The NFL’s busiest bye weeks are officially upon us, as four teams hit the bench for Week 7. We’ve had two teams off in each of the past three weeks, but the real trouble for fantasy owners will happen over the next five, when four, four, six, four and six teams drop off the schedule.
It won’t take long for bye weeks and injuries to ravage fantasy lineups in deeper leagues, so let’s start planning ahead now.
Here are some widely available players worth scooping up ahead of your stars’ bye weeks — or just in cast someone else needs an MCL cleanup surgery.
Week 7
Byes: Packers, Raiders, Seahawks, Steelers
With Week 7 officially underway — and the Broncos defense likely staking at least one person in your league a W already — most people should have things figured out. Maybe you saw the bye weeks of Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams, Russell Wilson and the Steelers skill guys coming.
If not, Baker Mayfield is the best option in the 40% owned and under crowd on Yahoo, facing a Buccaneers defense allowing a league-worst 28.4 fantasy points per game. Dak Prescott (35% owned) faces a Washington defense ranked 21st against opposing signal callers, and Alex Smith will be on the other side having thrown two TDs every other game this year (though zero in his two others).
Week 8
Byes: Chargers, Cowboys, Falcons, Titans
So sad for Ezekiel Elliot and Melvin Gordon owners, who can probably afford to take a loss this week. It’s the poor saps who drafted Derrick Henry, Dion Lewis, Tevin Coleman and Austin Eckeler who are in desperation mode.
It’s worth checking in on Oakland ASAP, as Marshawn Lynch is reportedly expected to miss a month or more with a groin injury. Doug Martin has already seen early-down reps and should see the bulk of work when the Raiders are winning, and Jalen Richard has already put up serious volume in the passing game. The fourth-year man has 31 receptions on 37 targets for 253 yards so far.
Frank Gore, Mike Davis, Raheem Mostert and Alfred Blue are all likely to at least see some work in Week 8 — and they’re all an injury away from relevance.
Week 9
Byes: Bengals, Cardinals, Colts, Eagles, Giants, Jaguars
Not the scariest slate of skill position players to lose for a week, but those who have already been without the likes of T.Y. Hilton, Leonard Fournette and Alshon Jeffrey for some time could use some help here.
Quincy Enunwa is still out with an ankle injury but could be worth a stash if you’re looking two-weeks down the line. The Jets offense is under-rated, having put up 34, 42 and 44 points so far in six contests.
Similarly, Geronimo Allison was heavily dropped after hitting concussion protocol followed by a hamstring issue — he’ll be coming off two missed weeks plus a bye. Check to see if Antonio Callaway was discarded in your league after putting up just nine yards on seven targets last week. He’ll be up against K.C.’s horrendous secondary in Week 9 and should keep seeing serious volume (the Browns also get Pittsburgh Week 8 and Atlanta Week 10).
Cole Beasley (25% owned), Kelvin Benjamin (16%) and D.J. Moore (16%) can help in a pinch.
Week 10
Byes: Broncos, Ravens, Texans, Vikings
We’re getting to the point where several of the aforementioned players could also help cover flex spots in Week 10 as well, but this is also a heavy defensive slate hitting the bench.
The first team to check the wire for is the New York Jets D/ST — they’re only 33% owned in yahoo and actually leading the game in fantasy points through the first six weeks. They’re got the bills at home in Week 10.
Both San Francisco and the Giants could be worth streaming for Monday Night Football against each other — they rank fifth (NYG) and sixth (SF) in opponent D/ST scoring. Detroit (15%) visits Chicago if you’re really in a pinch and want to root for Mitch Trubisky turnovers.
Week 11
Byes: Bills, Browns, Dolphins, 49ers, Jets, Patriots
If you’re heavily invested in these teams, you probably won’t be paying a ton of attention to fantasy football in Week 11.
Week 12
Byes: Chiefs, Rams
If you’re heavily invested in these teams, you’ll probably have a playoff clinched by Week 12. Still, it’s important to plan ahead!
Follow Danny @_dannycross_.
