Fantasy Football 2013 NFL Week 7: Who To Pick Up, Who To Sit; QB, RB, WR, And TE Rankings

After six weeks, we can divide fantasy owners into three core groups. First up are the lucky owners preparing for the playoffs. Next up is the group packing it in for next year. Then there’s that third group looking to make a blockbuster trade to turn their season around.

If your team is poised for a playoff berth, be very wary of your own greed and that last group. For example, a playoff-bound owner might consider trading hobbled Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson for say New England Patriots' emerging star Julian Edelman.

On paper, it makes sense to sell Johnson off high, but the Patriots are also awaiting the return of tight end Rob Gronkowski and receiver Danny Amendola. Should both come back in the next couple of weeks, Edelman’s targets will drop significantly. In Detroit, no one is going to syphon targets from Johnson if he's on the field. Even with a bum knee, Johnson was still targeted eight times in last week's 31-17 win over the Cleveland Browns.

The point is to look at every angle of a trade offer coming your way, and not to get fooled by inflated stats.

And as shown below the waiver wire still has several options available that make a trade unnecessary, no matter what ownership group you fall into.

Check out the players below for Week Seven, and remember New Orleans and Oakland are on their byes.

RBs

Joseph Randle, Dallas Cowboys

On Tuesday Dallas owner Jerry Jones said DeMarco Murray and Lance Dunbar would both be out in Week Seven due to injuries. As a result, there was a bum rush for Randle as soon as waivers opened up. In the 31-16 win over Washington, Randle gained most of his yards on a 14-yard rush, and the rest came off his receptions. For now he’s a No. 1 running back by default, especially on the road against Philadelphia’s 16th ranked rush defense.

Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals

Start him, but not because of his rush attempts. His carries have steadily increased each week, but Bernard’s most valuable as a pass-catching back. He’s fourth on the Bengals with 20 receptions, and could be a great plug-in for owners missing the Saints' Darren Sproles this week.

Danny Woodhead, San Diego Chargers

Just like Bernard, he’s perfect in PPR leagues averaging 7.4 yards per catch, and six receptions a game. Woodhead is a solid third running back or flex option in any league format.

QBs

Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles

It’s not just Foles's numbers in Week Six (296 yards, 3 TDs), but the fact he scorched Tampa Bay’s ultra-talented secondary. Week Seven brings Dallas and its 30th ranked secondary. Start Foles as your second quarterback, or even take the risk to use him as a Drew Brees sub.

Josh Freeman, Minnesota Vikings

Only in very deep leagues should Freeman be considered. Minnesota is apparently “rushing” him on to the field after the blowout loss to Carolina in Week Six. Assuming he knows the playbook, Freeman could return to his top 2010 form, when he tossed 25 touchdowns to six picks.

WRs

Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers

He’s one of the most added players and receivers this week after totaling nine catches for 107 yards against the Colts last week. Now he faces Jacksonville. Could be pinball type numbers in Week Seven.

Jarrett Boykin, Green Bay Packers

An injury to Randall Cobb bumps Boykins's value immensely. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will hit whoever is open, and he’s turned Jordy Nelson, James Jones, and Cobb into stars before. Undrafted out of Virginia Tech Boykin totaled 11 touchdowns, 1,608 yards off 114 receptions in his final two years.

Aaron Dobson, New England Patriots

He saw more snaps and four more targets than the Patriots second-leading receiver Kenbrell Thompkins in Week Six, and this week on the road against the New York Jets Dobson could get even more.

TEs

Joseph Fauria, Detroit Lions

Unsustainable production (three catches all for touchdowns in Week Six), but he’s a top red zone target with concussed Tony Scheffler possibly out for the rest of the season. And for now Calvin Johnson is battling a knee injury, significantly reducing the number of targets for quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Tim Wright, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In the last three games he’s started to get some looks, and broke through with seven receptions for 91 yards against Philly. Next up is Atlanta, a team Wright could feast on.

Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings

Rudolph has put together two solid games out of six, as he’s obviously dependent on who is under center in Minnesota. He hooked up with Matt Cassel for nine catches and 97 yards and a touchdown in Week Six, and against the lowly New York Giants Rudolph could have a repeat performance. Consider him in a flex spot if you’re desperate, or as your second flex if your league allows it should he develop chemistry with Freeman.