Fantasy Football: Top 10 Sleepers for Week 7

Sep 25, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) reacts after being hit by Washington Redskins corner back Josh Norman (24) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into your Week 7 fantasy football action, keep an eye on these top 10 sleepers entering favorable matchups.

Week 7 in fantasy football is upon us as, this time around, backup players stepping up for injured starters is becoming prevalent across several teams. It’s a golden opportunity for many to step up and for fantasy owners, a chance to find those hidden sleepers ready to make a name for themselves.

This week, backups are entering favorable matchups that should delight fantasy owners everywhere. Many owners prefer to stick to household starters over sleepers but remember, consistent fantasy winners work the waiver wire disregarding popular choices.

It’s not about the name or even your allegiance to a team, it’s all about what kind of defense a player is playing and how they’ve been ranked for the most part against it. Even a third-string wide receiver sleeper will outscore a starter.

Here are the top 10 fantasy sleepers heading into Week 7.

10. Spencer Ware, RB — Kansas City Chiefs

With all eyes on the return of running back Jamaal Charles for the Kansas City Chiefs, fantasy owners forget that his backup Spencer Ware has actually been getting more reps. It could be that the Chiefs aren’t trying to overwork Charles so soon from his injury.

It could also very well be that Ware gives them a more grinding and reliable option to pound the football to set the tone for their offense. As the Chiefs prepare for the New Orleans Saints this week, their defense isn’t good at all when it comes to containing running backs.

To beat the Saints is to limit the time quarterback Drew Brees is on the gridiron, which means running the football to win the time of possession battle. Ware hasn’t had a big week ever since Week 1, but this will be his time to shine. Fantasy owners should consider Ware as their RB2 this week. The opportunity is there for him to push the envelope against the Saints.

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

9. Colin Kaepernick, QB — San Francisco 49ers

Last week, quarterback Colin Kaepernick made his return to starting under center for the San Francisco 49ers. He did alright despite the lack of overall talent on the 49ers but he ended the game losing to the Buffalo Bills 45-16.

The 49ers are an abysmal team. But this week, Kaepernick prepares for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that has been struggling mightily on defense. Without running back Carlos Hyde due to injury in Week 7, expect to see the 49ers put Kaepernick in a position to succeed.

The Buccaneers won’t have any answers for him as fantasy owners should start him this week as their QB1. Expect to see Kaepernick air it out and do his part to end this five-game losing streak.

Kaepernick could also use his blazing speed on the ground to really put on a clinic this week. Make no mistake about it, he’s a must-start against the Buccaneers.

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) tries to make a tackle on San Francisco 49ers running back Mike Davis (22) as he runs the ball during the second half at New Era Field. Buffalo beat San Francisco 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

8. Mike Davis, RB — San Francisco 49ers

Another 49er that fantasy owners should consider is running back Mike Davis. As previously mentioned, Hyde is officially out this week against the Buccaneers due to a shoulder injury.

Since the Buccaneers defense leaves much to the imagination, the 49ers should be able to end their current losing streak with a full dose of Kaepernick and committing to the run. Davis could potentially have a big game if everything goes as envisioned.

Fantasy owners should consider Davis as their RB2 this week. While he might not score a touchdown or two, he should be able to have a good amount of rushing yards.

The 49ers have everything in place to bounce back this week, mostly in part to the efforts of a solid ground game by Davis.

7. Sterling Shepard, WR — New York Giants

With all eyes on wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. by the defense of the Los Angeles Rams, his partner in crime Sterling Shepard should have a big game. The New York Giants will take on the Rams in their first game in London this season.

While the Giants earned a key victory last week over the Baltimore Ravens, it’s important to realize it wasn’t a pretty one. The offensive line of the Giants has been inconsistent and will undoubtedly have to work better this time around against a stout Rams’ pass rush.

Quarterback Eli Manning, however, should be able to continue being a touchdown-producing machine as last week, he threw for three of them. Manning did have two interceptions but if he gets the right protection, could easily dissect the defensive secondary of the Rams.

Fantasy owners should consider Shepard as a quality FLEX option. Shepard has the potential to leave this game with a touchdown or two when all is said and done.

Oct 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) rushes against Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Preston Brown (52) during a NFL game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

6. Kenny Britt, WR — Los Angeles Rams

So far this season, wide receiver Kenny Britt has totaled 492 receiving yards, 30 receptions, and two touchdowns. As the Rams take on the Giants this week, expect Britt to continue the momentum he had last week.

Britt is coming off a two-touchdown, 136-yard game against the Detroit Lions. Even though the Rams lost this game, Britt should be able to have similar results this time around come game day.

The Giants tend to give up big plays, especially to speedy receivers like Britt. His unique skill-set should be able to take the top off of the Giants defense.

Fantasy owners should consider Britt as their WR2 or at the very least, at the FLEX position. Expect to see him haul in another pair of touchdowns against the Giants.

Sep 25, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Mike Gillislee (35) runs the ball during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

5. Mike Gillislee, RB — Buffalo Bills

Unfortunately for the Buffalo Bills this week, running back LeSeason McCoy will be out this week against the Miami Dolphins. On a good note, however, their backup running back in Mike Gillislee should be able to continue having the Bills offense not miss a beat.

The overall defense of the Dolphins is abysmal, to say the least. They might have breathed a sigh of relief that they won’t have to prepare for the red-hot McCoy. But make no mistake about it, Gillislee will continue being to be consistent.

Gillislee’s numbers might not scream out at you, but he’s all about doing everything in his power to keep those chains moving when his number is called. Expect to see him continue the momentum of the Bills who are becoming a solid contender in the AFC East.

Fantasy owners should consider Gillislee as an RB2 this week in the grand scheme of things. With expectations of at least a touchdown, he should be able to get close to or even above 100 rushing yards against the Dolphins.

4. Isaiah Crowell, RB — Cleveland Browns

Unfortunately for the Cleveland Browns, they are 0-6 and desperately looking for a win to have something positive to take away from what will be a losing season. With a Week 7 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on the road, the Browns are more than likely going to commit to the run to end their losing streak.

Running back Isaiah Crowell hasn’t been as consistent as usual due to issues with the Browns offensive line. The good news, for this week at least, is that Crowell is facing a pretty bad run defense against the Bengals.

They allow close to six yards per rushing attempt and, with Crowell’s power rushing, he should be able to give fantasy owners a reason to start him. Crowell could easily be the main reason the Browns leave this game victorious if he’s able to control the tempo of the game.

The Bengals so far this season haven’t been good at all on defense with blown assignments and a plethora of missed tackles. If it’s any Brown to consider starting this week, it’s Crowell.

Oct 16, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins tight end Vernon Davis (85) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

3. Vernon Davis, TE — Washington Redskins

Unfortunately for the Washington Redskins, they’re having some issues with their tight end situation. Tight end Jordan Reed was out last week due to a concussion injury and there is no guarantee he’ll even be playing this week against the Detroit Lions.

Vernon Davis has been getting a plethora of reps for the Redskins in Reed’s absence and finally scored his first touchdown of the season last week. This is a huge matchup since the Lions defense is one of the worst in the NFL when defending opposing tight ends.

Almost every week, a tight end easily scores a touchdown against the Lions. Fantasy owners should easily either start Davis this week or as a FLEX option. Davis should have a field day against the Lions and be a catalyst for the Redskins’ offense, straight to a fifth straight win for the season.

Oct 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) passes the ball against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

2. Alex Smith, QB — Kansas City Chiefs

When it comes to quarterback Alex Smith, consistency is what he’s all about. He’s a near guarantee—for the most part—to produce over 200 passing yards each week and has the favorable tendency to have a multiple-touchdown performance.

As the Chiefs prepare for the Saints, the New Orleans secondary leaves much to the imagination. Expect to see the Chiefs put on a clinic on offense led by a potent ground game and the usual consistent performance of Smith.

Smith should be a QB1 this week as the Chiefs should do some major offensive damage against the Saints. If their ground game takes off and they win the time of possession battle, this could be a game they steamroll the Saints straight to victory.

As always, the Chiefs tend to start racking wins from late October all the way to the postseason. That big spark might very well start off with a monster game against the Saints, with Smith leading the way.

Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle (84) carries the ball up the sideline against the Houston Texans during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jack Doyle, TE — Indianapolis Colts

Quarterback Andrew Luck always uses his tight ends to keep those chains moving. Ever since tight end Coby Fleener left to be a primary starter this offseason with the Saints, Luck hasn’t missed a beat in using his tight ends to their maximum potential.

Unfortunately for the Colts, starting tight end Dwayne Allen is out this week against the Tennessee Titans due to an injury. This opens the door up for Doyle to have a big game, especially against the Titans, who won’t have any answers for him.

Doyle is the ultimate sleeper this week since all eyes will be on wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, which means Luck will have to go back to his clutch option at tight end. Fantasy owners should consider Doyle as their FLEX option this week, especially since he’s coming off a 53-yard, one-touchdown performance last week against the Houston Texans.

Considering that Luck has had success this season throwing to tight ends in red zone situations, Doyle should see some major action against the Titans, especially when in scoring position.