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NFL Week 7 overreactions: Kyler Murray and Cardinals have arrived
SportsPulse: The Kliff and Klyer experiment got their first signature victory against Seattle in an instant classic. Mackenzie Salmon overreact to the biggest storylines from Week 7 in the NFL.
The injuries continue to pile up in the National Football League. This past week, the wide receiver position was hit particularly hard with Odell Beckham Jr., Deebo Samuel, Chris Godwin, Diontae Johnson and others getting banged up to various degrees.
That, on the heels of several starting running backs missing Week 7 due to injury. Yes, this season has certainly been all about survival — in many ways. So how can fantasy teams navigate those potential missed games as well as the upcoming bye weeks?
You have to take it one game at a time.
Recommended bids based on a free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) of $100 for the season.
Best Bets
WR Rashard Higgins, Cleveland Browns ($17). Beckham’s torn ACL puts him out for the rest of the season and elevates Higgins to the No. 2 receiver in Cleveland behind Jarvis Landry. The third-year receiver had scored in back-to-back games entering Week 7, but when Beckham exited, HIggins rose to the challenge — catching six passes for 110 yards.
Yes, rookie sixth-rounder Donovan Peoples-Jones ($6) caught a touchdown pass, but Higgins is a better bet for continued success the rest of the way.
WR Antonio Brown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($15). The Buccaneers already have an embarrassment of fantasy football riches on their roster – and this week they’ll officially add one more. The question is how much and how soon of an impact Brown will make in an already explosive Bucs offense. He’ll be eligible to play starting in Week 9, so for fantasy teams in solid playoff position, Brown could be a difference-maker by the time the playoffs roll around.
WR Sterling Shepard, New York Giants ($13). Sidelined for four weeks by a toe injury, Shepard returned in Week 7 to lead the Giants in receiving (six catches, 59 yards) and score a touchdown.
Replacements
WR Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers ($12). If you need a one-week fix, Samuel could be a good one. He gets a fairly consistent target share and he’s had at least one rushing attempt in every game this season. In Week 7, he scored his first rushing TD. With the Panthers taking on a porous Atlanta Falcons defense on Thursday night, Samuel could be in for his best game of the season.
WR Scotty Miller, Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($8). Miller has been on and off fantasy rosters all season because of his boom or bust tendencies. This week, he’s coming off his best game of the season (6-109-1) against the Raiders. With Chris Godwin suffering a broken finger, Mike Evans still ailing and Antonio Brown not yet eligible to play, Miller could thrive once again against the Giants. Roll the dice one more week with him.
RB Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks ($8). Starter Chris Carson left Sunday night’s shootout with a foot sprain, leaving Hyde to carry the ball a season-high 15 times for 68 yards and a touchdown. With Carson looking unlikely to play this week, Hyde should be in great position. However, he suffered a hamstring injury of his own and the Seahawks face a stingy San Francisco 49ers defense.
RB La’Mical Perine, New York Jets ($6). The Jets continue to struggle on offense, but Perine was a bright spot on Sunday. He rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown, and also caught two passes for 16 yards. If the Jets start playing for the future, Perine should see even more work.
TE Harrison Bryant, Cleveland Browns ($5). Thrust into action when starter Austin Hooper needed an appendectomy, Bryant hauled in four passes for 56 yards and scored two touchdowns. Although teammate David Njoku also had a TD catch, Bryant was much more involved in the game plan. With Beckham now out of the picture, the Browns’ other receiving options (see above) have greater potential.
Deep leagues
WR Dez Bryant, Baltimore Ravens. The 31-year-old former Pro Bowler hasn’t played in an NFL game since December 2017, but he led the league with 73 receiving touchdowns from 2010-17. The Ravens signed him to their practice squad today, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. So if you miss out on Antonio Brown and still want to take a late-season flier on a former WR1, Bryant isn’t a bad gamble.
RB JaMycal Hasty, San Francisco 49ers. Picking the right Niners running back to use on any particular week may require the skills of a psychic. Jeff Wilson led all running backs in fantasy scoring in Week 7 with 120 total yards and three TDs. However, he suffered an ankle injury on this third score – which could sideline him for multiple weeks. Hasty looked good with nine carries for 57 yards and one 16-yard reception. Although Jerick McKinnon is still around and Tevin Coleman could return from injured reserve this week, the crystal ball here says Hasty will be the next man up. Spooky!
WR Denzel Mims, New York Jets. After missing the first six games of the season with hamstring issues, the second-round pick made his NFL debut on Sunday and caught four passes for 42 yards. With top receiver Jamison Crowder injured and Breshad Perriman potentially entering the concussion protocol, the opportunity is there for Mims.
Also, be sure to check last week’s waiver wire picks to see if any of those players are still available in your league. And follow Gardner on Twitter @SteveAGardner.
