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Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 7: Reviewing Fantasy Football's Top Fringe Starters

Fantasy Football
October 21, 2015

A challenging week of byes could force fantasy football owners to get desperate with their starting lineup. Even with limited choices, however, you can still have a productive day.

You might not have Aaron Rodgers, Matt Forte, A.J. Green or Demaryius Thomas available, but some replacements could be just as good with the right matchup. Here is a look at some middling players to start and sit heading into Week 7.

Start ‘Em

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins

The new coaching staff in Miami focused on establishing the run, which led to Ryan Tannehill‘s fewest pass attempts in a game this season. The quarterback also threw at least two interceptions for his third game in a row.

With that said, the Dolphins looked much better offensively and came away with a 38-10 win against the Tennessee Titans. Tannehill explained the difference the new coach made after the game, per Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald:

Tannehill might have had more passes under Joe Philbin. But new head coach Dan Campbell has created a balance offensively, and it creates a better all-around team. This will eventually lead to more production out of the quarterback. Center Mike Pouncey explained the difference, per Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post:

The run game sets up our whole offense. Once we get the run game going, play action gets going and then the deep ball gets going.

We just stayed on schedule. We didn’t put ourselves in second-and-long situations, third-and-long situations. We tried to get four yards on first down every time. That was the goal coming in to the week and it paid off there.

This will eventually lead to big numbers from Tannehill—something that could start against an inconsistent Houston Texans defense in Week 7.

Frank Gore, RB, Indianapolis Colts

In the days of a pass-heavy NFL with running backs by committee, Frank Gore’s averaging 14.8 carries per game essentially makes him a workhorse. Considering he is also averaging 4.5 yards per attempt, the 32-year-old running back has become one of the more efficient backs in the league.

Gore had 78 yards on 13 attempts against the New England Patriots, looking good when he got a chance to touch the ball. If he gets as many touches or more against the New Orleans Saints, a team allowing the third-most rushing yards per game, the veteran could have a huge game on Sunday.

Hopefully he finds a way to hold on to the ball and carry it into the end zone at least once to help out fantasy owners.

Travis Benjamin, WR, Cleveland Browns

Count me as part of the non-believers at the beginning of the year when Travis Benjamin was getting fluky touchdowns. Now the 25-year-old receiver isn’t scoring but showing that he is a consistent part of the Browns offense.

Benjamin has reached double-digit targets in each of the last four games, most recently totaling 117 yards on nine catches against an elite Denver Broncos defense. This unit shut down Amari Cooper, Calvin Johnson, Steve Smith Sr. and others, but Benjamin was able to come through with a strong outing.

Although the St. Louis Rams also have a strong defense, there is no more reason to doubt Benjamin when it comes to delivering for your fantasy team.

Sit ‘Em

Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens

While the Ravens have been a train wreck this season, Joe Flacco has actually been relatively solid from a fantasy perspective. The quarterback had 17 points in standard leagues last game and has reached at least 20 points in three of the last five weeks.

The problem is Week 7 represents a much tougher matchup in the Arizona Cardinals. The defense currently ranks fourth in the NFL with an opposing passer rating of 72.3, and even that was deflated by one big catch-and-run by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Martavis Bryant last week.

Flacco doesn’t have much help around him in the form of receivers, and his good recent stretch is likely to come to an end.

Charcandrick West, RB, Kansas City Royals

With Jamaal Charles out for the season, Charcandrick West got the first crack of taking over the starting gig. This led to just nine carries for 33 yards and a lost fumble.

On the plus side, this was better than backup Knile Davis (five carries for 13 yards), and he did end up with significantly more snaps, per Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus:

Those who picked him up shouldn’t give up on the rest of the season just yet.

The problem is the upcoming matchup isn’t likely to be any easier. The Pittsburgh Steelers have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game this year after shutting down a quality Arizona Cardinals rushing attack. With few opportunities and a bad matchup, West isn’t likely to break out this week.

Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

While he is still the Eagles’ top receiving target, Jordan Matthews has failed to top five fantasy points in standard leagues since Week 2. As Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com noted, he hasn’t lived up to expectations:

Even having 56 targets throughout the year, with a combination of dropped passes, poor throws from Sam Bradford and now fumbles, Matthews has struggled to put together good games.

Against a tough Carolina Panthers defense and cornerback Josh Norman, it’s unlikely Matthews’ fortunes turn around in Week 7.

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