The Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, and Indianapolis Colts all got shutout in Week 7. The Carolina Panthers mustered just three points, while the Giants and Falcons only put up seven. It's safe to say nobody on those teams provided Fantasy Football surprises, but there were plenty of players on other teams that fantasy owners wish they had on their team this week.
Here are the best performances from players who were mostly unowned (or at least not started in the majority of leagues) in fantasy football leagues in Week 7. Each week, one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, and one tight end will be highlighted.
To see the Week 6 team, click here.
Quarterback
Josh McCown, Jets
Week 7 stats: 209 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 rushing yard, 1 rushing touchdown
McCown may have thrown a costly interception towards the end of the game which allowed the Buffalo Bills to kick the game-winning field goal, but he still accounted for four touchdowns. That is the first time he has scored four in a game via the pass or run since 2013 when he had five (four passing, one rushing) as a member of the Chicago Bears against the Dallas Cowboys.
Running backs
T. J. Yeldon, Jaguars
Week 7 stats: 122 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 2 receptions, 15 Receiving Yards
Chris Ivory was the Jacksonville Jaguars' running back who was most added with Leonard Fournette missing the game, but Yeldon was the running back that shone brightest.
It was the first time that the second round pick in 2015 was active all season, and he finished with a career-high in rushing yards. He accomplished his 122 rushing yards on just nine carries, including a 58-yard scamper for a touchdown.
Austin Ekeler, Chargers
Week 7 stats: 38 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 6 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
Ekeler had just six carries entering Week 7, but the undrafted rookie received seven on Sunday.
His 38 rushing yards were two more than he had on the season entering the game. He caught his first career touchdown pass and was even more valuable in PPR leagues as he finished with four receptions.
Wide receivers
Kenny Stills, Dolphins
Week 7 stats: 6 receptions, 85 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns
Stills makes the list for the second straight week as he caught two touchdown passes from Matt Moore in the fourth quarter from 28 and two yards out.
He now has three touchdowns and 10 receptions in the last two games. He had just 10 receptions and one touchdown in the Miami Dolphins’ first four games. It was his first two touchdown performance since his rookie year in 2013.
Deonte Thompson, Bills
Week 7 stats: 4 receptions, 107 receiving yards
Thompson has only been a member of the Bills since last Monday after he was cut by the Chicago Bears. The six-year pro had 11 catches for 125 yards in five games with Chicago so it’s safe to say he wasn’t on fantasy radars for Week 7. He ended his first game as a Bills player with 107 receiving yards which is the second-most he has recorded in 43 career games.
Tight end
O. J. Howard, Buccaneers
Week 7 stats: 6 receptions, 98 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns
A first round pick in April’s draft, Howard wasn’t much of a factor in the passing game entering Week 7.
He had just five catches in the team’s first five games as Cameron Brate has been the clear top pass receiving tight end on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sunday saw Howard have his most productive day as a pro and he caught touchdown passes in the third and fourth quarter in Tampa Bay’s 30-27 loss to the Bills.
