NFL Week 7: Fantasy Football midweek update

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This week, we'll take a look at some potential adds for your fantasy football team who are owned in 40 percent, or less of Yahoo fantasy football leagues. Are these players worth adding to your team? Will they live up the hype they're receiving? We take a look.

Stefon Diggs (WR) [9%]

Diggs is averaging more than 100 yards receiving the last two weeks, and has passed his bye week. Those are positives. He seems to have surpassed Charles Johnson as the Vikings' #2 receiver, and could overtake Mike Wallace as the #1 option.

That’s the positive. The negative is that Teddy Bridgewater is only averaging 205 yards per game, and has only thrown 3 touchdown passes this season. The Vikings’ passing offense is less than potent, and even if Diggs can ultimately secure the top billing in Minnesota, you’re getting the top dog in a very little pond. If you need WR help, he’s worth the add, but just don’t expect you’re stealing a WR1 mid-season.

Ben Watson (TE) [11%]

What’s not to like about last week’s impressive 127 yard performance, and his ten receptions? It was very impressive. And the productive outburst makes one wonder if the Saints have finally found somebody to assume the statistical vacuum created when Jimmy Graham was traded to Seattle for Max Unger.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Last week was only the second time the 34 year old Watson has topped 100 receiving yards, or 10 receptions, in his entire career. Going into Week 6, Watson had been averaging 3 catches and 30 yards a game for the Saints.

Everybody wants to chase Jimmy Graham’s missing production, but there doesn’t seem to be that one guy in New Orleans who will get those numbers. One week it is Watson, but the next week it could be Cooks, or Coleman, or whoever. Watson’s best week this year was probably last week. If you need a bye week filler, he’s worth a look, but you’re probably going to end up with the 3 catch and 30 yard Watson.

James Starks (RB) [21%]

Last week Starks dashed for 112 rushing yards and a touchdown. For any team desperate for running back help, Starks looks like an emergent Godsend. But is he?

Consider that he only got 10 carries, and he won’t average 11.2 yards per carry in every game this year. And he’s on a team that lives and dies with Aaron Rodgers – not with a high volume run game. Oh, and he still has Eddie Lacy to contend with for touches.

While Starks may be working himself into a bigger piece of a committee in the cheese state, he’s still only that – a RBBC guy who is going to be feast or famine on a weekly basis. If you are desperate for a RB, you could do worse. But just remember that he’s as likely to get you 2 points as he is to get you 12 points.

Christine Michael (RB) [40%]

Over the last two weeks Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden have combined for 132 yards on 41 carries (3.2 ypc) with one touchdown. That’s not exactly impressive for a team who has a solid offensive line, and produced the top rusher in the NFL last year. The Cowboys, and fantasy owners, are still looking for that one running back who will replace DeMarco Murray’s output from 2014.

The latest candidate is Michael, who is rumored to be getting that opportunity in Week 7. The allure of Michael being able to get a chunk of that vaunted 2014 Cowboy running game has propelled him to 40% ownership – despite only totaling five rushing yards this year.

His ceiling is that he becomes the Cowboys’ feature back and becomes a mid-season steal at RB. His floor is that he gets muddled in a 3-headed quagmire in the Cowboys’ backfield, getting a handful of touches per week. With the upside as high as it is, Michael is worth a flier, knowing there’s a decent chance he could be a total dud.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE) [28%]

The safari man recorded five receptions, 110 yards and two touchdowns in his only full, healthy game this year (Week 1). Not too bad. He’s been out since Week 3.

That first week is a huge reason to like his upside now that he is back.

But it’s important to remember that he put up those numbers when Mike Evans was out. Also, Tampa Bay was getting crushed in that game, and they were throwing a lot of passes to play catch-up with the Titans. Over the last two weeks, Jameis Winston is only averaging 15 completions and 209 yards per game. Competing with Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson for a piece of that action doesn’t leave a whole lot of point potential for Seferian-Jenkins to come near those Week 1 numbers. He’s not a bad TE, but with a sub-par QB, and other options in the passing game, ASJ is not a guarantee to produce on a weekly basis.

PIT (DEF) [20% owned]

In real football, the Steelers have a solid defense this year. They rank fifth in points against (18.0) and are tied for sixth in sacks with the Bengals. In fantasy football, you need to also throw in the interceptions and defensive touchdowns. And in these categories, the Steelers are far from elite. But they are a trendy add this week since they face the 1-5 Kansas City Chiefs, who are without their best offensive player for the remainder of the season. Unless you have a great defense, they are worth a flier this week based on the matchup.

Second, we look at some Injury Updates to fantasy relevant players.

Marcus Mariota is out for at least this week. Unless you are in a huge 16~20 team league, or have huge rosters, he’s really not worth holding on to for the next few weeks.

Dez Bryant is being called ‘50/50’ to play. He will likely be a game-time decision. It would be highly unlikely that he plays.

Carlos Hyde is unlikely to practice this week, but ‘should’ play. He plays the Thursday game this week, so keep an eye on the inactives for Thursday night.

Tyrod Taylor is likely to play this week. Behind a pair of rushing touchdowns, Taylor has surprised as a relevant fantasy quarterback this year. With a bye week in Week 8, the Bills could decide to give Taylor a little extra rest by sitting him this week – especially with an easy matchup against the Jaguars. He plays the extra-early 9:30 AM game in London. So if you play on starting him, be ready to check the inactives list at 8:30 in the morning.

Victor Cruz has no pain in his calf. Cruz is likely out again this week, but could be back soon. While is upside is battling Randle, Vereen and Donnell for second tier receptions behind Odell Beckham, if you are desperate for WR help, he may be one to considering adding in a week or two.