First off, those dreaded bye weeks. Some powerhouse squads will be off this weekend, including the Vikings (Dalvin Cook), Eagles (Miles Sanders), Bills (Devin Singletary), and the Rams (Darell Henderson Jr. and the ghost of Cam Akers). The good news: All four of these teams have good run defenses, so at least they won’t stand in the way of our RBs who actually are playing.
The top of the PPR charts at the RB position looks similar to what we’ve seen all season — and for that matter, throughout the recent history of the NFL. Saquon Barkley (@ Jaguars), Austin Ekeler (vs. Seahawks), and Christian McCaffrey (vs. Chiefs) remain three of the better all-around backs in football and get massive boosts in PPR formats (although McCaffrey might play fewer snaps than usual on his new this week). Joining them near the top of the list are two-time rushing champ Derrick Henry (vs. Colts), who’s seen a big increase in targets this year, and current rushing leader Nick Chubb (@ Ravens).
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
After the top five, things get fun. We have seen Josh Jacobs (vs. Texans) go from a fringe starter in the preseason to a workhorse RB in Josh McDaniels’ Raiders offense, and the results have been awesome. Now he draws a Houston D allowing 133.4 rushing yards per game (second-most) and six total TDs to RBs in five games. Rhamondre Stevenson (vs. Bears), a weekly must-start while Damien Harris sits with a hamstring injury, should be able to gash a Bears’ front-seven that allows 25.9 PPR points per game to RBs (ninth most).
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
As for the young guns, we love what we are seeing from rookies Kenneth Walker III (@ Chargers) and Dameon Pierce (@ Raiders). Both combine stunning footwork with elite strength, and both possess the ability to bring in catches. We’ll see if they get utilized more — neither exceeded three catches or 14 total receiving yards their last time out. We almost feel just as comfortable with fellow rookies Breece Hall (@ Broncos) and Brian Robinson Jr. (vs. Packers). Hall has been electric for the upstart Jets, and B-Rob found the end zone in his first week as the Commanders’ featured back.
WEEK 7 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
Shared backfields will always be a source of consternation. Ezekiel Elliott (vs. Lions) continues to receive the lion’s share of the work in Dallas despite Tony Pollard looking like a superior PPR option most weeks. Fortunately, both are very much in play against Detroit’s last-ranked defense. Aaron Jones (@ Commanders) still has our heart in PPR formats, but AJ Dillon appeared to fall back in favor with Matt LaFleur against the Jets. Both can be used this week, but they come with obvious risks. The Jaguars duo Travis Etienne and James Robinson (vs. Giants) is in a similar boat, and we’re cautiously touting both as potential RB2s/flex backs against a Giants’ defense that just had trouble with Kenyan Drake.
WEEK 7 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings
Stay away from the low-floor, low-ceiling guys like Michael Carter (@ Broncos) and Kareem Hunt (@ Ravens) who are stuck behind the likes of Hall and Chubb, respectively, in tough matchups. Also steer clear of the Broncos backfield (Melvin Gordon and Latavius Murray vs. Jets) and Falcons backfield (Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley, @ Bengals) if possible, and fade Antonio Gibson (vs. Packers) as long as B-Rob is active. Even J.D. McKissic (vs. Packers) has limited upside in PPR leagues. If you need a “PPR back” in your lineup, you’re better off with Dontrell Hillard (vs. Colts) or Jerick McKinnon (@ 49ers) despite their own tough matchups.
WEEK 7 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em
Plenty of other potential sleepers could emerge depending on the health of Jonathan Taylor (ankle), James Conner (ribs), and D’Andre Swift (ankle). The Colts’ top-three RBs are banged up, but both Nyheim Hines (concussion) and Deon Jackson (quad) could have major PPR value if they’re starting against the Titans. Eno Benjamin (vs. Saints) would also be in play if Conner is out, and Jamaal Williams (@ Cowboys) is a potential flex even if Swift is active.
Note: We’ll be updating these RB PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for analysis and the latest player movement.
Week 7 fantasy RB PPR rankings
Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring leagues
Rank Player 1 Saquon Barkley, Giants @ Jaguars 2 Austin Ekeler, Chargers vs. Seahawks 3 Derrick Henry, Titans vs. Colts 4 Nick Chubb, Browns @ Ravens 5 Jonathan Taylor, Colts @ Titans 6 Christian McCaffrey, 49ers vs. Chiefs 7 Josh Jacobs, Raiders vs. Texans 8 Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots vs. Bears 9 Alvin Kamara, Saints @ Cardinals 10 Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers @ Panthers 11 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks @ Chargers 12 Dameon Pierce, Texans @ Raiders 13 Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys vs. Lions 14 Tony Pollard, Cowboys vs. Lions 15 Joe Mixon, Bengals vs. Falcons 16 D’Andre Swift, Lions @ Cowboys 17 Najee Harris, Steelers @ Dolphins 18 Breece Hall, Jets @ Broncos 19 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins vs. Steelers 20 Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders vs. Packers 21 Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars vs. Giants 22 Aaron Jones, Packers @ Commanders 23 AJ Dillon, Packers @ Commanders 24 Eno Benjamin, Cardinals vs. Saints 25 David Montgomery, Bears @ Patriots 26 Kenyan Drake, Ravens vs. Browns 27 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs @ 49ers 28 James Robinson, Jaguars vs. Giants 29 Latavius Murray, Broncos vs. Jets 30 Jamaal Williams, Lions @ Cowboys 31 Kareem Hunt, Browns @ Ravens 32 Michael Carter, Jets @ Broncos 33 D’Onta Foreman, Panthers vs. Buccaneers 34 Caleb Huntley, Falcons @ Bengals 35 Tyler Allgeier, Falcons @ Bengals 36 Nyheim Hines, Colts @ Titans 37 Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers vs. Chiefs 38 Chuba Hubbard, Panthers vs. Buccaneers 39 Rachaad White, Buccaneers @ Panthers 40 Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs @ 49ers 41 Melvin Gordon III, Broncos vs. Jets 42 Sony Michel, Chargers vs. Seahawks 43 Dontrell Hilliard, Titans vs. Colts 44 J.D. McKissic, Commanders vs. Packers 45 Khalil Herbert, Bears @ Patriots 46 Justice Hill, Ravens vs. Browns 47 Mike Boone, Broncos vs. Jets 48 DeeJay Dallas, Seahawks @ Chargers 49 Jaylen Warren, Steelers @ Dolphins 50 Gus Edwards, Ravens vs. Browns 51 Antonio Gibson, Commanders vs. Packers 52 Chase Edmonds, Dolphins vs. Steelers 53 Rex Burkhead, Texans @ Raiders 54 Mark Ingram, Saints @ Cardinals 55 Samaje Perine, Bengals vs. Falcons 56 Matt Breida, Giants @ Jaguars 57 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs @ 49ers
Week 7 RB PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks
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