Fantasy Football: Week 7 Starts, Sits Include Frank Gore, LeGarrette Blount
One week doesn’t define an NFL player’s season, and that can be both good and bad news for your fantasy team.
Take LeGarrette Blount as an example. The New England Patriots running back scored the fourth-most fantasy points among running backs in Week 6, but that doesn’t exactly guarantee he’ll go off again this weekend against an elite New York Jets defense.
On the other side of the coin is Frank Gore, who saw his production drop last week but could bounce back in a big way this Sunday when he takes on a New Orleans Saints team that struggles against the run.
Who else can you expect shine in Week 7, and which players should be avoided? We have your answers in this week’s Starts and Sits.
STARTS
Ryan Tannehill, Quarterback, Miami Dolphins: Tannehill isn’t necessarily an elite fantasy QB, but he’s thrown for two touchdowns in each of his last four starts and faces a Houston Texans defense that’s already allowed 12 passing TDs this season. He’s worth a spot start if you need one.
Latavius Murray, Running Back, Oakland Raiders: Well-rested after a bye week, Murray faces a horrible San Diego Chargers run defense that has allowed a league-worst 5.4 yards per attempt. He’s primed for a bounce-back game after underwhelming performances in Weeks 4 and 5.
Frank Gore, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts: Gore was effective last Sunday and would have gotten more than his 13 carries had the Colts not fallen behind to the Patriots in the second half. He should get plenty of touches at home against the 30th-ranked Saints run defense.
John Brown, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals: There’s little doubt Brown is a major player in this offense, as he’s seen 28 balls thrown his way over the last three weeks. A matchup against a Baltimore Ravens team that’s given up 305 receiving yards per game makes Brown a must-start.
Stefon Diggs, Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings: Diggs had a monster game last Sunday, but starting a rookie who’s played in just two NFL games is a pretty big risk. That said, this is the perfect week to roll the dice with the Vikings playing a vulnerable Detroit Lions defense that’s giving up 28.7 points per game.
SITS
Joe Flacco, Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens: Flacco has been very solid in all but two contests this season, but he faces a tall task against the vaunted Arizona Cardinals secondary, which has an NFL-high 11 interceptions this season. There are better options out there this week.
Melvin Gordon, Running Back, San Diego Chargers: The underwhelming rookie hasn’t reached double-digit fantasy points (standard leagues) in a single contest this season and fumbled twice last weekend. The Oakland Raiders have been decent against the run, so it’s best to leave Gordon on your bench.
LeGarrette Blount, Running Back, New England Patriots: Yes, Blount came up huge last week, but that’s par for the course at this point whenever he faces the Indianapolis Colts. A Week 7 matchup against the NFL’s best run defense in the Jets suggests a big letdown likely is in order.
Travis Benjamin, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns: Benjamin has been a pleasant surprise for Cleveland this season and has been very solid of late, but he faces a tough matchup on the road against the St. Louis Rams, who have allowed just five passing touchdowns in five games.
Kendall Wright, Wide Receiver, Tennessee Titans: Wright always has been a boom-or-bust guy, but it’s been a lot more “bust” of late for the fourth-year wideout. Quarterback Marcus Mariota’s uncertain status for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons is another reason to steer clear of Wright this week.
Thumbnail photo via Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Images
