Week 7 Free Agent Focus


Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers

Blind-bid recommendation: 8-15%

The rookie remains available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues as he comes off his bye week. Herbert has finished as a top-12 fantasy QB in 3 of 4 starts and gets a plus Week 7 matchup vs. the Jaguars. That’s followed by more useable spots: at Denver, vs. Las Vegas, at Miami, vs. the Jets and at Buffalo.


Gus Edwards, RB, Ravens

Blind-bid recommendation: 15-25%

Edwards led Baltimore with 14 carries in Sunday’s win over the Eagles and scored his 1st TD of the season. We’ll have to see this week how serious the ankle injury is for Mark Ingram. His absence would obviously enhance Edwards’ fantasy outlook going forward. Edwards hit Week 6 on rosters in just 1.6% of ESPN leagues.


Boston Scott, RB, Eagles

Blind-bid recommendation: 10-20%

Miles Sanders left Sunday's loss to the Ravens with a knee injury that will require a Monday MRI. Even if it proves to be a minor issue, the Eagles face a quick turnaround with the Giants coming to town Thursday night. That figures to challenge Sanders' availability.

Scott didn't do much with his Week 1 start this season in place of Sanders. But he'd be at least a top-30 RB for Week 7 if Sanders sits -- and perhaps a top-24 option in PPR.


DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-12%

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday morning that Jackson is expected back for Thursday night’s game vs. the Giants. D-Jax has been out since Week 3 but will return to a still-wide-open WR corps. You’ll probably wanna see him make it through a game healthy before getting him back in your fantasy lineup — but Week 8 brings a sweet matchup against the Cowboys.


Travis Fulgham, WR, Eagles

Blind-bid recommendation: 8-10%

Fulgham tied for the team lead in targets in Sunday’s loss to the Ravens, following his big breakthrough the week before at Pittsburgh. Fulgham caught 6 of his 10 looks for 75 yards and a TD vs. Baltimore.

That followed Eagles insider Adam Caplan saying last week that he expects Fulgham to stay in the mix at the “X” receiver spot, even after players such as DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery return from injuries. Philly expects to get Jackson back for Thursday night’s game against the Giants. We’ll see about Jeffery, who hasn’t played since suffering a Lisfranc injury in December.

Fulgham should be owned in most fantasy leagues of 12+ teams at this point. If you need a Week 7 starter, we'd go Fulgham over Jackson. D-Jax likely carries the higher ceiling for the rest of the season ... though Fulgham could force the team to keep starting him if he continues to produce.


Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

He’s reportedly on track to return from his toe injury for Thursday night’s game against the Eagles. Shepard won’t be a league-winner but could certainly be a useful piece for your fantasy squad, especially as bye weeks continue. He’s available in 63% of ESPN leagues.


Tim Patrick, WR, Broncos

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

He recorded his 2nd straight 100-yard game on Sunday, tallying 101 on 4 catches against a tough Patriots defense. He has negative matchups the next 2 weeks vs. the Chiefs and Chargers — but then come plus draws against the Falcons, Raiders and Dolphins.


Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles

Blind-bid recommendation: 15-25%

He might be available in your league after spending the past 3 weeks on IR with a small fracture to his left ankle. Goedert is eligible to return for Week 7, although it’s still unclear if he’s ready. Regardless, he’s worth stashing now as a potential top-10 TE the rest of the way. Zach Ertz's ankle injury in Sunday's loss to Baltimore only adds upside to Goedert.

Trey Burton, TE, Colts

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Burton caught 4 of 5 targets for 58 yards and a TD in Sunday’s win over the Bengals. That marked his 3rd straight game leading Colts TEs in targets. Mo Alie-Cox being inactive helped this time around, but Burton drew 6 targets the game before with Alie-Cox in the lineup. He’s clearly Indy’s top receiving TE. The Colts get a Week 7 bye before heading to Detroit and then facing Baltimore back home.



Deep-League Options:


J.D. McKissic, RB, Washington

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-10%

He saw another 6 targets Sunday, catching all 6 for 43 yards. That gives him 23 catches and 31 targets through 6 games. McKissic will be useful in deeper PPR leagues as we continue to roll through the bye weeks. He has a plus draw vs. Dallas in Week 7.


Keelan Cole, WR, Jaguars

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-12%

Highlighted by a 51-yard catch and run, Cole snagged 6 passes for a team-high 146 yards in Sunday’s loss to the Lions. D.J. Chark played through an ankle injury but led the team with 14 targets. There was still room for Cole to produce with Gardner Minshew chucking it 44 times.

Cole — who’s hit 8 PPR points in all 5 games this season — remains a bye week fill-in for upcoming matchups at the Chargers and vs. the Texans.

Marcus Johnson, WR, Colts

Blind-bid recommendation: 2-5%

Johnson led Indy with 8 targets and 108 yards against the Bengals on Sunday, tying Nyheim Hines for the team lead with 5 receptions. He had been up and down from the practice squad, but this performance -- which included a 55-yard reception -- should keep him on the active roster and involved in an offense that needs playmakers. Johnson also delivered a 100-yard game for the Colts back in December.

Darren Fells, TE, Texans

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

He’s taken advantage of Jordan Akins’ absence over the past 2 weeks, posting 2-57-1 and 6-85-1 lines. Fell’s 7 targets on Sunday ranked 3rd behind only WRs Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks. We’ll see if Akins is ready to return next week — and then if he gets his starting job back.


Anthony Firkser, TE, Titans

Blind-bid recommendation: 2-3%

An 8-113-1 blowup Sunday earns him a mention here. We’ll see if Jonnu Smith will miss time with his ankle injury. Even if he’s out next week, though, Firkser will fall short of TE1 status in a matchup with the Steelers. Week 8 brings a better draw vs. the Bengals.