Good morning. The Olympic committee approved Flag Football for the 2028 Games. NFL players are encouraged to play. If All-Pro corners can’t slow Tyreek Hill and Ja’Marr Chase, how will Europeans?

Good news to start your day: Bijan Robinson is an NFLPA Community MVP winner, becoming the third rookie to ever win this award.

For being named Community MVP, the NFLPA makes a $10,000 donation to Robinson’s foundation or charity of choice so that he can continue to make a difference. Love to see it. 

TRIVIA

RANKINGS

Calvin Ridley falls to WR20. He’s posted over 20 fantasy points on two occasions but also 7 or fewer FP in three games. Trevor Lawrence is spreading the ball around — Ridley ranks second to Christian Kirk in both targets per game and team target share, while his 21.2% target share is identical to Evan Engram's, per Joe Nicely of RotoBaller. And there’s a chance Lawrence sits this week…

Josh Downs rises to WR45. The rookie now has a 21% targets share from Gardner Minshew and has at least 13 points in 3 of his past 4 games, per Matthew Berry. With Anthony Richardson having season-ending surgery, this usage should continue for Downs.

Our rest-of-season 0.5 PPR rankings were updated early this morning 👇️ 

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POSITION REVIEWS

Quarterback

Trevor Lawrence (knee sprain) is questionable for Thursday Night Football. Lawrence has been optimistic to play and two limited practices are a sign that he has a good chance to start. His replacement (C.J. Beathard) would face a Saints passing defense that is one of the leagues best. Major downgrade for all Jags pass-catchers if Lawrence sits.

Jalen Hurts has the 2nd lowest (ahead of just Zach Wilson) passer rating when he bails or is pressured out of the pocket (@ChrisWechtFF). But this was also a problem last season… yet he still finished QB3.

Lamar Jackson is on pace for a career-best 69.9% completion rate and his passer rating (93.0) is his best since 2020, per @EvanSilva. He should have hundreds more yards and multiple more TDs if not for horrific Ravens drops.

• Kyler Murray was a “full go” in practice and could return as soon as Week 8.

• Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp are starting a podcast together. And Stafford’s look great this season.

Running Back

What to do about the Rams backfield? Rams HC Sean McVay on whether rookie RB Zach Evans is on track to start this week: “I wouldn’t say that” and “All four of those guys are possibilities and we’re truly navigating through that”. Stafford called it a “compete for carries” week.

But most of us are down so bad that we don’t have a choice. Zach Evans is the best of the bunch, Darrell Henderson is No. 2. Note that Kyren Williams is estimated to be out until the Rams post-Wk10 bye. Here’s a preseason breakdown of Zach Evans so you don’t lose faith (video).

Moving on from Dameon Pierce? Despite subpar play, Pierce had held off his competition until Week 6. Veteran Devin Singletary out-snapped Pierce 34-21, ran 11 more routes, and nearly doubled up Pierce’s yardage numbers (DynastyLeagueFootball). Pierce still has name value but the sell window is closing…

• The Cardinals RB to own is Keaontay Ingram, who Matt Waldman believes has the most upside to become the lead back and a legitimate fantasy starter (FootballGuys).

• Alvin Kamara has seen 3 consecutive games of workhorse usage and 80+ yards from scrimmage. And he looks shifty…

Wide Receiver

Adam Thielen is playing 72% of his routes from the slot and has the 2nd most targets 5+ yards down the field with at least a step of separation, per @ChrisWechtFF. Ranked 11th in target share, there’s a legitimate chance Thielen finishes as a top-10 WR. Can you believe this guy almost sold dental equipment instead of playing in the NFL?

Drake London is a WR3. London “averages 7.2 targets per game this season. Since 2011, WRs to average between six and eight targets have finished as the WR31 with 12.8 fantasy points per game”, per Dwain McFarland of FantasyLife.

Jaylen Waddle could have a breakout week against the Eagles’ depleted secondary, which currently ranks 6th-worst in schedule-adjusted FPG allowed to opposing outside WRs (+7.3), per Scott Barrett of Fantasy Points.

Marquise Brown has seen 10+ targets in 3 straight games and could get Kyler Murray back soon.

Puka Nacau had just 6.6 fantasy points in Week 6 but was still heavily involved. In two games with Kupp, Puka’s 29.5% target share ranks 6th among WRs this season, per @ChrisWechtFF. Every week starter.

And no one can stop AJ Brown…

MARKETS

Moves to Make

📈 Alexander Mattison was “losing playing time to both Cam Akers on early downs and fullback C.J. Ham on third downs, BUT both of those trends reversed. Mattison went back to playing a similar number of snaps as before the Akers trade”, per Nathan Jahnke’s Week 6 Recap. Strong sign as he saw low-end RB1 usage.

👍️ Hold Courtland Sutton. He’s not a sexy hold, but he’s had just one game with a routes run rate below 90% (89% in Week 1), per Sam Hoppen of FantasyPros, and his 7 end zone targets are tied for first in the league. There’s also the chance that Jerry Jeudy gets traded, which would boost Sutton’s ceiling ROS.

🤙 Buy low on Wan’Dale Robinson. In his four games, Robinson ranks first among Giants WRs in targets per game and target rate. The Giants offensive line can’t block anybody, making a fast slot WR underneath (like Robinson) a perfect fit. More insight via Tactical Transactions ($).

👀 Monitor the Panthers offense. Panthers HC Frank Reich has handed play-calling duties to OC Thomas Brown (former Rams coach under Sean McVay) a young, highly-coveted play-caller, which could be good news for an offense ranked 23rd in both points per game and yards per game.

📉 Sell Jerome Ford. Kareem Hunt got the start for the Browns on Sunday and produced — rushing for 47 yards and 1 TD on 12 carries. He also added 3 catches for 24 yards on 12 routes run (only one less than Ford’s 13). Ford is worth keeping, but this backfield should continue to trend closer to a 50/50 split.

💧 Drop Quentin Johnston (in re-draft). In a game where the Chargers threw 37 passes, Johnston managed only 2 targets and 0 receptions while playing just 48% of snaps. His raw talent is intriguing but a WR averaging 2 ½ targets per game isn’t worth a roster spot in most leagues.

QUICK SLANTS

Dynasty Decisions

📖 Read Dynasty Blueprint: Week Six by Ryan McDowell. Offers insight on what to do with Jahan Dotson, Raheem Mostert, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Drake London. Helpful strategy for trading:

“League by league, I did what I always do anytime there is a serious injury to a key player. I found which of my competitors currently rostered said player and immediately checked that team’s record and standing in the league. This tells me if a trade, either for the injured player or another player to serve as a replacement, is feasible.”

📖 Read Fantasy Football’s Biggest Overperformers by Ian Hartitz from Fantasy Life.

Ian believes in Breece Hall, who the Jets have finally “unleashed as the clear-cut leader of what was a three-way committee backfield for most of the first month of the season.”

📖 Read 2023 Week 7 Players to Trade/Trade For by John Hansen from Fantasy Points ($). He recommends Devonta Smith:

“He had a couple of bad drops in Week 6… they are now paying a price for being a little too Brown-centric, so a correction is likely coming, which means increased production is likely coming for Skinny Batman.”

🎙️Listen to Team-by-Team Week 7 Preview by the Establish the Run team. This week, anyone holding Justin Fields (including Chicago Bears management) and Tony Pollard will want to tune in

🎙️Listen to RedZone host Scott Hanson explain how the show has grown over the years.

📺️ Watch this clip, which might be the best NFL interview of all time. Former Bears TE Martellus Bennett does NOT hold back.

📺️ Watch the Chargers fan who went viral Monday night. Her and her husband are Chargers season ticket holders (yes, those exist) who rent cabana suites every season for multiple games, per @TomPelissero.

Creator of the Day

Chuck Bass

In this series, we highlight the best people in the fantasy football industry.

Chuck Bass (@ChuckBassFF) is a fantasy football entertainer. His tweets are constantly going viral by being relatable + holding valuable information, typically in the form of memes and sh*tposting. Chuck has found his footing ‘punching below the waist more than the average analyst’ and leaning into the entertainment, which is so much fun.

Chuck developed the weekly podcast “This Guy Sucks with Chuck Bass” where his awards show roasts the worst performances of the weekend (which would be a great fit for our Best Bets column…). He can also be found on Another Fantasy Show on Sunday mornings doing start/sits, game breakdowns and much more 👀

All in on Aaron Jones

Chuck is targeting Aaron Jones by any means necessary. He’s played so little this season that you might be able to get him for cheaper than usual and he should be well-healed and rested coming off the bye… Chuck has him as a top 8 RB the rest of the way.

Jones should return after missing Weeks 2-5 but was limited in practice yesterday (hamstring). He had an impressive 26.7 fantasy points in Week 1 and gets a dream matchup against the Broncos Sunday…

Tweet of the Day

Before we go, if you're planning to tank in your fantasy league, follow Sean Payton’s playbook:

• Identify a 'truly generational player' like Caleb Williams

• Join a team where the previous coach did the worst coaching job you have ever seen (Bonus if your new QB calls himself Mr. Unlimited)

• Barely play your best offensive weapon

• When people catch on about Vance Joseph, consider hiring Rex Ryan

• Hang on for dear life.

Thanks for joining us this AM, make today a special one.

- Jake, Eddie, Marcus & Sean

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