Fantasy Football Rankings & Tiers. Week 7
It is time to make those tough lineup decisions for Week 7, and Dwain has you covered with in-depth player tiers, rankings, and analysis.
It is time to make those tough lineup decisions for Week 7 of the fantasy football season.
Below you’ll find positional rankings, player analysis, betting totals, and implied points for every game on the slate.
Find all of our positional rankings here.
Fantasy Football Rankings & Tiers – Week 7
Last updated: 11pm, Wednesday, October 19th. Please refer to our Rankings page for updates!
Quarterback
| Tier 2 – Dak Prescott | Michael Gallup | Amon-Ra St. Brown | D’Andre Swift | Prescott is a mid-range QB1 this weekend, and this game provides a lot of stack options for DFS contests. | Additional QB Notes & Movers: | Tier 4 – Tua Tagovailoa | Tagovailoa is a low-end QB1 option if you are without Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, or Kirk Cousins. | Tier 4 – Jimmy Garoppolo | Patrick Mahomes | Garoppolo is a low-end QB1. | Tier 5 – Matt Ryan | mid-range QB2 | Running back | Tier 2 – Derrick Henry | Tier 2 – Josh Jacobs | Week | Snaps | Rush Att | Routes | Targets | TPRR | SDD Snaps | i5 Att | LDD Snaps | 2MIN Snaps | PPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 60% | 77% | 40% | 3% | 6% | 50% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 8.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 72% | 83% | 41% | 3% | 6% | 100% | 100% | 18% | 44% | 9.1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 64% | 76% | 57% | 13% | 19% | 33% | 0% | 7% | 40% | 14.7 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 89% | 80% | 63% | 20% | 25% | 88% | 100% | 40% | 100% | 34.4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 81% | 78% | 46% | 19% | 31% | 90% | 50% | 46% | 67% | 30.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| YTD | 74% | 79% | 49% | 11% | 18% | 80% | 80% | 22% | 60% | 19.4 |
He has a 17% target share over the last three games and is averaging 5.4 yards per carry on the season. Jacobs ranks in the top five in missed tackles forced per attempt (0.31) and third in average yards after contact (4.19). The former Alabama first-rounder is feeling it in 2022, and you love to see it.
The Raiders are seven-point favorites at home against a Texans unit that grades out second-worst against the run, per PFF. Opposing RBs average 21 points per game on the ground, which is the fifth-most.
Jacobs is in the SMASH of all SMASH spots with utilization, efficiency, game environment, and matchup all aligning. I currently have him three spots ahead of industry consensus, but you could make an argument for him at No. 1 overall this weekend.
Tier 3 – Rhamondre Stevenson
Stevenson operated as an every-down back over the last two contests due to an injury to Damien Harris. He is averaging 22.3 fantasy points during that span, and the utilization is ELITE.
| Week | Snaps | Rush Att | Routes | Targets | TPRR | SDD Snaps | i5 Att | LDD Snaps | 2MIN Snaps | PPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25% | 38% | 14% | 7% | 40% | 33% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 4.7 |
| 2 | 62% | 32% | 58% | 6% | 9% | 60% | 0% | 57% | 100% | 6.1 |
| 3 | 62% | 50% | 62% | 16% | 20% | 60% | 50% | 60% | 100% | 20.1 |
| 4 | 55% | 42% | 52% | 25% | 38% | 67% | 0% | 100% | 0% | 12.9 |
| 5 | 90% | 74% | 62% | 10% | 14% | 67% | 0% | 100% | 100% | 19.5 |
| 6 | 86% | 63% | 60% | 16% | 25% | 100% | 100% | 92% | 0% | 25.1 |
| YTD | 64% | 51% | 51% | 13% | 21% | 69% | 67% | 66% | 100% | 14.7 |
On Monday Night Football, Stevenson will have company with Harris removed from the injury report. The second-year back handled 41% of rushing attempts over the first four weeks with Harris – much less than his 74% and 63% marks over the last two games. Stevenson will likely keep most passing-down work, keeping his utilization profile in the high-end RB2 range.
The Patriots run the ball more than the NFL average in trailing, close, and leading game scripts and draw an amazing matchup on Monday Night Football against the Bears as eight-point favorites. Opponents are averaging an eye-popping 40.4 rushing attempts per game, excluding overtime – that is by far the most in the NFL.
Stevenson downgrades from a high-end RB1 option but remains inside the top 12 for Week 7.
Additional RB Notes & Movers:
- Tier 3 – Eno Benjamin was removed from the injury report on Wednesday after a full practice. He should start on Thursday night. James Conner is technically a game-time decision, but he isn’t likely to play after failing to practice all week. As long as Conner is out, we can expect another heavy workload for Benjamin. He didn’t come through in Week 6, but the utilization was there with an 87% snap share, 58% rush share, and 83% route participation. Benjamin is a mid-range RB2 if Conner is out.
- Tier 4 – Ezekiel Elliott played his best game in Week 6 against the Eagles. He registered an 82.8 PFF rush grade, forced four missed tackles, and delivered three 10-plus-yard carries. The Cowboys have a juicy matchup against a Lions team giving up 28 fantasy points per game via the run. Elliott climbs out of RB3 purgatory with the Cowboys as seven-point favorites and the No. 2 implied points. Zeke is a mid-range RB2.
- Tier 4 – Damien Harris practiced in full on Friday and was removed from the injury report. The fourth-year RB handled 49% of the Patriots' rushing attempts over the first four games before injuring his hamstring in Week 5. We should anticipate a similar role on Monday, with the Patriots favored by eight points against a Bears defense that allows the most non-overtime rushing attempts per game (40.4). Harris should be good for 14 to 16 attempts and 60 to 70 yards with a shot at a TD. Harris is a low-end RB2.
- Tier 4 – Christian McCaffrey is trending toward playing on Sunday, but his utilization could be dramatically restricted due to a limited understanding of the playbook. Head coach Kyle Shanahan eluded to the possibility of some designed red zone looks, which would give CMC a chance to come through for fantasy managers with a TD. McCaffrey falls into low-end RB2 territory.
- Tier 4 – Kareem Hunt could not post big fantasy numbers in Week 6, but his utilization was there in a trailing script. The Browns are 6.5-point dogs this weekend against the Ravens, and Hunt is due for a big game. Hunt remains an RB3 based on utilization and talent profile.
- Tier 4 – Melvin Gordon III was named the starter by Nathaniel Hacket on Wednesday after a heart-to-heart conversation. Gordon is a better back than Latavius Murray and should handle most of the early-down work. However, this is still a dreaded three-way backfield in an offense that can’t score points. That keeps Gordon in the high-end RB3 range for Week 6.
- Tier 5 – Jeff Wilson Jr. is in a fragile position with the arrival of Christian McCaffrey. He should still lead the team in carries this weekend, but he was already a downgrade due to the potential for a trailing game script against the Chiefs. McCaffrey could steal looks inside the 20-yard line, which could turn Wilson into a 10-12 touch player without any receptions or chances to score. Wilson is a mid-range RB3 in Week 7.
- Tier 5 – Khalil Herbert has outdueled David Montgomery in every rushing-efficiency metric, and head coach Matt Eberflus said the team would use a hot-hand approach moving forward. That change means we could see the occasional blowup game from Herbert. Herbert is a boom-bust RB3 in Week 7 on Monday Night against the Patriots.
Wide Receiver
| Tier 1 – Tyreek Hill | Say hello to the WR1 overall in the Week 7 rankings. | Tier 1 – Deebo Samuel | Week | Routes | TPRR | Targets | ADOT | Air Yards | EZ Tgts | 3rd/4th Down Targets | PA Targets | PPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 94% | 21% | 27% | 6.6 | 22% | 0% | 18% | 14% | 14.6 | |||
| 2 | 90% | 23% | 24% | -0.2 | -1% | 0% | 14% | 20% | 14.7 | |||
| 3 | 89% | 28% | 29% | 7.0 | 23% | 0% | 29% | 25% | 12.9 | |||
| 4 | 93% | 27% | 29% | 1.9 | 9% | 0% | 30% | 14% | 23.7 | |||
| 5 | 89% | 28% | 30% | 10.4 | 36% | 100% | 20% | 63% | 11.2 | |||
| 6 | 84% | 29% | 25% | 7.5 | 25% | 0% | 20% | 10% | 16.0 | |||
| YTD | 89% | 26% | 27% | 6.0 | 21% | 40% | 21% | 24% | 15.5 |
The Chiefs allow 71 points per game to opposing pass catchers in non-overtime play. That is the most in the NFL, averaging 336 yards and three TDs per game.
Of course, Samuel should also be good for two to three rushing attempts, providing the potential for a 12- to 15-touch game for one of the NFL’s superstars.
Samuel is a top-five option this weekend and is a SMASH play.
Tier 2 – D.K. Metcalf
Metcalf had a dud game against the Cardinals in Week 6, with him and Geno Smith only connecting on two of his seven targets. However, this week he gets another nice matchup against a Chargers secondary that benched J.C. Jackson last weekend.
The Chargers offer up the ninth-most points to pass catchers in non-overtime play with 58 points per game. They play man coverage the sixth-most in the NFL (32.4%), where Metcalf excels. The fourth-year receiver has a long-standing trend of getting a target bump against man coverage.
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target Share vs. Man | 25% | 29% | 45% | 43% |
| Target Share vs. Zone | 16% | 24% | 23% | 23% |
No other game on the slate offers a higher game total, and the Seahawks are seven-point dogs. Seattle passes the ball slightly above expectation (5%) in trailing scripts and snaps the ball with more time on the play clock than any other team in neutral scripts. The ingredients are there for a lot of passing volume.
I have Metcalf ranked three spots ahead of expert consensus – he is a SMASH play.
Tier 3 – CeeDee Lamb
Lamb hasn’t had a breakout game yet, but his underlying utilization tells the story of a player who has made huge strides and is due for a MONSTER outing. Lamb ranks No. 1 in the NFL in target share (33%) but only averages 14.6 per game so far.
| Week | Routes | TPRR | Targets | ADOT | Air Yards | EZ Tgts | 3rd/4th Down Targets | PA Targets | PPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 98% | 22% | 26% | 10.8 | 29% | 0% | 25% | 30% | 4.9 |
| 2 | 97% | 30% | 34% | 9.8 | 53% | 0% | 18% | 30% | 15.1 |
| 3 | 100% | 39% | 43% | 11.4 | 53% | 50% | 38% | 42% | 22.7 |
| 4 | 100% | 24% | 32% | 14.4 | 43% | 0% | 0% | 57% | 21.7 |
| 5 | 100% | 37% | 47% | 7.6 | 48% | 0% | 44% | 29% | 10.3 |
| 6 | 95% | 24% | 27% | 7.7 | 23% | 0% | 14% | 33% | 12.7 |
| YTD | 98% | 28% | 33% | 10.3 | 39% | 13% | 24% | 36% | 14.6 |
The Cowboys move Lamb all over the field, with 58% of his routes coming from the slot, and they also use play action to get him into space, with 36% of targets coming off of play action.
A play-action target is worth almost 20% more than a non-play-action target.
The Lions PFF coverage grade is the second-worst (44.5), and they allow the eighth-most fantasy points per game to pass catchers in regulation play (58.7). Detroit uses man coverage the most in the NFL (46.5%), and Lamb has played extremely well against man this season, earning a 40% target share.
Dallas has the second-highest implied points on the slate, and they face an opponent that converts the third-most drives into TDs. With Dak Prescott back, the Cowboys can go pass-heavy any time they need.
The utilization, matchup, and game environment align for Lamb in Week 7, making him a SMASH play.
Tier 2 – Michael Pittman Jr.
Pittman draws the No. 2 matchup for pass catchers against the Titans, who allow 305 yards and 2.4 TDs per game in non-overtime play. Only the Lions and Raiders offer a higher EPA per play against the pass.
The third-year WR has a 24% target share in games played and has two games with 13-plus targets this season. The Colts utilize play-action on 30% of his targets – a 5% advantage over the average NFL receiver since 2019.
Pittman is a low-end WR1 this weekend.
Tier 4 – Garrett Wilson
With Elijah Moore out this weekend, Wilson should see Wilson approach his season-high in route participation (86%) against the Broncos. He currently leads the team in target share (22%) by seven percentage points. His targets per route (TPRR) are even stronger at 25%.
Denver has the No. 1 PFF coverage grade (90.6), so the matchup won’t be easy. Wilson will likely have to take more reps outside, with Braxton Berrios taking over the slot duties. However, the Broncos play the third-most zone coverage in the NFL, so the Jets can keep their first-rounder away from Patrick Surtain II if they choose.
The path to victory for the Jets might not be a heavy passing attack against a lackluster Denver offense. Despite the matchup and game environment challenges (38-point game total), the allure of expanded route participation is enough to move the rookie target earner up the ranks.
Wilson is a mid-range WR3 with upside in Week 7.
Additional WR Notes & Movers:
- Tier 3 – Chris Olave boasts a 27% target rate (TPRR) and will return to the field on Thursday night against the Cardinals. The Saints won’t have Michael Thomas or Jarvis Landry, creating a funnel opportunity for a WR that has shown he is ready to dominate targets. I have Olave ranked 10 spots ahead of expert consensus rankings – he is a mid-range WR2 this week.
- Tier 3 – Diontae Johnson had a 31% target share against man coverage in 2021. He has followed that up with 30% in 2022. The Steelers play the Dolphins this weekend – the third-most heavy man coverage unit (45.4%). Johnson has been quiet lately, but he is still the Steelers' receiving corps leader, and this could be his week. Johnson is a low-end WR2.
- Tier 3 – Brandon Aiyuk blew up in Week 6 for a top-5 WR finish thanks to a trailing game script that forced the 49ers to throw. This game could be a deja vu situation against the Chiefs, who will challenge San Francisco to score. The Chiefs also provide the No. 1 fantasy point matchup for pass catchers, allowing 71 points per game in non-overtime. Aiyuk ranks four spots ahead of consensus as a low-end WR2.
- Tier 4 – Keenan Allen (hamstring) is a game-time decision. The matchup against Seattle offers a great game environment with the highest implied point total. The Chargers could play it cautiously with Allen and wait to bring him back after the bye in Week 8. If he plays, he is a WR3 if he suits up (late game).
- Tier 4 – Michael Gallup played 84% of snaps over the last three games with a 19% target rate (TPRR). The matchup against the Lions is a juicy one for many of the reasons mentioned above for CeeDee Lamb. Gallup moves into the WR3 conversation for Week 7.
Tight end
| Tier | Rank | Player | Opp | Total | Spread | Implied Points | PPG |
| 1 | TE1 | Travis Kelce | at SF | 48.5 | -1.5 | 25.00 | 21.8 |
| 1 | TE2 | Mark Andrews | vs CLE | 45.5 | -6.5 | 26.00 | 19.1 |
| 2 | TE3 | George Kittle | vs KC | 48.5 | 1.5 | 23.50 | 8.8 |
| 2 | TE4 | Zach Ertz | vs NO | 44.5 | -1.5 | 23.00 | 13.2 |
| 2 | TE5 | David Njoku | at BAL | 45.5 | 6.5 | 19.50 | 10.9 |
| 3 | TE6 | T.J. Hockenson | at DAL | 49.0 | 6.5 | 21.25 | 13.1 |
| 3 | TE7 | Kyle Pitts | at CIN | 47.5 | 6.5 | 20.50 | 7.2 |
| 3 | TE8 | Gerald Everett | vs SEA | 50.5 | -5.5 | 28.00 | 9.7 |
| 4 | TE9 | Robert Tonyan | at WAS | 41.5 | -4.5 | 23.00 | 9.2 |
| 4 | TE10 | Hayden Hurst | vs ATL | 47.5 | -6.5 | 27.00 | 8.8 |
| 4 | TE11 | Taysom Hill | at ARI | 44.5 | 1.5 | 21.50 | 12.7 |
| 4 | TE12 | Evan Engram | vs NYG | 43.0 | -3.0 | 23.00 | 7.8 |
| 4 | TE13 | Pat Freiermuth | at MIA | 44.5 | 7.5 | 18.50 | 9.9 |
| 4 | TE14 | Daniel Bellinger | at JAC | 43.0 | 3.0 | 20.00 | 9.4 |
| 4 | TE15 | Hunter Henry | vs CHI | 39.5 | -8.0 | 23.75 | 5.8 |
| 5 | TE16 | Dalton Schultz | vs DET | 49.0 | -6.5 | 27.75 | 3.8 |
| 5 | TE17 | Mike Gesicki | vs PIT | 44.5 | -7.5 | 26.00 | 8.3 |
| 5 | TE18 | Noah Fant | at LAC | 50.5 | 5.5 | 22.50 | 6.7 |
| 5 | TE19 | Greg Dulcich | vs NYJ | 38.0 | -1.0 | 19.50 | 12.4 |
| 5 | TE20 | Juwan Johnson | at ARI | 44.5 | 1.5 | 21.50 | 5.2 |
| 5 | TE21 | Cade Otton | at CAR | 39.5 | -13.0 | 26.25 | 4.4 |
| 5 | TE22 | Foster Moreau | vs HOU | 45.5 | -7.0 | 26.25 | 6.7 |
| 5 | TE23 | Cole Kmet | at NE | 39.5 | 8.0 | 15.75 | 3.6 |
| 6 | TE24 | Tyler Conklin | at DEN | 38.0 | 1.0 | 18.50 | 8.2 |
| 6 | TE25 | Will Dissly | at LAC | 50.5 | 5.5 | 22.50 | 8.0 |
| 6 | TE26 | Cole Turner | vs GB | 41.5 | 4.5 | 18.50 | 2.2 |
| 6 | TE27 | Mo Alie-Cox | at TEN | 42.0 | 2.5 | 19.75 | 7.3 |
| 6 | TE28 | Isaiah Likely | vs CLE | 45.5 | -6.5 | 26.00 | 3.6 |
| 6 | TE29 | Harrison Bryant | at BAL | 45.5 | 6.5 | 19.50 | 4.4 |
| 6 | TE30 | Kylen Granson | at TEN | 42.0 | 2.5 | 19.75 | 5.3 |
| 6 | TE31 | O.J. Howard | at LV | 45.5 | 7.0 | 19.25 | 4.8 |
| 7 | TE32 | Austin Hooper | vs IND | 42.0 | -2.5 | 22.25 | 2.3 |
| 7 | TE33 | Brevin Jordan | at LV | 45.5 | 7.0 | 19.25 | 1.9 |
| 7 | TE34 | Tommy Tremble | vs TB | 39.5 | 13.0 | 13.25 | 2.3 |
| 7 | TE35 | C.J. Uzomah | at DEN | 38.0 | 1.0 | 18.50 | 2.1 |
| 7 | TE36 | Jonnu Smith | vs CHI | 39.5 | -8.0 | 23.75 | 5.2 |
| 7 | TE37 | Jelani Woods | at TEN | 42.0 | 2.5 | 19.75 | 7.6 |
| 7 | TE38 | Ian Thomas | vs TB | 39.5 | 13.0 | 13.25 | 3.6 |
Additional TE Notes & Movers:
- Tier 2 – George Kittle registered a season-high nine targets (23%) in Week 6 against the Falcons. The 49ers’ banged-up defense couldn’t hold down Atlanta’s offense, which led to a trailing script. We could see that play out again against the Chiefs this weekend, which makes all of the San Francisco pass catchers viable in Week 7. Kittle is a high-end TE1.
- Tier 2 – Zach Ertz has nine or more targets in four games this season, and that trend could continue with Marquise Brown lost for an extended period. Deandre Hopkins returns this weekend, but there will be plenty to go around – Brown was bogarting 10 targets per game. Ertz is a high-end TE1.
- Tier 2 – David Njoku is the No. 5 TE on the season and averages 5.6 targets per game. His 1.96 YPRR is elite by TE standards, and he gets a matchup against the Ravens, who allow the fourth-most points per game to pass catchers in non-overtime play (65.2). Njoku is a mid-range TE1.
- Tier 4 – Robert Tonyan delivered a season-high route participation of 74% last weekend. The Packers were short-handed at WR, which could have played a role, but he also sports a 23% target rate (TPRR) for the season – which is TE1-worthy. Tonyan is a low-end TE1 against the Commanders.
- Tier 4 – Daniel Bellinger has steadily improved his route participation over the last three games (38%, 56% and 82%). When a TE can get over 80% route participation, they typically end up inside the top 12. The rookie has had two 20% target shares in the last three weeks, and there isn’t a lot of competition for targets. Bellinger is a high-end TE2 this weekend against the Jaguars.