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Fantasy Football Week 7: Biggest Sleepers at Every Position

Kristopher Knox

Week 7 of the 2020 NFL season features its fair share of fantasy sleepers, but when it comes to running back and tight end, options are limited. With players like Saquon Barkley, Nick Chubb, Raheem Mostert and Zach Ertz sidelined, many managers are already leaning on sleepers at these positions.

With the Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens on bye, deep sleepers will be a theme for the week.

Fortunately, there are some quality streaming options at quarterback this week and a plethora of solid wide receivers. Managers looking to replace Lamar Jackson or Adam Thielen for the bye will have choices.

Below, you'll find a look at the best potential sleeper at each key fantasy position—quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end—for Week 7. Every player listed is available in at least 50 percent of Yahoo and/or ESPN leagues, according to FantasyPros.

Quarterbacks

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Derek Carr vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

DraftKings DFS Price: $5,400

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr doesn't appear to have the most enticing matchup in Week 7. He'll face a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that ranks eighth in points allowed and just made Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers look pedestrian.

However, the matchup with Tampa actually makes Carr a solid streamer. The Buccaneers rank first against the run and have allowed 3.0 yards per carry this season. This means Las Vegas won't be able to lean heavily on running back Josh Jacobs.

Instead, the Raiders will have to turn to Carr, Darren Waller, Henry Ruggs III and the passing game. While a few mistakes could hurt Carr's bottom line, a high volume of dropbacks should push him toward the 300-yard, two-touchdown range.

     

Kyle Allen vs. Dallas Cowboys

DraftKings DFS Price: $5,200

Washington Football Team quarterback Kyle Allen, on the other hand, does have a tremendous matchup. The Dallas Cowboys rank 18th in passing yards allowed, tied for 17th in yards per attempt and 32nd in points allowed.

While Allen isn't a high-end starter in most weeks, he was serviceable last week in his first full game with Washington. He threw for 280 yards with two touchdowns and an interception against the New York Giants.

"I thought he did some really good things," head coach Ron Rivera told reporters. "I thought he made some really good decisions, moved the ball when we had to."

Allen should do some more good things for fantasy managers against the Cowboys.

    

Baker Mayfield at Cincinnati Bengals

DraftKings DFS Price: $5,600

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has regressed significantly since his 27-touchdown rookie campaign. He hasn't thrown for more than 250 yards in a game this season and is coming off a horrific outing against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Yet managers in deeper leagues should still find Mayfield to be a serviceable streamer this week against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals rank just 22nd in passing yards allowed.

The last time these AFC North rivals met, Mayfield threw for 219 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. That was with Nick Chubb to lead the offense, though. With Chubb out, Mayfield should see more passing opportunities in the rematch and finish around the 250-yard, two-touchdown mark.

Running Backs

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

J.D. McKissic vs. Dallas Cowboys

DraftKings DFS Price: $4,600

Not many quality running back sleepers are available on the waiver wire. Fortunately, there are some intriguing players who could deliver in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues.

Washington running back J.D. McKissic tops the list after three straight standout PPR performances. He's caught at least six passes in each of his last three games and is coming off a six-catch outing with 84 scrimmage yards.

Against the Cowboys and their 31st-ranked run defense, McKissic should even be a viable option in standard leagues. However, he's a terrific flex option for PPR this week.

    

Giovani Bernard vs. Cleveland Browns

DraftKings DFS Price: $4,500

Bengals running back Giovani Bernard is a much deeper sleeper than McKissic, as he's had just four catches in his last three games. However, he had five receptions against the Browns in their last meeting and could see an increase in his workload this week.

Starting running back Joe Mixon is dealing with a foot injury and may not be available. According to ESPN's Ben Baby, the Bengals protected practice-squad RB Jacques Patrick this week, which could indicate they aren't optimistic about Mixon's status.

Consider Bernard a low-end PPR flex option who will have additional upside if Mixon is unable to play Sunday.

   

La'Mical Perine vs. Buffalo Bills

DraftKings DFS Price: $4,200

We're getting even deeper into the running back pool with New York Jets rookie La'Mical Perine. Even with Le'Veon Bell out of town, Perine received only seven carries last week against the Miami Dolphins, though he did have two catches for another nine yards.

That said, the Jets quickly fell behind in a 24-0 embarrassment, and Frank Gore saw just 11 carries. If New York sticks with roughly a 60-40 split between Gore and Perine, the rookie should have a bit more value this week.

Of course, the Jets could fall into an early hole against the Buffalo Bills too. However, Buffalo ranks 25th in rushing yards and 21st in yards per carry allowed. Running the ball will be the Jets' best plan of attack if they hope not to.

If you're desperate for a flex play, Perine is a serviceable low-end option.

Wide Receivers

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

Tim Patrick vs. Kansas City Chiefs

DraftKings DFS Price: $4,600

Denver Broncos wideout Tim Patrick isn't just a must-add if he's on the waiver wire—he's a virtual must-start at WR or flex in Week 7. Patrick has emerged as one of Drew Lock's top targets, and he's coming off of a strong trio of games.

He had four catches for 43 yards and a score in Week 3. In Week 4, he racked up 113 yards and a touchdown on six receptions. Last week, he caught four passes for 101 yards against a good New England Patriots defense.

Denver faces another quality defense this week in the Kansas City Chiefs (ninth in points allowed), but Patrick's Week 6 performance suggests he's nearly matchup-proof. Expect him to be the focal point of Denver's passing attack once again and a strong play in most formats.

    

Keelan Cole at Los Angeles Chargers

DraftKings DFS Price: $4,700

Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Keelan Cole isn't necessarily a must-start, but he is coming off a tremendous six-catch, 143-yard outing against the Detroit Lions. He has another enticing matchup this week against the Los Angeles Chargers and their 29th-ranked pass defense.

Cole has caught at least four passes in five of his six outings this season. In each of those five games, he's topped 40 receiving yards. Even if he doesn't have a second consecutive monster performance, he should be a fair flex play in PPR formats.

Of course, it's impossible to rule out another high-end outing for Cole against the Chargers.

   

Russell Gage vs. Detroit Lions

DraftKings DFS Price: $4,400

Cole carved up the Lions defense, which ranked 20th in yards per pass attempt. Atlanta Falcons wideout Russell Gage could do the same in Week 7. Gage is coming off a four-catch, 65-yard performance and could be a bigger piece of the passing attack this week.

Fellow wideout Julio Jones missed practice time this week with a lingering hamstring issue that has limited him to four games.

While Gage's fantasy value is not dependent on Jones' status, it will receive a boost if Jones is at less than 100 percent. Consider Gage a low-end PPR flex play with a tremendous amount of upside in the event that Jones can't go.

Tight Ends

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Logan Thomas vs. Dallas Cowboys

DraftKings DFS Price: $3,500

As previously mentioned, there aren't any high-end tight end sleepers this week, and Washington tight end Logan Thomas is not an exception. He has caught touchdowns in two of his six outings, but he has failed to reach 50 yards in any game.

However, he does have an elite matchup this week against the Cowboys. Washington should be able to run up the score against an atrocious Dallas defense, and Thomas should be one of the biggest beneficiaries.

It's worth noting that his best game of the season (three catches, 42 yards, 1 TD) came last week during Kyle Allen's first full game. With Allen again under center, it's worth taking a flier on Thomas.

    

Anthony Firkser vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Draftkings DFS Price: $3,000

Tennessee Titans tight end Anthony Firkser might seem like a high-end play based on last week's stats (8 catches, 113 yards, 1 TD), but a lot will hinge on whether starting tight end Jonnu Smith suits up against the Steelers.

Smith left in the third quarter against the Texans last week, opening the door for Firkser's big day. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, he's dealing with a "minor" ankle sprain and is questionable for the Steelers game.

If Smith is able to play, Firkser becomes a major gamble. Before Week 6, he hadn't topped 45 yards in a game this season. The Steelers, meanwhile, rank eighth in pass defense and third in points allowed.

It's worth scooping up Firkser, though, as a streaming option if Smith cannot play.

     

Darren Fells vs. Green Bay Packers

DraftKings DFS Price: $4,100

The Texans' Darren Fells is perhaps least qualified as a "sleeper" of the tight ends on this list. He's coming off back-to-back strong performances with a touchdown in each and 142 yards between them. Smith also happens to have a favorable matchup against the Packers.

Green Bay ranks 14th in passing yards allowed but just 23rd in yards per pass attempt and 20th in points allowed. The Packers have also produced just two interceptions on the season.

Fells had six catches, 85 yards and a score last week against the Titans, and it won't be a surprise if he produces similar numbers this week against Green Bay. Of course, it also won't be a shock if he has two receptions or fewer, as he has in five of his six games in 2020.

    

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