It is time to set our fantasy lineups and with that in mind, let's follow the data to analyze some of the biggest Week 7 fantasy football rankings risers and fallers to help you make those critical start-sit decisions.

Risers in the Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings

Baker Mayfield | QB | Buccaneers

The most predictive stat for future points at the QB position is fantasy points per game, which means we have likely waited too long to move Mayfield up the ranks. The veteran QB averages the second-most fantasy points per game (22.9). But that is not all. He also gets a fantastic matchup against the Ravens' funnel defense.

Baltimore provides the largest passing yards boost to opposing signal callers in the NFL at 60 yards per game. In this case, boost means how many yards they have allowed over their opponents' average for the season.

Mayfield UPGRADES to QB9 this weekend.

Kenneth Walker | RB | Seahawks

Seattle has dropped back to pass on 79%, 88%, and 73% of plays over the last three games. Those are not numbers you would associate with an environment ripe for fantasy production if you still viewed Walker as an early-down-only option.

However, if you have been following along with the Utilization Report, you are a ball-knower and understand that Walker is in a near-every-down role (including the two-minute offense), which unlocked 33.6, 14.6, and 20.9 point outings. He ranks No. 2 in Utilization Score (9.1) and his production is likely here to stay.

This weekend, Walker gets an opportunity to shred a Falcons defense, allowing the seventh-most rushing yards per game (143). If the game goes into shootout mode, no worries. Walker has a 15% target share in the year and averages six looks per game.

Walker is a SMASH play and UPGRADES to No. 4 in the RB ranks across the entire Fantasy Life crew.

J.K. Dobbins | RB | Chargers

Dobbins is sitting at the center of a perfect storm.

  • Dobbins handled 73% of the snaps and 68% of the rushing attempts last weekend, with Gus Edwards moved to IR.
  • The Chargers are the seventh-most run-heavy team with a -4.1 dropback rate over expectation (DBOE).
  • The Cardinals allow the fourth-most rushing yards per game (153).

Kimani Vidal will steal some passing-down reps, but Dobbins offers MASSIVE upside against Arizona. This setup could ignite a 150-yard and multi-TD explosion.

Dobbins UPGRADES to top-six RB status and is SMASH play.

Chuba Hubbard | RB | Panthers

With six weeks of data, many of the historical data priors in the backend rankings and projection algorithm have been washed away. With that, Hubbard gets a dramatic bump up the ranks thanks to his 8.0 Utilization Score (10th) and 16 fantasy points per game (10th).

The 21-day practice window for Jonathon Brooks opened this week, so he will soon return to the lineup, but that likely won't be this weekend. That leaves the door open for another high-end utilization outing from Hubbard, who owns 73% of the team's rushing attempts and a 9.1 Utilization Score (elite) over the last four games.

The Commanders cough up the tenth-most rushing yards per contest (138), but the Panthers must avoid falling behind as eight-point dogs to allow Hubbard to eat. Still, Hubbard averaged five targets per game over the last month, so he isn't a lost cause in a sideways game script.

Nerd Note: Why aren't EPA, success rate, and other advanced stats discussed with matchups? Because the raw yardage allowed is more predictive of future fantasy success. Those advanced stats can still add context to help us account for volume and other factors, but the simple stats get us what we need for the most part. For all the nerds out there:

  • Defensive rushing yards allowed: .13 r-squared
  • Defensive rushing EPA per play: .07 r-squared
  • Defensive rushing success rate: .05 r-squared

Hubbard UPGRADES top-10 status as my RB9 in Week 7.

Chase Brown | RB | Bengals

Brown posted a 53% rush share and reached season-highs in route participation (54%) and target share (14%) in Week 6. We can't overly read too much into this data point because Brown (quad) and Zack Moss (toe) entered the game with injuries. 

Still, if we zoom out a little further, we can see a three-week trend where Brown accounted for 52%, 55%, and 53% of the team's rushing attempts. These trends can be fluid, but I am projecting Brown to be the top runner moving forward. The real question is if his uptick in route participation sticks. Moss has a 51% route participation versus 35% for Brown over the same stretch.

The Browns have been solid against the pass (10th) but haven't been as strong against the run (20th), allowing 138 yards per contest.

Brown UPGRADES to low-end RB2 territory this weekend. 

RB Rapid Fire: Pending Upgrades (in order of preference)

  • Tony Pollard | Titans: Tyjae Spears is week-to-week, leaving the door open for a massive workload for Pollard. The Titans free-agent prize already has a low-end RB1-worthy Utilization Score (8.1), but the absence of Spears would raise the bar, and the Bills allow the eighth-most yards per game (140) on the ground. Pollard UPGRADES to top-12 status, assuming Spears is out.
     
  • Austin Ekeler | Commanders: Brian Robinson missed last week's game but was available for practice on Wednesday. However, should he not be able to go, Ekeler took over the lion's share of opportunities last weekend with 73% of the snaps and a 7.5 Utilization Score. The Commanders are eight-point favorites, and the Panthers allow the third-most rushing yards per game (154). Ekeler would UPGRADE to top-12 territory if Robinson didn't suit up.
     
  • Ty Chandler | Vikings: Aaron Jones was called week-to-week during their bye, and the Vikings added Cam Akers via trade on Tuesday. If Jones didn't go, Chandler would assume the lead role in an explosive offense. Detroit ranks No. 3 against the run, allowing only 69 yards per game, but this game could be a tight (three-point spread) shootout with the third-highest game total (49.5). Chandler UPGRADES to the mid-range RB2 conversation if Jones is out.
     
  • Tyrone Tracy | Giants: Devin Singletary missed the last two games (groin), and Tracy benefited as the clear-cut No. 1, handling 74% of snaps and 58% of rushing attempts. The rookie has a mid-range RB1-worthy Utilization Score (8.7) over the small sample and would UPGRADE to mid-range RB2 territory despite the less-than-stellar matchup against the Eagles.
     
  • Ray Davis | Bills: James Cook (toe) missed Week 6, and Davis capably filled his shoes, posting the highest Utilization Score (8.3) of any Bills RB this season. Davis demonstrated power and pass-catching ability on his way to 18.2 fantasy points. If Cook can't play, Davis enters the mid-range RB2 range even though the matchup against the Titans is subpar.
     
  • Bucky Irving | Buccaneers: Rachaad White (foot) didn't play last weekend, and Irving handled 70% of the team's snaps before the final blowout drive. That would make the rookie the favorite to lead this backfield in Week 7 if White can't go, but the emergence of Sean Tucker (he looked great) and a matchup against the best run defense in the NFL in the Ravens hurt. Irving UPGRADES to borderline RB2 territory if White can't play, and Tucker would enter the boom-bust RB4 conversation. 
     
  • Trey Benson | Cardinals: James Conner's Week 7 status is in doubt after leaving last week's game with an ankle injury. Benson doesn't have a near-every-down role locked down if Conner can't go with Emari Demercado likely to poach pass-down reps. However, Benson would be in line for 50 to 65% of the team's rushing attempts. The Chargers boast the No. 4 rush defense, so Benson would be a high-end RB3 if Conner were out.
     
  • Isaac Guerendo | 49ers: Guerendo split time with Patrick Taylor after Jordan Mason (shoulder) left the contest last weekend. If Mason can't go, Guerendo UPGRADES to mid-range RB3 status against a tough Chiefs defense (sixth), and Taylor becomes an RB4 option.
     
  • Antonio Gibson | Patriots: Rhamondre Stevenson missed last weekend's game and didn't practice to start the week. That leaves the door open for Gibson–who led the Patriots with a 51% snap share–to act as the lead option in a committee again. Gibson UPGRADES to mid-range RB3 status if Stevenson is down.

Chris Godwin | WR | Buccaneers

My son just walked into my room and asked me how I feel about Chris Godwin as I was about to start his write-up. My reply (paraphrasing): I love him! Based on his 8.3 Utilization Score, 67% of his comparisons have finished between WR7 and WR12 over the last four seasons.

While he is off to try and make a trade for Godwin, let's turn our attention to a manna matchup from the heavens. The Ravens allow the most passing yards per game (298) and sanction the No. 2 boost to the WR position at 9.3 points per game.

Godwin is thriving in his new mismatch role under Liam Cohen. He ranks No. 6 in slot rate (61%), where he is best suited to take advantage of mismatches against linebackers and safeties. With Mike Evans banged up, the Buccaneers could feed him even more in Week 7.

Godwin is a SMASH PLAY entering rare air as the WR6 overall.

Zay Flowers | WR | Ravens

The Ravens offense has quietly condensed down to one primary option in the passing attack: Mr. Flowers. The second-year WR has a 28% target share on the season. However, his Utilization Score is a little light due to low air yards (24%) and a low-passing volume attack with a -5% DBOE.

When the Ravens get Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson going on the ground, it is hard to blame them for wanting to keep the run-game RPMs redlined. We are talking about the No. 1 rushing offense in the NFL at 205 yards per contest.

Still, the Buccaneers allow the fifth-most passing yards per contest (270), and some of their foes have shied away from a run-heavy approach because of Vita Vea. With the third-highest team total on the slate per Vegas oddsmakers, there is plenty to like about Flowers this weekend. 

Flowers UPGRADES to high-end WR2 status as my WR13.

Tank Dell | WR | Texans

Dell re-entered the fantasy conversation with an 18.7-point spike week with Nico Collins out in Week 6. In a consolidated attack, he led the team with a 31% target share and posted a juicy 8.3 Utilization Score.

The Texans will need to score points this weekend against a top-four NFL offense in Green Bay. The Packers average over 400 yards per game of offense, but they have also been susceptible against the pass. Houston sports the seventh-worst pass defense on the slate, allowing 249 yards per game.

  • Condensed offense: CHECK
  • High-end QB: CHECK
  • Suspect defense: CHECK
  • Explosive shootout environment: CHECK

It is all systems go for liftoff this weekend for Houston.

Dell UPGRADES to WR14 and is a must-start SMASH play.

Diontae Johnson | WR | Panthers

Johnson has a 9.1 Utilization Score (the best you can get is 10) with 18.3 fantasy points per game with Andy Dalton as the starter. I don't need to type much more because a four-week sample for the Utilization Score is more predictive of next week's performance than any other metric (including fantasy points) that I have ever tested.

But we are having fun here, so we can't leave out an important detail: Johnson is facing the Commanders!

Yes, those Commanders. The ones that rank third-worst in PFF coverage grade (47.4) and provide the third-highest fantasy boost (5.7) to the WR position.

Okay, now I am done.

Johnson UPGRADES to WR11 and is a SMASH PLAY, y'all.

WR Rapid Fire: Upgrades & Pending News

  • Cooper Kupp | Rams: Kupp is expected to return to practice this week. If he suits up, he immediately returns to top-10 status. I currently have him at WR7 behind a few names that are hard to pass, knowing they are 100%.
     
  • Mike Evans | Buccaneers: Evans got banged up and missed a few snaps last weekend. We will have to monitor his progress in practice this week. If the future Hall of Famer suits up, he offers high-end WR1 upside against the Ravens.
     
  • Jameson Williams | Lions: Williams could find himself in an explosive game environment in an NFC North battle against the Vikings. While Minnesota's defense has drastically improved, the Lions have the weapons to light them up through the air. Williams UPGRADES to low-end WR2 status and offers WR1 upside. 
     
  • Jakobi Meyers | Raiders: Meyers returned to practice on Wednesday after missing last week's contest. We need to monitor his practice participation to ensure he is healthy but Meyers has a big opportunity with Davante Adams traded to the Jets. Over the last two games without Adams, Meyers has a 7.8 Utilization Score (WR2 territory) with an elite 32% target share. Meyers UPGRADES to high-end WR3 status if 100% against a soft Rams secondary. 
     
  • Ladd McConkey | Chargers: McConkey leads the Chargers with a 26% target share. The offense is too run-heavy to make him a dependable weekly option, but the underlying talent isn't the challenge. This weekend, he gets a matchup against a Cardinals secondary that ranks fifth-worst in PFF coverage grade. McConkey UPGRADES to a borderline WR3.
     
  • DeMario Douglas | Patriots: Douglas delivered 21.2 points in his first game with Drake Maye. The second-year WR is the best option in the Patriots' passing attack, with a 20% target share, and he has gotten hot as of late. Over the last four games, Douglas has a 6.5 Utilization Score and a 26% target share, and now he gets a juicy matchup against the second-worst pass defense in the NFL, with the Jaguars licensing 291 yards per contest. Douglas UPGRADES to low-end WR2 territory and offers WR2 upside.
     
  • Michael Wilson | Cardinals: Wilson demonstrated a stronger target-earning profile over the last month (23%), and Arizona might not have Marvin Harrison (concussion). Wilson climbs into the boom-bust WR4 range if Harrison Jr. can't play. 
     
  • Christian Watson & Romeo Doubs | Packers: Dontayvion Wicks could miss Week 7 due to a shoulder injury (limited in Wednesday's practice). If that happens, Watson and Doubs could see more targets. Still, it is very hard to predict which player will find the favor of Jordan Love. The Packers duo enter boom-bust WR4 territory if Wicks can't suit up.
     
  • Jerry Jeudy | Browns: Theoretically, the targets have to go somewhere in Cleveland, which gives Jeudy a slight rank bump. However, many of the uncatchable target issues that plagued Amari Cooper could challenge Jeudy, and the former first-rounder has never proven to be a strong target earner. Jeudy is a boom-bust WR4.
     
  • Jordan Whittington | Rams: Whittington notched a 7.3 Utilization Score (WR3 territory) in a full-time role over the last two games with a 25% target share. If Kupp isn't ready to roll in Week 7, Whittington becomes a borderline WR3 with WR2 upside.

Brock Bowers | TE | Raiders

With Adams shipped to the Jets, Bowers can dominate the Raiders passing attack. Over the last two games without Adams, Bowers posted a pristine 9.4 Utilization Score. The man has a 33% target share and 36% air yards share over that stretch. That type of Utilization Score has historically unlocked high-end TE1 finishes. The Raiders subpar passing attack could hold the electric rookie back, but Bowers is locked into top-three status.

Bowers UPGRADES to TE No. 2 overall, only behind Travis Kelce in Week 7. 

David Njoku | TE | Browns

With the Browns' target leader–Amari Cooper–now wearing a Bills uniform, Njoku should see more targets. Whether or not those targets will lead to fantasy production is debatable, but their low-aDOT nature could lead to a better completion rate than we saw with Cooper.

Last weekend, Njoku led the team with a 32% target share, and he will look to build off that performance.

Njoku UPGRADES to mid-range TE1 status but still carries bust potential.

TE Rapid Fire: Pending Upgrades

  • Trey McBride | Cardinals: McBride is already my No. 4 option this weekend, barely behind George Kittle. However, if Harrison Jr. can't go, McBride UPGRADES to top-three status.
     
  • T.J. Hockenson | Vikings: Hockenson should return to the lineup soon. We can't expect a full workload when he suits up, but that would still make Hockenson a mid-range TE2 with a chance to enter the TE1 range with a TD. Hockenson is my TE16, ahead of guys with more playing time but less target-earning prowess.
     
  • Hunter Henry | Patriots: Henry is the second-leading target earner (17%) on the team, and New England faces a Jaguars secondary that has struggled mightily. With Maye under center, one of these pass catchers can put up a strong performance. Henry UPGRADES to TE13.
     
  • Juwan Johnson | Saints: The Saints won't have Chris Olave (concussion) or Rashid Shaheed (meniscus surgery) on Thursday night. That means Johnson could be one of the top-end targets for Spencer Rattler, with Taysom Hill also listed as doubtful. Johnson UPGRADES to low-end TE2 status, but don't get carried away–this is a tough matchup against a stingy Broncos secondary with a rookie QB. 

Fallers In The Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings

Kyler Murray | QB | Cardinals

Murray ranks 12th in fantasy points per game (17.8) thanks to his rushing ability. However, we were hoping for more from an offense that added Harrison Jr. to go along with a young stud tight end in McBride. Unfortunately, the passing offense has fizzled, with Murray averaging only 198 yards per contest.

This weekend, the Cardinals might be without Harrison (concussion), and the Chargers have limited opponents to only 173 yards per game. There could be some smoke-and-mirrors going on with that rank since the schedule has been soft, but Murray looks like another soft matchup at this point.

Murray DOWNGRADES to borderline QB1 status.

Kareem Hunt | RB | Chiefs

Hunt took over the lead role in Week 5 with 75% of the Chiefs rushing attempts on his way to a 7.7 Utilization Score and 18.8 fantasy outing. However, he didn't look particularly impressive, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire could return to the fold this weekend. You can call this more of a hunch, but I am not fully bought into Hunt as the clear-cut No. 1.

The 49ers have held opponents to the eight-fewest rushing yards per game (99.5), and the Chiefs have a modest team total by their standards (22.5).

Hunt is a low-end RB2 in Week 7.

RB Rapid Fire: Pending Downgrades

  • James Cook | Bills: Cook (toe) could return to the lineup this weekend, but the door is open for Ray Davis to carve out an expanded role after a strong performance. Cook has played well, so I am not saying this is a lock or is probable to happen, but there is more risk. When you add up the emergence of Davis, the toe injury, and a below-average matchup against the Titans, the total comes up to a DOWNGRADE to mid-range RB2 territory.
     
  • Devin Singletary | Giants: Singletary (groin) is in a similar position as Cook. He is hurt, his younger teammate (Tracy) has played well, and the Eagles have allowed only 13.2 fantasy points per game (eighth-fewest) on the ground. Singletary DOWNGRADES to mid-range RB3 status until we see what's what.
     
  • Rachaad White | Buccaneers: White carries the most risk of the three backs listed here because he has played terribly and has TWO teammates champing at the bit to take his job. Irving and Tucker looked better than White in a small sample, and there is a chance this turns into a full-blown three-way committee. If you needed another reason to worry, the Ravens are the No. 1 run defense in the NFL. White DOWNGRADES to high-end RB4 status.

Amari Cooper | WR | Bills

We are all excited to see Cooper join Josh Allen in Buffalo, but we should temper expectations this weekend. Typically, it takes time to learn the playbook and even more time to find that ever-evasive chemistry between a signal caller and their wideout. Cooper has the experience to streamline these aspects of a transition–he has done it before when he joined the Cowboys–but don't expect the fully integrated experience this weekend.

The Titans have been stingy against opposing pass catchers, allowing a league-low 126 yards per game. Specifically, against WRs, they have limited opponents to 50 yards less than their season average, which ranks first in the NFL.

Cooper will eventually pay dividends in Buffalo, but he is a borderline WR3 this weekend. 

WR and TE Rapid Fire Downgrades

  • Garrett Wilson | Jets: The arrival of Adams doesn't spell doom for a 31% target share WR, but Wilson is going to take a hit. It might not be that much of a hit in the first game but Adams has a history with Rodgers, so he has a better chance of making noise right away than Cooper in Buffalo. Wilson was a mid-range WR1 before the arrival of Adams, but he DOWNGRADES to WR20 in my ranks for Week 7.
     
  • Davante Adams | Jets: Adams could flash early, given his history with Rodgers, but we should still temper expectations. He is a high-end WR3 this weekend.
     
  • Josh Downs | Colts: If Joe Flacco is under center, you can ignore this downgrade. If Anthony Richardson is playing, you can expect fewer passing plays, more scrambles, and fewer completions. That is a recipe for way less volume. Downs is a WR2 with WR1 upside with Flacco, but he DOWNGRADES to mid-range WR3 territory with Richardson, which may be too generous.
     
  • Allen Lazard | Jets: Lazard is the WR18 in fantasy points per game (15.2) despite a mediocre 19% target share and 27% air yards share. He has played admirably but has run extremely pure. Lazard can't afford any reduction in playing time, which is likely coming with the arrival of Adams. Even if the Jets use more three-WR sets, his target share likely plummets to the 14 to 15% range, which also takes him out of the fantasy equation. Lazard DOWNGRADES to WR5 territory and shouldn't be in fantasy lineups.

Sicko Start of the Week for Fantasy Football Week 7

I want to throw in a few names for all my fellow fantasy managers that are in a SICKO league. If you are in a 12-team league with three starting WRs and two flexes, these are for you! Or you are in a more typical setup but need a name to help get you through injuries; these are for you!

Week 1: Sam Darnold (hit), J.K. Dobbins (hit), Jalen McMillan (hit), Zach Ertz (miss)

Week 2: Daniel Jones (hit), Zack Moss (miss), Adonai Mitchell (miss), Zach Ertz (hit)

Week 3: Aaron Rodgers (hit), D'Andre Swift (miss), Jordan Whittington (miss), Tyler Conklin (hit)

Week 4: Caleb Williams (miss), Jerome Ford (hit), Darnell Mooney (miss - But the PROCESS WAS RIGHT, he screamed … as his wife and children walked out of his life forever)

Week 5: Deshaun Watson (miss), Trey Sermon (hit), Tutu Atwell (hit)

Week 6: Daniel Jones (miss), Tyjae Spears (null-injured), Jalen Tolbert (miss), Zach Ertz (hit)

Season: 11 of 21

Ouch! Week 6 was rough. Let's see if we can redeem ourselves with a better performance in Week 7. 

I also added an alternates section for each position where you can see the complete list of players I considered. I won't claim those in the weekly results, but I thought it might be helpful–especially in deeper leagues.

Let's go, you sickos.

Sam Darnold | QB | Vikings

Darnold is only in 22% of starting lineups and is a free agent in 40% of leagues.

Darnold ranks 15th in fantasy points per game (17.1), but that number could be much higher. The Vikings have led by nine-plus points on a league-leading 55% of plays, leading to some run-centric game scripts. In reality, the Vikings have a pass-balanced leaning with the sixth-highest DBOE (3.2%).

The Packers are a neutral matchup for opposing signal callers, and this game could be a shootout. Based on bookmakers, the Vikings have the third-highest team total (26.3).

Darnold UPGRADES to QB10 above names like Kyler Murray and Patrick Mahomes.

Alternate: Drake Maye

Tank Bigsby | RB | Jaguars

Bigsby is only in 38% of starting lineups and is a free agent in 34% of leagues.

Last week was a disaster for Bigsby managers, who finally decided to give their new toy a spin. The good news is that it was a game-script-induced performance. The bad news is also that it was a game-script-induced performance. That means if the contest against the Patriots ends up in a trailing scenario, we could see more D'Ernest Johnson again.

However, this should be a competitive game at a minimum, and there is a chance the Jaguars control the contest. That is the type of script where Bigsby should thrive if Travis Etienne can't play. In that scenario, I expect Bigsby to handle 50 to 60% of the rushing attempts, with Johnson taking the passing-down reps.

The Patriots have surrendered 128 yards per game on the ground. This is an excellent setup for Bigsby, who has looked like one of the best backs in the league over the first six games. He offers a unique blend of size, acceleration, and power that can unlock a 100-yard performance with multi-TD upside.

Bigsby UPGRADES to low-end RB2 status if Etienne can't go but offers RB1 upside. I have him ahead of names like Zack Moss, Devin Singletary, and Rachaad White. 

Alternates: Javonte Williams, Raheem Mostert

Jordan Addison | WR | Vikings

Only in 31% of starting lineups and is a free agent in 22% of leagues.

Sam Darnold loves targeting Addison deep (17.9 aDOT), and the Vikings get a choice matchup against a Lions secondary. Detroit has empowered the fourth-largest fantasy boost per game (4.2) to opposing WR rooms. Look for Addison, who notched a 29% target share in Week 5, to come down with at least one big play for a score in a potential shootout.

Addison is the WR34 in fantasy points per game (12) but UPGRADES to my WR24 and offers WR1 upside in Week 7. He ranks ahead of names like Darnell Mooney, George Pickens, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Josh Downs.

Alternates: Ladd McConkey, DeMario Douglas, Christian Watson, Jerry Jeudy, Bub Means

Dalton Schultz | TE | Texans

Schultz is only in 34% of starting lineups and is a free agent in 31% of leagues.

Schultz came up small in the fantasy boxscore (6.7) with a TE20 finish. However, his underlying utilization was much stronger than that. Over the last two games with Nico Collins injured (half of Week 5 and all of Week 6), Schultz has a 7.2 Utilization Score. Last weekend, he was second on the team with a 28% target share.

In a plus matchup against the Packers that could turn into a shootout, Schultz offers mid-range TE1 upside.

Schultz UPGRADES to mid-range TE1 status ahead of options like Tucker Kraft and Kyle Pitts.

Alternates: Hunter Henry, Juwan Johnson

Brass Balls Bench of the Week

I don't necessarily fully endorse these plays, but if you are willing to make big calls, these players could find their way to your bench if you are loaded with other options.

Week 1: Joe Burrow (hit), Josh Jacobs (miss), Brandon Aiyuk (hit)

Week 2: Travis Etienne (miss, but Bigsby was injured), Pickens (hit)

Week 3: J.K. Dobbins (hit), Jaylen Waddle (hit)

Week 4: Anthony Richardson (hit but due to injury)

Week 5: Sam Darnold (hit)

Week 6: Brian Robinson (null-injured)

Season: 7 of 9

Patrick Mahomes | QB | Chiefs

Mahomes ranks 19th in fantasy points per game (15.4), and it is hard to see things getting that much better without Rashee Rice or Hollywood Brown. Sure, Mahomes is still the best QB in the NFL and will likely find a way to gut out victory after victory, but this is fantasy football, and team wins don't score us points in most leagues. 

The Chiefs are coming off of a bye, so they may have made changes to help the offense. However, the scheme can only boost things by so much unless they can unlock the upside of Xavier Worthy's speed. He is the wildcard that could get this offense back on track.

Mahomes DOWNGRADES to high-end QB2 territory against the 49ers. I would start Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Jared Goff, and Geno Smith over Mahomes this weekend.