Fantasy Football: Week Seven Staff Must Start, Must Sit and Sleeper Picks
By J.T. McGrath
J.T. McGrath
START: Rob Gronkowski, TE – New England Patriots
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Of course you’re starting him, though you already knew that. BUT in case you didn’t have reason enough to put this stud in your lineup, let me just point out that the Jets have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends and have a patchwork secondary. On top of all that, Gronk has played 79% of the team’s offensive snaps (up from 44% in week one), indicating that he is at or near 100% health. This is a no-brainer; if you sit him, you might just need to have your head checked.
SIT: Marques Colston/Kenny Stills/Brandin Cooks, WR – New Orleans Saints
It’s strange to imagine that the Detroit Lions are a stout defensive unit, but through six games — believe it. The Detroit secondary is giving up the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers thus far (12.8 ppg) and have allowed only TWO touchdowns to opposing wideouts. While Drew Brees is known for his ability to endlessly churn out fantasy points, he has also been wildly inconsistent this season. If you’re in a PPR league, Cooks might be playable, but there are jsut too many mouths to feed, in an offense that could have trouble moving the ball come Sunday.
SLEEPER: Isaiah Crowell, RB – Cleveland Browns
Yes, this is the second time I’ve listed him here, but I just can’t help it. Check this out: Jacksonville, Oakland, Tampa Bay. Those are the next three defenses the Browns get to feast on with their revamped running game. Ben Tate is back, and he’s looking sharp, but how long will he remain healthy? Plus, even with Tate in there last weekend, Crowell managed to crank out nearly 80 yards and a touchdown. Oh yeah, and Terrance West was a HEALTHY scratch in that game. Against a soft upcoming schedule, Crowell could produce enough to warrant solid FLEX appeal.