There's a lot happening as we head into Week 7. The following are some of the biggest fantasy-relevant question marks, and how they might impact waiver adds and (for those who trade) trade discussions.
But first . . . once a year since 2015, I make the case on this page for a new NFL schedule that would (a) eliminate playing on four-days rest, (b) create two byes each season for each team, and (c) introduce Wednesday Night Football. WNF and TNF each week would feature four teams from the same division. No more random matchups. Only intra-divisional rivalries, and only on at least nine-days rest, because all WNF and TNF teams would be coming off one of their bye weeks.
If you're interested in reading more, I discuss the details in a recent Pro Football Network article: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/better-nfl-schedule-wednesday-night-football-double-byes-no-short-weeks/. And a sample schedule is attached.
As longtime community member and expert Aaron Weaver knows, I have three goals in life: be a great husband, be a great dad, and convince the NFL to mandate 6+ days between games for all players. Easy-peasy.
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And now, a rundown of major fantasy question marks for each Week 7 team. Nearly all of them relate to injuries, because injuries at this stage of the week are probably the most critical variables when evaluating what might happen on the field.
Cardinals -- DeAndre Hopkins is back from suspension, Robbie Anderson has been added, and James Conner is questionable. This is the definition of chaos. In particular, I'm wondering if Rondale Moore is a safe bet. Short answer: who knows.
Saints -- Will Jameis Winston return? I'm assuming Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry won't. But it'll help to know if Winston can make it back, because Olave's must-start, top-20-WR projections might depend on it.
Bengals -- Nothing notable. But I'm curious if Samaje Perine will be a fantasy streamer in what could be a lopsided victory.
Falcons -- As always, can we trust Tyler Allgeier or Caleb Huntley? Until/unless one of them plays an active passing-game role, the answer is no.
Cowboys -- Dak Prescott and, to a lesser extent, Dalton Schultz: Prescott appears ready to return. If Shultz can't go, I imagine Jake Ferguson will be a popular streamer in a fantastic matchup.
Lions -- Will D'Andre Swift return? I can't envision trusting Jamaal Williams against the Cowboys if Swift is back. And frankly, if Swift isn't 100%, how much can we trust him in a game that could be a blowout by halftime?
Titans -- Is anyone feeling good about starting Robert Woods? I'd have a tough time recommending him as a top-40 WR, but who knows at this point.
Colts -- Will Jonathan Taylor return, and if so, how much work can we realistically expect from Deon Jackson? In other words, will Indy capitalize on what could be a win-win backfield by not overworking Taylor?
Commanders -- What impact will Taylor Heinicke have on Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel?
Packers -- What are the Packers' plans for Aaron Jones? Are they planning to trade him, or are they planning to do whatever it takes to win?
Panthers -- I'm anticipating D'Onta Foreman getting more run than usual in a game I believe the Panthers will lose by 30+ points.
Buccaneers -- How healthy/capable is Tom Brady these days? I'm all in on him, because every time I've counted him out on this page (probably four times over the years), he's proved me wrong. So I'm done trying to make sense of his slumps.
Jaguars -- Will Marvin Jones return? If not, it'll be a needed boost for Christian Kirk and Zay Jones against a very tough Giants pass defense.
Giants -- Will Kenny Golladay or Kadarius Toney return? If not, Wan'Dale Robinson clearly gets a deep-league streamer nod.
Ravens -- They've added DeSean Jackson, which suggests Rashod Bateman's return isn't imminent. More pressingly, what's Gus Edwards' status, and what might it mean for Kenyan Drake?
Browns -- What exactly is Kareem Hunt's role in this offense? He seems more TD-dependent than ever.
Broncos -- Russell Wilson now has a hamstring injury, and Latavius Murray might or might not be the lead back (depends how much we believing what the team's saying). It's a complete cluster ahead of a very tough matchup.
Jets -- Zach Wilson vs. one of the league's top pass defenses. I can't imagine starting any Jets receiver, although their DST is more than streamable.
Raiders -- What will we see from Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller? They seem to be teetering on relevance, and not the good kind of teetering.
Texans -- Has Nico Collins overtaken Brandin Cooks as Houston's #1 receiver?
Chargers -- Will Keenan Allen return, and how serious is Joshua Kelley's injury (is Sony Michel a big-time waiver add)?
Seahawks -- Are D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett top-30 WRs this week? I'm having trouble deciding what I think of them.
49ers -- How safe is Jeff Wilson's (temporary?) starting job after last week's dismal performance?
Chiefs -- Is Clyde Edwards-Helaire still a must-start RB?
Dolphins -- Will Tua Tagovailoa return? If so, what a boon for this offense.
Steelers -- Will Kenny Pickett return?
Patriots -- Will Damien Harris return (impacting Rhamondre Stevenson, obviously)?
Bears -- Will Chicago continue to roll with David Montgomery as the clear #1 back?
But first . . . once a year since 2015, I make the case on this page for a new NFL schedule that would (a) eliminate playing on four-days rest, (b) create two byes each season for each team, and (c) introduce Wednesday Night Football. WNF and TNF each week would feature four teams from the same division. No more random matchups. Only intra-divisional rivalries, and only on at least nine-days rest, because all WNF and TNF teams would be coming off one of their bye weeks.
If you're interested in reading more, I discuss the details in a recent Pro Football Network article: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/better-nfl-schedule-wednesday-night-football-double-byes-no-short-weeks/. And a sample schedule is attached.
As longtime community member and expert Aaron Weaver knows, I have three goals in life: be a great husband, be a great dad, and convince the NFL to mandate 6+ days between games for all players. Easy-peasy.
---
And now, a rundown of major fantasy question marks for each Week 7 team. Nearly all of them relate to injuries, because injuries at this stage of the week are probably the most critical variables when evaluating what might happen on the field.
Cardinals -- DeAndre Hopkins is back from suspension, Robbie Anderson has been added, and James Conner is questionable. This is the definition of chaos. In particular, I'm wondering if Rondale Moore is a safe bet. Short answer: who knows.
Saints -- Will Jameis Winston return? I'm assuming Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry won't. But it'll help to know if Winston can make it back, because Olave's must-start, top-20-WR projections might depend on it.
Bengals -- Nothing notable. But I'm curious if Samaje Perine will be a fantasy streamer in what could be a lopsided victory.
Falcons -- As always, can we trust Tyler Allgeier or Caleb Huntley? Until/unless one of them plays an active passing-game role, the answer is no.
Cowboys -- Dak Prescott and, to a lesser extent, Dalton Schultz: Prescott appears ready to return. If Shultz can't go, I imagine Jake Ferguson will be a popular streamer in a fantastic matchup.
Lions -- Will D'Andre Swift return? I can't envision trusting Jamaal Williams against the Cowboys if Swift is back. And frankly, if Swift isn't 100%, how much can we trust him in a game that could be a blowout by halftime?
Titans -- Is anyone feeling good about starting Robert Woods? I'd have a tough time recommending him as a top-40 WR, but who knows at this point.
Colts -- Will Jonathan Taylor return, and if so, how much work can we realistically expect from Deon Jackson? In other words, will Indy capitalize on what could be a win-win backfield by not overworking Taylor?
Commanders -- What impact will Taylor Heinicke have on Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel?
Packers -- What are the Packers' plans for Aaron Jones? Are they planning to trade him, or are they planning to do whatever it takes to win?
Panthers -- I'm anticipating D'Onta Foreman getting more run than usual in a game I believe the Panthers will lose by 30+ points.
Buccaneers -- How healthy/capable is Tom Brady these days? I'm all in on him, because every time I've counted him out on this page (probably four times over the years), he's proved me wrong. So I'm done trying to make sense of his slumps.
Jaguars -- Will Marvin Jones return? If not, it'll be a needed boost for Christian Kirk and Zay Jones against a very tough Giants pass defense.
Giants -- Will Kenny Golladay or Kadarius Toney return? If not, Wan'Dale Robinson clearly gets a deep-league streamer nod.
Ravens -- They've added DeSean Jackson, which suggests Rashod Bateman's return isn't imminent. More pressingly, what's Gus Edwards' status, and what might it mean for Kenyan Drake?
Browns -- What exactly is Kareem Hunt's role in this offense? He seems more TD-dependent than ever.
Broncos -- Russell Wilson now has a hamstring injury, and Latavius Murray might or might not be the lead back (depends how much we believing what the team's saying). It's a complete cluster ahead of a very tough matchup.
Jets -- Zach Wilson vs. one of the league's top pass defenses. I can't imagine starting any Jets receiver, although their DST is more than streamable.
Raiders -- What will we see from Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller? They seem to be teetering on relevance, and not the good kind of teetering.
Texans -- Has Nico Collins overtaken Brandin Cooks as Houston's #1 receiver?
Chargers -- Will Keenan Allen return, and how serious is Joshua Kelley's injury (is Sony Michel a big-time waiver add)?
Seahawks -- Are D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett top-30 WRs this week? I'm having trouble deciding what I think of them.
49ers -- How safe is Jeff Wilson's (temporary?) starting job after last week's dismal performance?
Chiefs -- Is Clyde Edwards-Helaire still a must-start RB?
Dolphins -- Will Tua Tagovailoa return? If so, what a boon for this offense.
Steelers -- Will Kenny Pickett return?
Patriots -- Will Damien Harris return (impacting Rhamondre Stevenson, obviously)?
Bears -- Will Chicago continue to roll with David Montgomery as the clear #1 back?
