Fantasy football advice, Week 7: who to start/sit for Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. San Francisco 49ers

Fantasy owners have much to consider after a week of carnage knocked out a few mainstays in leagues of all formats. Additionally, with the Panthers and Cowboys on byes, setting lineups for Week 7 gets even more tricky.

But before hitting the “submit lineup” button, there are fantasy implications in each game that have to be carefully considered. The Buccaneers-49ers matchup on Sunday is just one of 15 that do.

Jacquizz Rodgers is the unquestioned workhorse in the backfield with Doug Martin and Charles Sims sidelined. Rodgers touched the ball 35 times against a broken Panthers defense and will now face a 49ers unit that has been steamrolled this season, most recently by LeSean McCoy and the Bills. Rodgers proved capable carrying the load in Week 5, and is squarely in RB1 territory with a prime matchup at hand.

Mike Evans is already a mainstay in fantasy lineups, and may be force fed even more targets with Vincent Jackson now out of action. He is a WR1 as usual.

Cameron Brate no longer has to share snaps with Austin Seferian-Jenkins, giving him a clearer path to targets. His assistance will be needed in the red zone to give Jameis Winston another big target in addition to Evans, and Jackson’s absence could pave the way for Brate to garner those valuable targets near the goal line. Brate would do in a pinch for fantasy owners needing a Greg Olsen or Jason Witten replacement.

Adam Humphries, now thrust into No. 2 duties, could bounce back into fantasy relevance. But until he improves upon back-to-back games with just one catch, fantasy owners can leave him stashed. The ever volatile Jameis Winston can also be benched until a better matchup awaits him.

With Carlos Hyde ruled out, and Colin Kaepernick failing to breathe life into a lethargic 49ers offense, there isn’t much to be excited about. Though the Buccaneers have capably stopped the run this season, their allowance of 8.6 yards per pass attempt ranks 29th in the NFL. It gives Jeremy Kerley flex appeal, but with Blaine Gabbert out of the lineup, fantasy owners can’t be faulted for keeping him benched after his two-catch dud in Kaepernick’s first start.

Mike James and Shaun Draughn figure to form a committee in Hyde’s absence, and with a terrible matchup at hand, neither is worth starting. Torrey Smith always provides a chance of catching a long touchdown, but his severe downside doesn’t make him worth the risk. Kaepernick can also safely remain on benches.