X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Players Sending Out Warning Signals: Heading Into NFL Week 7

Another week, another round of devastating and serious long-term injuries to some of the game's top fantasy names. That means that depth during hellish bye weeks will continue to be an issue, and you might find yourself yet again hanging on longer than expected to some of the more frustrating players out of pure necessity.

This week, we will take a look at a few of the players that you have held on to that you might be ready to make a decision on, and check back on some of the players who were struggling in previous weeks

To see where these players fall in our expert rankings for Week 7, check our Overall Player Rankings lists for Standard, PPR, and Half-PPR.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Heed the Warning Signs

Tyrod Taylor (QB, BUF) -  Low - Medium Warning Level

Any time a coach has to open multiple press conferences reaffirming his confidence in his starting quarterback, things probably aren't going too well. Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott has had to do just that on more than one occasion this year when speaking about QB Tyrod Taylor, who has wavered between a serviceable starting NFL quarterback, and a player who possibly sunk your week if you rolled him out. In two games at home Taylor has been over 200 yards passing with two touchdowns in each contest, while in his three road games he has only thrown two total touchdowns and averaged 150 passing yards.

Last year Taylor's floor was solidified with his above average scramble ability, but he just hasn't been able to shake off defenders this season and has been sacked 18 times. After rushing for a season-high 55 yards in week 2, his rushing totals in the three following weeks have been on the decline and have fallen to 13, 12, and 3 yards. The most concerning factor for Taylor's future production though is his team's lack of viable pass-catchers. Through five games this year, the Bills receiving corps is only averaging 63.2 yards per game. The Bills lost maybe their best true receiver in Jordan Matthews with a thumb injury in Week 4, and although he has resumed practicing he might not be ready for game action just yet. A continued lack of chemistry has hindered any meaningful connections with rookie receiver Zay Jones, who has only reeled in 5-of-23 targets on the year for a grand total of 66 yards. Taylor's top pass-catcher tight end Charles Clay also went down with a knee injury in the team's Week 5 loss against the Bengals, and a specific time line has yet to be assigned to his recovery after surgery. While Taylor' s schedule does become progressively more favorable, Taylor has very few trustworthy targets on the field right now making it tough to start him even in the best of matchups. Before all the injuries Taylor was a decent start at home, but with very few reliable pass-catching options left and the offensive line struggling, Taylor's production will likely continue to be capped.

Mike Gillislee (RB, NE) - High Warning Level

Since scoring three times in his Patriots' debut, Mike Gillislee has cooled off considerably. After rushing for 69 yards and a touchdown in Week 2, Gillislee has averaged just 44 rushing ypg with no touchdowns in four games, and has eclipsed 50 yards just once. With the plethora of pass catching backs ahead of him, he also offers absolutely zero utility in the passing game, and he hasn't caught a single pass all year. To make matters worse, he fumbled in the first quarter of the Week 6 win over the Jets and ended up playing only 13 snaps as a result. How long that could keep him in ill-favor with head coach Bill Belichick no one knows.

One of Gillislee's major limitations is that the Patriots' have not been nearly as dominant as they have been in seasons past. Everyone knew that in the New England backfield Gillislee's usage would be unpredictable and based largely upon each week's game plan. It still seemed like a pretty safe bet though, that at a bare minimum he would retain goal line work on a week-to-week basis coming off a season in Buffalo in which he scored six times from within the three-yard line. There are only a handful of offenses that can comfortably support touchdown dependent running backs for fantasy, but New England was definitely one of them. But this year so far, the story has been different. The Patriots' largest margin of victory this year is 16 points, which coincidentally was the last time Gillislee had a rushing touchdown four weeks ago. With the Patriots defense in shambles, the offense has found themselves in matchups that have remained close well into the fourth quarter and they have even had to play from behind a couple of times. Without the Patriots living in the red zone and frequently shifting to clock-killing mode late in games like everyone has grown accustomed, Gillislee has become a frustrating roster piece over the past few weeks. With the Patriots rushing percentage down from 62% last year to 56% this season, Gillislee will continue to be a very dicey, unreliable boom or bust flex play.

Martavis Bryant (WR, PIT) - High Warning Level

Between being out of football for a year, and the painfully sluggish start of his quarterback, Martavis Bryant has not been able to find the formula for success this year. Outside of one 27-yard touchdown catch and another 50-yard bomb in Week 2, Bryant has caught just 15-of-32 targets for 153 yards through six games. His snap counts have also continued to fall, culminating in a season low 33 snaps in Week 6, as rookie Juju Smith-Schuster quietly continues to push for more work. Now that there are rumblings coming out of Pittsburgh that Bryant may or not want to be traded, the situation gets even trickier for fantasy owners.

The big play threat is always there, and if Ben Roethlisberger and Bryant were in better sync and could have connected on at least two of their deep shots, Bryant's fantasy season would look a lot different. But as it stands, Bryant is a tough start no matter what the matchup, and will be very boom/bust as the team's deep threat without offering much else in between. The upside is so large for Bryant that it will be extremely difficult to flat out part ways with him, and if you have the roster space you might still be inclined to ride it out if you can, but if he isn't able to put something together before his bye it might become too hard to hang on.

Jordan Reed (TE, WAS) - High Warning Level

Washington Redskins running back Chris Thompson is having an incredible start to his season, but his advancement has had a disparaging effect on the fantasy production of the team's other skill players. In addition to nullifying slot receiver Jamison Crowder's effectiveness, Jordan Reed's volume has suffered greatly as well. In his first four games last year Reed had 35 targets, with double digit targets in two of those games. This year through four games played he has only netted 24 targets, and after opening the year with a season-high 8 targets he has seen only ten in the last two matchups combined. He also has yet to catch a touchdown pass, despite the inconsistencies of Terrelle Pryor and the departure of both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon.

What's even more concerning is that it is hard to determine just what the problem is here. For the first time in a long time, Reed managed to stay off the injury report for an entire week and was actually on the field for 72% of the Redskins' snaps in Week 6, his second highest percentage of the year. So even though he is probably just as nicked up as everyone else is, it doesn't seem like an injury is holding him back at this point in the season. Whatever the issue may be, Reed has become a very difficult player to start week in and week out, and owners will probably want to shy away from him for a couple of weeks until his fantasy production sees a positive uptick.

 

Updates From Last Week

Matt Ryan (QB, ATL) - Same Warning Level as Last Week

Matt Ryan again struggled and had a fantasy day that didn't do owners many favors, as he threw for 248 yards, an interception, and just one touchdown. Ryan's schedule will ease up a bit, but it is clear that his elite fantasy production left town with Kyle Shanahan. With the Falcons' offense taking a step back and Ryan unable to effectively get in sync with top receiver Julio Jones, Ryan is in danger of not coming anywhere close to living up to his draft position from this summer.

DeMarco Murray (RB, TEN) - Same Warning Level as Last Week

A second half touchdown saved the day for DeMarco Murray's fantasy owners, as he was again on his way to another disappointing day with only 40 yards on 12 carries. It is encouraging that Murray will still be used heavily in the passing game and around the goal line, but with both the head coach and offensive coordinator coming out in the past week saying that Derrick Henry needs a bigger role, that daunted takeover may be closer than we think after all. The Titans' offense seems like it is on the verge of putting it all together with Mariota getting healthier, so there should still be enough volume to go around for both players, but Murray owners will have to pay close attention to the snap counts and usage of both backs over the next couple of weeks to get an idea of what to expect going forward.

Terrelle Pryor (WR, WAS) - Higher Warning Level Than Last Week

After catching his first touchdown to go along with 70 receiving yards in Week 4, many owners were hopeful that Terrelle Pryor was ready to turn the corner coming out of the Redskins bye and build upon that performance. What actually happened was Pryor reverting back to the form that he has shown for most of the season so far, catching only three balls for 23 yards on five targets in a game that was competitive for most of the second half. Pryor will continue to be a dicey, touchdown dependent play going forward, and is another player that will struggle to have value this year that comes anywhere near his draft position.

Evan Engram (TE, NYG) - Lower Warning Level Than Last Week

Evan Engram easily had his best game of the season against the Broncos D on Sunday night, catching 5-of-7 targets for 82 yards and a touchdown. With the Giants down three of their top receivers, Engram responded very well as the team's primary passing target. He indeed lined up out wide against the Broncos corners on more than one occasion throughout the game, and proved that relying on his speed and surprisingly precise route running, he will still be able to get open even when matched up with top defenders. Even with Sterling Shepard returning soon, his volume should remain intact and he will continue to make his case as a solid weekly start.

 

More Week 7 Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jaylen Waddle

Expected to Play and be a "Big Factor" on Thursday Night
Tucker Kraft

Suffers Knee Injury During Thursday's Practice
Clayton Kershaw

Will Retire at the End of the Season
Malcolm Brogdon

Landry Shamet and Malcolm Brogdon Both Staying with the Knicks?
Detroit Pistons

Charles Bediako Agrees to a Training Camp Deal with Detroit
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery, Uncertain for Training Camp
Charlotte Hornets

DaQuan Jeffries Waived by the Hornets
CFB

Eric Singleton Jr. Questionable For Saturday
Braden Schneider

Limited in Training Camp
Lars Eller

Recovering From Abdominal Procedure
Nick Jensen

in Danger of Missing Start of Season
Brandon Montour

to Miss Two Weeks After Ankle Surgery
Gabriel Landeskog

a "Full Go" for the Season
Samuel Girard

Avalanche Hope to Have Samuel Girard Available for Start of Season
Mackenzie Blackwood

Out Week-to-Week
Alex Tuch

Day-to-Day With Undisclosed Injury
Jordan Greenway

to Sit Out Training Camp
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Considered Day-to-Day
Simon Edvinsson

to Miss a Couple of Weeks
Mikael Backlund

Signs Two-Year Extension
Connor Ingram

to Be Waived by Mammoth
Zach Hyman

Misses Start of Training Camp
Nick Paul

Out Until November
Kris Letang

Cleared for Training Camp
David Pastrnak

Out for Start of Training Camp
Matthew Tkachuk

Expected to Be Out Until December
NBA

Trevelin Queen Joins Chinese Team
Damian Lillard

Not Rushing His Return
Brooklyn Nets

Keon Johnson Waived by Nets
Justin Verlander

Plans to Pitch in 2026
Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP