Week 6 was a rough one for a lot of the higher end running backs. Devonta Freeman continues to be a sure thing for a ton of points, but aside from that it has been a bit jumbled. Flavor of the week Charcandrick West flamed out and did not provide much hope for the future. This week rumor has it Christine Michael should get a shot in Dallas, we'll see if he can give a boost to the struggling Cowboys running game.
Key Players On A Bye: Matt Forte CHI, Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill CIN, Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson DEN, Eddie Lacy and James Starks GB
Week 7 Waiver Wire: Quarterback and Tight End / Running Back / Wide Receiver / IDP
Injury Concerns:
Karlos Williams BUF Questionable, Duke Johnson Jr. CLE Questionable, Joique Bell and Ameer Abdullah DET Questionable, Bilal Powell NYJ Questionable, Melvin Gordon SD Questionable, Carlos Hyde SF Questionable, Reggie Bush SF Questionable, Chris Thompson and Matt Jones WAS Questionable
Elite Tier - Must Starts
1. Devonta Freeman ATL @TEN
2. Arian Foster HOU @MIA
3. Todd Gurley STL vs. CLE
4. LeVeon Bell PIT @KC
5. Adrian Peterson MIN @DET
Freeman has been on an amazing run and I don't see Tennessee putting a stop to it. Arian Foster should produce in week 7 as the Texans and Dolphins look to ground and pound. The only concern would be if Miami starts fast and DeAndre Hopkins takes over for Houston. Todd Gurley is a beast and should see his first visit to the end zone versus Cleveland. LeVeon Bell would be ranked higher if I had more confidence in the Steelers offense without Roethlisberger, but he should still produce at a very high level. Peterson was disappointing last week, but the Lions should be easy prey to the Vikes offense.
Strong Plays - Reliable, But A Notch Below
6. Chris Ivory NYJ @NE
7. Lamar Miller MIA vs. HOU
8. LeSean McCoy BUF @JAC
9. Latavius Murray OAK @SD
10. Mark Ingram NO @IND
11. Marshawn Lynch SEA @SF
Chris Ivory has looked like one of the top backs in the league, just like Brandon Marshall said. Lamar Miller found his mojo in week 6 and should continue to produce against the Texans. LeSean McCoy looked spry in his return from a hamstring injury and faces a vulnerable Jacksonville run defense in London. Latavius Murray looks to get back on track after some disappointment and a bye week. Mark Ingram has been a great option this season and should come up big versus Indy. Marshawn Lynch has been dinged up, but Seattle should be playing with a lead and Beast Mode should see a lot of carries.
Rankings: Quarterback / Wide Receiver / Tight End /
Risk /Reward - Potentially Shaky
12. Doug Martin TB @WAS
13. Chris Johnson ARI vs. BAL
14. Dion Lewis NE vs. NYJ
15. Justin Forsett BAL @ARI
16. Frank Gore IND vs. NO
17. LeGarrette Blount NE vs. NYJ
Doug Martin has been producing of late and the Redskins defense is less imposing than it once was. Chris Johnson should see opportunities versus Baltimore, although the Ravens are easier to beat through the air. Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount are tough to predict, but at least one of them should be productive. My bet is Lewis, but Blount has been getting going over the last couple of weeks. Justin Forsett has a tough task versus Arizona, but his pass catching ability makes him more viable. Frank Gore faces a defense that was shredded last week by Devonta Freeman on just a few carries.
Question Marks - RB2 Upside
18. Carlos Hyde SF vs. SEA Questionable
19. DeMarco Murray PHI @CAR
20. Jonathan Stewart CAR vs. PHI
21. Danny Woodhead SD vs. OAK
22. Christine Michael DAL @NYG
23. Ryan Mathews PHI @CAR
24. Charcandrick West KC vs. PIT
25. T.J. Yeldon JAC vs. BUF
26. Theo Riddick DET vs. MIN
Carlos Hyde may not be able to make it out on the field Thursday, though he says he'll play. If Hyde starts, he has too much potential to bench in most leagues. DeMarco Murray is getting more carries and the results have been good. The Carolina defense makes me feel like Ryan Mathews may make more of a dent in the workload though as he is a skilled pass-catcher. Jonathan Stewart came up big last week, but I don't think this is the start of a new trend. Danny Woodhead is the best running back in San Diego until Gordon gets his head right. Christine Michael is a wild card, but if he gets the carries he could come up big. Charcandrick West did not look good last week but the Steelers D is very beatable. T.J. Yeldon will find things a bit rough versus the Bills, but play action should open some lanes. Theo Riddick may be the only healthy Lions running back in week 7. His skill in the passing game could make him a sneaky good play.
Flex Appeal - Usable In A Pinch
27. Melvin Gordon SD vs. OAK Questionable
28. Duke Johnson Jr. CLE @STL Questionable
29. Shane Vereen NYG vs. DAL
30. Antonio Andrews TEN vs. ATL
31. Alfred Morris WAS vs. TB
32. Joseph Randle DAL @NYG
33. Andre Ellington ARI vs. BAL
34. Matt Jones WAS vs. TB Questionable
35. Charles Sims TB @WAS
I would not trust Melvin Gordon at this point, but he has the talent to break out at any time. Duke Johnson would be more appealing if he were healthy, as it is he will find it tough going. Shane Vereen can have a huge week at any time, after Manning's turnovers in week 6 he may stay with short passes versus Dallas. Tennessee's backfield is a crapshoot, but Andrews is the best bet to score. The Redskins backfield is just putrid, but the Bucs give up points so there is a good chance that someone sees double digit points. Joseph Randle cannot be written off until I actually SEE Christine Michael take over his role. Ellington should be producing at a high level, but Chris Johnson has usurped his role. Charles Sims is nice for PPR but not a safe bet in standard leagues.
Tough Sledding - Let Them Be Someone Else's Problem
36. Darren McFadden DAL @NYG
37. Knile Davis KC vs. PIT
38. C.J. Spiller NO @IND
39. David Johnson ARI vs. BAL
40. Ahmad Bradshaw IND vs. NO
41. Dexter McCluster TEN vs. ATL
42. Denard Robinson JAC vs. BUF
43. Darren Sproles PHI @CAR
44. Rashad Jennings NYG vs. DAL
45. Ameer Abdullah DET vs. MIN Questionable
46. Chris Thompson WAS vs. TB Questionable
47. Bishop Sankey TEN vs. ATL
48. Isiah Crowell CLE @STL
49. Tevin Coleman ATL @TEN
50. Khiry Robinson NO @IND
