Thursday Night Football between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New Orleans Saints turned out to be more competitive than originally anticipated, giving us some drama at the end. Most of the discussion will revolve around the Saints’ furious comeback, Foster Moreau’s drop, Alvin Kamara’s 150+ yards from scrimmage, and Christian Kirk’s game-winning touchdown. There were some IDP storylines, including Devin Lloyd and Foyesade Oluokun swarming the ball all night, highlighted by a pick-six by Foye. Other storylines include Carl Granderson’s continued emergence and Khalen Saunders using his athleticism to become a lead blocker. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.

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IDP Start em, Sit em – Week 7

Start em

Jamal Adams (S – SEA)
Jamal Adams is back for the Seattle Seahawks. He played 85 percent of the snaps in Week 6, recording a solid four solos and one tackle for loss. The snap count is a welcome sign as it suggests that he will be ready for a full workload against the Arizona Cardinals this weekend. Adams projects as a strong DB2 option for Week 7, thanks to a plus matchup against a Cardinals offense allowing the 16th most fantasy points per game to the safety position. This is the type of contest flush with the ingredients for a breakout performance, so consider Adams a top-20 upside play. Adams should be started in all competitive leagues for Week 7.

Zach Allen (DT/DE – DEN)
Zach Allen has been on a roll for the Denver Broncos, most recently recording two solos, two assists, one sack, and one tackle for loss. Allen has posted a sack in each of his last two contests and has at least a half sack in his last three. The Broncos’ scheme is not always conducive to Allen racking up sacks, but he has seemed to find a big enough bag to have success when he actually gets true pass rushing opportunities. Tap Allen as a DL3 option for a Week 7 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Tracy Walker (S – DET)
Tracy Walker is starting to look like his old self for the Lions. He had a strong Week 6, racking up five solos, one assist, and one pass defended. Week 6 was his first five solo outing this season, but he has managed to record three or more solos in each of his last four. He has yet to author a signature performance, but it looks like it should only be a matter of time. Walker is on the DB2/DB3 periphery for Week 7, thanks to a plus matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Start Walker where possible.

Jadeveon Clowney (DE – BAL)
Jadeveon Clowney is having a mini career resurgence in Baltimore. He started that discourse by racking up his third and fourth sacks of the season, finishing Week 6 with two solos, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. He is up to four sacks on the season, but more impressively, he is tied for seventh in the league with 29 pressures. In Week 7, he gets a Detroit Lions offense that has surprisingly relinquished the third most fantasy points per game to opposing edge rushers. Treat him as a DL3 option, thanks to the plus matchup.

Byron Young (DE/LB – LAR)
Rookie Byron Young has been excellent for the Los Angeles Rams. He got back in the sack column in Week 6 and is now up to three on the season. 16th in the NFL with 25 pressures (and first among rookies), Young is a strong DL2 option for a plus matchup against a struggling Pittsburgh Steelers offense. Start him wherever possible.

Sit em

Tyrel Dodson (LB – BUF)
Tyrel Dodson was buried on the bench in Week 6, playing just four defensive snaps while seemingly being active only as emergency depth and as a special teams member. He was expected by many to take over for the injured Matt Milano, but instead, it was impressive rookie Dorian Williams who got the call. Dodson and Terrel Bernard were battling for the spot beside Milano this offseason, so it was Williams who was Milano’s direct backup and got the tap over the veteran despite his inexperience. He rewarded the Bills with an excellent performance and, in turn, has probably locked up the role until further notice. This leaves Dodson looking like he will be out of the rotation despite being active on game day. Feel free to move on from Dodson altogether where needed.

Nicholas Morrow (LB – PHI)
Morrow saw his near every down role reduced to 55 percent of the snaps in Week 6. Nakobe Dean has returned from IR, leaving Morrow’s role going forward in limbo. Dean is going to see his snaps scaled back up, seemingly leaving Morrow in a sub 50 percent snap role. Morrow was effective for the Eagles, so perhaps they start having him practice to split snaps with Zach Cunningham. Whatever the case, Morrow needs to be glued to benches for Week 7. Look elsewhere for your LB3.

Ja’Whaun Bentley (LB – NE)
Bentley appeared to be turning the corner in Week 5 but dipped back down to modest production in Week 6. Bentley has failed to top three solos in all but one game this season and is just not producing like IDP managers have become accustomed to. He plays an everydown role but has not been productive enough to warrant a start, even on a heavy bye. Leave Bentley parked on benches for Week 7.

Josh Uche (DE/LB – NE)
Uche broke out with 11.5 sacks in 2022 but has been a shell of his former self this season. Granted, 10 of his sacks came in a six game stretch, and all of them came over eight, but Uche has virtually been a non-factor in four of his six games this season. He has just two sacks and has been nearly invisible in the solo department. He failed to see a role increase with Matthew Judon lost for the season, leaving one to wonder if Uche will ever come close to making the impact he did in 2022. Whatever the case, fantasy managers need to steer clear of uce Uche for Week 7.

Isaiah Simmons (S/LB – NYG)
A week after playing 100 percent of the snaps due to Micah McFadden being sidelined, Simmons dropped down to 18 percent of the snaps in Week 6. For all of his talent, Simmons has yet to find a defensive coordinator that can utilize him to his potential. We got a flash in Week 5; Simmons is at his best in a box role but as a safety, not a linebacker. He has a terrific Week 7 matchup against Washington but does not have a consistent enough role to be trusted as a fantasy option, even on a heavy bye. Look elsewhere for your DB3.

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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.