We’re about to be halfway through the fantasy football regular season. It’s time to start stacking wins and lock in for a playoff push. With two teams on bye, but injuries still a major factor, you may need to go bold with a lineup decision. These Week 7 bold predictions may help if you’re stuck on whether or not to plug in these players.
Week 7 Bold Predictions for the 2024 Fantasy Football Season
Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
Bold Prediction: 285 passing yards, 3 touchdowns; 25 rushing yards
25.9 fantasy points
This Week 7 bold prediction specifically targets the matchup. In his second career start, Drake Maye takes on a Jacksonville Jaguars defense allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. That includes a league-high 14 touchdown passes.
Maye looked good in his first career start in Week 6. He tossed three touchdowns against a Houston Texans defense that had allowed just nine total in their first five games. With his full complement of weapons, I think Maye tosses three more touchdowns in Week 7 and pushes for nearly 300 yards through the air.
Given the expected absence of running back, Rhamondre Stevenson, the Patriots may lean on their passing game more than usual, as well. This holds especially true with pass-catching back, Antonio Gibson, set to lead the backfield in touches in Stevenson’s absence. The Jaguars have allowed the second-most receptions to opposing running backs, as well.
If you’re looking for a Week 7 bye week fill-in for Dak Prescott or Caleb Williams, I think Drake Maye is the best player that is most available to you. He has a fantasy-friendly matchup worth investing in. This Week 7 bold prediction is a best-case scenario return on investment.
Austin Ekeler, RB, Washington Commanders
Bold Prediction: 80 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
17.0 fantasy points
Only five teams are averaging over 150 rushing yards per game this season. One of them is the Washington Commanders (157.3). Only one team has allowed over 800 rushing yards to opposing running backs this season. That’s the Carolina Panthers (803). In Week 7, the Commanders host the Panthers.
Brian Robinson Jr. looks like he’ll be available in Week 7 after missing Week 6 with a knee injury. Despite returning, Austin Ekeler should still mix into the backfield touches as he has all season, when available himself. Ekeler is averaging nearly nine touches per game.
My Week 7 bold prediction suggests a slight uptick in carries for Ekeler, though I still expect Robinson to lead the two in rush attempts. Given the matchup, Ekeler has a good chance to set a season-high in rush yards. He’s averaging 6.1 yards per carry so far this season as is. Ekeler also has a reception of 22 yards or longer in four of five games played this season. I think he could take a carry or catch to the house in Week 7. If back, Brian Robinson Jr. is a lineup lock, but Ekeler is a high-upside flex consideration. Let this Week 7 bold prediction help tip the scale in your decision-making if need be.
Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bold Prediction: 6 receptions, 70 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
19.0 fantasy points
On Monday Night Football, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Baltimore Ravens. Both teams rank inside the top four in points scored per game this season. The Over/Under is set at 49.5 for this one. There should be plenty of “Monday Night Miracles” granted for fantasy football managers praying players from this matchup help deliver a Week 7 win. Cade Otton can be one of them. My Week 7 bold prediction suggests a season-high in yards and, with a touchdown, a season-high in fantasy points, as well.
The Ravens rank first in receptions allowed (37) and yards allowed (436) to tight ends this season. However, they have yet to allow a touchdown to an opposing tight end. Otton has a 16% target share this season with the Buccaneers, but a 19% share over the last four weeks. He’s also one of 10 tight ends with five or more red zone targets this season.
Mike Evans enters Week 7 battling a hamstring injury. Even if he does play, that could help Otton’s odds of achieving this Week 7 bold prediction even more. If you’re streaming tight ends this season, or need a last-minute replacement for Jake Ferguson or Cole Kmet who are on bye, the plug-and-play Otton.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!