Week seven in fantasy was an interesting one. Injuries to Arian Foster and Joseph Randle opened the door for fantasy owners to pick up backups on the waiver wire, and Miami’s 44-26 win over Houston enabled three Dolphins players to make this list after putting up impressive numbers.
Studs of the week:
Lamar Miller (Miami): The fourth year back out of the University of Miami ran wild on Sunday against the Texans. Miller finished week seven as the highest scorer in all of fantasy with 35 points. He carried the ball only 14 times but ran for 175 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 54-yard catch and run for a touchdown. In the two games before the bye week under coach Joe Philbin, Miller only carried the ball seven times per game and totaled eight points in the two losses. In the two games after the bye week under Dan Campbell, he’s gotten a combined 33 carries in two games and has put up a combined 52 points in the victories.
Kirk Cousins (Washington): To anyone who started and gave a chance to Cousins in week seven, congratulations, you have earned the right to call yourself a genius. Cousins, who was only owned as of Tuesday night by 6.4 percent of people in standard ESPN leagues, exploded on Sunday. The former Michigan State Spartan helped the Redskins overcome a 24-0 deficit and threw 317 yards and three touchdowns along with one interception. He also had three rushes for 15 yards and a touchdown. His huge day earned him 29 fantasy points and placed him tied with Tom Brady for most points scored by a quarterback.
Other Studs: Ryan Tannehill (Miami), Tom Brady (New England), Todd Gurley (St. Louis) T.Y. Hilton (Indianapolis) and Jaguars D/ST.
Adds of the week:
Darren McFadden (Dallas): The former Razorback took the place of starter Joseph Randle after he suffered a reported oblique injury during Sunday’s game against the Giants. McFadden rushed for 152 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. The running back finished his day with 22 fantasy points and is an excellent addition while Randle is out. He faces a tough Seattle defense next week so he should be started as a low end RB 1 or high end RB 2.
Rishard Matthews (Miami): The fourth year wide receiver has quietly been a consistent top 20 receiver this season in fantasy. Matthews is a huge deep threat and has posted weeks of nine, 11, 23, eight and this week 13 points against Houston. Matthews’ only hiccup came in week four against a stingy Jets secondary with Darelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Besides that week, Matthews has been extremely consistent. Matthews finished with three receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown against Houston. The former Nevada wide out is available on most waiver wires and is an excellent addition to solidify a bench or start as a flex.
Other Adds: Jordan Reed (Washington), Alfred Blue (Houston), Stefon Diggs (Minnesota).
Bust of the Week:
Jimmy Graham (Seattle): Inconsistent and underachieving are two words to describe Jimmy Graham’s season so far. His weekly points this season have been: 11, one, 14, two, three, 14 and three this last week against San Francisco. It seems as if every time he has that 11 or 14 point game, the mindset of fantasy owners is that the Seahawks have finally integrated him into the offense. But, he has been hit or miss when started all season. The former Pro Bowler will face the Cowboys this week, which on paper, looks like a good matchup. Keep plugging him in unless you have a top five tight end that you’re more confident in. After the bye week, there will be no excuses if he cannot perform. He does face Arizona twice after the bye week as well as St. Louis, which will be difficult matchups. Graham finished Sunday with three catches for 31 yards against San Francisco.
Other busts: LeGarrette Blount (New England), Odell Beckham (New York), Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona).
Aggie Fantasy:
Ryan Tannehill (Miami): Before the season started, Tannehill was tabbed by many pundits to have a breakout year. Tannehill played excellent Sunday, tearing up the Texans and at one point helping the Dolphins attain a 42-0 lead before halftime. Tannehill threw for 282 yards and four touchdowns, tallying 27 points on the day. With the guidance of new coach Dan Campbell, it appears that Tannehill will finish the year as a strong starting fantasy quarterback.
Mike Evans (Tampa Bay): The former legendary A&M wide receiver put up big numbers against the Redskins on Sunday. Evans caught eight passes for 164 yards and a touchdown, which enabled him to score 22 fantasy points. Rookie quarterback Jameis Winston has been inconsistent this season, which has hurt Evans ability to put up big numbers on a week-to-week basis.
