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Keith Hernandez analyzes NFL players to consider sitting or benching for Week 7. These are his top potential fantasy football lineup busts to avoid starting.
We're almost halfway through the NFL season already. Time really does fly. At this point in the year, you should know whether your fantasy squad is a pretender or contender for a fantasy title. You may only be missing a couple of key pieces. If so, you should certainly consider trading for a player or two. In dynasty/keeper formats, this is about the time where you can consider selling off players for future draft picks if your team is already toast.
There are few guarantees in the NFL, but so far the only one has been New England's soft schedule. They'll get the Jets and Browns the next two weeks before their schedule toughens up. We'll learn a lot about them then. On the flip side, the Jets became much more attractive from a fantasy perspective with the return of Sam Darnold. Things change quickly in the NFL, if you haven't noticed.
Below are 10 potential busts for Week 7 of the 2019 fantasy football season.
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Potential Quarterback Busts for Week 7
Sam Darnold - New York Jets Vs. Patriots
Darnold returned with a bang to surprise the Cowboys, throwing for 338 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Can he do the same and hand the Pats their first loss? Not likely, but Darnold does have receiving weapons in Robby Anderson, Jamison Crowder and Demaryius Thomas. But we think he'll come back down to Earth against a New England defense that's allowed only one passing touchdown this year and the fewest fantasy points per game (12.0) to opposing signal-callers.
Dak Prescott - Dallas Cowboys Vs. Eagles
The 26-year-old started the year hot but has faded since, and he's thrown only two touchdowns and four interceptions in the last three weeks. The Eagles present a friendly secondary matchup -- they've given up the ninth most fantasy points per game (24.3) to QBs -- but he might not be able to take advantage of that if Amari Cooper (quadriceps) is out. Prescott just hasn't been as good without left tackle Tyron Smith (ankle) and right tackle La'el Collins (knee) either, so he'll need them back if he wants to bounce back.
Others: Derek Carr (@ Packers), Aaron Rodgers (Vs. Raiders)
Potential Running Back Busts for Week 7
Adrian Peterson - Washington Redskins Vs. 49ers
The Niners proved their 2019 defense is for real by shutting down the Rams in Week 6. It's likely to be a long day for Washington's offense this Sunday, even if interim head coach Bill Callahan is committed to the run. Peterson easily set a season high with 23 carries last week for 118 yards -- disclaimer: it was against Miami -- but he'll be stonewalled by San Francisco. Their defensive front has still yet to allow a rushing or receiving score by a running back.
Kerryon Johnson - Detroit Lions Vs. Vikings
Minnesota's defense is good all around, but they're especially good at stopping the run, limiting opposing backs to just 15.3 fantasy points per game. Johnson is averaging a very mediocre 3.3 yards per carry on 87 attempts and has just one game over 49 yards on the ground in 2019. This game has the makings of a slow-paced division battle, and the Lions have been more committed to taking downfield shots through the air this season. Johnson hasn't been involved in the passing game either, catching no more than two passes in a single game.
Alvin Kamara - New Orleans Saints @ Bears
Kamara fought through an ankle issue in Week 6 and was not the same explosive back, running a season-low 11 times for 31 yards (2.8 yards per carry). He also had seven receptions for 35 yards. He could be in for similar production (if he even plays) and cede valuable touches to backup Latavius Murray in a tough matchup against the Bears on the road. The Saints signed Zach Zenner off the street this week, which means Kamara's injury is certainly concerning.
UPDATE: Kamara has officially been ruled out for Week 7.
Others: Melvin Gordon (@ Titans), Aaron Jones (Vs. Raiders), David Montgomery (Vs. Saints)
Potential Wide Receiver Busts for Week 7
Robby Anderson - New York Jets Vs. Patriots
Anderson had by far his best week of the season with Darnold back from illness against Dallas, going for five receptions, 125 yards and his first score of 2019. His fantasy stock is no doubt on the rise now that he won't have a third-stringer throwing him passes, but Anderson is due for a clunker in Week 7 and should draw shadow coverage from cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who has become one of the best in the game. The Pats are allowing the second fewest fantasy points per game (15.2) to receivers and just one receiving TD.
Michael Thomas - New Orleans Saints @ Bears
By his lofty standards, Thomas' eight catches for 89 yards in Week 6 was on the disappointing side. The most productive fantasy wideout has had double-digit catches three times this year, has had double-digit targets four times and has gone over the 100-yard mark twice. But the Bears Defense, allowing the fifth fewest fantasy points per week to wideouts, has the weapons to shut him down, especially if Alvin Kamara (ankle) and tight end Jared Cook (ankle) are limited or inactive.
Alshon Jeffery - Philadelphia Eagles @ Cowboys
Jeffery has found paydirt in three of his four games played this season and remains Carson Wentz's top receiver, but the 29-year-old remains touchdown or bust for fantasy owners. His 10-reception, 76-yard day in Week 6 was a marked improvement over his other three games, where he didn't have more than six receptions or 52 yards. The Cowboys have been stingy to opposing wideouts and have allowed only three scores. Expect them to make it a point to hold Jeffery down in this primetime divisional tilt.
Others: Terry McLaurin (Vs. 49ers), Mike Williams (@ Titans), Devante Parker (@ Bills)
Potential Tight End Busts for Week 7
Darren Waller - Oakland Raiders @ Packers
Waller had his worst game of the season (four catches, 39 yards) when Tyrell Williams (foot) was inactive in Week 5 in London. If Williams misses another game, Waller could befall the same fate against a Packers team allowing the fifth fewest fantasy points per game (4.5) to the tight end position.
Eric Ebron - Indianapolis Colts Vs. Texans
The Colts would like to get their pass-catchers not named T.Y. Hilton more involved coming off the bye week. Don't count on that being Ebron or fellow tight end Jack Doyle, though, as the Texans are one of five teams yet to have allowed a touchdown to a tight end. Ebron has fallen far from his breakout 2018 season. Although he does have two touchdowns, he doesn't have more than three catches or 48 yards in five games.
Others: Jared Cook (@ Bears), T.J. Hockenson (Vs. Vikings)
