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Week 7 Fantasy Football Risers, Fallers and Trade Candidates

Through six weeks of the NFL season, no player has risen faster than Devonta Freeman, the clear breakout star of the fantasy season. While the guy that hastily drafted him in the 12th round before eating his 24th chicken wing reaps the benefits, the rest of us are stuck picking through the waiver wire, looking for players that we'll hopefully never need to start.

But it's important to always keep an eye out for talent to stock your bench and create depth that could allow you to make a deal or make up for a late-season injury. The trade deadline is fast-approaching in most leagues, so there are only a few chances left to target a player that you expect to have a big second half.

 

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Week 7 Fantasy Football Risers

Stefon Diggs – WR, Minnesota Vikings

While it's only been two weeks, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been red-hot lately. The rookie out of Maryland has grabbed 13 receptions for 216 yards in his last two games. His biggest game (seven catches for 129 yards) came against the weak Kansas City Chiefs secondary, but his original breakout game came against the stellar Denver Broncos defense.

The Vikings are not a high-powered offense and Diggs is not a big-play threat, so he'll have to make the most of his targets the rest of the season. But with a young quarterback and an offense that would love to take pressure off of Adrian Peterson, Diggs has a chance to get targets and rack up points.

To top it off, Mike Wallace said that Diggs reminds him of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown. That sounds like an honest and unbiased opinion to me.

Christine Michael – RB, Dallas Cowboys

It's already Thursday, so it's too late if you missed him, but Christine Michael was this week's biggest target on the waiver wire. Consistent touches are hard to come by for running backs, and word out of Dallas is that Michael will be given an opportunity to run behind their acclaimed offensive line.

To add even more fuel to the fire, Dez Bryant is inching his way back towards the field. However with Tony Romo out the Dallas offense is a mess, and as it turns to Matt Cassel for help it will be hard for any running back to find space. If Michael grabs hold of the job, he'll be a consistent fantasy starter once Bryant and Romo return.

Michael has averaged 4.8 yards in 54 NFL carries and was acquired from the Seattle Seahawks right before the start of the season. The Cowboys have been open about their displeasure with Joseph Randle's performance so far, and Michael could be a big asset for any fantasy team down the stretch.

Jonathan Stewart – RB, Carolina Panthers

While everything in Carolina centers around Cam Newton at quarterback, one of his few trusted outlets is running back Jonathan Stewart, who has been with the team since his rookie year in 2008. Stewart has never been a great fantasy option, but he does have a few positives that make him a valuable fantasy asset in 2015.

To begin with, Stewart has hardly been pushed for his starting role. While Stewart has averaged 3.8 yards per carry, his backups Mike Tolbert and Cameron Artis-Payne have combined for just 28 carries this year. Stewart had a resurgent second-half in 2014 and finished the year with 809 rushing yards and 181 receiving yards on 25 catches.

In make-or-break Weeks 14 and 16, he'll take the field against the Atlanta Falcons, who have been stingy with yards but have allowed ten rushing touchdowns in six games this year. If Stewart can take advantage of that, he could turn the tide in your fantasy playoffs.

 

Week 7 Fantasy Football Fallers

C.J. Anderson – RB, Denver Broncos

The guillotine dropped slowly, but it seems to have finally fallen in Denver. C.J. Anderson had every opportunity to take hold of the starting running back position. He even started this week's game against the Cleveland Browns and had his most productive PPR fantasy day of the year, but he was outgained by Ronnie Hillman and should be second on the depth chart going forward.

While Hillman managed 111 rushing yards, Anderson had just 41 and now has just over half the rushing yards of Hillman on the season. The Denver Broncos' passing game continues to struggle, and for the first time in his career, Peyton Manning needs his running backs to step up. It looks like Hillman has answered the bell.

If you need to make room on your roster, Anderson is a tempting candidate to drop.

Sammy Watkins – WR, Buffalo Bills

Talent is not a problem for Sammy Watkins, but staying on the field has been this year. He has only touched the ball in three of the team's six games so far and he left this week's game after a strong start when he re-aggravated his ankle injury. He traveled with the team to London, as we all would, but it seems like he's only there for the sight-seeing.

Watkins has 147 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 receptions, but even when he returns, he'll be limited by a tough quarterback situation and an offense that puts up points but struggles to gain yards. That being said, if Watkins can get healthy, he's a great buy low candidate with WR1 potential. Don't forget that he had 65 catches for 982 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie season.

Charcandrick West – RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Everyone rushed to grab Charcandrick West last week for the chance to own Jamaal Charles-lite, but it was a rough first week on the throne. West finished the game with just 33 rushing yards and one reception in the Kansas City Chiefs' fifth loss of the season.

To top it off, the Chiefs lost Jeremy Maclin to a concussion, and he is questionable to play this week. The Chiefs were already short on offensive weapons coming into the season and are left with Travis Kelce as their remaining play-maker. Because of this and the less-than-stellar play of quarterback Alex Smith, there will be little running room for whoever is in the Kansas City backfield.

Knile Davis was no better last week, so West's position atop the depth chart is safe, but fantasy points are going to be scarce for the Chiefs going forward.

 

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