Five Elite Players Who Could Return In Week 7

In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Vanicream:

It’s been a brutal start to the season as far as injuries, but a few big names are set to return in Week 7 and bolster our squads.

Rashee Rice - Per Dan Graziano, the Chiefs won’t be “easing Rice back into action” in his first game back from suspension this week. Another team source says Rice will be “full bore” this week in practice. I’d keep expectations in check, but there’s no way you aren’t starting him this week vs. the Raiders. The Chiefs are expected to score almost 30 points based on the odds.

CeeDee Lamb - Jerry Jones said Lamb is playing this week vs. the Commanders (I believe “thumbs up” was his exact words), although Ian Rapoport was more cautious with his report (“he at least has a chance”). Feel free to choose your fighter/reporter there, but it sounds like a true coinflip to me (he did return to practice yesterday). If he’s active, he’s in your lineup. The DAL/WAS game has the highest total of the week (55 points).

Terry McLaurin - Speaking of that game, McLaurin is back practicing this week. That’s awesome news, especially when you consider that the Cowboys give up the largest fantasy boost to opposing WRs of any team in the league.

George Kittle - Earlier this week, Kyle Shanahan said he expects Kittle to return in Week 7 to face the Falcons after a multi-week absence with a hamstring injury. The Niners don’t play until Sunday night, so make sure you have a backup plan ready in case he doesn’t end up going (Cade Otton and AJ Barner both play on MNF and would be good options).

Mike Evans - Like Kittle, Evans is close to returning from a hamstring injury. The Bucs are “hopeful” that he returns to practice this week. The Bucs play on MNF, so I’d plan on a contingency option there as well. I added Tez Johnson in a spot where I also have Evans, so I can easily make the switch if needed.

If you are on the fence about starting any of these guys—refer to our ranks—but I personally can’t imagine sitting any of them if they are active.

The Vanicream TRUST-O-METER: Cam Skattebo

OK, look … we don’t know what’s happening with the Giants’ backfield either. One week, Tyrone Tracy gets 17 touches, the next, Cam Skattebo gets 14. But here’s something interesting—in the last three games, Skattebo has played 60% of the Giants’ snaps to Tracy’s 31%. Maybe it’s a blocking thing? Maybe it’s the game script (the Giants have been shellacked in those games). Maybe, to paraphrase Dr. Seuss, it means “a little bit more”? So let’s phrase it this way: Can you trust Skattebo to get 15 touches a game?

That’s a 3 on The Vanicream TRUST-O-METER. Can we trust him to get 10? We’re going with a 7. A solid 7. And if this were the Vanicream UPSIDE-O-METER? 9.25.

And hey, if you don’t know who Vanicream is—besides being fantasy fans, they’re the #1 Dermatologist Recommended Brand for Sensitive Skin. Celebrating their 50th year, their products were developed with one goal: to create something for people with sensitive skin.

The ingredients make all the difference, and Vanicream’s most important ingredient—that’s trust! (thus the TRUST-O-METER!). If you want to give them a try, your skin will thank you.

TRY VANICREAM NOW!

Rest-of-Season Rankings

Brian Thomas Jr. and DK Metcalf highlight some of the biggest risers in our ROS rankings ahead of Week 7. Geoff breaks down all of the risers and fallers and how to approach them this week.

Buy Saquon Barkley … Now!

There may not be a better time to buy 2024’s RB1 after two consecutive disappointing outings. Chris Allen runs through how to acquire Saquon Barkley and more targets to chase in Week 7.

10 Things To Know

The biggest underperformers, overperformers and everything else you need to know for the Week 7 slate. Ian Hartitz breaks it all down.

Welcome to the Rashee Rice Effect

It is time to set our fantasy lineups for Week 7, and with that in mind, let's follow the data to analyze some of the biggest risers and fallers in the ranks to help you make those start-sit decisions, starting with the impact of Rashee Rice’s impending Week 7 return …

Patrick Mahomes is the No. 2 QB in Week 7 fantasy ranks.

After a down 2024 campaign where Mahomes averaged 17.6 fantasy points per game (QB11), the GOAT fell to the fifth and sixth rounds of fantasy drafts—his cheapest price since his breakout season in Year 2. His drafters are reaping massive fantasy rewards in the form of the QB1 overall with 24.5 points per contest.

The Chiefs have adapted their play calling to keep the ball in their superstar QB's hands. Last year, they posted a 2% dropback rate over expectation (DBOE), which has ballooned to a league-leading 8% in 2025. Kansas City and Andy Reid have returned to their pass-first ways, and you love to see it. We aren't back to his 2022 numbers, but he is in similar territory to 2023 via the air.

2022: 308 (1st), 2.41 (1st)
2023: 261 (7th),1.69 (8th)
2024: 246 (8th), 1.63 (10th)
2025: 252 (5th), 1.83 (6th)

In addition to more passing, Mahomes is scrambling more than ever, which is an upgrade over their sputtering ground attack. He ranks second in the NFL in scramble yards per game at 36.5, barely trailing the dual-threat alien, Josh Allen (39.2). The Chiefs' signal caller has turned two of those scrambles into touchdowns and has punched in two more on designed attempts. He only has three designed rushes on the season, but all three have come inside the ten-yard line.

In Week 7 against the Raiders, Mahomes gets his No. 1 passing game option, Rashee Rice, back. The Chiefs are tied for the second-highest team total (28.5) per the oddsmakers, and Mahomes offers an incredible projection profile thanks to his uptick in rushing activity.

Projection Model (using my PPR projections):

Xfinity Best (ceiling): 33.8 (3rd)
Median: 21.1 (2nd)
Floor: 12.1 (2nd)

Mahomes is my QB2 this weekend, and he projects as a top-four option the rest of the way.

Rashee Rice rejoins the WR1 fantasy ranks in Week 7.

Since taking over the starting WR role for the Chiefs in Week 14 of 2023, we have an 11-game sample, including the NFL playoffs. Over that span, Rice has been a dominant force for the Chiefs.

Fantasy points per game: 17.8 (WR1 worthy)
Targets share: 27% (WR1 worthy)
Yards per route run: 2.36 (WR1 worthy)

Rice wasn't allowed to practice with the team while suspended, but was allowed to rejoin team meetings on September 24th. On the one hand, that is a minor concern, as his timing with Mahomes might not be at 100%. On the other hand, Rice fully participated in training camp, which was a vote of confidence in his recovery from his LCL injury, and he and Mahomes did get reps then.

I am slightly more bullish on Rice this weekend than my fellow rankers, but I lean towards a near full-time role. Given his history and the offense he plays within, that is worth more than most receivers at 110%.

Projection Model (using my PPR projections):

Xfinity Best (ceiling): 32.2 (8th)
Median: 16.5 (6th)
Floor: 8.1 (7th)

The bottom line is that Rice should be in all lineups this weekend. Even if you want to dock him for time missed, it will be hard to push him out of the top 12. He is a mid-range WR1.

» Read on for the rest of Dwain’s biggest risers and fallers for Week 7 …

DWAIN’S FULL LIST OF WEEK 7 RISERS AND FALLERS

Predicting Week 7: Aaron Rodgers Turns Back The Clock

Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers sun-run is set to continue on Thursday night in Cincinnati, where the visiting team is likely to take a commanding lead in the AFC North after only seven weeks.

It would be bolder to suggest that the Bengals will actually win this game than to predict five TDs by a 41-year-old QB against them. But Rodgers is the kinda guy (you know the type) who will absolutely pad his stats in primetime.

The Steelers are a decidedly mediocre offense, ranking in the bottom third in both rushing and receiving volume. They actually rank fourth-worst in rushing yards per game and have grinded out only 3.4 yards per carry (third-worst). But both of their main backs are capable pass-catchers, as are their two (mediocre) tight ends. This is the recipe for sneaky TD totals for a QB whose 5.6-yard aDOT ranks 39th in a league that only has 32 teams in it (min. 50 plays at QB).

The Bengals look destined for a top-five pick after entering the year with the eighth-best odds to win the Super Bowl. NFL analysts across the land are being forced to adjust the settings on their EPA charts to keep the Who Deys on the page. They are the fourth-worst defense in EPA/play—bad against both the run and pass—and the offense is averaging 57 rushing yards per game, 25 fewer than the next-worst team (Tennessee). Joe Flacco has only been their QB for a week, and their linebackers (rookies drafted in the second and fourth rounds) can't tackle.

Maybe Arthur Smith ruins all of our alt-line parlays by dialing up a Jonnu Smith rushing TD. There are many ways for the Steelers to spread the wealth against the Bengals, but the easiest way to score will be Rodgers targeting whichever random skill player is open five yards down the field and letting him traverse the open space behind him.

If the Steelers defense creates turnovers and short fields (they're third in Ian Hartitz's "Havoc" rate), Rodgers dropping a 40-burger in fantasy is very much on the table.

PREDICTION: Aaron Rodgers Throws 5 TD Passes Against the Bengals

MORE BOLD PREDICTIONS FOR WEEK 7