow the fourth fewest points to running backs with 11.67 fantasy points. Last week against the Seattle Seahawks, Etienne Jr. only rushed for 27 yards, which is his lowest tally of the season. The Rams will likely want to take Etienne Jr. out of the game, and for that reason, he is a lineup flop this week.
Wide Receivers:
A.J. Brown (vs. MIN):
The Philadelphia Eagles go up against the Minnesota Vikings, who are the best defense against wide receivers this season, only allowing 10.20 fantasy points a game. A.J. Brown has the 13th-highest target share in the NFL with 27.44%, but only a 55.56% catch percentage, which is why he is sputtering this season. Fantasy experts keep hoping Brown will get back to All-Pro form, but against a lockdown Vikings defense, he is a lineup flop.
Tight Ends:
T.J. Hockenson (vs. PHI):
The Philadelphia Eagles only allow three fantasy points to tight ends this season, and not one tight end they have faced has scored a touchdown. Hockenson has had a rough start to the season, as he has yet to surpass 50 receiving yards in a game or six targets. Hockenson has a career low 17.02% target share this season, and is a lineup flop this week against a stud defense against tight ends.
