Fantasy Football: Top 10 Sit ‘Em Picks heading into Week 7
By Genna Preston
Heading into Fantasy Football Week 7, make sure to bench these top 10 players that won’t bring owners much of anything come game day.
Oct 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) makes a reception for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Every week, fantasy football owners go through the biggest emotional roller coaster known to mankind. Your players are winning, then losing and then before you know it they’re leaving on a stretcher.
Related Story: Fantasy Football: Top 10 Start 'Em Picks for Week 7
Although we can’t really predict injuries, unless they’re injury prone or questionable players. But, you can predict players that will be good or bad based on their past games, points, and weekly matchups.
It’s been an interesting season, to say the least, as many players projected to have great fantasy football contributions are falling short. These elite players are either being overly covered by defenses, got injured or are just having a bad year.
It’s already Week 7, and there is just no room for error in your starting lineup. Here are 10 players whose fantasy value has decreased this week and should be sat heading into Week 7 matchups.
Next: 10. This quarterback has been sacked the most
Oct 16, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) at the line of scrimmage during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
10. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins beating the Pittsburgh Steelers was nothing anyone could have predicted. But, they didn’t win because of Ryan Tannehill.
It was the second week in a row Tannehill didn’t score a touchdown. He completed 24-of-32 passes for a little over 250 yards.
Jay Ajayi had only 50 less rushing yards than Tannehill had passing yards. The Dolphins clearly don’t trust the passing game.
This week the Dolphins take on the Buffalo Bills in a divisional matchup. The Bills defense has been on fire allowing only three passing touchdowns this season; wow! Tannehill is a must sit in Week 7.
Next: 9. This receiver didn't even play one down last week
9. Will Fuller, WR, Houston Texans
Will Fuller has had a great fantasy football season. With DeAndre Hopkins being heavily covered, Fuller has been able to step his game up.
There were only two weeks this season he didn’t earn 25 or more fantasy football points, aside from his dreaded zero last week.
This is why I always say, never start a questionable player. Fuller was active and didn’t even play a single down earning zero fantasy points.
Fuller is expected to return for this week’s matchup but, I wouldn’t start him. Not only is he still not 100 percent but, the Houston Texans take on the Denver Broncos whose defense is anything but sub-par.
Next: 8. This back hasn't scored since Week 2
Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets running back Matt Forte (22) is tackle by Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Kevin Minter (51), defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) and nose tackle Corey Peters (98) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
8. Matt Forte, RB, New York Jets
Everyone was so quick to draft Matt Forte this season but we were all fooled. In his first two games, he totaled almost 60 fantasy football points.
Since then, his points and value have dwindled, last week being his worst performance of the year. He rushed nine times for only 19 yards; Bilal Powell has out snapped Forte in their last three games.
Forte hasn’t found the end zone since Week 2, and this week’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens doesn’t look promising. The Ravens have allowed opponents the fewest rushing yards per game this season.
Every week his value decreases, that should speak for itself. Forte is a must-sit in Week 7.
Next: 7. He hasn't earned double-digits since Week 1
Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
7. Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Matthews is owned in about 95 percent of fantasy football leagues and has nothing to show for it. After Week 1’s performance, he earned over 30 points, owners couldn’t wait for their season with Matthews.
However, since then, he has been a major disappointment. He has barely earned 10 points in his last four games.
Matthews also missed the ending of last week’s game due to tendonitis of the knee. He was limited in the beginning of the week’s practices, and then became a full participant Thursday and is expected to play.
However, with his lingering knee problems and matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, it’s not the week to start Matthews. He is a must sit in Week 7.
Next: 6. This defense doesn't stop their opponents
Oct 16, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) scrambles in the pocket during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
6. Miami Dolphins D/ST
The Miami Dolphins have a few good weeks here and there, but the bad definitely outweigh the good. Last week they injured Ben Roethlisberger and beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.
They didn’t win because their defense was on point. They won by running the football and because Roethlisberger wasn’t 100 percent.
This week the Dolphins take on the Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins have offered their opponents nine passing touchdowns and in Week 5 they gave DeMarco Murray 121 rushing yards.
The Dolphins don’t stop anything. Sit him this week.
Next: 5. This quarterback has spiraled the last three weeks
Oct 16, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) passes as Washington Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) defends during the second half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
5. Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
As with Matthews, it will be a rough week for Carson Wentz. Since Week 3, Wentz hasn’t completed more than 250 passing yards per game.
Since his Week 4 bye, his fantasy football points have steadily declined. In Week 5 he earned about 15 and in Week 6 he earned a measly 10 if you were lucky.
This week comes face-to-face with the Vikings who rank sixth at defending the pass. This is not going to be a good week for Wentz and the Eagles clan.
Next: 4. A Cardinal losing major fantasy value
Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) celebrates with teammate Jaron Brown (13) after catching a fourth quarter touchdown against the New York Jets at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
4. Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Michael Floyd has become more of a week-to-week sleeper option and not every week starter. His up and down fantasy football points are not worth the headache unless the matchup is right.
Floyd has also seen a decrease in targets. Last week, he was only targeted twice for 22 yards and a touchdown; it still wasn’t enough to get double-digit points.
This week, Floyd takes on the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks rank fifth in pass defenses.
With John Brown and Larry Fitzgerald seeing the most targets, Floyd’s value decreases. Keep him on the bench in Week 7.
Next: 3. This running back doesn't have an ideal matchup
Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) is tackled from behind by Houston Texans outside linebacker John Simon (51) during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
3. Frank Gore, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Frank Gore has had a couple bad fantasy football weeks but, for the most part, he has consistently earned double-digit points. Actually, last week was his best fantasy week of the season.
Gore rushed 22 times for a little over 100-yards. He also added two receiving yards on one pass; earning 20 or more points depending on your league.
Gore has been the best thing that has happened to the Indianapolis Colts with two of their players sidelined. However, his Week 7 matchup isn’t an ideal situation.
This week the Colts play the Tennessee Titans who rank seventh at defending the run. I just don’t feel confident about this game and if you can afford to sit Gore this week, I would.
Next: 2. Just sit all of the Eagles
Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews (24) scores a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. The Eagles won 29-14. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
2. Ryan Mathews, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
I should have just started this slideshow with, sit all Eagles on your roster in Week 7. Especially when it comes to Ryan Matthews who is slowly becoming irrelevant.
Matthews has earned about 30 fantasy football points total this season depending on your league’s point values. Some running backs see those numbers weekly.
Matthews is also the third option for the Eagles. With Darren Sproles averaging 20 snaps a game, there’s no way Matthews will be able to be of fantasy value.
This week the Eagles play the Vikings and there’s definitely no chance for Matthews to score big. He’s a must-sit!
Next: 1. This receiver earned zero points twice
1. Torrey Smith, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Starting any San Francisco 49er other than Carlos Hyde is a huge fantasy football risk. That’s especially true for Torrey Smith.
Smith has not been productive at all this season. There were only two weeks in which Smith earned double-digit points; there were also two weeks he earned zero.
The 49ers also have a dismantled offensive line. Although Smith was more productive last week with Colin Kaepernick at quarterback, it was his best fantasy football week earning 20 which most receivers do consistently.
Must Read: Fantasy Football: Top 10 Sleeper Picks for Week 7
This week, the 49er’s play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although the Buccaneers defense isn’t the most stable, they haven’t been awful and held Kelvin Benjamin to only about 13 fantasy points in Week 5. This is not the week to start Smith in any fantasy football league!