Fantasy Football: Week 7 Running Backs – Navigate Shifting Roles & Tough Matchups
As fantasy football managers approach Week 7, navigating evolving backfield dynamics and challenging defensive matchups is crucial for maximizing roster potential. Several high-profile running backs face concerning trends or challenging opponents, prompting a reevaluation of their starting status. Key players like Kenneth Walker III and Travis Etienne Jr. are seeing diminished roles, while others, including Tony Pollard and TreVeyon Henderson, are struggling to produce despite seemingly favorable opportunities.
This week’s “Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em” decisions are especially impactful given the increasing importance of the waiver wire and trade market as the season progresses. Identifying potential busts and undervalued alternatives can be the difference between a winning and losing week, especially in competitive leagues. Managers should carefully consider snap counts, touch shares, and opponent defensive rankings when setting their lineups.
Sit ‘Em
Kenneth Walker III vs. Texans (Mon. 10 p.m. ET, ESPN): Walker III has fallen behind Zach Charbonnet, playing 14 fewer snaps and running seven fewer routes than his teammate last week. He has also been under a 27% touch share in two straight games, during which time he’s scored 14.3 points. Houston has allowed just one back to score more than 15 points this season.
Travis Etienne Jr. vs. Rams (9:30 a.m.ET, NFL Network): Etienne Jr.’s touch share has been solid after the first six weeks of the season, but his fantasy points have dropped in the last two weeks, posting just 18.3 points during that time. The rams have allowed just 3.7 yards per rush and the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs.
Tony Pollard vs. Patriots (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Titans offense has been awful this year, and Pollard’s stats have suffered as a result, averaging just 10.5 points per game and being held to single digits three times. He also lost snaps and touches to Tyjae Spears last week, and the Patriots have allowed just one running back to beat them for more than 13.1 points this season.
TreVeyon Henderson at Titans (1 p.m.ET, CBS): Henderson has a great matchup on paper this week against the Titans, but he’s been unable to take advantage of such games this season. Rhamondre Stevenson continues to be the Patriots lead back, leaving the rookie to see unimpressive snap and touch totals. At best,Henderson is a risk-reward flex starter for the desperate.
Nick Chubb at Seahawks (Mon. 10 p.m.ET, ESPN): Chubb posted a touchdown and 12.1 fantasy points against the Ravens before Houston’s bye week, but he saw a mere 19% touch share in the game. He continues to split time with rookie Woody Marks, and this week’s matchup against the Seahawks makes him a risk, as their defense has allowed the third-fewest points to backs on runs alone.
