Flex Options for Week 7 (Fantasy Football)
Welcome flex article stalwarts, and those of you joining us while the Bills, Jaguars, Commanders, and Chargers are on bye! Week Six finally saw the flex article process pan out in a big way, free of pre-scoring injury and TE larceny. JK Dobbins kicked things off Thursday night, scoring the first TD of the week, which was followed up by WR4 Germie Bernard on Sunday. The Patriots’ tertiary pass catchers mentioned panned out (WR10, WR20, and TE8), with Doubs having the courtesy to score a TD before exiting the game due to injury. And while Marvin Harrison Jr. only finished at his ranking, Jaylin Noel exploded for a WR7 finish. Let’s hope the success keeps rolling as we look at the RBs ranked outside the top 24 and WRs ranked outside the top 36 in the Fantasy Footballers weekly rankings.
Here are some names to consider:
Ryan Flournoy, WR, Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys travel to Philadelphia for a divisional tilt against the reeling Eagles. There is no denying Lamb and Pickens will get significant looks, but signs point to the passing pie being big enough for Flournoy’s slice to matter. The Eagles defense is allowing almost 254 passing yards per game to opponents; bad enough for eighth-worst in the league. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is averaging 273 passing yards per game for the season and 293 passing yards per game after a poor Week 1 performance. With a 2-4 record, it is fair to say the Cowboys have been playing from behind, but the Eagles’ defense averages over 32 minutes a game on the field, allowing the Cowboys offense ample opportunities to move the chains.
The Eagles played 79 snaps on defense against the Panthers. They have now played 70+ defensive snaps in 5 of 6 games this year.
In 2025, they played 70+ defensive snaps in 6 of 17 games. In the 2024 Super Bowl season they played 70+ just 3 times all season.
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) October 19, 2026
The Eagles’ defense makes a clear effort to slow down top receivers while allowing an average of 187.75 receiving yards to alternative pass catchers over the last month. In that same span of time, Flournoy is second on the team in red zone targets. Add in the fact the Eagles are second worst in the league in tackling percentage, and even if the Cowboys spend a chunk of the game running out the clock, Flournoy should surpass his ranking as WR45.
Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, Baltimore Ravens
After an exciting pre-season and three targets in his rookie debut, rookie Ja’Kobi Lane went on the IR due to a broken wrist. Lane returned to the Baltimore Ravens lineup in Week 6, and the Lane hype train resumed immediately where it had paused, with Lane earning five targets, including one red zone target, from backup QB Tyler Huntley. The Cincinnati Bengals have shown respectable defense against the pass but will have their hands full prioritizing Zay Flowers and stacking the box against Derrick Henry. With Rashod Bateman dealing with a nagging shoulder injury and whispers pointing to the return of Lamar Jackson, the stars appear to be aligning for Lane, ranked WR44, to make a name for himself in Week 7.
Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are coming off of the bye and hosting the 2-4 Indianapolis Colts. Addison was a limited participant in practice before sitting out Week 5 due to a sore hamstring. With an extra week of rest, Addison appears set to return to his normal role of WR2 for the undefeated Vikings. Addison is only two targets behind Justin Jefferson for the team lead in targets despite missing Week 5 and should be ready to face a Colts defense that is in the bottom third of the league in passing yards allowed. In the two games played with current starting QB Kyler Murray, Addison has seen 15 targets come his way. The Colts players may have something to prove to themselves following the dismissal of long-time GM Chris Ballard, but it is hard to see that edge keeping Addison from beating his WR45 rank if he returns to his expected usage. Bonus: The Colts average over seven targets per game allowed to TEs for the season. If Addison has an injury setback in practice, TJ Hockenson, TE14, would see the uptick in usage.
Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings
That’s right, folks, it is back-to-back Jordan endorsements for the Minnesota Vikings. With the Vikings coming off of the bye, not only will Jordan Addison reappear (please see above for more details and team comments), but Jordan Mason has been designated by the team to return from the IR. Out with a thumb injury, there is no reason to believe that Mason spent those four weeks on the couch letting his legs weaken. In the four weeks Mason was out, Aaron Jones was heavily utilized, logging over 80% of the snaps and 97 touches. While Aaron Jones’ career offensive production has undoubtedly earned him “dog” status, the body of the nearly 32-year-old (224 in dog years) could not hold up to the workload, and he left the Week 5 game late in the first quarter due to a knee injury. When Mason and Jones were both healthy and played together in Week One, their targets, red zone usage, and snap percentages were identical, while Mason out-touched Jones by three touches. Should both players return healthy for the Week Seven matchup against the Colts, it can be assumed this deployment would continue. That being said, keep an eye on practice news this week because Jones may not be 100%, which would benefit Mason, currently ranked as RB41. Even if/when Mason’s rank goes up throughout the week, chances are he will outperform it. Former Colts GM Chris Ballard was canned for a reason. The Colts rank ninth in rushing yards allowed and fourth worst in average fantasy points above expectation allowed to opposing RBs. Start your Vikings folks.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Rico Dowdle, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
To the chagrin of Jaylen Warren owners everywhere, the Steelers coaching staff was true to their word of a “one-two punch,” and Dowdle returned to his regular production in his Week Six return from a dislocated toe. While Warren dominated in snap percentage, the RBs were equal in passing targets, and Dowdle had one more red zone touch than Warren. Dowdle will be lining up against a New Orleans Saints team that is third in the league in rushing yards allowed and dead last (32nd best) in average fantasy points above expectation allowed to opposing RBs. In Dowdle’s return to the starting lineup, he produced 5.71 yards per carry while the Saints defense has allowed an average of 4.8 yards per carry to opposing RBs. Splitting touches or not, Dowdle, ranked RB27, has the opportunity to make up for the time lost due to his injury.