It's Week 7, and we're no longer managing fantasy football teams. We're selecting tributes and hoping they survive past Sunday. With seemingly endless injuries to big-name players and bye weeks, building a competitive fantasy lineup feels more like "The Hunger Games: Fantasy Football Edition." Fortunately, Week 7 brings another round of contenders who might just help your team survive another round in the arena.
With so many fantasy-relevant players going down, we're switching things up this week. Instead of our usual positional breakdown, we're focusing on players who could benefit from injuries and may suddenly have a much bigger role. Let's find a few streamers to help keep your team alive for another week.
Bye Weeks: Buffalo, Jacksonville,
Los Angeles Chargers and Washington
QB: Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh vs. New Orleans
Why I like him: He's healthy, which is probably not what you expected to say about the oldest quarterback in the NFL at this point in the season, but here we are. And it's not just his health that's holding up. Things are starting to click for Rodgers and his offense. Through six weeks, Rodgers has thrown for 1,487 yards — the eighth-most in the NFL — and his 12 passing touchdowns are tied for the second-most in the league. Over the last four weeks, he's averaged 21.66 fantasy points per game, ranking third among quarterbacks.
Now he heads south to face a New Orleans defense that's allowing 239.7 passing yards per game. With Rodgers playing some of his best football of the season and a favorable matchup on the schedule, there's plenty to like in his Week 7 outlook.
The play: Rodgers is absolutely a streamer for Week 7 and could potentially replace injured or underperforming quarterbacks who are currently rostered.
QB: Kyler Murray, Minnesota vs. Indianapolis
Why I like him: Admittedly, Murray hasn't quite lived up to expectations since landing in Minnesota alongside quarterback whisperer Kevin O'Connell. However, things are starting to move in the right direction. His passing yards and fantasy production have steadily improved with each game, and there's reason to believe the trend could continue.
The Vikings are coming off their Week 6 bye, giving Murray more time to settle into the offense while allowing key starters to get healthy. He also draws a favorable matchup against an Indianapolis defense that's allowing the ninth-most rushing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks this season. With injuries limiting our options at the position, Murray has one of the better matchups on the Week 7 schedule. He may not have delivered the fantasy production we expected yet, but his improving numbers, rushing upside and favorable matchup make him worth considering this week.
The play: Murray is a viable streaming option for Week 7 and can remain on your roster as a matchup-dependent starter moving forward.
RB: Kendre Miller, New Orleans vs. Pittsburgh
Why I like him: The Saints and Steelers head to France this week for an early kickoff, but what's happening in the New Orleans backfield has my attention. Miller out-snapped Alvin Kamara in Week 5 and did so again in Week 6 by a significant margin. Miller finished with 20 carries compared with just seven for Kamara, doubling his rushing attempts from the previous week.
With Kamara dealing with a nagging injury, Miller has capitalized on his increased opportunities and now leads the team in rushing attempts. While Kamara remains involved in the passing game, Miller is emerging as the offense's primary ball carrier. As his workload rises, he's becoming an increasingly appealing fantasy option.
The play: Miller is a viable RB2/FLEX option in Week 7, particularly for fantasy managers navigating injuries at the position.
RB: Bam Knight & Tyler Allgeier, Arizona vs. Denver
Why I like them: First things first: Keep an eye on Jeremiyah Love's injury status and practice participation throughout the week. Love was unable to suit up in Week 6 as he continues to battle the same ankle injury that's plagued him all season, opening the door for Knight and Allgeier to share the Arizona backfield against the Rams.
While neither found the end zone (to be fair, nobody on the Cardinals did), Knight was the more effective of the two backs. He also saw his largest workload of the season after recording just three total rushing attempts through Weeks 1–5. That's a significant jump in opportunity for a player who was barely involved in the offense a week ago.
The Cardinals now face a Denver defense known for its shutdown cornerbacks, but the matchup is considerably more fantasy-friendly for running backs. If Love remains sidelined, both Knight and Allgeier could have opportunities to contribute, making this a backfield worth monitoring as we head into Week 7.
The play: Both Knight and Allgeier are Flex options in Week 7 if Love remains sidelined. Allgeier is already rostered in more leagues, which could make Knight a popular waiver-wire addition this week. Keep a close eye on Love's practice participation before committing either player to your starting lineup.
WR: Germie Bernard, Pittsburgh vs. New Orleans
Why I like him: What sets Bernard apart from most rookies? For starters, he's already earned Aaron Rodgers' trust, which is no small feat. Bernard has impressed the veteran quarterback with his team-first mentality, willingness to block and ability to think the game beyond his years. He seems to be passing all of Rodgers' tests and earning rare praise in the process.
That trust is translating into opportunities on the field. Bernard is coming off an impressive Week 6 performance, catching 12 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. Sure, overtime helped boost his numbers, but not all of that production came in the extra period. With Roman Wilson and Michael Pittman Jr. dealing with injuries, Bernard has stepped up to fill the void in Pittsburgh's receiving corps and hasn't looked back.
Now he faces a favorable matchup against a New Orleans defense that's allowing 8.63 yards per target and more than 30 combined fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. With his role expanding and Rodgers clearly comfortable throwing his way, Bernard has a great opportunity to build on his recent success.
The play: Bernard is a WR3/Flex option with upside this week and is likely a season-long roster addition.
WR: Omar Cooper Jr., New York Jets vs. Miami
Why I like him: Cooper has shown flashes of potential in his rookie season, but injuries have limited him to just two appearances through six weeks. After playing five snaps in Week 1 before getting hurt, he returned in Week 6 and made quite an impression. Cooper played 82% of the offensive snaps, hauling in six of seven targets for 103 yards and a touchdown. Not bad for a rookie who hadn't seen the field in a few weeks.
More importantly, Cooper appears to be developing some chemistry with quarterback Geno Smith, and the timing couldn't be better. With Breece Hall sidelined, the Jets have leaned more on their passing game, with Smith recording 30 pass attempts over the last two games. That shift could mean additional opportunities for New York's pass catchers, including Cooper.
He now faces a Week 7 matchup against division rival Miami. If the Jets continue to open up their passing attack, Cooper could build on his breakout performance and become a valuable fantasy option for managers looking for help at wide receiver.
The play: Cooper is a viable Flex streaming option for Week 7, but I'm not ready to commit to him as a rest-of-season starter until we see how his role in the offense shakes out once AD Mitchell and Breece Hall return.
TE: Hunter Henry, New England vs. Chicago
Why I like him: With Romeo Doubs exiting the game in Week 6 and landing on injured reserve, Henry steps into a familiar role for the Patriots. When New England is shorthanded at receiver, Henry has been a reliable safety blanket for Drake Maye, providing a consistent presence over the middle of the field.
That was on display in Week 6, when Henry hauled in four of five targets for a touchdown while playing 76% of the offensive snaps. With Doubs set to miss at least four games and A.J. Brown likely to manage his ankle injury throughout the season, Henry could see even more opportunities in the passing game.
Chicago's defense has been relatively stingy against opposing tight ends, so the matchup isn't necessarily the selling point here. It's the opportunity. With the Patriots dealing with injuries to key pass catchers, Henry could become an even bigger part of Maye's passing attack.
The play: Henry is a Week 7 streaming option at tight end, particularly in tight end-premium formats, where his potential for increased targets makes him especially appealing.
One Last Thing
Keep grinding, fantasy managers. And may the odds be ever in your favor.
This article originally appeared on The Huddle: Stacy’s Streamers: Eight Players to Start in Week 7
