Week 6 saw several sacks and a few low-scoring games. 12 players recorded 2.0 sacks, proof that sacks come in bunches. The week 7 IDP report has some must-add players, but first, a weekly grade from the previous week.

Weekly Grade: A+. 

One of the most dominant weeks of the season. Werner and Herbig both made several impactful plays. Shemar James earned over 10+ combined tackles, usually a bonus in IDP fantasy football leagues. The excellence of execution. 

The Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are on bye this week. Get players from those teams out of your week seven lineup.

 

 


Fantasy Football IDP Risers Week 7

DeMarcus Lawrence, DL, Seattle Seahawks

DeMarcus Lawrence is a veteran defensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks. He was injured in week five, but came out with a great week 6 performance. He played his second-most snaps of the season and rewarded Seattle with excellent play.

Lawrence earned 5 QB hits, 3 solo tackles, 2 assisted tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It is his greatest performance of the season, but he is not finished. The Seahawks play the Houston Texans before their bye week. It is an excellent opportunity for more sacks against a poor offensive line.

Justin Strnad, LB, Denver Broncos

Justin Strnad is filling in for Dre Greenlaw at linebacker. However, this is the second season he has played valuable minutes for the Denver Broncos. Playing alongside Alex Singleton has advantages, but Strnad is making plays on his own.

He has played 43 or more snaps in the box in four of the past five games. He earned his most tackles in a game, 6, last week. He also earned 1.5 sacks, 2 QB hits, and 1 tackle for loss. The Broncos have a week 12 bye, and Strnad is a great replacement for managers with Bills or Ravens linebackers on bye. He will also be valuable during the hellacious bye week that is week 8. Keep an eye on this IDP riser.

Mekhi Blackmon, DB, Indianapolis Colts

Mekhi Blackmon is a defensive back for the Indianapolis Colts and had an excellent game last week. The Colts had a great all-around game in week 6, and their team is more complete than most give credit for. Blackmon is one of those underrated players. 

Blackmon played 71 snaps on defense, including 58 wide corner snaps. However, he’s a tackling defensive back and has played 20 snaps in the box the past two weeks. He has 5 or more combined tackles in five consecutive games. He also has 3 passes defended, 2 interceptions, and 1 sack. 

Blackmon could be picked up, but the Colts' tendency to play with a positive script helps Blackmon. Keep an eye on fantasy football leagues that reward defensive backs with bonus points.

 

 


Fantasy Football Week 7 IDP Waiver Wire Targets

Kwity Paye, DL, Indianapolis Colts

Another Indianapolis Colts player cracks the week 7 IDP report, this time with a waiver wire addition. Kwity Paye finally broke out with easily his best performance of the season. He earned 7 combined tackles and 2.0 sacks. Prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals, he had 5 combined tackles and 1.0 sack. 

Paye more than doubled both statistical categories and has an opportunity to keep the momentum rolling. The Colts play the Los Angeles Chargers in week 7, who have a patchwork offensive line. Paye has great playmakers beside and behind him, and their defense will force the Chargers into passing often. He has to rush Justin Herbert and should get to him a few times this week. Check for Paye on the waiver.

Germaine Pratt, LB, Indianapolis Colts

Germaine Pratt has a new home, but with a familiar face. Indianapolis’ new defensive coordinator, Lou Amarumo, welcomed his former linebacker whom he spent six seasons with. Like an uncle and nephew that spent time together, they were immediately up to familiar tricks.

Pratt played 51 snaps in the box and only 6 on the defensive line. The box snaps were his most of the season, and his 6 on the line were his fewest. Amarumo got the best out of Pratt. He earned 11 combined tackles, including 8 solo tackles. Both were season highs.

Pratt is the starting “Will” linebacker and will continue to have a high snap count. The production will come with it. Pratt could be a valuable IDP for fantasy football managers going forward. 

DeAundre Alford, DB, Atlanta Falcons

Dee Alford is a defensive back for the Atlanta Falcons and had an excellent game last week. 6 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception against the reigning MVP, not too shabby. The Falcons' defense has turned a corner, and were it not for Baker Mayfield’s heroic efforts, they would be atop the NFC.

The Falcons play the San Francisco 49ers Week 7 in a Sunday night game. The offensive line can not protect any quarterback behind them, and Alford has a great opportunity to force another turnover. A few passes defended and tackles are in play, but look for the big play. Put a small amount of FAAB on him, as he is flying under the radar. 

 

 


 

NFL Week 7 IDP Matchups To Capitalize On

Jalen Ramsey, DB, Pittsburgh Steelers

As is customary, a Thursday night player will be mentioned, and this time it is a defensive back. A good one too. Jalen Ramsey is part of the old men crew of the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are all playing with a purpose and should be in fantasy football lineups. 

He played 69 snaps last week: 38 in the slot, wide corner 12, 10 at free safety, and 3 in the box. This week, he plays the Cincinnati Bengals, which means Joe Flacco. Flacco threw 45 times with his new team, and the Bengals do not have the greatest offensive line. Ramsey has an opportunity to make an impactful play.

A few of his big plays have been wiped out by penalties, but Ramsey looks like the Jaguars' version of himself. He’s also motivated by playing on a winning team once again. Take a look at Ramsey for a one-and-done league.

Jalen Redmond, DL, Minnesota Vikings

Redmond is available across most fantasy football leagues, as the Minnesota Vikings are coming off their bye week. He will be up against the Philadelphia Eagles and could have several “tush push” tackles as the starting defensive tackle. Not to mention against the Eagles' heavy run attack. 

A sack is also on the horizon, as the Eagles are adjusting to playing without starting center Landon Dickerson. Redmond will be lined up in the interior of the offensive line against a backup or a hurt Dickerson. Tackles for loss, QB hits, and assisted tackles should stack up.

Redmond is coming off a bye week and hosting the match at the loud U.S. Bank Stadium. He will have more preparation time, and the “twelfth man” of the crowd on critical third downs. Pick him up from waivers and put him in the lineup. 

Luke Gifford, LB, San Francisco 49ers

The most reliable linebacker in the NFL went down with a gruesome ankle injury. Fred Warner is going to miss consecutive games for the first time in his career. In his absence, Luke Gifford will be asked to fill a massive void.

George Kittle, Warner, and Nick Bosa are the longest tenured 49ers. They are all inactive going into week 7. A new voice, a new communicator, a new leader will be needed to be found on the defensive side of the ball. Gifford may not be ready, but will be forced to play a new role.

He only has 8 combined tackles this season, but he was plugged in when Warner went down. His 21 defensive snaps of Week 6 were his most since Week 1, and he will set season-high marks against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7. He will also be matched up against Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, and Kyle Pitts. A difficult task, to say the least, but one that includes a great deal of volume.

Look for Gifford to play several snaps, be targeted by the Falcons often, and deliver with statistics. Those stats lead to fantasy football points and contribute to a winning roster. That is what is needed in Week 7 and beyond to gain an advantage. 
 

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy-