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10 Lineup Busts and Avoids for Week 7

I'm trying a new approach this week with this column, which is that the introductory paragraphs and the recap of last week's games are going to be combined.

But don't worry! That just means I'll be writing more about how good/bad last week's bust picks were! It makes more sense to blabber on about that than to blabber on about whatever other things I would.

Let's get to it.

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

 

Recap of Last Week

Jared Goff and Ben Roethlisberger, whose name I am finally spelling correctly without having to look it up, were the quarterbacks I warned you against last week. Goff took on the dreaded Jaguars defense. If you only believe in scoreboards, you might think Jacksonville looked worse, but don't forget the Rams scored on special teams. Goff was held to 9.9 fantasy points--another in the long list of Jacksonville's victims. Roethlisberger put up 11.9 against the Chiefs, which is a little better than I expected but still not...very good.

Running Back! Isaiah Crowell had his second best week of the year in Standard scoring, which equated to...oh, just 7.3 points--and if you're still playing without decimals, only six points. SIX. I can't understand why the Browns don't at least just see what Matthew Dayes can do. It's probably nothing, but he might be worth a look. Carlos Hyde was not a bust in terms of fantasy scoring, but he was buoyed by two touchdowns--his 13 carries only accounted for 28 yards, though he was involved in the passing game as well. Is that sustainable? And Aaron Jones, splitting time with Ty Montgomery, carried the ball thirteen times for 41 yards, numbers that probably would have been smaller if Aaron Rodgers had remained at quarterback for the entire game.

I highlighted three wide receivers. One of them, Stefon Diggs, didn't play, which means he definitely counts as a bust, right? Although no one would have been playing him, so [insert that emoji that is shrugging its head here if I knew what combination of keys I had to hit to make it look right]. Jarvis Landry got a boost with DeVante Parker out and put in a solid performance, and Mike Evans had...a weird game. Tampa Bay got down big, but Evans only ended up with three catches. Those catches went for 95 yards and a touchdown, though, so it was a good fantasy day, even if the Bucs looked Very Bad at times.

Jared Cook had two catches for 14 yards. Eric Ebron had one catch for nine yards. YOU. NEED. TO. DROP. ERIC. EBRON. IN. ALMOST. EVERY. FORMAT.

Alright. Let's look at ten dudes who will disappoint you this week now!

 

Top 10 Busts - NFL Week 7

Philip Rivers (Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers)

I picked Rivers as a bust in Week 1 against the Broncos are didn't...do a great job on that pick. I'm doing it again here because the Broncos defense--despite struggling last week against the Giants--is good and the Chargers are inconsistent. Rivers has a turnover in four of the six games he's played and has thrown for 300 yards just twice. He's not a great call this week.

Jameis Winston (Quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Okay, a caveat: Winston might not even play this week after spraining an AC joint in his shoulder last week. If he does suit up, he gets a match-up against the Buffalo Bills, who have held every team they've played to twenty or less (real) points and have given up just two passing touchdowns, while picking off opposing QBs eight times.

Ty Montgomery (Running Back, Green Bay Packers)

This one is more speculation driven than statistic driven, because predicting the drop-off from Aaron Rodgers to Brett Hundley is...difficult. The Packers seem like they'll need to run the ball more and Aaron Jones seems like their best pure runner, which makes me think Montgomery will be in a more limited role this week.

Orleans Darkwa (Running Back, New York Giants)

The Giants discovered a run game last week against a very good run defense, but that likely means the Seahawks--who struggled defensively early in the year but have since improved--will key in on Darkwa and dare Eli Manning to beat them with his arm. The Seahawks did hold Todd Gurley to 43 yards before their bye week.

Melvin Gordon (Running Back, Los Angeles Chargers)

I understand that the Giants performance last week might have broken a hole in the narrative that the Broncos shut down running backs, but don't forget that Gordon only had 54 yards on the ground in the team's first meeting with Denver. Yes, he added a receiving touchdown, but those are a little more fluky. Look for the Broncos run defense to get it back together.

T.Y. Hilton (Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts)

The Jacksonville Jaguars passing defense is very good. This has been established. The Indianapolis Colts passing offense, which is currently led by quarterback Jacoby Brissett, is one giant question mark and now gets to face the machine that is the Jags. Jacksonville has allowed just one touchdown to wide receivers in 2017.

Sammy Watkins (Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams)

I'm not 100% sure Sammy Watkins even exists anymore. He has just two catches in the past three games and only once this season has he scored more than 5.8 points in Standard scoring. Despite the struggles, it would still be a good bet to say he'll get matched up with Patrick Peterson for a good chunk of this week's game, which caps his upside even more. Stay away.

Davante Adams (Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers)

I could have also listed Randall Cobb at this spot, or taken a bigger risk and said Jordy Nelson, but I'm going with Adams, who has been a favorite downfield target of Aaron Rodgers and figures to lose out on a lot of those kinds of plays with Brett Hundley at quarterback. Yes, he scored a touchdown last week with Hundley in and yes, it is the Saints defense, but staying away from Adams--at least until we see what his usage looks like with a more restricted offense--seems like a good call.

Jason Witten (Tight End, Dallas Cowboys)

Old, reliable Jason Witten did have 61 yards in Week 5 against Green Bay, but he's about to take on a 49ers team that has been surprisingly strong against tight ends over the course of this season. Witten isn't dynamic-enough a player to make him a viable starting option this week.

Coby Fleener (Tight End, New Orleans Saints)

With how difficult to predict the tight end market has been, one might look at Fleener--a player who has shown potential for so long now that we might need to actually admit there isn't any more potential--and think he could be a solid start against the Packers. But he's been targeted just six times in the past three games. Too inconsistent to see your lineups.

 

More Week 7 Lineup Prep




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jaylen Wright

the Dynasty Handcuff Running Back to Own in Miami?
Colby Parkinson

Facing Likely Regression After Career Year in 2025
Omarion Hampton

Remains a High-End Dynasty RB1 Despite Injury History
Rickie Fowler

Looks To Continue Resurgent Season At Memorial
Ollie Gordon II

Is Ollie Gordon II Still Worthy of a Dynasty Roster Spot?
Justin Herbert

Overhauling his Footwork This Offseason
De'Von Achane

Doing Individual Drills at Minicamp
Ashton Jeanty

Raiders Emphasizing Ashton Jeanty's Progress as Their Lead Back
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Still on the Mend From 2025 Injuries
Brandon Aiyuk

Warrant Issued for Brandon Aiyuk's Arrest in California
Blake Corum

Remains an Elite Handcuff in Dynasty Leagues
Chris Godwin Jr.

Consistency the Key for Chris Godwin Jr. in Dynasty Leagues
David Montgomery

Can Managers Look to Sell High on David Montgomery This Year?
Malik Willis

a Low-Cost Dynasty Target in Miami?
Terrance Ferguson

Can Terrance Ferguson Still be the Tight End to Roster in Los Angeles?
CFB

Can Eric Singleton Jr. Fully Break Out at Third School?
CFB

Katin Houser Steps into QB1 Role for Illinois
CFB

Savion Hiter an Immediate Impact Freshman for Michigan
CFB

Isaiah Horton Set to Take Over KC Concepcion's Role
CFB

UCLA Transfer Karson Gordon Signs with Austin Peay
CFB

Will Muschamp Bringing New Intensity to Texas Practices
Gary Woodland

Brings Boom-or-Bust Potential to Memorial
Jordan Spieth

Still Searching for a Breakthrough
Ted Hurst

Can Ted Hurst Find Consistent Fantasy Success in a Crowded Receiver Room?
Alex Smalley

Brings Elite Form to Memorial Tournament
Jayden Reed

Still an Unproven Dynasty Asset
Justin Rose

Looks to Recapture Memorial Tournament Success
Cameron Young

Looks to Get Back to His Contending Ways at Murifield Village
Brenton Strange

a Safe, Young Dynasty Depth Piece
Chris Gotterup

Needs to Find Fairways at Muirfield Village
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Stay Hot at Memorial Tournament
Kaytron Allen

in the Right Situation to Overcome Poor Draft Capital?
Matt Fitzpatrick

Positioned for Success at Muirfield Village
Jalen Chatfield

Records Two Assists in Tuesday's Loss
Demond Claiborne

Worthy of a Late-Round Dart Throw in Dynasty Rookie Drafts
Keegan Bradley

Looking for Another Strong Finish at Muirfield
Nikolaj Ehlers

Nets Two Goals in Game 1 Loss to Golden Knights
Shea Theodore

Notches Three Points in Game 1 Win
Brayden McNabb

Sets Up Three Goals in Game 1 Win Over Hurricanes
Justin Thomas

is an Exciting Play This Week in Ohio
Brett Howden

Starts Finals With Multi-Point Effort
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Win Memorial Tournament for Third Consecutive Year
Tomas Hertl

Scores Game-Winner in Finals Opener
Rory McIlroy

Looking for Better Performance at Muirfield Village
Drake Baldwin

Could Return During Braves Next Homestand
Garrett Crochet

Diagnosed With Low-Grade Lat Strain
Tetairoa McMillan

Dealing With Foot Injury During OTAs
Aaron Donald

Considering Coming Out of Retirement?
Russell Henley

Coming to Ohio on the Heels of Latest Victory
Tommy Fleetwood

Looking for Better Iron Play at Memorial Tournament
Patrick Cantlay

Looks to Continue Dominance at Muirfield Village
Ludvig Aberg

a Great Fit for Muirfield Village
Isaiah Hartenstein

Hopeful to Stay with Oklahoma City
Luguentz Dort

Wants to Remain with Thunder
Mitchell Robinson

is Questionable for Game 1
Moussa Diabaté

Moussa Diabate Has Contract Guaranteed for 2026-2027 Season
Oso Ighodaro

Gets Guaranteed Contract for Next Season
NAS

Chris MacFarland Joins Predators as President and General Manager
VAN

Canucks Name Manny Malhotra as New Head Coach
Brendan Gallagher

to Leave Canadiens This Offseason
Patrik Laine

Looking Forward to Free Agency
Jeremy Lauzon

Returns to Action Tuesday
Zach Werenski

Wins 2025-26 Norris Trophy
Aaron Judge

Out on Tuesday With Rib/Shoulder Injury
Josh Hader

Set to Return from Injured List on Tuesday
CFB

SEC Coach Calls Buster Faulkner a "Home-Run Hire"
CFB

Auburn a Sleeper in the SEC Under Alex Golesh?
CFB

Noah Fifita Primed for Strong 2026 Campaign
CFB

Oregon Assistant Coach Charged with DUII, Reckless Driving
CFB

Tight End Nick Pollack Commits to Clemson
Akshay Bhatia

Needs the Driver to be True in Ohio
Aaron Rai

Primed to take on the Memorial Tournament
J.J. Spaun

Rebounded at Charles Schwab Challenge
Xander Schauffele

One to Watch This Week in Ohio
Elly De La Cruz

to Miss 2-4 Weeks of Action
Chase Burns

is Scratched Due to Illness
Deiveson Figueiredo

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Song Yadong

Gets Second-Round Submission Win
Zhang Mingyang

Suffers Back-To-Back Losses
Alonzo Menifield

Gets Back In The Win Column
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Sergei Pavlovich

Scores First-Round Knockout Win
Cameron Smotherman

Suffers Third Loss In A Row
Edwin Arroyo

Reds Promote Top Infield Prospect Edwin Arroyo, Viewed as Priority Pick Up Ahead of MLB Debut
Kai Asakura

Earns His First UFC Win
Elly De La Cruz

Placed on IL with Right Hamstring Tightness
Denny Hamlin

Earns the first Nashville Cup Series Victory of his Career on Sunday
Christopher Bell

Finishes as the Runner-Up at Nashville
Chase Briscoe

Earns First Career Podium Finish at Nashville
Ryan Blaney

Scores A Solid Top-10 Finish at Nashville
Kyle Larson

Top-10 Streak at Nashville Ends after Late Flat Tire Spin
Elly De La Cruz

Exits with Hamstring Tightness
Tyler Reddick

Is One of the Top Favorites to Win at Nashville
Kyle Larson

May Continue his Top-10 Consistency at Nashville this week
Christopher Bell

Is One of the Top Competitors for the Win at Nashville
Chase Briscoe

Is A Must Start for Nashville DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

has Plenty of Upside for Nashville DFS Lineups
William Byron

Is William Byron A Playable DFS Option for Nashville Lineups?
Carson Hocevar

Is Likely to have Another Solid Result at Nashville
NASCAR

Should Fantasy Players Roster Bubba Wallace at Nashville?
Chris Buescher

Is A Decent All-Around DFS Option for Nashville Lineups
Daniel Suarez

is Likely to Drop Positions during the Cracker Barrel 400
Garrett Crochet

Suffers Setback, Likely to Undergo MRI for Lat Tightness
Denny Hamlin

Could Denny Hamlin Dominate at Nashville?
Ryan Blaney

Is a DFS Tournament Option at Nashville
Ty Gibbs

Don't Overlook Ty Gibbs at Nashville
Joey Logano

Could Show Life at Nashville
Ross Chastain

Needs a Good Run at Nashville
Chet Holmgren

Fails to Step Up in the Season Finale
Cason Wallace

Ends Postseason with Strong Showing
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Caps MVP Season with Game 7 Exit
Stephon Castle

Continues Postseason Run with 16 Points
Julian Champagnie

Shines in Series-Clinching Win
De'Aaron Fox

Provides Secondary Punch in Game 7 Triumph
Victor Wembanyama

Earns Conference Finals MVP in Spurs' Game 7 Win
NBA

Warriors Prioritize Depth Around Returning Steve Kerr
Donovan Mitchell

Remains Cleveland's Top Priority
Adou Thiero

Remains a Lakers Development Project
NBA

76ers Hire Mike Gansey as President of Basketball Operations
NBA

Chicago Bulls Explore Kevin Young as Coaching Candidate
Kyrie Irving

Reports He's Nearing Full Strength in ACL Recovery
Lane Hutson

Posts a Power-Play Assist in Game 5 Loss
Cole Caufield

Nets a Power-Play Goal in Season-Ending Loss
Seth Jarvis

Closes Out East Finals With Multi-Point Game
Logan Stankoven

Notches Three Points in Big Game 5 Win
Taylor Hall

Racks Up Three Points in Series-Clinching Win
Frederik Andersen

Remains Stellar as Hurricanes Clinch Finals Berth
Jacob Gonzalez

is Heading to the Big Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Exits with Hamstring Tightness
Mitchell Robinson

Plans to Play in Game 1 After Finger Surgery
Ajay Mitchell

Ruled Out for Game 7
Jalen Williams

Unavailable in Decisive Game 7
Eury Pérez

Eury Perez is Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Deiveson Figueiredo

Set For UFC Macau Main Event
MMA

Yadong Song Returns At UFC Macau
Alonzo Menifield

An Underdog At UFC Macau
Zhang Mingyang

Set For UFC Macau Co-Main Event
Tallison Teixeira

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Sergei Pavlovich

A Favorite At UFC Macau
Cameron Smotherman

Looks To Bounce Back
Kai Asakura

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
CFB

Faizon Brandon In Position to Start Week 1
CFB

Dane Weber Commits to Cal
CFB

Joey McGuire Attempts to Add Texas to Schedule
CFB

Mike Leach on 2027 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot
CFB

Maryland, Baylor Schedule Home-and-Home
CFB

Taron Dickens Decommits From North Carolina
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF