Scott Engel is in his eleventh season as the Official Fantasy Football Writer and Analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA Award winner and ten-time nominee, including being a finalist for the 2020 FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year Award, which he previously won. Scott was the most accurate No. 1 fantasy football draft ranking as a tight end and No. 6 as a running back on fantasypros.com in 2021. He can find more of his fantasy football analysis at game day this season.
A very challenging week ahead for fantasy football players as the Bills, Eagles, Rams and Vikings are all on bye. The best way to approach the situation where top players like Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Jalen Hurts, Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook are unavailable is to adopt Pete Carroll’s “Next Man Up” philosophy. Smart fantasy players have built good roster depth for bye week situations, or will make aggressive moves on the Week 7 fantasy football waiver wire to have quality replacement roster options ready. We set you up for another winning week with our detailed list guide. Players are listed in order of preference as trade targets, starting options, and quit picks. The analysis leans towards points-per-reception league formats.
runners
-Hold on to Kenneth Walker III. Don’t trade Walker unless he’s part of a big deal where you get a big return that includes a standout player at another position to fill a need. Last week’s 110 scrimmage yards marked the beginning of what should be a defining streak for the Seahawks’ starting RB. Walker is averaging 5.5 yards per carry, which ranks in the top 10 in the NFL. He has good vision and balance, shows off clever cutting and juke moves, and Walker looks like big-play promise. He is already a fantasy player who must start. We’ve been highlighting Walker for his tremendous potential since preseason, and if you drafted him then, you should be enjoying the fantasy rewards now. The Chargers present a very good matchup for Walker in Week 7 as they allow the third most fantasy points per game to RBs.
-Change for Travis Etienne. He has totaled 222 scrimmage yards and appears to be emerging as a significant double threat. Etienne is an exciting two-way performer and his star will continue to rise as the season progresses. This week, Etienne faces the Giants, who allow the third-most rushing yards to RBs.
-Trade for Miles Sanders. Many fantasy players will be open to trading a RB who is on a bye week, and that can be a mistake if you don’t factor in the long-term perspective over and above needing a week. Take advantage of fantasy players in your league who want to quickly move players who are not active this week. Sanders rushed for his fourth TD of the season in Week 6. He’s averaging 4.6 yards per carry and running with more authority as he quickly puts up holes this season. Sanders is the clear leading RB for the NFL’s third-ranked offense, and he looks like a solid fantasy RB2.
-Start Raheem Mostert. The Steelers rank 23rd in rushing yards allowed to RBs. Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa is expected to return this week, and the Dolphins should be able to open things up more on offense. Mostert can benefit from working on a balanced attack and has the ability to take off for a big winner at any time.
-Tony Pollard starts in Week 7. The Lions allow the second-most FFPGs to RBs, and are tied for the most rushing TDs allowed for the position (eight). Pollard is averaging 5.3 yards per carry and can score from anywhere on the field. He is a good streamer as RB2 or flex play this week.
-Jeff Wilson Jr begins. The 49ers must count on their running game to help them control the clock and hang out with the Chiefs. Kansas City ranks 28th in the NFL in fantasy points per game allowed to RBs. Wilson rushed for touchdowns in consecutive games in Weeks 4 and 5.
Brian Robinson begins. The rookie rushed in for his first NFL TD in Week 6. He will play in his third pro game this week and Robinson may start to produce better fantasy totals as the season goes on. Washington faces Green Bay’s 27th-ranked rushing defense, so Robinson is drawing a matchup that can help him post respectable fantasy totals.
-Add Latavius Murray. Now in his 10th season, Murray is one of the best options at a position where not much is available on the waiver wire this week. He was Denver’s primary ball carrier in Week 6, rushing for 66 yards on 15 attempts. He should add Murray for some decent fantasy RB depth in case he continues to work a lot in Denver’s backfield. He at least he can share some carries in the future.
-Add Caleb Huntley. He’s part of a timeshare in the Atlanta backfield right now, however, Huntley is a physical running back who has shown some determination as a ball carrier. Huntley rushed for 59 yards of 16 attempts in Week 6 with a long run of 16 yards. He rushed in for his first NFL TD in Week 4. Huntley entered Atlanta’s roster as an undrafted free agent and may be considered for flexible fill-in use.
Source: news.google.com