There were some topsy turvy results in week 6, including Brock Osweiler being a borderline usable fantasy option. Big Ben is going to miss some time for the Steelers, leading to a downgrade for everyone not named LeVeon Bell. Coby Fleener put up the numbers that owners have been looking for while Rob Gronkowski reminded everyone who the top dog is in New England.
Week 6 Recommendations Results (Standard League Scoring): Quarterback
· Alex Smith KC – 19-22 224 yards 0 touchdowns 11 Fantasy Points
· Marcus Mariota TEN – 17-24 284 yards 3 touchdowns 1 interception 7 carries 64 yards 30 Fantasy Points
· Brian Hoyer CHI – 30-49 302 yards 15 Fantasy Points
Week 6 Recommendations Results (Standard League Scoring): Tight End
· Martellus Bennett NE – 5 receptions 48 yards 4 Fantasy Points
· Hunter Henry SD – 6 receptions 83 yards 1 touchdown 14 Fantasy Points
· Jesse James PIT – 2 receptions 13 yards 1 Fantasy Point
· Charles Clay BUF – 5 receptions 52 yards 5 Fantasy Points
Despite a passer rating of 109.1, Alex Smith was useless in fantasy. That will probably continue with Jamaal Charles back in the fold. For those keeping track at home, Mariota now has two games in a row with 30+ fantasy points. Brian Hoyer racked up yardage but failed to throw a touchdown pass.
The Pats continued to throw to Bennett quite a bit, but no touchdowns this week. Hunter Henry is looking like an every week starter at tight end. The Steelers lost Big Ben in week 6 and that makes Jesse James like poison to your fantasy team. Charles Clay gets his targets every week but is not much of a threat to score.
Week 7 Waiver Wire Picks – Quarterback
Marcus Mariota TEN 41% owned
On the heels of two 30+ point fantasy performances, Marcus Mariota’s ownership is likely to rise. Looking backward is never a good idea in fantasy sports, but the young quarterback has tasty matchups ahead as well. Over the next three weeks the Titans face the Colts, Jags and Chargers. Finding an easier schedule than that would be a tall order.
Colin Kaepernick SF 8.5% owned
The 2016 debut for Kaepernick was not electrifying, but he did manage to put up 20 fantasy points. That was good for 15th in the league. Considering he has been sitting for the first 5 weeks of the season that is not a terrible result. The 49ers face the Buccaneers then a bye week followed by the Saints. It seems reasonable to at least see how Kaepernick does against some easy competition and hope that his rushing yards make it a worthwhile gamble.
Sam Bradford MIN 13.4% owned
He has never been a marquee fantasy asset, but Bradford has been consistent this season. In three out of four games the Vikes QB has had 17 or more fantasy points. This trend seems likely to continue as Bradford has a nice rapport with his receivers, particularly Kyle Rudolph and Adam Thielen. For a spot starter or bye week fill in, Bradford can be a solid stop gap.
The Rest Of The Waiver Wire Picks
Week 7 Waiver Wire Picks – Tight End
Hunter Henry SD 49.3% owned
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, go out and get Hunter Henry. His ownership is down significantly from last week and he is still one of the only playmakers in San Diego. Even when Antonio Gates is healthy, Henry is going to get his. This guy should be on a roster in just about every size league.
C.J. Fiedorowicz HOU 1.1% owned
Over the last three games, Fiedorowicz has been a big part of the Texans gameplan. He has made 14 catches over that three week span and put up 10, 6 and 14 fantasy points in standard leagues. It looks like Brock Osweiler is comfortable relying on his tight end and this trend will likely continue.
Vernon Davis WAS 11.7%
The value presented by Vernon Davis is entirely reliant on the health of Jordan Reed. Week 6 brought a start for Davis due to Reed’s concussion. Things may go back to normal in Washington in week 7, but Reed has missed a lot of games due to concussions in the past. Passing the league’s concussion protocol is a tough thing to rely on. Teams in need of a tight end should stash Davis, but watch the injury report carefully before putting him in the starting lineup.
Jack Doyle IND 6.9% owned
It has been an up and down season for Doyle, but he has shown playmaking ability. Now it appear that Dwayne Allen will miss some time with an ankle injury. That makes Doyle worth a pickup for teams weak at tight end.
