Week 7 Fantasy Football Expert Picks: Which Fringe Fantasy Players Belong in Your Lineup?

Despite each team only playing five or six games, we are one-third of the way through the NFL season. In MLB, one-third of the season represents 54 games; it's around 27 in the NBA and NHL. We don't get the same abundance of information in the NFL that we do in the other sports, leaving fantasy owners to make assumptions based on little evidence. That makes some decisions nearly impossible to get right.

Luckily, the experts at FantasySP are here to help. Morgan Rode and Daniel Hepner answered five fantasy football questions heading into the weekend of Week 7 of the NFL season.

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Who is your favorite streaming-level quarterback this week?

Morgan: Bo Nix is my favorite fantasy football streaming QB for Week 7. He wasn't a streaming option to start the season but has turned into one after a rough start to the year. Nix has a stellar matchup coming against the Cardinals, and I think he finally gets going a bit in that contest.

Daniel: This week actually brings a decent number of strong streamers. Aaron Rodgers against the Saints and Geno Smith against the Dolphins are both set up for successful days against teams that have struggled to stop the pass and have given up plenty of points. I'll also point out Philadelphia's Tanner McKee, who is starting in place of Jalen Hurts. McKee gets the Cowboys this week, who have given up the fourth-most yards per pass attempt and the fifth-most fantasy points per game to QBs. He's a lower-level streamer, but McKee is worth considering.

How about a running back who will put up a good score due to the matchup?

Morgan: I like the Minnesota running backs against the Colts. Aaron Jones Sr. could shine if he has the backfield to himself again in Week 7. But even if Jordan Mason returns from an injury, I see both backs putting up good fantasy scores against the Colts.

Daniel: You might view Jaylen Warren as a must-start player, but he has scored single-digit standard points in half his games, at least making it worth thinking about his matchup before putting him into your lineup. That's not a worry this week, as Warren faces a Saints team that has allowed the sixth-most yards per rush attempt and the most fantasy points per game to RBs. Warren truly is a must-start this week, and Rico Dowdle even has some flex value in deeper leagues.

Do you have a wide receiver who has a tough matchup and should be left on the bench?

Morgan: All of the Indianapolis wide receivers are on my do-not-start list. Josh Downs and Keenan Allen are the team's top options and could be set for big days if tight end Tyler Warren doesn't play, but Minnesota is a brutal matchup, and I'd try to stay away from most of the Colts playmakers in standard leagues - Jonathan Taylor is the only Colt I'd want to start.

Daniel: The Sunday night matchup between the Seahawks and Chiefs brings two of the best pass defenses in football together, and it might result in a low-scoring game without much explosion. You're starting Jaxon Smith-Njigba because he is just that good, but every other receiver in this game should stay on your bench, including Cooper Kupp, Xavier Worthy, and Rashee Rice.

Give us a tight end likely to struggle in Week 7.

Morgan: Travis Kelce is the obvious choice to me among the high-end options. He has a very tough matchup coming against the Seahawks and is better left on the bench if you have another option. Seattle is another team to avoid if you can right now.

Daniel: Kelce is a great answer, as I just talked about the rough outlook for the KC and Seattle passing games above. I'll also point out Kyle Pitts Sr., who struggled mightily to start the season but has been better since Michael Penix stepped into the lineup in Week 4. This week brings the San Francisco 49ers to town, a team that has allowed the eighth-fewest yards per pass attempt and the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Pitts has a low floor in this one even with his starting quarterback on the field.

Who will be the fantasy MVP of Week 7?

Morgan: I had originally taken Puka Nacua, but his injury concern scares me now. I'll try Jahmyr Gibbs instead. He will power the Lions' offense in a favorable matchup against the Packers. Green Bay slows passing games pretty well, so expect a lot of Gibbs, and a big fantasy score at the end of the Sunday game.

Daniel: Jordan Love faces the Lions this week. Detroit has allowed by far the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season (and tight ends…and the third-most to wide receivers). Love is in the midst of a great string of matchups, and after successful days against the Bears and Cowboys, I'm looking for him to put up huge numbers against the Lions, giving him QB1 upside. Love should be in a lineup in every league this week.