Week 7 Fantasy Football Takeaways: Amari Cooper, Tank Bigsby, Noah Fant, Romeo Doubs, Russell Wilson and More

Discussing some fantasy football takeaways from week 7 NFL Sunday games.

Week 7 of the NFL regular season is nearly in the books, which means it’s time to go over some fantasy football takeaways from Sunday’s games.

We’ll cover offensive players only in this story. Check back soon for an IDP roundup.

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Tank Bigsby the Clear Lead Back in Jacksonville?

Bigsby was the clear leader in the Jacksonville backfield during the team’s win over New England. He rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns on 26 attempts, while failing to catch his only target.

D'Ernest Johnson served as the backup running back with Travis Etienne missing the game with an injury. Johnson had 38 rushing yards on nine carries and caught three of his four targets for 32 yards.

We don’t know exactly how things will shake out when Etienne returns, but it’s fair to assume the Jaguars’ backfield belongs to Bigsby now. Johnson could be the No. 2 back in the running game, while Etienne serves more of a pass-catching role. Bigsby’s fantasy value is rising, while Etienne’s is falling fast.

Is Noah Fant a Weekly Starter?

Fant caught all four of his targets for 65 yards on Sunday. It was his second straight game with over 60 yards, and now he’s got 10 catches and targets over the past two weeks.

It’s not crazy production, and he still hasn’t scored this season yet, but in PPR leagues, Fant is definitely emerging as a possible weekly starting option.

Fant’s fantasy value is rising, and it could go even higher if DK Metcalf is forced to miss any time after his knee injury.

Amari Cooper Already the Bills’ No. 1 Wideout?

Cooper was traded from Cleveland to Buffalo this week, and he immediately was a better fantasy asset. He caught four of his five targets for 66 yards and a touchdown.

It was the second-most yards Cooper has had in a game this season and just the third touchdown he’s scored. 

He was the fourth-most targeted Bills’ pass catcher, but as he gets acclimated with the offense, and plays in tighter games, I’d expect Cooper’s fantasy value to keep rising. If you are looking to buy Cooper low, do it quickly, because he already appears to be on the rise.

Brown Overtakes Moss for Good?

Cincinnati’s Chase Brown appears to have a secure hold on the No. 1 RB role after getting 17 touches to just nine for Zack Moss in week 7.

Brown was only able to turn his 15 rushes into 44 yards, while adding nine yards on two catches and targets. Moss rushed six times for seven yards and added 33 receiving yards on three catches and targets.

Although it wasn’t a really efficient day for Brown, this looks like his backfield now. Moss is getting enough touches to not make Brown a must-start fantasy player, but as long as the defensive matchup isn’t super tough, Brown is a pretty solid fantasy starting option in all formats.

Does Anthony Richardson Hurt Colts’ Pass Catchers?

Indianapolis won on Sunday, but the pass catchers struggled with Richardson starting at quarterback again.

Richardson was 10-of-24 passing for 129 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He rushed 14 times for 56 yards, but also lost a fumble.

Indy’s top wideout was Michael Pittman. He had 63 yards on three catches and five targets. Not a terrible fantasy day, but pretty underwhelming for a fantasy wideout who was viewed as one of the best in the league coming into the season.

Josh Downs only had three yards on a catch and three targets. It was the second time that Richardson has started and Downs has struggled. With Joe Flacco, Downs was a must-start fantasy player.

Adonai Mitchell had 30 yards on two catches and three targets, while Alec Pierce had 15 yards on two grabs and five targets. 

I wouldn’t feel great about any of these receivers as fantasy options with Richardson back there at quarterback. As the young QB knocks some rust off, things could change, and the return of Jonathan Taylor could open some things up, but things aren’t looking great for many Indy fantasy options right now.

Romeo Doubs Emerging as Packers No. 1 WR?

Doubs played his second game after being suspended for week 5 and delivered another good showing. This week, he had 94 yards on eight catches and 10 targets. Last week, Doubs had 49 yards and two scores on three catches and four targets.

The Packers have a ton of young pass catchers to turn to, but there’s clearly a connection between Doubs and Jordan Love. 

Doubs might not be this good of a fantasy option every week, but he’s worth adding and playing in a lot of formats until the stats say otherwise.

Jahmyr Gibbs Erupts

Gibbs and David Montgomery have pretty much split the workload in the Detroit backfield for the past two seasons. On Sunday, Gibbs looked like the clear No. 1 back, rushing for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, while adding 44 receiving yards on four catches and targets.

Montgomery had 31 rushing yards on nine attempts and caught three of his four targets for an additional 39 yards. He also lost a fumble. Montgomery briefly exited the game with a knee injury, but eventually returned.

Montgomery’s status will be one to watch as this week progresses. Gibbs is a must-start fantasy back every week, but if Montgomery is limited, or out completely, Gibbs could be fantasy RB1.

Barkley Torches his Old Team

Saquon Barkley rushed for 176 yards and a touchdown on just 17 carries against the New York Giants on Sunday. He added 11 receiving yards on two catches and three targets.

That performance had to feel good for Barkley, and it also was a welcomed sight for the Barkley fantasy owners.

Barkley was limited to just 54 total yards in last week’s game, when A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith were both back on the field. There’s no concern that Barkley can’t remain a fantasy stud, although Smith barely did anything offensively, so it might be a bit before all three fantasy players can deliver strong weekly results.

Kyren Williams Remains a Workhorse

The Rams’ offense should get some reinforcements soon with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua returning from injury, but regardless, Williams appears to be the focal point of the offense.

He rushed for 76 yards and two touchdowns on 21 attempts in week 7. Williams has over 20 attempts in three of the past four games, and now has nine total touchdowns.

Williams should remain a must-start fantasy player all season, regardless of Kupp and Nacua returning to the field.

Washington Shines without Daniels

Washington appears here to stay. Even without Jayden Daniels for most of week 7, the Commanders routed the Panthers.

Yes, the Panthers are abysmal, but Washington is dominating teams that stink and hanging with some of the best teams in the league. 

Terry McLaurin is a must-start player at this point. He had 98 yards on six catches and targets this week.

Brian Robinson Jr. had 71 rushing yards and a touchdown on just 12 carries. Zach Ertz went for 40 yards and a score on four grabs and five targets. 

As long as Daniels doesn’t miss extended time, all three of those playmakers are good starting options in all formats, and Daniels will remain one of the top fantasy QBs.

Who is the Chiefs’ Top Pass Catcher?

I’m not sure the Chiefs are ever going to lose. I mean, Patrick Mahomes was 17-of-27 passing for 154 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions, and Kansas City still eased to a 28-18 win over San Francisco.

Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice are likely done for the season, and JuJu Smith-Schuster didn’t do anything this week after re-aggravating an injury he suffered last week. It was backup tight end Noah Gray who led the team with 66 yards on four catches and targets. No other pass catcher went over 25 yards.

It simply might be a different pass catcher leading the way every week, which is a nightmare for fantasy owners. Kareem Hunt might be the only KC player worth weekly fantasy starts at this point.

Wilson Puts Up Solid Numbers in Steelers’ Debut

Russell Wilson made the start over Justin Fields in week 7, and immediately the Steelers’ passing game looked better.

Wilson was 16-of-29 for 264 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He added a rushing touchdown.

George Pickens went for 111 yards and a score on five catches and nine targets. He looks like a possible weekly fantasy starter with Wilson now at QB.

TE Pat Freiermuth had 51 yards on two grabs and three targets. Fellow TE Darnell Washington had 36 yards on four catches and targets. Both could be fantasy starting options in an offensive lacking a ton of proven wideouts.

Calvin Austin had 36 yards on a catch and four targets, while Van Jefferson caught a TD and had 15 yards across two catches and three targets. I think these are the two most-likely pass catchers to step up behind Pickens and Freiermuth, but they aren’t current fantasy options outside the deepest of leagues. 

This will be a situation to monitor from week to week.

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