What You Need to Know from Week 7

DEN @ NO

• Bo Nix is still rough around the edges as a passer, and this wasn't a great fantasy bottom line. But Nix produced his season-high as a runner and should be considered a QB1 against the Panthers in Week 8.
• Javonte Williams resoundingly staked his claim to the lead back job and scored twice. Audric Estime fumbled again and is no threat to Williams at this point. Williams is an upside RB2 play against Carolina and could hit in the second half with the quality of Denver's defense.
• Troy Franklin led the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, while Courtland Sutton was kept off of the stat sheet, adding more volatility to an already low-ceiling passing game. Don't get attached to Sutton in short bench leagues.
• The Saints offense was impotent without Derek Carr, Rashid Shaheed, and Chris Olave. At least Carr and Olave could return in Week 8.
• Cedrick Wilson Jr. produced in garbage time, overshadowing the more commonly added Bub Means. UDFA rookie Mason Tipton, out of Yale, outproduced Means. There's no clear waiver pickup with Shaheed out for the season.

NE vs JAX - London

• Drake Maye is keeping his head above water, and the Patriots defense is going to give him favorable game scripts for production. He's worth carrying as depth in 1QB leagues and could be a savior in 2QB/Superflex.
• Antonio Gibson isn't even the clear backup to Rhamondre Stevenson now, as JaMycal Hasty actually put up a useful stat line as a passing down back. Stevenson was a dud and is only a what-the-heck flex going into a matchup with the Jets.
• Demario Douglas left early with an illness. Try to hold him, as Maye looks like he could support the value of two targets.
• Hunter Henry was the clear main target for Maye and should be plugged in as a starting fantasy tight end until he lets us down in back-to-back weeks.
• Brian Thomas Jr. shrugged off his poor Week 6 performance and looked like a rising star again in Week 7. He's a high-ceiling WR2 heading into a matchup with the Packers.
• Tank Bigsby was strong from beginning to end and posted a week-winning stat line with the help of an ideal game script. D'Ernest Johnson was still reasonably productive as a passing down back and could be useful PPR depth if Travis Etienne Jr.'s absence from a hamstring injury is extended.
• Christian Kirk will be too frustrating to trust unless he gets dealt to another team. That's three games with only one reception for Kirk this season.

DET @ MIN

• Jared Goff and the pass offense were nearly flawless again, but only supported the value of Amon-Ra St. Brown. The target tree will get a little thinner with Jameson Williams' two-game PED suspension. You might feel more inclined to start Sam LaPorta against Tennessee despite his slow start. Kalif Raymond and Tim Patrick have what-the-heck flex value with Williams out.
• David Montgomery left briefly with a knee injury and fumbled. Jahmyr Gibbs was the most explosive player on the field and looks ready to hit peak form in the second half.
• Sam Darnold was almost as good as Goff and should only get better when T.J. Hockenson returns in the next week or two. Hockenson's presence could reduce the WR3/Flex appeal of Jordan Addison, who was outproduced by Jalen Nailor in this game.
• Aaron Jones showed no ill effects from the hamstring that had him on the injury report and continues to be a fantasy RB1 boosted by this very good offense.

TEN @ BUF

• Mason Rudolph was just as uninspiring as Will Levis. Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins aren't essential holds. Tony Pollard is the only player in this offense worth rostering or starting in fantasy leagues.
• The Bills passing game blossomed with the addition of Amari Cooper in a part-time role, although maybe this is more about how the Titans defense is unraveling (they face the Lions next). Josh Allen was a great fantasy play without the benefit of a rushing touchdown. His value is up.
• Keon Coleman got free a few times, but his value might not be sustained when Cooper transitioned to a full-time role. Khalil Shakir had another strong game and his value is more likely to hold steady or even rise with Cooper putting stress on pass defenses downfield and outside the numbers.
• James Cook was able to play and score, but Ray Davis looked good in limited action and continues to loom as a potential threat to Cook's backfield share.
• Dalton Kincaid only had modest production, but as Cooper plays more, he like Shakir could be a beneficiary.

MIA @ IND

• The Dolphins running game was efficient for the second straight week. De'Von Achane should be back to RB1 status, Raheem Mostert will have flex appeal, and Jaylen Wright will be rosterable in deep leagues with Tua Tagovailoa's hopeful return in Week 8 vs. Arizona.
• Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle were lineup liabilities as the quarterback play and play design/calling let them down. They can't be played in Week 8 if Tagovailoa isn't back on the field.
• Jonnu Smith was one of the best fantasy tight ends of Week 7. He has put together back-to-back good weeks and should be added in most leagues. He could stay valuable with fewer targets in a better pass offense.
• Anthony Richardson's passing performance was worrisome in Week 7. He is more bust than boom heading into a matchup that could put the Colts in the division lead with a win at Houston. Joe Flacco should be on waiver wire speed dial in Superflex/2QB. No Colts pass-catcher is a safe play with Richardson at quarterback.
• Tyler Goodson scored and turned this backfield into timeshare. Neither he nor Trey Sermon is worth a play if Jonathan Taylor can't go in Week 8.

SEA @ ATL

• The Seahawks offense was more balanced with help from a good defensive performance. Geno Smith played well, but DK Metcalf is uncertain for Week 8 with a knee injury that forced him from the game. Smith isn't a preferred QB1 option against the Bills, but Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba have flex appeal if Metcalf is out.
• Ken Walker III had a highlight-reel touchdown catch and continues to produce like a fantasy MVP.
• Noah Fant had his second good game in a row and could be a streaming option for Week 8, especially if Metcalf is out.
• Kirk Cousins and the Falcons pass offense slumped a bit in a good matchup that instead showed Cousins' limitations outside of structure. Drake London and Kyle Pitts were solid volume plays. The whole passing game should bounce back in Tampa against the defense they hung 500+ yards on a few weeks ago.
• Bijan Robinson dominated the touch share and looked like the best offensive player for the Falcons. He's back to being a strong, if not elite, RB1 play. Tyler Allgeier looked good but never got on track with a negative game script. He's still a hold.