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Trades and injuries are changing the fantasy football landscape. Throw bye weeks in the mix and roster conundrums are in right now.
It opens up opportunities for new players to emerge. It also gives them the potential to let down fantasy managers.
Below are my 10 fantasy football busts, or players that may disappoint, for Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season. Good luck, RotoBallers!
De'Von Achane (RB, MIA) at Indianapolis
This pick is the riskiest of the week, and I'm not recommending sitting De'Von Achane. But there is a trend of Achane not running efficiently because of the lack of a passing threat on the Miami offense.
Since Tua Tagovailoa suffered his concussion, Achane averages 2.5 yards per carry. With his size and speed, he's a better runner in space. That space doesn't exist with the ragtag group of Skylar Thompson, Tim Boyle, and Tyler Huntley under center. Achane has been stuffed on 28.6% of his attempts. Raheem Mostert is healthy and will garner double-digit opportunities.
🎥 Raheem Mostert on establishing the run game: "It's very important, especially after what we did against the Patriots... put our foot down and establish the line of scrimmage, carry the ball and ease everything up for Snoop. I'm excited for this week." (@MiamiDolphins) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/G5YOTBYJ1E
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) October 17, 2024
Here's where it gets hairy: The Colts have the NFL's second-worst rush defense and third-worst overall defense. Plus, it only takes one touch for Achane to spring away from defenders into the end zone.
Despite the cupcake matchup, it's still difficult to count on all Miami offensive weapons to fulfill fantasy football expectations. The Dolphins are still the league's lowest-scoring offense (12 points per game). Achane has a higher ceiling than in previous weeks, but the Miami offense could still look dreadful.
Nick Chubb (RB, CLE) vs. Cincinnati
It's exciting and awesome to see Nick Chubb back on the football field after a devastating knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season. It also comes at a great time for the Browns, as Jerome Ford (hamstring) is trending toward missing a game.
#Browns C Ethan Pocic back at practice today on Thursday of #Bengals week; RB Jerome Ford and S Ronnie Hickman still idle.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 17, 2024
There are so many question marks. How many carries will Chubb get? How will Chubb look in his first game in 13 months? How will the offense move the football without Amari Cooper?
The offense already ranked among the worst in the NFL with Cooper keeping defenses honest. Deshaun Watson couldn't routinely connect with Cooper, but advanced metrics show he hasn't lost a step. Watson's been the league's worst starting quarterback. Jerry Jeudy is now his top wide receiver.
The Cincinnati defense isn't good by any standards but fantasy managers can't trust Chubb's workload or the Cleveland offense. Wait and see how head coach Kevin Stefanski utilizes one of the best pure runners of the decade.
Jordan Mason (RB, SF) vs. Kansas City
Jordan Mason will likely carry a questionable tag into the weekend. He's been practicing in a limited fashion this week with an AC joint sprain. As we witnessed during Thursday Night Football, it's an issue that's causing him some pain.
🤞Jordan Mason
➡️ @UCSFHospitals pic.twitter.com/uaMVdBNVw7
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 16, 2024
If he is active on Sunday in the Super Bowl rematch against Kansas City, it's a risky, risky start. One odd hit to his shoulder could remove him from the game again. The coaches know this and would likely take some carries off his plate.
The Chiefs are the best fantasy football defense against opposing running backs, allowing just over three yards per attempt. With the potential for reduced touches and an already limited involvement as a receiver (eight catches in six games), Mason's ceiling is capped.
If Mason is unavailable, the same logic will apply to Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor Jr. The pair will split touches and do not belong in starting lineups in Week 7.
Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler (RB, MIN) vs. Detroit
Aaron Jones (hamstring) is limited in practices and it's uncertain whether he'll play against Detroit. Jones and Ty Chandler are risky plays regardless of which running back is the starter.
Outside of Week 4 against Seattle, the Lions have been outstanding against running backs. Kyren Williams, Rachaad White, and James Conner averaged fewer than three yards per carry. Rico Dowdle was completely removed from the game after five carries. They also prevent running backs from making up for a lack of rushing yards in the passing game.
| Running Back | Rushing Yards | Yards Per Carry | Receiving Yards |
| Kyren Williams | 50 | 2.8 | 4 |
| Rachaad White | 18 | 1.8 | 5 |
| James Conner | 17 | 1.9 | 8 |
| Kenneth Walker III | 80 | 6.7 | 36 |
| Rico Dowdle | 25 | 5 | 30 |
Both running backs are ranked outside of the top 24. Jones can be used as a flex if he's active. If it's just Chandler, the bench is a better spot for the backup.
Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, Sean Tucker (RB, TB) vs. Baltimore
A three-for-one Week 7 special.
With Rachaad White inactive in Week 6, Sean Tucker had his breakout performance. Tucker neared 200 total yards against the Saints. Rookie Bucky Irving topped triple digits himself. Head coach Todd Bowles was impressed with Tucker, noting that he wants to get the second-year runner more involved.
The first TD for @seantucker2020 🙌
📺: #TBvsNO on FOX pic.twitter.com/yK7Dl8ADPI
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 13, 2024
Irving was already siphoning work from White. The duo were fringe starters before Tucker burst onto the scene. Now, there's a possibility that this turns into a three-headed backfield. That's not good for fantasy football.
White's foot injury could keep him on the sideline for another week. Regardless of whether he's active or inactive, it will be hard to trust the Tampa Bay running backs.
The Ravens allow the fewest rushing yards per game (59) and the fourth-fewest fantasy points (16.98) to running backs. Split that two ways (possibly three) and that's not a number you'll like to see in your fantasy matchup box score.
Amari Cooper (WR, BUF) vs. Tennessee
Will a team feature a newly acquired player or will it be conservative and design just a few packages while said player adapts and learns the playbook? Those are the two routes Buffalo can take this week with Amari Cooper.
It sounds like the latter if Cooper does suit up for the Bills. If there's a question about if he's ready, then he won't have a full allotment of snaps and plays designed for him.
Sean McDermott - not determined yet if Amari Cooper will play Sunday vs. Titans.
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) October 16, 2024
The addition of Cooper won't change Buffalo's run-first approach. It's been successful and the Bills are a 4-2 football team. It just gives Josh Allen a reliable receiver so he doesn't have to target Mack Hollins on a third-and-goal situation.
And then there's the matchup. The Titans are the second-best team against fantasy football wideouts (22.8 points per game) and allow the fewest passing yards per game.
The marriage between Cooper and the Bills is perfect. Just be patient.
Brandon Aiyuk (WR, SF) vs. Kansas City
Fantasy managers after Week 5: "Brandon Aiyuk is back! He's shaken off the rust from skipping training camp!"
Fantasy managers after Week 6: "I am sad."
Aiyuk has been a disappointment far more than he's been celebrated this season. Week 5 was the only game he topped 50 yards. That's a mark he also failed to reach against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
Cornerback Trent McDuffie is enjoying his best season as a professional. No. 1 wide receivers (outside of Drake London) have been quiet against the Chiefs. The Falcons utilized London in the slot to draw mismatches away from McDuffie. It's the same reason Ladd McConkey enjoyed the best game of his young career against Kansas City. The Chiefs are the third-best secondary against wide receivers and weaker inside.
Aiyuk rarely operates on the inside. His season-high mark for slot snaps is 15. Aiyuk isn't a sit (it's difficult to sit any star on the 49ers offense), but don't be surprised if he repeats the stat lines that fantasy managers are unfortunately getting used to.
George Pickens (WR, PIT) vs. New York Jets
Will Russell Wilson boost the play of George Pickens, who is quickly losing the patience of his fantasy managers? Pickens has seen his snaps decrease in the last two games and caught only three passes in each contest. To be fair, it was about a third of Justin Fields' completions.
"I did get those first six weeks, and we'll just see what happens."#Steelers QB Justin Fields prepares for the unknown, as Russell Wilson has been getting some first-team snaps preparing for a possible start.https://t.co/QV6rZOS2O1https://t.co/QV6rZOS2O1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 17, 2024
Wilson and Pickens haven't shared an NFL field. Their chemistry needs developing, and it'll be difficult to do that against the Jets secondary. The unit allows the fourth-fewest yards and fantasy points per game to wide receivers and is second-best against outside receivers. Pickens has lined up in the slot on 26% of his snaps.
Similar to Achane, Pickens has big-play potential and can un-bust himself on one snap. The odds decrease with Sauce Gardner opposite of him on a chunk of plays. Steer clear of Pickens if you can afford it.
Kyler Murray (QB, ARI) vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Players can't score fantasy points without the football. That's been one of the biggest problems plaguing Kyler Murray. The Cardinals are running the second-fewest plays per game and average the fifth-lowest time of possession. Opposing offenses convert nearly half of third-down opportunities against the Cardinals.
Like the Packers (Arizona's opponent last week when Murray scored 12 fantasy points), the Chargers average nearly 32 minutes of possession (seventh in the NFL). They play slow and run at the third-highest rate.
And their defense is good! Two quarterbacks have scored more than 15 fantasy points against the Chargers. Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion) is a question mark. This sets up for a Murray finish outside of the top 12.
Matthew Stafford (QB, LAR) vs. Las Vegas Raiders
It appears that Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp will reunite on a football field this week. His presence and the matchup against Las Vegas raise Stafford's fantasy football potential and can entice managers seeking a bye-week replacement for Dak Prescott or Caleb Williams. We're not quite there yet.
Stafford barely squeaked past the 15-point mark in Week 1 with Kupp and Puka Nacua (for a half at least) healthy. It's the only time the Rams signal-caller topped 15 points. He's averaging 10.9 points per game.
As weak as the Raiders defense is against the pass, they're equally bad against the run. Head coach Sean McVay has leaned on Kyren Williams throughout the season. He's tallied a rushing touchdown in every game this season. Expect another against the Raiders and a heavy dosage of carries.
Eight consecutive games scoring a touchdown in the National Football League is unreal. Kudos to Notre Dame’s Kyren Williams for quite a feat. pic.twitter.com/AJf5AUf5mc
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) October 7, 2024
Once Nacua returns to the lineup, Stafford may be usable in the right matchups.
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