It was a rough week for fantasy managers in the NFL. There were a lot of ugly performances in Week 7 causing overall fantasy scoring to be down. But there were some bright spots that helped win matchups. Hopefully your fantasy team survived.
This weekly article looks at some interesting usage notes for each NFL team. Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter/X at (@jtorange) with any useful nuggets or questions. Let’s dive into Week 7.
NFL Week 7 Usage Trends
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Where’s Marvin?
Marvin Harrison Jr. has a lot of talent, but the Cardinals are struggling to get their rookie wide receiver involved in the offense. In the last three games, MHJ has five catches for 57 yards and no touchdowns and left a game early with a concussion.
ATLANTA FALCONS
Go Bijan Go
Even with the Falcons suffering a tough loss at home to the Seahawks, Bijan Robinson is finally getting the workload fantasy managers have been begging for since he entered the league. Robinson had 21 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions for 40 yards. Robinson has 18 or more touches in five of seven games this season.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Still the King
Derrick Henry has not let Father Time catch up with him. The 30-year-old running back is defying the odds and leading the league with 873 yards rushing. King Henry also leads all running backs with 6.5 yards per carry and is tied for the league lead with eight rushing touchdowns.
BUFFALO BILLS
What up, Coop?
Amari Cooper played in his first game for the Bills since being traded from the Browns. Cooper only saw a 35% snap share in a blowout win over the Titans, but he caught four of five targets for 66 yards and a touchdown. Cooper is going to see increased snaps as he learns the offense. Be ready for him to be Bills WR1 for the rest of the season.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Red Rifle Out of Bullets?
The Panthers decided former number one pick Bryce Young needed to take a break and learn from veteran Andy Dalton. Young was benched after Week 2. Dalton came in and led Carolina to its first win of the season against the Raiders in Week 3 throwing for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. But since then, Dalton has been on the struggle bus. The Panthers have lost four straight games, and Dalton was pulled late in a 40-7 loss to the Commanders, where he threw for 93 yards and two interceptions.
CHICAGO BEARS
Bears Sit at 4-2
The Bears were on bye in Week 7 but are trending in the right direction. Chicago has won three straight games and has a big matchup with the Commanders in Week 8.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Chase Time
Chase Brown is officially the running back to own in Cincinnati. In Week 7, Brown out-snapped Zach Moss for the second-straight week (62% to 45% and 58% to 49%). Brown was also more efficient with 15 carries for 44 yards and two catches for nine yards compared to Moss, who had six carries for seven yards and three catches for 33 yards.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Bye, Bye, Bye
Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles tendon in Week 7 and is now out for the remainder of the year. He was already one of the worst performing quarterbacks in the league this season. Dorian Thompson-Robinson came in for the injured Watson, but he struggled. Can Jameis Winston get one of the worst offenses in the league moving in the right direction? If he can’t, this team will be competing for the first overall pick in the NFL Draft in 2025.
DALLAS COWBOYS
Much Needed Break
The Cowboys were on bye in Week 7 which was much needed after taking one of the worst home losses in team history 47-9 in Week 6.
DENVER BRONCOS
Do We Have an RB1?
Javonte Williams had his best performance of the season for the Broncos. Williams broke out of a slump to run for 88 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns. Denver’s backfield has been a mess all season, but maybe this was the performance Williams needed to officially take control.
DETROIT LIONS
Get It Goff
Jared Goff has led the Lions to more touchdowns (18) than he has thrown incompletions (15) in the last four games. Goff is second in the league in completion percentage at 73.6%. Goff is in the MVP hunt at the moment as he leads one of the league’s most potent offenses. The Lions are averaging 40 points per game in the last three games and are third overall in scoring averaging 30.3 points per game this year.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Doubs We Have a Problem?
Romeo Doubs was suspended before a Week 5 win over the Rams after he skipped multiple practices in protest about playing time and lack of targets. In the two games since then, Doubs has 14 targets, 11 receptions, 143 yards, and two touchdowns. Seems like the Packers took notice, and so should you.
HOUSTON TEXANS
Mixon Mile
Joe Mixon continues his resurgence in Houston. The veteran running back is now averaging 22.7 carries for 125.3 yards and 1.7 touchdowns per game in the three full games he has played this season. He has finished as RB2, RB2, and RB3 in fantasy in those three games.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Downs in the Dumps
WR Josh Downs continues to struggle a bit with Anthony Richardson in the lineup. Check out the splits. With Richardson at quarterback, Downs has 27 catches for 305 yards with one touchdown in seven career games. With backup quarterback Joe Flacco in the lineup this year, Downs has 24 catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns in three games.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
BTJ is the Man
Brian Thomas Jr. is showing what an absolute stud he is on the football field. Thomas was considered the fourth or fifth-best wide receiver entering the 2024 NFL Draft. He now leads all rookie wide receivers in receiving yards (513), is second in receptions (30), and tied for first in receiving touchdowns (4). Trevor Lawrence, please just keep getting him the football.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Mahome-ly?
QB Patrick Mahomes continues to struggle. Despite Kansas City being 6-0 and the last undefeated team in the league, Mahomes’ fantasy production has been downright ordinary. Mahomes was 16 for 27 for 154 yards and two interceptions in Week 7 against the 49ers. Mahomes has not finished higher than QB14 this season and currently has six touchdowns to eight interceptions.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Minshew Mania, Once Again
After getting pulled for backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell prior to Week 6, Gardner Minshew is back in the saddle for the Raiders. O’Connell suffered a broken thumb against the Rams in Week 7. He is now on IR and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks. Minshew has been known as a guy who can make plays, but turnovers have been an issue throughout his career. Minshew already has eight interceptions and two fumbles in six games and is tied for the league lead with 10 turnovers.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Dicker the Kicker
The Chargers continue to struggle to get the ball into the end zone. On Monday night, Los Angeles lost to Arizona 17-15 on a last-second field goal. The Chargers kicked five field goals with zero touchdowns. Cameron Dicker has made 15-of-16 field goal attempts but has only made 7-of-8 extra-point attempts. The Chargers haven’t scored more than two touchdowns in a game this season, while Dicker has two or more field goals in four of six games this year.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Save Me Kyren
With all the injuries, Kyren Williams continues to be the only bright spot on the Rams’ offense. He is gobbling up carries and putting the team on his back. Williams has played at least 79% of snaps in every game this season and played 89% in Week 7. Williams has 116 carries for 436 yards in six games and is tied for the league lead with eight touchdown runs.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
I Miss My Friend
Tyreek Hill and Jaylon Waddle are seeing historic fantasy slumps. Without Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback, the production has plummeted. Hill and Waddle combined for two catches for 13 yards against the Colts in Week 7. It’s time to start talking about whether these guys are even playable until Tua comes back. Luckily for them and the rest of the Dolphins offense, Tua is scheduled to be back at practice this week. Will he play in Week 8? Keep an eye out.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
My Boy Sam
Everyone keeps waiting for Sam Darnold to turn back into a pumpkin, but the former third-overall pick just keeps it rolling. Even though the Vikings suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday to the Lions, Darnold was able to lead his team back from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to take a 29-28 lead with six minutes left. The Vikings failed on the two-point conversion though, and Jared Goff was able to lead the Lions to a field goal in the final minute to win 31-29.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Love the Drake
Rookie Drake Maye has blown away expectations in his first two career starts. The number three pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has finished as a Top 10 fantasy QB in Weeks 6 and 7. He has thrown for 519 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. Maye has a tough three-week stretch coming up with games against the Jets, Bears, and Titans, but if you are in desperate need for some quarterback help, Maye might be your best option.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Bring Back the Paper Sacks
After two great wins to start the season, the Saints have fallen on hard times with five straight losses and back-to-back blowouts. The entire offense seems to be banged up. Alvin Kamara would seem to be the only playable option in fantasy, but he is struggling as well. Kamara averaged 134 total yards per game in the first four games with six touchdowns. In the last three games, Kamara is averaging just 51.3 total yards with one touchdown.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Nabers Upset in Return
After missing two games with a concussion, rookie Malik Nabers returned for the Giants in Week 7. Even in a blowout loss to the Eagles, Nabers had his worst game as a pro. He was visibly upset with his lack of targets after the game. He had averaged 15 targets a game in his last three contests. Nabers saw only eight targets with a season-low four catches for 41 yards. It was the first game of his career scoring in single digits in full PPR scoring.
NEW YORK JETS
Crowded WR Room
There were worries in the fantasy community that once the Jets acquired Devante Adams it would cut into Garrett Wilson’s target share. Well in their first game together, that wasn’t the case. Wilson played 100% of snaps, saw nine targets, catching five passes for 61 yards and a two-point conversion. Adams played 96% of snaps. He saw nine targets with three catches for 30 yards. Allen Lazard and Mike Williams seem like the wide receivers that will be most affected by the Adams signing. Lazard saw four targets and a 58% snap share after being over 82% in every game this season. Williams saw a measly 33% snap share with two targets.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Giants Mistake
The Giants didn’t re-sign Saquan Barkley in the off-season, and he made them pay for it on Sunday. Barkley took it to his former team to the tune of 17 carries for 176 yards and a touchdown, which was the second-best rushing performance in his career. Barkley has rushed for more than 100 yards in three of six games this season. Barkley is second in the league in average yards rushing per game with 109.7 yards. Anyone who was worried about Jalen Hurts stealing his rushing thunder this season, I think can breathe easy at this point.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Wilson Unlocks Pickens
Russell Wilson made his first start of the season, and it made a big difference for George Pickens, who had his second 100-yard receiving game of the season and his first touchdown of the year. Pickens also saw nine targets on the night, his second most of the year. Wheels up for Pickens moving forward this season with Wilson under center.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Last Man Standing
The 49ers are battling a multitude of injuries. Jauan Jennings missed the game with a hip injury. Brandon Ayiuk tore his ACL in Week 7 and is out for the rest of the season. Deebo Samuel left the game and went to the hospital with pneumonia. With the three starters out, the 49ers had to rely on a pair of rookies, Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing. Pearsall made his season debut after being shot in the chest during a robbery before the season. Pearsall led their receivers with a 76% snap share and had a 16.1% target share in his career debut. He finished with three receptions on five targets for 21 yards. Cowing came in after the Ayiuk injury and saw his highest snap share of his career at 19%. He also had his first career reception and finished with two catches for 50 yards. Keep an eye on both of these players moving forward, especially Pearsall.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Walker, Walker
Since missing Weeks 2 and 3 with an injury, Kenneth Walker has scored five touchdowns in the last four weeks. He hasn’t been fully healthy over that time span though, and he saw his lowest snap share of the season in Week 7 with only 47%. But I would not look too much into it. The Seahawks had a blowout win over the Falcons, and Walker came into the game dealing with an illness. He should be a plug-and-play every week as long as he is in the starting lineup.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Evans 100th TD Reception
WR Mike Evans got his 100th career TD catch and is now 11th all-time in the NFL in receiving TDs, but he re-aggravated a hamstring injury that puts his availability for next week in question. WR Chris Godwin looked to have seriously injured his ankle at the end of the Monday night game. Get ready to fire up rookie WR Jalen McMillan and second-year WR Trey Palmer, as they could each be decent fill-in options moving forward with bye weeks and all the injuries piling up.
TENNESSEE TITANS
Pollard Continues to Get Touches
With fellow running mate Tyjae Spears out with an injury, Tony Pollard saw his highest snap share of the season at 89%. Pollard didn’t see increased touches though even with more snaps, partly due to the Titans getting blown out by the Bills. Pollard did continue to get a solid workload with 16 carries for 61 yards and two catches for four yards. Pollard now had 18 or more touches in five of six games this season. He continues to be Tennessee’s most consistent producer on a very inconsistent offense.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Partying Like It’s 1993
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was taken second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, left early in Week 7 with a rib injury. Well, the Commanders offense didn’t slow down with Marcus Mariota leading the team. The 30-year-old Mariota completed 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-7 win over the Panthers. Mariota gave fans flashbacks to the 1993 season, when he was a rookie and also the second-overall draft pick of the Tennessee Titans. Mariota will head back to the bench as soon as Daniels is healthy, but he proved he could be a nice Superflex play in the meantime.
Data Sources: Pro Football Focus, NFL Next Gen Stats, Football Guys Snap Summary, FTN Air Yards, Pro Football Reference, Team Rankings, Fantasy Points Data Suite, Fantasy Pros, Statmuse