Week 7 of fantasy football provides managers with another opportunity to make difficult lineup decisions. Sometimes, players who are viewed as fringe starters can produce unexpectedly big performances. These will often make or break fantasy football matchups. Below is a list of players, one from each position, who carry upside this week and should be placed in fantasy starting lineups. Week 6 predictions were a success, as Caleb Williams, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Kyle Pitts all had great fantasy performances. Calvin Ridley was the only dud of the week as he had ZERO receptions on eight targets, primarily due to Will Levis’ woeful quarterback play.
Week 7 Fantasy Football – Upside Plays of the Week
Quarterback – Drake Maye
Maye made his NFL debut in Week 6 and definitely impressed from a fantasy perspective, throwing for three touchdowns and 243 passing yards. While he did make some rookie mistakes, Maye exhibited some big play potential that could help turn this abysmal Patriots offense around. Maye also showed his scrambling ability and rushed five times for 38 yards – a great characteristic for fantasy QBs. Maye and the Patriots will face the Jaguars in London in Week 7. The Jaguars defense has been a fantasy goldmine for quarterbacks this season, allowing over 27 fantasy points per game (FPPG) to the position. Fantasy managers can view Maye as a viable streaming option with QB1 upside in Week 7.
Running-Back – Tank Bigsby
This upside play hinges on the health of Travis Etienne Jr., who was able to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday. Etienne’s hamstring injury is considered week-to-week, so there is a possibility he could miss Week 7 altogether. Nonetheless, Bigsby should see more opportunities this week in a positive game script against the Patriots. The Patriots run defense is bottom-five in the league, allowing 117 rushing yards per game and conceding seven rushing touchdowns to RBs this season. Consider Bigsby an upside flex play in what should feel like a home game for the Jaguars in London.
Wide Receiver – Ladd McConkey
McConkey and the Chargers passing offense has been slowly heating up this season. Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for a season-high 237 passing yards, while McConkey saw a team-high eight targets in Week 6. McConkey has one of the league’s highest target shares at 27% and has seen six targets or more in 4/5 games this season. The Chargers face a weak Cardinals defense this week, who are allowing 23 fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Expect Herbert to continue feeding his top target in this favourable Week 7 matchup.
Tight-End – Cade Otton
Otton has flown under-the-radar this season, but has been steadily earning volume in this Buccaneers passing offense. Otton has seen 27 targets over the last four weeks and now faces the Baltimore Ravens bottom-ranked pass defense. The Ravens are allowing the second-most yards per game and the fifth-most FPPG to tight ends this season. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has been firing on all cylinders this year, as the Buccaneers receivers should have another successful week on Monday Night Football. Otton can be considered a priority tight-end streamer for managers seeking some sneaky upside at the position.
Main Image: Brian Fluharty – USA Today Sports
