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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

Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Exits Early, X-Rays Come Back Negative
Jrue Holiday

Wants to Stay in Portland
Ayo Dosunmu

Timberwolves Hope to Bring Back Ayo Dosunmu
Dylan Harper

Considered Questionable for Friday Night
De'Aaron Fox

Listed as Questionable for Game 3
Jalen Williams

Questionable for Game 3 Against Spurs
Alex Tuch

Hopes to Remain in Buffalo
Sidney Crosby

Wants to Play for "as Many Years as Possible"
Troy Terry

Could Miss Start of Next Season Due to Hip Surgery
Arber Xhekaj

Scratched for Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals
Jakub Dobes

Seeks More Success Against Hurricanes
Frederik Andersen

Looks to Stay Undefeated Thursday
Calvin Ridley

Not Taking Part in OTAs as Value Continues to Plummet
Carnell Tate

Receiving Early Buzz at OTAs
Ashton Jeanty

Bigger Role Could be Coming for Ashton Jeanty in Year 2
Robby Snelling

Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Malik Nabers

' Goal is to be Ready for Start of the Season
De'Von Achane

Dealing With Injury at OTAs?
Dalton Kincaid

Says he Feels "Really Good"
Keenan Allen

Door isn't Closed for Keenan Allen in Los Angeles
Ty Simpson

Does Ty Simpson Have First-Round Appeal in Rookie Drafts?
Fernando Mendoza

Working Behind Other QBs
Cam Ward

is "Perfectly Healthy"
James Cook III

Absent From OTA Practices This Week
Darnell Washington

Is it Time to Drop Darnell Washington in Dynasty Leagues?
Fernando Mendoza

a Top Dynasty Target Even if He Doesn't Start Week 1?
Tyreek Hill

Dynasty Outlook Dependent on Landing Spot
Mack Hollins

Should Managers Trade for Mack Hollins Amid Roster Questions?
Michael Wilson

a Prime Dynasty Sell Candidate
Jake Ferguson

Insurance Upside Makes Him a Borderline TE1 in Dynasty
Brock Bowers

One of the Most Valuable Assets in Dynasty
Devin Vassell

Contributes 22 Points in Wednesday's Loss
Mike Gesicki

Still Provides Some Dynasty Insurance as His Standalone Value Fades
Stephon Castle

Tallies Team-High 25 Points in Game 2 Loss
Victor Wembanyama

Records Eighth Postseason Double-Double
Philadelphia Eagles

Nolan Smith Arrested for Speeding and Reckless Driving
Isaiah Hartenstein

Bounces Back With Double-Double
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads Thunder to Game 2 Victory WIth 30 Points
Dylan Harper

Exits Game 2 Early Due to Right-Leg Injury
Jalen Williams

Suffers Another Hamstring Injury
Valeri Nichushkin

Ends Scoring Slump in Game 1 Loss
Nathan MacKinnon

Extends Point Streak With an Assist
Brett Howden

Pots Another Goal in Game 1 Win Against Avalanche
Tomas Hertl

Extends Point Streak to Four Games
Pavel Dorofeyev

Scores in Fourth Straight Outing
Carter Hart

Records Third Consecutive Win
Timothy Liljegren

Capitals Re-Sign Timothy Liljegren to Two-Year Extension
Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
New York Giants

Giants Offense to be a Run-First Unit?
Chicago Bulls

Jerry Stackhouse Emerges as Bulls Head-Coach Candidate
Cooper Flagg

Kon Knueppel Headline All-Rookie Team
De'Aaron Fox

is Ruled Out for Game 2 on Wednesday
Jiri Kulich

Aims to Return Next Season
Jeremy Lauzon

Not Expected to Play Wednesday
Mark Stone

Likely to Remain Out Wednesday
Scott Wedgewood

Starting Western Conference Finals for Avalanche
Sam Malinski

Set to Return Wednesday
Artturi Lehkonen

Expected to Play Wednesday Night
Cale Makar

Will Miss Game 1 Against Golden Knights
CFB

Lincoln Riley Believes USC is Ready for Playoff Run
CFB

Notre Dame-Stanford Rivalry Renewed Through 2028
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Says He's "Back to the Road to Success"
CFB

Texas Tech Graduate Judge Recuses Himself from Brendan Sorsby Case
CFB

UCLA Tackle Jordan Davis Officially Eligible for 2026 Season
CFB

Bret Bielema Supports Significant College Football Playoff Expansion
Michael Thorbjornsen

Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List

Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Tom Kim

Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
PGA

Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
Billy Horschel

Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
Si Woo Kim

Looks To Stay Hot at CJ Cup
James Harden

Struggles in Eastern Conference Finals Opener
Evan Mobley

Bags Second Consecutive Double-Double
Donovan Mitchell

Produces Top Two-Way Performance in Game 1 Loss
OG Anunoby

Plays Key Role in Comeback Win
Mikal Bridges

Remains Efficient in Game 1 Against Cavaliers
Karl-Anthony Towns

Extends Double-Double Streak to Four Games
Scottie Scheffler

to Defend CJ Cup Byron Nelson Title This Week
Jordan Spieth

Looking For Victory at TPC Craig Ranch
PGA

Matti Schmid Looks to Keep Recent Momentum Going at TPC Craig Ranch
Brooks Koepka

a High-Upside Play at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
Drake Baldwin

Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
CFB

Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
CFB

Mark Bowman a Day 1 Impact Player for USC?
CFB

Bill Belichick Says Relationship with First North Carolina Team "Wasn't Great"
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
Mattias Samuelsson

Picks Up an Assist in Season-Ending Loss
Jackson Holliday

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
Jose Altuve

Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Melquizael Costa

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 117
Arnold Allen

Bounces Back
Daniel Santos

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Dohoo Choi Wins His Third Consecutive Fight
Malcolm Wellmaker

Suffers His Second Loss In A Row
Juan Diaz

Scores Second-Round Submission
Christian Edwards

Defeated At UFC Vegas 117
CFB

Transfer Running Back Arnold Barnes Visiting Iowa State on Monday
Modestas Bukauskas

Gets Split-Decision Win
Jhostynxon Garcia

Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday
Colt Emerson

Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Trevor Story

Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF