Welcome to Week 7 of the fantasy football season, where the hunt for those elusive yet crucial flex starters takes center stage. In this article, we dive into some underrated options that are poised to find the end zone and deliver a valuable fantasy performance. We’ll explore their recent play, matchups, and potential touchdown-scoring opportunities to help you make informed decisions on who to start in your flex position this week. Whether you’re seeking that hidden gem or a homerun swing, this guide will shed light on the underrated players who are poised for success in Week 7.
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Week 7 Fantasy Football Flex Options Based on TD Opportunity
Rashee Rice – WR – Kansas City Chiefs
While it’s been a slow rise, Rashee Rice is steadily becoming a more consistent member of the Chiefs’ wide receiver corps. His snap share has been steadily increasing throughout the season. Furthermore, for the first time, Rice out-snapped his teammate Sky Moore in Week 6. The Chiefs’ offense is in dire need of a playmaker, and Rice has been their most productive pass catcher this side of Travis Kelce.
Playing time is the only thing holding Rice back from becoming a consistent fantasy starter. He is No. 5 in the NFL in target rate and No. 11 in yards per route run. The problem? Rice is No. 95 in route participation, as he has only been a part of 37.8% of the pass plays this season. That is beginning to change, though, and he is a great flex play this week against the Chargers. Look for him to get his touchdown opportunities as well. Despite limited playing time, Rice is No. 12 in the NFL in red zone targets.
Week 7 Fantasy Football Trade Value Chart
Gus Edwards – RB – Baltimore Ravens
After multiple injury-plagued seasons, Gus Edwards has finally become a regular part of the Ravens’ running back rotation again. He has received double-digit rush attempts in five straight games and has also out-snapped Justice Hill in two out of the last three weeks, too. Most importantly, though, he has gotten three rush attempts inside the five-yard line compared to just one for counter-part since Week 2.
Gus Edwards is 42 pounds bigger than Justice Hill and has out-carried Hill 3 to 1 inside the 5-yard line since Week 2pic.twitter.com/7v2CtngFEf
— Scott Spratt (@Scott_Spratt) October 16, 2023
That almost paid off in Week 6, with Edwards being stopped on the one-yard line, just inches away from scoring. Although this is a tough matchup, the Ravens lead the NFL in rush attempts, ensuring plenty of opportunities for him. Additionally, Baltimore fizzled in the red zone last weekend, and their pass catchers have struggled with drops. Expect them to trust Edwards within the 10-yard line, making him pay off as a low-upside flex option in Week 7.
Michael Thomas – WR – New Orleans Saints
At this stage of his career, Michael Thomas is one of the least efficient wide receivers in the NFL. He is No. 50 in average depth of target and No. 54 in yards per route run. Nonetheless, Thomas is a huge part of the Saints’ offense when he is on the field. His target share on the season is 22.6%, and he has run a route on every Saints pass play.
Despite Thomas always being a consistent red zone target as well, he’s received the most targets in the NFL without a touchdown in 2023. That is going to change this weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They have surrendered the second-most passing yards per game in 2023, and Derek Carr isn’t throwing downfield as much with his recent shoulder injury. Expect Thomas to be heavily targeted again and score his first touchdown this weekend.
Romeo Doubs – WR – Green Bay Packers
In five games this season, Romeo Doubs has been a top 17 fantasy football receiver three times. The issue is in his other two performances; he scored 6.4 fantasy points combined. Due to a recent poor outing and a bye week, he is being forgotten about in fantasy rankings, too. Doubs has a 23.4% target share in 2023, which leads all Packers receivers. Furthermore, he is No. 12 in the NFL in red zone targets as the chemistry with Jordan Love continues.
Don’t forget about Romeo Doubs in fantasy football in week 7
🏈 Top 17 fantasy reciever 3 times in five games
🎯 23.4% Target Share
💣 No.12 in Redzone Targets
🤮 Denver Broncos Defense— Emerson Beery (@Dynasty_Analyst) October 19, 2023
Most importantly, though, Doubs is in a fantastic matchup this weekend against a very bad Broncos defense. They have surrendered 33.3 points per game this season, the most in the NFL. In an almost statistical impossibility, they are also giving up the most yards per rush and pass attempt in 2023. The Packers’ offense will get back on track in Week 7, making Doubs a must-start with bye weeks and injuries.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba – WR – Seattle Seahawks
As our long shot for the week, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a great deeper league flex option. I predict he will score his first NFL touchdown in his first strong fantasy performance of the year. While he’s had a limited role thus far, Smith-Njigba had a career-high in snap percentage, routes run, and receiving yards in Week 6. This coincides with Seattle getting their two offensive tackles back, thus pivoting away from more multiple tight end looks.
Nonetheless, the Seattle passing attack hasn’t been the same in 2023 either. They should have a bounce-back performance against the Cardinals, though. They are giving up 27 points per game but are still No.10 in the NFL in sacks per game. With Seattle’s offensive line struggling, that means fewer targets for downfield threats DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Expect Smith-Njigba to take advantage underneath in a breakout performance.
