SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.
For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 7 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 7 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
Start
Jared Goff, Rams
at Falcons
Fantasy managers might be scared to put Goff in their lineups this week after his 78-yard performance against the 49ers. That's not a typo - Goff threw for just 78 yards last week. However, your faith will be restored when he takes on a Falcons defense that's allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this year, including at least three touchdown passes in each of the last three matchups. Fire up Goff as a middle-of-the-pack QB1 for this game and he'll likely be in the same range next week when the Rams face the Bengals.
Boone's projection: 327 passing yards, 3 passing TDs
Other QBs to start
- Josh Allen vs. Dolphins
- Daniel Jones vs. Cardinals
- Gardner Minshew at Bengals
Tevin Coleman, 49ers
at Redskins
Since returning from an injury two weeks ago, Coleman has out-touched Matt Breida 36 to 31 and out-snapped him 45% to 35%. Coleman's also seen the bulk of the goal-line carries during that time, scoring a pair of rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Redskins have permitted at least one rushing score in four of their previous five contests. Kyle Shanahan's ground game should have no problem producing as 10-point favorites with a dominating defense on their side, so expect both Coleman and Breida to be top-25 fantasy running backs this week, with Coleman ranked higher due to his TD upside.
Boone's projection: 82 rushing yards, 14 receiving yards, TD
Other RBs to start
- Josh Jacobs at Packers
- Sony Michel at Jets
- Frank Gore/Devin Singletary vs. Dolphins
Michael Gallup, Cowboys
vs. Eagles
Amari Cooper will test out his injured quad on Friday in hopes of playing Sunday night versus the Eagles, but with the Cowboys' bye coming up in Week 8, he's likely to be held out. That would position Gallup as the team's No. 1 receiver, a role he's more than capable of handling. The sophomore has already posted stat lines of 7-158-0, 6-68-0, 7-113-1, and 4-48-0 this year while playing alongside Cooper. With Philly's secondary showing no signs of improvement, Gallup should hit the century mark against the unit - a feat six receivers have already accomplished this year. Gallup should be viewed as a borderline WR1 in Week 7.
Boone's projection: 124 receiving yards, TD
Other WRs to start
- D.J. Chark at Bengals
- John Brown vs. Dolphins
- Calvin Ridley vs. Rams
Gerald Everett, Rams
at Falcons
Everett was coming on strong with increased snaps and targets before the Rams hit the buzzsaw that is the 49ers' defense. Remember, Goff threw for just 78 yards on the day, which helps explain Everett's disappointing result. Fortunately, the Falcons are here to get him back on track. Atlanta has given up 45 yards or a touchdown to five different tight ends this year, including three scores to the position across the last two weeks. It's hard to trust any fantasy tight end outside of the top eight, but Everett is set up nicely as a back-end TE1 thanks to the matchup.
Boone's projection: 61 receiving yards, TD
Other TEs to start
- Dawson Knox vs. Dolphins
- Jason Witten vs. Eagles
- T.J. Hockenson vs. Vikings
Sit
Philip Rivers, Chargers
at Titans
Get ready for a slow-moving battle between the Chargers and Titans, who both rank in the bottom 10 in Football Outsiders' pace-of-play stats. The Titans have held four of the six quarterbacks they've faced under 220 passing yards, and they also prevented Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco from reaching the end zone in recent weeks. Rivers is going through the toughest stretch of his schedule, and the reviews aren't positive after two games, which saw him throw four interceptions combined while playing behind a broken-down offensive line. The return of left tackle Russell Okung will be a major boost, but there's no guarantee that he'll suit up right away. Even if he does, he can't play all five positions on the line by himself. Rivers should be removed from the fantasy streaming radar for the next few weeks.
Boone's projection: 230 passing yards, TD, INT
Other QBs to sit
- Matthew Stafford vs. Vikings
- Kirk Cousins at Lions
- Sam Darnold vs. Patriots
Adrian Peterson, Redskins
vs. 49ers
Peterson was the top recommended start in this column last week, and he responded with 23 carries and 118 rushing yards while adding another 18 yards on two receptions. Hopefully, you took advantage of that Dolphins matchup because the Redskins' schedule is brutal over the next month, with games against the 49ers, Vikings, and Bills before a bye in Week 10. Even with Chris Thompson banged up, Peterson shouldn't be anywhere near your starting lineup until further notice.
Boone's projection: 39 rushing yards, 12 receiving yards
Other RBs to sit
- Austin Ekeler at Titans
- David Montgomery vs. Saints
- Kenyan Drake at Bills
Robby Anderson, Jets
vs. Patriots
We were all excited to see Anderson crank out his best game of the season - 125 yards and a touchdown - with Sam Darnold back under center last Sunday. Unfortunately, Anderson should return to your bench for one more week due to a matchup with the New England secondary. Not only are the Patriots playing suffocating pass defense this year, but they've erased Anderson in recent matchups. His last four stat lines against the Pats tell the story: 3-11-0 (5 targets), 3-24-0 (8 targets), 2-22-0 (5 targets), and 1-2-0 (3 targets). Better days are coming for Anderson, but Monday won't be one of them.
Boone's projection: 38 receiving yards
Other WRs to sit
- Allen Robinson vs. Saints
- Terry McLaurin vs. 49ers
- Preston Williams/DeVante Parker at Bills
Eric Ebron, Colts
vs. Texans
Despite playing fewer snaps with Jack Doyle back healthy this year, Ebron has remained relevant as a streamer thanks to his touchdown scoring. However, there are a few reasons to steer clear of him this week. The Texans have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends and haven't given up a touchdown to the position in 2019. Also, the last time we saw the Colts before their bye, Ebron played just 33% of the offensive snaps compared to 73% for Doyle and 46% for Mo Alie-Cox. Finally, Ebron missed some practice time this week due to an illness. You can find a better bye-week replacement.
Boone's projection: 23 receiving yards
Other TEs to sit
- Trey Burton vs. Saints
- Tyler Eifert vs. Jaguars
- Kyle Rudolph at Lions
Stash
Benny Snell Jr., Steelers
The Steelers are on bye, but in their last outing starter James Conner sat out the fourth quarter with a quad injury. Though it's possible Pittsburgh was playing it safe in a game it was leading, the quad can be added to the recent ankle and knee ailments that Conner has suffered. With Jaylen Samuels sidelined for a month or more and Pittsburgh's next matchup coming against the Dolphins, Snell has a good shot at seeing an increased workload - whether Conner is in the lineup or not. You should also look to stash the Steelers' defense for Week 8 against Miami.
N'Keal Harry, Patriots
The Patriots' first-round pick returned to practice this week and is eligible to be activated off injured reserve in Week 9. The Patriots are currently dealing with a variety of injuries at receiver and Harry could ultimately earn a starting spot in three-wide sets. The rookie's talent alone makes him worth scooping up for a potential late-season breakout.
Quit
Duke Johnson, Texans
Don't be fooled by the touchdown Johnson scored in Week 6. Carlos Hyde has emerged as the true lead back in Houston, with Johnson only hitting 10 touches or more twice this year. It's fine to hang onto him as a handcuff, but any hope of him rising to the top of this backfield over a healthy Hyde can be forgotten.
Vance McDonald, Steelers
Once believed to be a breakout candidate, McDonald hasn't topped 40 yards in a single game this season. Quarterback injuries have reduced the firepower of Pittsburgh's passing attack, turning McDonald into a low-floor fantasy option. Somehow owned in 53% of leagues, he can be safely dropped for another player with more upside.