Getting right to it: Here are the fantasy nuggets I'm following in Week 7's Sunday contests:
Falcons vs. Lions -- Brian Hill is averaging a healthy eight touches a game, earning 12 in Atlanta's sole win, while Todd Gurley is finally getting used in the passing game after catching only four balls in their first four games. I want to see how these two continue to be used with a new head coach and a nothing-to-lose approach to the season. And can D'Andre Swift build off his Week 6 breakout and claim the lead back role in Detroit?
Bengals vs. Browns -- Can Gio Bernard reclaim his former perennial "top-10 RB handcuff" reputation, or will Trayveon Williams become the deep-league Cincy RB to roster? And will Baker Mayfield struggle against yet another solid pass defense?
Titans vs. Steelers -- Is the party over for Ryan Tannehill? As I shared a few days ago, after enjoying one the easiest schedules to start the year, he'll now be tested, and I doubt he posts TE1 numbers across these next few weeks. And was this week the time to sell high on the often injured James Conner? I'll put it this way: He's a high risk to stay healthy, and his 4.9 YPC is unsustainable.
Saints vs. Panthers -- Tre'Quan Smith is in a prime breakout position in what could be his final week at or near the top of the depth chart. This is a good time to sell high with Chicago and Tampa Bay around the corner, and Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders presumably returning soon. And will Mike Davis rebound, confirming his status as an elite handcuff?
Jets vs. Bills -- When will La'Mical Perine overtake priceless artifact Frank Gore? And is Stefon Diggs really an elite WR?
Washington vs. Cowboys -- Is J.D. McKissic could be the #1 fantasy option in this RB corps? And can Andy Dalton be remotely better than what we saw last week, or is this offense grinding to a halt--and with it the fantasy production of at least half of his former weekly startable teammates?
Texans vs. Packers -- Can we trust Will Fuller as a back-end WR1? And will A.J. Dillon finish the game ahead of Jamaal Williams on the depth chart?
Raiders vs. Buccaneers -- I see Henry Ruggs as a boom-bust rookie, but maybe I'm wrong. Will be interesting to see if he develops as a higher-volume #1 for Derek Carr. And is Rob Gronkowski officially "back"?
Broncos vs. Chiefs -- You all know how I feel about John Elway signing Melvin Gordon to an obscene contract when Denver's backfield was the least of their problems. So I'm watching to see how deeply Phillip Lindsay cuts into Gordon's usage. And with Le'Veon Bell joining the team soon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire gets one more opportunity to prove he deserves 16+ touches a game regardless of Bell's presence.
Patriots vs. 49ers -- Can we trust Julian Edelman? And with Tevin Coleman close to returning, can Jerick McKinnon preserve any meaningful value?
Charges vs. Jaguars -- Mike Williams has flirted with weekly-starter breakout potential for 2 1/2 years. Is he ready to turn a corner? And James Robinson has fumbled in two straight games (losing one) while averaging only 3.1 YPC. Is he regressing as expected, or is this a bump he'll overcome? I still think it's the former.
Cardinals vs. Seahawks -- Kenyan Drake, again: Can he hold off Chase Edmonds all season? And I heard some great pushback on my claim that D.K. Metcalf's barely four receptions per game are a warning sign he'll have trouble maintaining WR1 production. So let's see which way he'll break in this next phase of the season, starting tonight.