Quarterback
Desmond Ridder, Atlanta (at Tampa Bay)
Ridder wasn't good last week, but he still put up numbers for fantasy. The Bucs are tough on the run, so if the Falcons are rational, they will put the offense in Ridder's hands this week. Although it could be argued that, if they were rational, they would have demoted him for Taylor Heinicke by now. Every quarterback that has faced the Bucs has accounted for multiple scores except Derek Carr.
Tyrod Taylor, NY Giants (vs Washington)
Is it okay to admit that the Giants offense looked better with Taylor than it did with Daniel Jones at quarterback? Jones hasn't been cleared for contact as of Thursday, so it's a stretch to expect him to start against the Commanders. Taylor was a low-end QB1 when he was a starter in the past. Washington has allowed every quarterback they have faced except Joshua Dobbs to account for multiple scores, and Russell Wilson and Desmond Ridder threw for over 300 yards against them.
Jordan Love, Green Bay (at Denver)
Love is going to have his full complement of weapons with a bye week of rest to heal up various bumps and bruises against a hapless Broncos defense. We saw glimpses of fantasy goodness from Love earlier in the year, but he was cold going into the bye. Hopefully, with an extra week to prepare for this game and work on Love's flaws, he can set a high water mark for production this year.
Tyson Bagent, Chicago (vs Las Vegas)
Bagent notched a rushing score and got his team back in the game against the Vikings after Justin Fields left last week, but Bagent was also responsible for two turnovers and only threw for 83 yards. With a full week to prepare as the starter, he could be better against an underrated Raiders defense that got thumped 38-10 in Buffalo the one time they traveled east for an early game this season. Bagent works as emergency QB2/Superflex material.
Tight End
Trey McBride, Arizona (at Seattle)
McBride moved ahead of Zach Ertz in snaps and targets last week, and the results were successful, with the 2022 second-round pick averaging over 15 yards a reception on four grabs. Against Seattle this week, Joshua Dobbs might have trouble finding open wide receivers against the Seahawks' pair of fast, long, and aggressive corners, and the running game is unlikely to contribute a lot, so McBride could be a frequent target and see his role grow even more.
Michael Mayer, Las Vegas (at Chicago)
Mayer was a big hit in his first game as a clear starter, on the field for 81% of the snaps against the Patriots. He posted one of the best tight end games of the week and should be set as a primary target alongside Jakobi Meyers and Davante Adams. Logan Thomas and Cade Otton had their biggest fantasy games of the year against the Bears.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans (vs Jacksonville)
Hill came out of Week 6 as one of Derek Carr's favorite targets, with seven receptions. We already know he can add value as a runner and passer. If he is on the field more than any other Saints tight end like he was last week, he can be at least a viable streamer, if not an every-week boom/bust starter.
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay (at Denver)
Musgrave will have competition for targets with the Packers offense as healthy as it has been all season, but he still has a chance to come through big against a suspect Broncos defense. Travis Kelce posted his best yardage and yards per catch of the season (by a large margin) against them last week. Tyler Conklin posted a 4-67 line with Zach Wilson at quarterback. Cole Kmet scored twice and caught seven balls for 85 yards against Denver. Washington tight ends combined for a 7-89-1 line in Denver. Musgrave could be in line for a breakout game this weekend.
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