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Top 10 Fantasy Football Takeaways from Week 7 Usage

1. De’Von Achane Leads Healthy Dolphins Backfield

Our first look at a fully healthy Dolphins backfield since the opener found Achane leading the way across the board.

The 38% carry share looks low, but Achane toted it 15 times in an extremely run-heavy game plan from Miami. His 66% route rate was fourth highest among all RBs on the week.

With QB Tua Tagovailoa set to return for Week 8 to save this Dolphins offense, Achane has a good chance to slide back into RB1-level production. Remember that he tallied 23.0 and 29.5 PPR points with Tua in the first two games of the season. This is your last chance to buy low on Achane.

Mostert is the clear No. 2 RB in Miami but could still provide some RB3 or Flex-level value assuming Miami's offense bounces back. Wright is a strict handcuff -- but at least we know that he remains ahead of RB Jeff Wilson.

2. Buccaneers Serious About Using Three RBs

Tampa Bay's coaching staff said multiple times last week that all three RBs would play against the Ravens. And that's exactly what happened.

White and Irving essentially went back to the roles they were playing prior to White's foot injury -- with the only difference being Tucker butting in to steal 15-20% of the work.

It's clearly a bad situation for fantasy production. The saving grace might be Tampa Bay's WR injuries. With Chris Godwin out for the season and Mike Evans expected to miss the next three games, this should be a very RB-centric offense.

We're projecting enough carry and target volume to the backfield to make White and Irving RB3-level fantasy plays, at least until Evans returns. Tucker isn't startable but is worth keeping stashed as a handcuff to both White and Irving.

3. Javonte Williams Has Taken Over Broncos Backfield

Williams' usage is up across the board from the first three games of the season to the past four. He's averaging 12.3 carries and 4.5 targets per game over that latter stretch, ranking 22nd among RBs in expected PPR points per game.

We got a season-best 26.1 PPR points from Williams in an ideal Week 7 spot against the Saints. Don't expect many more ceiling games like that. But Williams looks like a borderline RB2 going forward.

4. David Njoku: Target Monster

Now healthy and with WR Amari Cooper gone, Njoku is set up to see a ton of volume the rest of the way. His 20 targets over the last two weeks rank second among TEs to only Brock Bowers. And that's despite his playing time being limited in his Week 6 return from injury.

Njoku has drawn a target on a whopping 31% of his routes over the last two games. For perspective, Bowers currently leads all TEs on the season with a 27% target rate.

We'll see what the Browns do at QB the rest of the season. With Jameis Winston, Njoku could push for top-5 fantasy production. And even with Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Njoku's usage would make him an easy top-10 option at the position.

5. Tyrone Tracy Plays Ahead Of Devin Singletary

No one delivered strong fantasy production in the Giants' ugly 28-3 loss to the Eagles in Week 7. This offensive line is in trouble with OT Andrew Thomas out for the season.

But we at least got a look at the backfield with Singletary back in the mix -- and it was Tracy leading the way in playing time, carries, and targets. The 66% route rate and 12% target share were especially encouraging.

It's worth noting that Singletary was returning from a two-game absence. And there was talk before the game that he could be eased back in. So let's get another look at the backfield in Week 8 before crowning Tracy the clear lead back going forward. 

But my money is on the rookie leading this backfield in fantasy points the rest of the way.

6. Xavier Worthy’s Sneaky Encouraging Week 7

Worthy did not pop in the box score in the Week 7 win over the 49ers. But it was easily his best usage of the year so far, bringing season highs in target share and targets per route. Worthy didn't top a 16% target share in any of his first five games.

And, per Fantasy Points Data, Worthy registered a team-high and season-high 35% first-read target share against San Francisco. The Chiefs came out of their bye week looking to get the rookie going.

There'd be a lot more buzz on Worthy right now had QB Patrick Mahomes not overthrown him for this would-be 71-yard TD.

Tuesday's trade for WR DeAndre Hopkins adds target competition. But there's still enough to go around for Worthy. And Hopkins' presence should free up space for more downfield shots.

Now is a good time to send a trade offer for Worthy. His breakout game is coming soon.

7. Kyle Pitts Back To Life

I started writing Pitts' obituary after Week 4. At that point, his route rate was dwindling and his target share was underwhelming.

Pitts has come back to life since then. He's topped an 80% route rate in three straight games and registered a season-high 25% target share last week.

His 18% target share and 19% targets per route over the last three weeks are not elite marks. But they're enough to at least make Pitts a comfortable lower-end TE1 play going forward.

8. Status Quo In Bills Backfield

Cook returned from his one-game absence to almost the exact same playing time he saw across the first five weeks of the season. He handled 12 of 17 RB carries, with RB Ray Davis taking the other five. Although Cook wasn't targeted, he ran 16 pass routes.

It's worth noting that Davis was limited in practice last week with a calf issue, which might have impacted his playing time vs. the Titans.

We'll see if Davis plays a bigger role when fully healthy. But, for now, we should assume that Cook remains Buffalo's clear backfield leader -- and a weekly RB2 in fantasy lineups.

9. Jaylen Warren Gets Season-Best Usage

Warren registered season highs in Week 7 in snap rate, route rate, and carry share. He trailed RB Najee Harris 21 to 12 in carries but out-targeted Harris 3 to 1. Warren edged Harris 14.3 to 14.1 in expected PPR points. Only 14 RBs tallied more expected points last week.

It's probably not a coincidence that this came in the first week Warren was off the injury report since Week 3.

Harris is coming off his two best games of the season and figures to remain Pittsburgh's lead back in the short term. But Warren is certainly capable of earning more work over the course of the season.

Consider Warren a RB3 for now -- with the potential to climb into RB2 territory. Sitting way down at 62nd among RBs in total PPR points, he's a nice trade target this week.

10. Alexander Mattison Still The Guy In Vegas’ Backfield

Zamir White returned from a two-game absence vs. the Rams, but Mattison remained Vegas' clear lead back. His snap rate, carry share, and carries (23) were all season highs. White didn't even get a touch in the first half and finished third among Raiders RBs in snaps.

White is cuttable in most fantasy leagues. He's not even an exciting handcuff.

Mattison, meanwhile, has a chance at volume-fueled RB2 production the rest of the way. He ranked 10th among RBs in expected PPR points in Week 7 and seventh across Weeks 5-7.

Jared Smola, Lead Analyst

Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and My Team tools. He currently ranks 1st among 133 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.