Fantasy Football Week 7: Top 5 sleepers you must start

Here are the top five sleepers you should take a chance on in Week 7 fantasy football.

Welcome to Week 7 of the fantasy football season. By now, you should know if your lineup is going to take you to the playoffs or leave you in the dust.

If your team is suffering, you should take a chance with sleeper picks, that may offer better points than your every week starters. Not to mention if you have any bye week players, you’ll need to do the same.

This week, we have four teams on a bye: Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks. Based off this week’s matchups, standings and previous fantasy football performances, I have identified five players that should earn a spot on your starting lineup.

Without further ado, here are the top five sleepers for Week 7.

5. Evan Engram, TE New York Giants

Some of you reading this may be thinking that Evan Engram isn’t a sleeper. However, this is the first week we see him return since his Week 3 injury, and it’s not fair to assume he will ball out.

But, given his weekly matchup and past performances, Engram has a great opportunity on paper. Some analysts are even projecting a top 10 performance from him.

Normally, I never suggest starting a player his first week back from an injury, but this is not the case! The New York Giants prepare to take on the Atlanta Falcons; his return matchup couldn’t be more ideal.

In their last three games, the Falcons have given up three touchdowns to opposing tight ends. They have also surrendered 16 passing touchdowns this season.

Engram returns in Week 7 as a TE1. He is a must-start in all leagues.

Next: 4. A wide receiver set for a big game

4. Jermaine Kearse, WR New York Jets

Jermaine Kearse is a true sleeper entering Week 7. Week after week his production and play time increase.

Quincy Enunwa is out with injury, which opens more opportunity for Kearse to shine. In the last few weeks, he has played at least 75 percent of snaps, if not more.

Terrelle Pryor is also doubtful for this week’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, which means Kearse is going to get ample opportunity to earn big.

Kearse earned owners 18 fantasy football points last week. This week he is looking to repeat that performance and should be considered a WR3 or Flex option.

Next: 3. A quarterback on the rise

3. Baker Mayfield, QB Cleveland Browns

This should be the week we see the emergence of greatness in Baker Mayfield.  Week after week fantasy owners get a small glimpse of what could be an elite quarterback.

This week that all changes. Mayfield has an ideal matchup and should expect to have his best game yet this season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mitchell Trubisky, Ben Roethlisberger, and Matt Ryan had a combined total of 12 touchdowns in the last three weeks against the Buccaneers. I must also mention, that every opposing quarterback this season has completed over 330 passing yards.

If your quarterback has a bye or just hasn’t been putting up the fantasy football points, Mayfield is the man to rock with. He is expected to earn at least 20 points, with some hope of even topping that. He is a great streaming option in Week 7.

Next: 2. A big playmaker on the Bears

2. Taylor Gabriel, WR Chicago Bears

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency
• NY Jets: Jonnu Smith would be a smart free-agent target

In his first three games, Taylor Gabriel had only 89 yards combined. In his last few matchups, he has consecutive weeks that he completed 100 yards.

He currently leads the Chicago Bears receptions and yards. This week his value is higher than teammates Allen Robinson and Trey Burton as they prepare to battle against the New England Patriots.

Last week, the Patriots surrendered 100 yards to two different receivers. Tyreek Hill also scored twice in their matchup.

To date, the Patriots have surrendered nine touchdowns to the position. If there was ever a week to put throw all your cards on Gabriel, it should be in Week 7.

Next: 1. A running back ready to do some major damage

1. Corey Clement, RB Philadelphia Eagles

Unfortunately, one man’s injury is another man’s meal ticket. That is the case with Corey Clement. Since Jay Ajayi went down in Week 6, Clement has proven his worth on and off the field.

Although he is still sharing time with Wendell Smallwood, last week showed us he may appear to have a higher ceiling than Smallwood. Last week, Clement had 43 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. He also added 26 receiving yards on three receptions.

This week he is projected to get even more work against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have struggled against the run, allowing at least one back score a touchdown or hit 90 yards in all of their matchups thus far.