Week 7 Players I Hate in Fantasy Football

Each week, I’ll be looking to spotlight players and defenses that I think have a tough matchup that could prevent them from producing their usual value. However, this is not intended as blanket advice to play fringe players ahead of established studs—for example, even if I call out a negative matchup for Josh Allen, it doesn’t mean he should be benched for Cam Ward—so always consider your own lineup alternatives.

With that out of the way, let’s look at Week 7:

Quarterbacks

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Despite a mediocre record, the Seattle Seahawks continue to make life miserable on opposing offenses. That includes an NFL-low 941 passing yards allowed—the only other team under 1,000 has played in only five games. With a shorthanded receiver room, the Chiefs may choose to adopt Sean Payton’s approach to run the ball and trust that Seattle will make mistakes on offense.

Others I Don’t Like

• Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears: Williams relied on quick throws in his return. Will that approach work against the New England Patriots? I’m skeptical. New England ranks sixth in fantasy points allowed to the position, and they’re giving up just 8.7 rushing yards per game to QBs.
• Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints: Despite throwing for three TDs in Week 6, Shough has been in a slump. Much of his Week 4 production came in garbage time, and he’s managed just 240 passing yards combined over the last two games. Going against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who rank fourth versus QBs, makes Shough a tough sell.
• Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers: In two matchups with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, Young averaged 229 yards and two TDs. The Bucs sit eighth in fantasy points given up to QBs.

Running Backs

Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

To this point, Taylor has managed to navigate Daniel Jones’ abysmal play and still produce RB1 numbers. That could change this Sunday. Taylor faces the Minnesota Vikings, who are coming off their bye and boast the No. 1 defense versus RBs—they’ve allowed 91 combined yards per game and two total touchdowns. Can Jones do enough to keep the Vikings from smothering Taylor at the line of scrimmage?

Others I Don’t Like

• Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals: Brown, who is off to a slow start, faces the Baltimore Ravens this week. He failed to score in two meetings against the Ravens a season ago, and they currently rank eighth in fantasy points allowed to RBs.
• Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans: Even without Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns have been tough on opposing backs, allowing an NFL-low one touchdown to backs in six games this season.
• Emanuel Wilson, Seattle Seahawks: The Chiefs are allowing 102 yards and 0.6 TDs per game to the position. While Wilson has been RB1, we could get the return of Zach Charbonnet (knee) this Sunday to muddy the waters.

Wide Receivers

Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints

After a red-hot start, Olave has finished with less than 50 yards in two straight weeks. He’s staring down a tough matchup in Week 7 as well with the Steelers currently sixth in fantasy points allowed to receivers. Olave could also see more competition for targets if Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) returns from IR before the game in Paris.

Others I Don’t Like

• Garrett Wilson, New York Jets: To paraphrase Jay-Z, the Miami Dolphins have 99 problems, but locking down receivers ain’t one. That includes a league-low 552 yards allowed.
• Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs: Other than Mike Evans and Terry McLaurin, I don’t know if a receiver has had a good game against Seattle, and Worthy isn’t on that level.
• Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts: That Vikings defense is no joke. They’re yielding 133 yards per game to the receiver position. Can you really trust Jones to hold up under pressure

Tight Ends

Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears

Shockingly ineffective over the first five weeks, Loveland finally put together a performance in line with what fantasy owners were expecting this season, catching six passes for 65 yards and a touchdown in Week 6. Unfortunately, he might turn back into a pumpkin this Thursday. The Patriots have allowed 4.8 catches per game to tight ends and just one total TD this season.

Others I Don’t Like

• Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons: Pitts shined (5-60-2) opposite Loveland in Week 6, but he too could be headed for a tough week. The San Francisco 49ers have been the best in the NFL at checking tight ends, allowing 42 yards per week and zero TDs on the year.
• Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: Have I mentioned recently how tough Seattle’s defense can be? Through six games, they’re surrendering an NFL-low 26 yards per game to TEs.

Defensive Teams

• Chicago Bears: New England has shrugged off their early-season struggles to score 100 points over their last three games. If Drake Maye has time, he can exploit that defense downfield.
• San Francisco 49ers: This is more about gut feel than numbers. The 49ers are undefeated, are traveling across the country on a short week, and they have a bye in Week 8. Trap games don’t get much trappier than this.
• Green Bay Packers: The Packers played exceptionally well against a potent Dallas Cowboys offense in Week 5, but the Detroit Lions are a notch above. The Lions are also coming off a bye, giving them two weeks to rest and prepare to host their division rival.