After a rough week last week (hey, it happens) we're back to give you a couple of players to push into your starting lineup or move to your bench, along with a sleeper pick.
Now, you're not going to find "start Adrian Peterson" here. If you drafted a player in the first five rounds, chances are those are your go-to players, so we'll try to give you some less-than-obvious choices to bolster your lineup every week.
On that note, here we go for Week 7:
Start ‘em
Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers running back vs. Jacksonville
The player everyone in fantasy football loves, and then loves to hate, makes his first appearances on our list. He rushed for 100 yards on Monday night against a good Indianapolis defense, and while he still loses touches to Danny Woodhead, he may finally have earned the trust of the new coaching staff in San Diego. The Jaguars, while a prideful bunch, can’t stop anyone.
Atlanta defense vs. Tampa Bay
The Falcons have been terrible this year, but there has been no bigger fantasy disappointment than the Buccaneers offense. Atlanta is coming off a bye and is at home and they’re facing a rookie quarterback in Mike Glennon. Tampa Bay has some weapons (Doug Martin, Vincent Jackson) but while they may pile up yards, it’s just as likely that the Falcons force some turnovers and sack Glennon.
Sit ‘em
Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals running back vs. Seattle
Ellington is emerging as the go-to back in Arizona, playing nearly half of the snaps last week in gaining 92 all-purpose yards with a touchdown. His role will increase, but this isn’t the week to play him. Seattle has given up some fantasy points, but only to running backs who carry the bulk of the load (DeAngelo Williams, Maurice Jones-Drew, Arian Foster). Stash Ellington for a future week.
Charles Clay, Miami Dolphins tight end vs. Buffalo
The Dolphins are coming off a bye and the Bills aren’t that good, but they’ve only allowed the second fewest fantasy points to tight ends (per Yahoo!). Clay is a favorite of quarterback Ryan Tannehill and could be a sleeper later on – just not this week.
Sleeper pick
Jarrett Boykin, Green Bay Packers receiver vs. Cleveland
We get that this seems like an odd choice, given that the Browns have a pretty stout pass defense, but with Randall Cobb and James Jones knocked out last week, Boykin got a quick six targets from Aaron Rodgers. He only caught one, but you have to think a week of practice will tighten that timing up. WR2’s like Brandon Gibson, Marlon Brown, Robert Woods and Kris Durham (Who? Exactly) had nice turnouts against the Browns.