Fantasy Football Week 7 | In the Eyes of The Optiongirl

The fantasy season is moving quickly, injuries playing a big part in the game along with the dreaded bye weeks. I had no chance last week as I had four of my starters out in the same week including 2 of my running backs out. So here I am 3-3 after 6 weeks, ready to make a move but my team needs to stay healthy. I hope your team has a strong bench and you have been able to get player off the waiver wire to help your team through this time. Bye weeks continue, your bench and the waiver wire are the keys to how you will do going forward into the balance of the season.

Some quick observations of the week- Fantasy News

Broncos trade Brandon Lloyd to Rams Jonathan Best (RB, Det) has another concussion, and he also had one in preseason almost two months ago. The odds are he will not play this weekend.Felix Jones (Dal) is once again injured, with a high ankle sprain could miss a few games Payton Hillis needs an MRI on his injured hamstring and he is not a favorite in Cleveland this time, Montario Hardesty looks to be the better fantasy prospect.Jason Campbell has a broken collarbone and could miss the remainder of the season. The Raiders traded for Carson Palmer from the Bengals. Rex Grossman threw 4 interception and was pulled in favor of John Beck no decision yet but he could be the new Redskin quarterback going forward.

Waiver wire favorites of the Optiongirl

Greg Little (WR, Cle) DeMarco Murray (RB, Dal Maurice Morris (RB, Det Marion Barber (RB, Chi) TimTebow (Den) Curtis Painter (Ind) DeMarco Murray (Dal) Jackie Battle (KC) –Bernard Scott (Cin) Keiland Williams (Det) Doug Baldwin (Sea) Early Doucet (Ari) Kevin Walter (Hou) – Braylon Edwards (SF)

This week I will share part of Waiver Wired by Chris Wesseling Carson Gets His Wish Rotoworld.com, a great source of football information.

In pure fantasy terms, Palmer is an upgrade on Jason Campbell as a passer. The Raiders can surround him with enough explosive talent in Darren McFadden, Denarius Moore, Jacoby Ford, and Darrius Heyward-Bey to be worthy of the top waiver claim at quarterback this week. In a run-oriented offense, though, fantasy owners should expect just a top 15-20 quarterback going forward. Palmer isn’t going to be a reliable weekly starter.

Quarterbacks

Carson Palmer  John Beck  Christian Ponder  Matt Cassel Curtis Painter  Matt Moore

Running Backs

DeMarco Murray  Ronnie Brown Montario Hardesty  Maurice Morris  Roy Helu  Bernard Scott

Donald Brown C.J. Spiller   Marion Barber

Wide Receivers

Michael Crabtree  Greg Little Danario Alexander Demaryius Thomas Arrelious Benn 

Greg Salas  Doug Baldwin  Steve Breaston  Damian Williams

Tight Ends

Fred Davis  Ed Dickson Jake Ballard Lance Kendricks

Defense/Special Teams

Cowboys  Chargers Chiefs

Quarterbacks

Carson Palmer, Raiders - The current version of Palmer isn’t a major upgrade on Jason Campbell, but he remains a better pure passer even with declining arm strength. While Denarius Moore, Jacoby Ford, and Darrius Heyward-Bey represent intriguing weapons in the passing game, this offense runs through Darren McFadden. I would expect low-end QB2 production the rest of the way, which means Palmer is more valuable than Mark Sanchez but not quite worth dumping a Jay Cutler or Sam Bradford.

John Beck, Redskins - Coach Mike Shanahan refuses to announce a Week 7 starter until Wednesday, but the game film is going to lead him away from Rex Grossman. Even in Shanahan’s quarterback-friendly offense, I wouldn’t run out to grab Beck in 12-team leagues just yet. There’s certainly top-20 upside, but history suggests Beck’s leash won’t be any longer than Grossman’s was. Consistency will be an issue.

Christian Ponder, Vikings - Ponder did little to impress in August, but he showed positive signs in Sunday night’s relief effort. His arm is stronger than advertised, he moved the offense and has a clear mobility edge on Donovan McNabb. Ponder won’t be confused with Michael Vick any time soon, but he could easily be among the top-five running quarterbacks going forward. His preseason stats include eight rushes for 61 yards in one half of action in the finale. Expect a decision from coach Leslie Frazier by Wednesday.

Matt Cassel, Chiefs - Cassel is trending back toward legit QB2 territory with a two-week average of 259 yards and 2.5 touchdowns heading into the Week 6 bye. He’s not a bad emergency start this week against a Raiders defense allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Curtis Painter, Colts - He continues to make incremental improvements by the week. Painter is now adjusting at the line of scrimmage and running the no-huddle formation when the situation calls for it. Considering the Colts’ weapons, Painter could easily graduate to top-20 status by late in the season.

Matt Moore, Dolphins - Moore refused to budge from his primary read Monday night, and it killed him. If you’re feeling brave, it’s worth noting that he goes from the defense allowing the 32nd-most fantasy points to opposing QBs in Week 6 to the one allowing the most (Broncos) in Week 7.

The Seahawks are preparing as if Whitehurst will start against the Browns, but it’s still possible that Tarvaris Jackson will rally late in the week. … Feeley is on red alert with Sam Bradford nursing a high-ankle sprain. … The Raiders are out of the picture for Orton following the Carson Palmer trade. Perhaps the Dolphins will give him a long look in the few hours remaining before the deadline.

Dalton and Smith aren’t worthy carrying through the bye week in 12-team leagues. … Campbell is done in Oakland following the Palmer trade. … The Vikings may end up cutting McNabb if Ponder takes over. He’s not a “mentor.”

Running Backs

DeMarco Murray, Cowboys - Entering primarily on running downs, Murray played 26 snaps in relief of Felix Jones compared to 25 primarily on passing downs for Tashard Choice. Jones is expected to miss 2-4 weeks, leaving the two backs to split snaps in his absence. Choice isn’t the player he was two years ago, so Murray figures to garner the majority of the carries in prime matchups against the Rams (fourth-most points to opposing fantasy backs) and Eagles (second-most) the next two weeks. Both backs are worthy of a roster spot during the bye-week crunch.

Ronnie Brown, Lions - Until we get an indication to the contrary from the Lions, Maurice Morris is still the superior Week 7 play against the Falcons with Brown getting up to speed in former Dolphins coordinator Scott Linehan’s offense. The trade does suggest that the Lions were less than satisfied with Morris and Keiland Williams as potential committee partners for Jahvid Best. Brown has the size the Lions were looking for when they drafted Mikel Leshoure and could step in as a 10-12 carry back the rest of the way. Considering Best’s injury history, there’s potential for more.

Montario Hardesty, Browns - Peyton Hillis is in jeopardy of missing this week’s game against the Seahawks after exiting last week with a hamstring injury. Hardesty would be higher on this list if the matchup was better, but Seattle’s stout front four shuts down opposing running games. If Hillis ends up sitting out, Hardesty’s 15-20 touches will at least grant him flex consideration.

Maurice Morris, Lions - Starter Jahvid Best is almost certain to sit out this week’s game after sustaining his second concussion of the season. Against the 49ers, Morris played 25 snaps to just two for Keiland Williams while Jerome Harrison was a healthy scratch. Beat writer Dave Birkett confirms that Morris will be “first in line” for carries this week after averaging 55 yards per game alongside a gimpy Best in the second half of last season. Morris should be a low-end RB2/flex option against the Falcons this week.

Roy Helu, Redskins - Helu played as the passing-down back behind Ryan Torain last week.  Coach Mike Shanahan indicated that Tim Hightower will continue to be an “emergency” third-string back until his shoulder is completely recovered. Check the practice reports this week, but Helu is certainly worthy of a roster stash with attractive matchups against the Panthers and Bills on the horizon. He’s still the most explosive talent in the backfield.

Bernard Scott, Bengals - Scott may no longer be a roster millstone. Per NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora, Cedric Benson’s suspension has been reduced to one game. The Bengals have a Week 7 bye before a matchup with Seattle’s shut-down run defense. The assumption is that Benson will sit out that Week 8 game, leaving Scott as a less attractive RB2 option.

Donald Brown, Colts - The Colts are beginning to show renewed faith in the 2009 first-round bust after he outplayed Delone Carter for a second straight game. If Joseph Addai (hamstring) sits out against the Saints, Brown will play on passing downs. It’s not unrealistic to believe his touches will increase after averaging 7.3 per last week. He’s more worthy of a roster spot than Carter at this point.

C.J. Spiller, Bills - The No. 9 overall pick in the 2010 draft is now a wide receiver. Spiller played outside at the X and Z spots on 32 of his 35 snaps last week, leaving David Nelson in the slot for 39 snaps. Naaman Roosevelt, expected to man the slot, played just 23 snaps. Coach Chan Gailey suggested Spiller will stay outside, leaving him in the No. 3 receiver role. Especially if he’s granted dual eligibility in fantasy leagues, Spiller has flex potential in PPR formats.

Marion Barber, Bears - Barber managed just 2.9 yards per on 11 carries in a blowout victory over the Vikings. He’s not going to eat into Matt Forte’s workload, but it does look like he’s taking over as the designated goal-line back. MBIII is only worthy of a roster spot in touchdown-heavy formats.

Choice isn’t as attractive as Murray, but he’s worth a look as a flex play in PPR leagues. … Williams may be handling goal-line duties, but he has less than 50 yards and just one score through six weeks. … Harrison will likely be active in Week 7, but his workload is a question mark. … Woodhead is worth a look in deeper PPR leagues.

Dwyer will rot on the bench with Rashard Mendenhall back to full health. … Ditto for an injured Caddy. … Quizz played just four snaps last week compared to 15 for Jason Snelling.

Wide Receivers

Michael Crabtree, 49ers - We recommended Crabtree as a top waiver addition two weeks ago, but he still remains unowned in nearly half of all CBSSports.com leagues. While seeing three times as many targets (15) as the next closest receiver last week, Crabtree also doubled his snap count to 52 on his way to a season-high nine receptions. He should be good for reliable WR3 production as Alex Smith’s No. 1 target coming out of the Week 7 bye.

Greg Little, Browns - Still owned in just a third of CBSSports.com leagues after being elevated to the starting lineup last week, Little came through with six receptions, 72 yards, and a near-touchdown on 12 targets against Raiders. Colt McCoy is on pace for a record 694 pass attempts, and Little is locked in as his No. 1 receiver the rest of the way.

Danario Alexander, Rams - Newly acquired Brandon Lloyd figures to lead the receivers in snaps going forward, leaving Alexander to battle Brandon Gibson and Mark Clayton on the other side with Greg Salas in the slot. Alexander had already moved past Gibson and should hold off Clayton, fresh from the PUP list. DX saw 10 targets on a season-high 66 snaps against the Packers, clearing 90 yards for the second time in four games. 

Demaryius Thomas, Broncos - Eric Decker is the top receiver in Denver following the Brandon Lloyd trade, but he’s already owned in roughly 90 percent of CBSSports.com leagues. As Pro Football Focus’ Mike Clay points out, Tim Tebow is a high risk/high reward passer with a low completion percentage but plenty of yards and touchdowns. Thomas is a major health risk coming off Achilles’ tendon surgery, but his ceiling is even higher than Decker’s if he can get close to recapturing pre-injury form. He’s a classic boom-or-bust roster stash.

Arrelious Benn, Buccaneers - It looks like he’s finally back to 100 percent after rehabbing a torn ACL in the offseason. Benn will be hit-or-miss all season, but he’s the lone big-play threat in Tampa right now. He caught a 65-yard touchdown against the Saints and had another long score overturned against the Colts two weeks ago. Stash him in deeper leagues.

Greg Salas, Rams - After a nightmare performance on Monday Night Football early in the season, Salas took advantage of a second chance in the slot with eight receptions for 77 yards on 10 targets against the Packers. Touchdowns will be scarce in this offense and Salas will lose a few targets to Brandon Lloyd, but he’s certainly worth a look in PPR formats.

Doug Baldwin, Seahawks - As we pointed out last week, the Seahawks have found their long-term slot receiver. One of the most highly sought after undrafted free agents, Baldwin has been called “Bobby Engram with speed.” He carries more value with Charlie Whitehurst under center, and the Seahawks are preparing Whitehurst to start against a Browns defense missing Joe Haden this week.

Steve Breaston, Chiefs - Breaston racked up eight catches, 141 yards, and two scores in the two games heading into the Chiefs’ bye. If he remains available, he’s worth a look as a top-40 option this week against the Raiders.

Damian Williams, Titans - Williams scored in each of the two games heading into the Titans’ Week 6 bye, and he led the team in targets in Week 5. He’s worth stashing as a WR5 for matchup purposes during the bye-week crunch.

Watch List: Braylon Edwards, Mark Clayton, Eddie Royal, Dane Sanzenbacher

Tight Ends

Fred Davis, Redskins Ed Dickson, Ravens Jake Ballard, Giants  Lance Kendricks, Rams

See more analysis by going to Rotoworld - Carson Gets His Wish.

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