Fantasy Stars
Week 7 fantasy football rankings: Feed Zeke while you still can
Oct 19, 2017, 1:17 pm
Below are my early PPR fantasy rankings for Week 7. Most leagues are using points per reception these days, so take that into consideration when looking at the ranks. Six points are awarded for every receiving and rushing TD, and four points for every passing TD. If you are playing in a non-PPR league, pass-catching running backs lose a bit of value and so do possession receivers. Make sure you check the status of players that have been limited or out of practice. The rankings will be updated on Sunday morning.
If you have any start-sit questions, feel free to hit me up at @jordanpfx on Twitter, and I will do my best to get to every question. Include your scoring system with your questions. My ranks are a little abreviated this week, but will be back to normal next week. Good luck!
QB
1 D. Brees NO
2 T. Brady NE
3 C. Wentz PHI
4 D. Prescott DAL
5 M. Ryan ATL
6 K. Cousins WAS
7 M. Mariota TEN
8 C. Newton CAR
9 C. Palmer ARI
10 A. Smith KC
11 R. Wilson SEA
12 P. Rivers LAC
13 D. Carr OAK
14 B. Roethlisberger PIT
15 A. Dalton CIN
RB
1 E. Elliott DAL
2 D. Freeman ATL
3 L. Bell PIT
4 K. Hunt KC
5 T. Gurley LAR
6 L. McCoy BUF
7 L. Fournette JAC *Inactive
8 M. Ingram NO
9 M. Gordon LAC
10 J. Howard CHI
11 C. Anderson DEN
12 A. Peterson ARI
13 C. Hyde SF
14 D. Martin TB
15 J. Ajayi MIA
16 C. Ivory JAX
17 D. Henry TEN
18 A. Kamara NO
19 J. White NE
20 J. McKinnon MIN
21 T. Coleman ATL
22 C. McCaffrey CAR
23 D. Johnson CLE
24 J. Mixon CIN
25 M. Lynch OAK
26 F. Gore IND
27 C. Thompson WAS
28 A. Jones GB
29 L. Blount PH
30 D. Murray TEN *He's active but may lose touches to Henry because of his hamstring.
WR
1 A. Green CIN
2 D. Bryant DAL
3 J. Jones ATL
4 M. Thomas NO
5 A. Brown PIT
6 L. Fitzgerald ARI
7 M. Crabtree OAK
8 M. Evans TB
9 C. Hogan NE
10 D. Thomas DEN
11 A. Jeffery PHI
12 J. Landry MIA
13 J. Nelson GB
14 D. Baldwin SEA
15 T. Hill KC
16 B. Cooks NE
17 E. Decker TEN
18 A. Thielen MIN
19 D. Adams GB
20 T. Hilton IND
21 D. Funchess CAR
22 R. Matthews TEN
23 John Brown ARI
24 N. Agholor PHI
25 M. Bryant PIT
26 D. Amendola NE
27 K. Allen LAC *questionable
28.D. Jackson TB
29.P. Garcon SF
30.A. Cooper OAK
TE
1 R. Gronkowski NE
2 T. Kelce KC
3 Z. Ertz PHI
4 J. Graham SEA
5 A. Seferian-Jenkins NYJ
6 H. Henry LAC
7 D. Walker TEN *He's active
8 E. Engram NYG
9 C. Brate TB
10 A. Hooper ATL
11 J. Reed WAS
12 K. Rudolph MIN
DEF
1 Vikings
2 Broncos
3 Jaguars
4 Seahawks
5 Panthers
6 Steelers
7 Titans
8 Chiefs
9 Bills
10 Dolphins
11 Bengals
12 Saints
Kicker
1 S. Gostkowski NE
2 D. Bailey DAL
3 M. Bryant ATL
4 R. Succop TEN
5 J. Elliott PHI
6 W. Lutz NO
7 S. Hauschka BUF
8 G. Gano CAR
9 G. Zuerlein
10 H. Butker KC
11 A. Vinatieri
12 B. Walsh SEA
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
*ChatGPT assisted.
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