We are in week 7 of fantasy season! In order to find every advantage at this time, the X factor position is a bender. To break it all down, analyst Joel Smyth breaks down 8 players in the zone’s consensus rankings for the flex, double flex, or even third hole WR.
Set & forget
Woody Marks NYG. vs
After David Montgomery went down with an injury, Mark became the RB1 in Houston, managing 15 carries but sharing the work with Jawhar Jordan. In backup RB Ravens had seven touchdowns and was one of those who threw a touchdown pass, now he is also injury from this game. Aude Ogunbowale has been left, a passing back, with dark marks against the Giants.
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New York’s only five points against the fantasy rusher this season and the Texans’ poor run-offense can match the closing lineup. A near-sustained roll is hard to find and make notes and forget about playing it in a matchup where red-zone trips could be in abundance if the Texans defense causes chaos against JJ McCarthy.
Steelers WRs NO
DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard combined for 27 targets in Week 6 with a plethora of receivers injured. Next up is the New Orleans Saints, who would give the opportunity for another PPR scam day. the Saints play fast and heavy passing, giving offense contrary to the fullness of time, versus struggling defense. Aaron Rodgers was one of the few quarterbacks last season who was better against zone coverage than man when it came to raw fantasy points, specifically benefiting Metcalf rather than defending him man-to-man.
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With limited options to go, I like the chance to get lottery picks for each WR again.
Flex Start
Tyler Higbee vs
Davante Adams is a touchdown machine, so what happens when he goes out? Well, last season, the Rams TEs went, scoring five touchdowns in their three-game absence. Higbee has been the leader so far with Terrance Ferguson, Colby Parkinson returning from injury and Davis Allen being more of an offense than a receiving threat. Higbee’s pass participation is consistently high and will give him a surprising shot in the end zone if the Rams play a heavy amount of their 13 personnel (3 TE, 1 WR) without Adams available.
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Double flex starts
Omar Cooper Jr
The rookie came on the scene in style, scoring a touchdown (with another called back) and gaining 100 receiving yards. With Adonai Mitchell sidelined, the slot receiver remained on the field in two receiver kills, playing across from Garrett Wilson. The Jets’ offense has struggled at times this season and faces a comeback against a defense that has only slowed a Vikings team without Justin Jefferson. The combination of Cooper’s rod-after-catch ability with short shields gives him a nice floor/ceiling balance for a double bend.
Malik Washington vs
On the other side of this matchup, Malik Washington is doing well. He’ll get some carries, some coverages and more in the downfield passing game against Jets cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr., who ranked within the bottom five in fantasy points allowed to receivers.
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New York’s road was better than average against outside receivers -6.4 PPG below average while not slowing down the slot. In PPR leagues, Washington has been a more consistent play for heavier leagues, scoring 11.1-12.1 fantasy points in three straight weeks.
Booby Traps
Josh Downs vs. MIN
Downs was… soon. His shot last week was against a Titans defense that was a great coverage matchup while TE Tyler Warren was out. If Warren is in, Indianapolis goes to more two TE formations, pushing Josh Downs outside where his production has declined. Believe it or not, when Keenan Allen is on the field, Downs’ target share has jumped 6% with what he can get back inside the slot. Either way, Minnesota’s defense puts him in a tough spot this week.
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Daniel Jones hasn’t looked good under pressure this season and I don’t want to bank on his performance in the Downs running game.
RJ Harvey ARI vs
Ever since Sean Payton took over the game, it’s been hard to find Harvey for a touchdown, and now rookie Jonah Coleman is back on Sunday. In the last two weeks, Harvey has three touchdowns and nine touchdowns, respectively, and was only saved by a one-yard TD in Week 6. The couple is positive and gives Denver a better chance at rebounding from the slowest start of the season.
Bo Nix this time to help Harvey forces down, but with the Cardinals defense giving up the highest average target height in the league, Nix was able to lower the ball down the field, depressing Harvey even more.