Week 7 of the 2020 NFL season is right around the corner. All games are on schedule as, for the second straight week, it appears as though COVID-19 will not cause any delays *knocks on wood*. Bye weeks are officially up and running, which means that fantasy football owners are once again looking to their benches for the best running back start/sit options. Justin Jackson should thrive in Week 7, while Jamycal Hasty carries too much risk to start.
Wide Receiver Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em
Justin Jackson, Jamycal Hasty Highlight Fantasy Football Week 7 Running Back Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em
Start: Justin Jackson
After an offseason of Joshua Kelley hype, it appears as though Justin Jackson will see the majority of Austin Ekeler’s work. In Week 5 (Los Angeles had a bye in Week 6), Jackson outsnapped Kelley and was far more productive with his opportunities. He should be the starter again, and should have a fantastic game against a bad Jacksonville Jaguars football team. He should be an RB2 with a realistic shot of multiple touchdowns.
Sit: Jamycal Hasty
San Francisco 49ers running back Jamycal Hasty became the latest Kyle Shanahan product to come out of nowhere and put together a solid performance. Taking over for an injured Raheem Mostert, Hasty ended his night with nine carries for 37 yards and one target in the passing game. Mostert will not play in Week 7, but that doesn’t mean Hasty is a smart start.
The only reason Hasty was on the field in the first place is because both Jeff Wilson and Tevin Coleman were out. Both players have a chance to return in Week 7, although Coleman is something of a long shot. Even if both players miss, Jerick McKinnon will still be the leader of this backfield. The 49ers face off against the New England Patriots in what should be a low-scoring affair, so San Francisco’s RB2 probably won’t carry too much fantasy value.
Start: Boston Scott
With Miles Sanders sidelined for at least one game, Boston Scott becomes the de-facto leader of Philadelphia’s backfield. It goes without saying that Scott will not receive Sanders’ entire workload, and he probably won’t be as efficient as the former second-round pick. However, he will have the workload to be a solid flex play.
Scott should receive the majority of the carries and is probably the third or fourth option in the passing game. Along with Sanders, Jalen Reagor, Zach Ertz, and Dallas Goedert are all expected to miss Thursday’s action. This leaves Travis Fulgham and DeSean Jackson as the only reliable options in the passing game, and Jackson is not a high-volume receiver. Scott should be a safe bet for 15-20 combined opportunities and possesses decent upside if he falls into the endzone.
Sit: La’Michal Perine
Normally, you’d at least take a look at a running back receiving a 58% snap share in an offense. However, when that running back is La’Michal Perine, you’re better off looking somewhere else. Perine is seeing the field at a decent rate, but New York’s offense is too terrible for the rookie to carry any real fantasy value. The offensive line won’t open rushing lanes, and the offense doesn’t provide nearly enough scoring opportunities. Perine is an interesting stash in dynasty, but he offers little to no value in redraft formats.
Start: D’Andre Swift
Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift only saw 38% of the offensive snaps in Week 6, but that was enough to him to put up a combined 123 yards and two touchdowns. The rookie is clearly the best running back on the roster and is getting the ball every time he steps onto the field. It stands to reason that his snap share will improve in time, and he should be pretty efficient with his opportunities. Adrian Peterson’s presence does lower Swift’s floor, but the dynamic second-round pick should be a solid RB2 against a bad Atlanta Falcons defense.
Sit: Zack Moss
Buffalo Bills running back Zack Moss is back on the field, but he’ll need some time before you can trust him in your lineup. Last week, the rookie running back played in just 25% of the snaps while recording just 10 yards on the ground. Once fully incorporated into the gameplan, Moss should be the pass-catching and goal-line back for this offense. However, he’ll need to prove he’s fully healthy before earning that role, which means you cannot safely start him against the New York Jets.
Wide Receiver Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em
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