Let’s take a look at notable salary changes as we head into Week 7 of the NFL season.
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Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan (ATL): $8,700 @ NE (+$600)
Despite throwing for 248 yards and just one touchdown (12.92 FDP), Ryan’s price jumped up heading into Week 7. This likely has to do with a favorable matchup on deck, as the Falcons will travel to Foxborough to face the Patriots.
Ryan has yet to regain his form from 2016, as he’s tossed six touchdowns against six interceptions, but he does still rank fifth in yards per attempt (8.0). Assuming he can take advantage of a plus matchup, Ryan could be a good candidate to crack the 20 FDP threshold for the first time this season.
Kirk Cousins (WAS): $7,500 @ PHI (-$300)
Cousins’ price curiously dropped after scoring 28.8 FDP in Week 6 against the 49ers, and I can’t say the matchup is enough to justify the drop either. The Eagles rank 23rd in terms of fantasy points allowed per game to opposing quarterbacks, which presents a great opportunity for Cousins to avenge his dud of a performance in Week 1 against Philadelphia. He’s an intriguing tournament option this week, as he possesses strong upside in what should unfold as a favorable game setting.
Running Backs
Adrian Peterson (ARI): $6,300 @ LAR (+$1,300)
Well, that didn’t take long. In what was a poor matchup on paper, Peterson showed that he’s not finished just yet as he racked up 25.4 FDP in the Cardinals’ Week 6 matchup against the Buccaneers. While most certainly couldn’t have predicted this type of debut for the veteran back, let’s remember who we are talking about.
While he doesn’t possess the elite ability of his younger days, I still think Peterson will prove to be serviceable at times to close out the season. On deck is a juicy matchup in London against the Rams, who have been a sieve against the run through six weeks, as they have allowed nearly 30 FDP per game to opposing running backs (32nd in NFL). Be cautious about chasing points, especially after a spike in price, but I don’t mind rolling him out in a tournament lineup or two this week.
Melvin Gordon (LAC): $7,700 vs. DEN (-$700)
Gordon scored his second consecutive game of at least 31 FDP, yet his price dropped by a healthy amount this week. A matchup with the Broncos likely had something to do with that, but don’t forget he did score 16.4 FDP on the road against Denver in Week 1. In fact, short of a 3.4 FDP outing against the Eagles, Gordon has scored at least 13.9 FDP in all six of the Chargers’ games.
The matchup on paper certainly isn’t favorable, but it’s worth noting that Orleans Darkwa rushed for 117 yards in Week 6 against this defense in a game where Eli Manning attempted just 19 passes. Gordon should go somewhat low owned due to the opponent, but I think he makes for a very viable tournament option, especially with his involvement in the passing game this season.
Wide Receivers
Larry Fitzgerald (ARI): $7,500 @ LAR (+$900)
Fitzgerald caught 10 of 11 targets for 138 yards and a touchdown in Week 6, as he bounced back from a subpar outing against the Eagles in Week 5. The volume has been there for the most part, as Fitzgerald has received at least 10 targets in four out of the Cardinals’ six games.
This is a poor matchup against the Rams, who rank sixth in terms of fantasy points allowed per game to opposing receivers, but with a new element in the backfield, this Arizona offense could become more dangerous moving forward. The increase in salary all but removes Fitzgerald from cash game consideration, but he’s always worth a look in GPPs.
Jordy Nelson (GB): $7,400 (-$700)/Randall Cobb (GB): $5,800 (-$400)/Davante Adams (GB): $6,900 (-$300) vs. NO
Captain Obvious here, but with Aaron Rodgers out of the equation, there could be a shakeup with the Packers’ offense moving forward. Assuming they stick to their in-house options, virtually every option takes a hit. This isn’t an indictment of Brett Hundley (if he takes over), but rather a confirmation of what we already knew, and that’s how good Aaron Rodgers is.
With the Saints having just coughed up three passing touchdowns in Week 6, there might be some temptation here, but I’d exercise extreme caution. This isn’t to say you should reduce your exposure to zero in Week 7, but be sure to trim your shares of this receiving corps in tournaments.
Tight Ends
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (NYJ): $5,900 @ MIA (+$300)
Seferian-Jenkins caught eight of 11 targets for 46 yards and a touchdown in Week 6, and one could argue he should have had a second as well. All told, he’s emerging as a top option for Josh McCown, as he’s scored a touchdown in consecutive weeks. His price continues to creep up as a result, but it’s still in a range that’s worth targeting in tournament play.
George Kittle (SF): $4,800 @ DAL (-$500)
Kittle’s price snapped back after Week 6, which saw the rookie score 6.6 FDP after registering 17.8 FDP in Week 5. While this is a neutral matchup against the Cowboys in Week 7, I think there’s some merit in targeting Kittle as a cheap option this week.
The 49ers have benched Brian Hoyer, which means C.J. Beathard will get the start in Week 7. For those who factor a little narrative into their research now and then, Kittle and Beathard played together at Iowa, so there could be a little rapport built into their gameplay.
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Adam Sutton is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Adam, follow him @DraftStars_Adam. You can find more of Adam’s work at DraftStars.net
