.png)
We're one third through the 2024 NFL Season, and it's been a pretty bland year to be honest. I feel like the parity that once ruled the NFL has barely shown itself, and guys who were projected to have big seasons have fallen short of those expectations. Hopefully the next third of the year will showcase better play and an overall better product.
Week 7 Power Rankings
There's no team to note this week due to not much change, so we're gonna substitute it with a trade deadline section!
Deadline Headline
Over the past five years, we've seen teams make some massive trades within 2-3 weeks of the deadline. Last year, we saw Chase Young get traded to the 49ers in search of a Super Bowl, Montez Sweat traded to Chicago to beef up their defense, and Rasul Douglas broke-out after getting traded to the Bills. We also saw Josh Dobbs have a little Linsanity run after getting traded to the Vikings, and Leonard Williams has been a massive piece to the Seahawks defensive front. This year, we've already seen Davante Adams get traded to the Jets (pretty predictable IMO), and the Bills made a splash move by acquiring Amari Cooper. So what can we expect from this trade deadline? I'll give you three offensive and three defensive players to look out for.
Names to Monitor
Haason Reddick - New York Jets
This is the most obvious trade candidate. Haason has a ton of juice left in the tank, and the Jets are in the throws of getting rid of unwanted talent for whatever they can get. The only caveat is that Reddick wants a new contract - and a big one at that, which makes his landing spots pretty thin. Regardless, he's still a really solid edge rusher who can help a team with playoff hopes in the next year or so.
Potential Landing Spots: Cardinals, Commanders, Lions
George Pickens - Pittsburgh Steelers
Pickens shows no interest in repping the Steel Curtain any longer. His effort is glaringly lackluster, and he hasn't lived up to the expectations set on him after his rookie season. He's not a fit within this offense, and I believe Tomlin is ready to ship him out.
Potential Landing Spots: Chiefs, Cowboys, Giants
Budda Baker - Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are looking to get younger and get better at more premium positions. Budda has been an awesome asset for Arizona for years, but now it's time to move on and lean on your younger guys at the safety position.
Potential Landing Spots: Chiefs, Eagles, 49ers
Khalil Herbert - Chicago Bears
Herbert's name has been tossed around all year regarding being traded, and the Bears should do what they can to move him before the deadline. He's been an efficient runner for a good chunk of his career, and could provide some immediate RB2 depth for a team in need of it.
Potential Landing Spots: Colts, Cowboys, Texans
Ryan Kelly - Indianapolis Colts
Tanor Bortilini has stepped in for Ryan in three games this year, and has showed out every time. Ryan is only getting older, and the Colts may want to move on from him now before his contract expires - or he gets hurt again. Plenty of teams could use a quality, veteran center to improve their front.
Potential Landing Spots: Chargers, Packers, Patriots
Mike Hilton - Cincinnati Bengals
This is nothing to do with Mike's playing ability - as he continues to prove he's one of the top nickelbacks in the league, and more so to do with the fact the Bengals have one of the worst secondaries in the league. This season is slowly slipping away from them, and it would do them good to evaluate their young talent. Let Mike go to a contender and elevate another secondary.
Potential Landing Spots: Bills, Falcons, Steelers
Week 6 Awards
Awards | AFC | NFC |
Offensive MVP | Derrick Henry | Sean Tucker |
Defensive MVP | Will Anderson Jr | Brian Branch |
Special Teams MVP | Rigoberto Sanchez | Laviska Shenault Jr |
Trench Tyrant | John Simpson | Penei Sewell |
Relentless Rookie | Jarvis Brownlee Jr | Tykee Smith |
Winners to Note
Sean Tucker
For the draft nerds, Sean Tucker was the biggest sleeper in last year's RB class. After dealing with a heart condition and multiple injuries his rookie year, he got his chance to shine. On 28 total snaps and 17 touches, he tallied 192 scrimmage yards and 2 TDs. He averaged 3.07 yards after contact, and 50 of his 56 receiving yards came after the catch. He had a 36 yard run, 36 yard catch, 8 touches of 10+ yards, and forced 4 missed tackles throughout the game.
Brian Branch
Branch was lights out against the Cowboys, and arguably had the best game of his career. He hauled in two interceptions, one of which wasn't even while he was defending his man, and he added 3 tackles in the run game. He also posted a defensive grade of 93.3, which is one of the highest marks for a DB all season.
Tykee Smith
Tykee was one of my favorite rookies in this class, and he's gotten better with every game. His strong suit is run support, and he did well there. He had 5 tackles, 2 stops + TFLs, and a forced fumble which was recovered by Antoine Winfield Jr for a TD. His coverage was also top notch as he allowed just 2 catches on 6 targets for 19 yards. He also added an INT and a pass breakup, as well as 3 pressures on 6 blitzes, giving Tykee a complete performance.
Photo: Tyler Kaufman/Associated Press
Fantasy Football
Week 6 Recap
Points | QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex |
Player | Spencer Rattler | Braelon Allen | Troy Franklin | Chig Okonkwo | Tank Bigsby |
Projected | 4.6 | 8.1 | 3.8 | 5.3 | 7.2 |
Actual | 12.4 | 0.8 | 11.6 | 3.6 | 2.4 |
Difference | 7.8 | -7.3 | 7.8 | -1.7 | -4.8 |
Result | Boom | Bust | Boom | Bust | Bust |
Season Totals: 7 Booms / 13 Pushes / 10 Busts
Week 7 Prediction
QB: Drake Maye vs Jacksonville Jaguars (proj. 11.5 points)
Drake looked composed in his first NFL start against one of the best defenses in the league. Now he'll play a team on the brink of collapse, and he should light up the box score.
RB: Kimani Vidal vs Arizona Cardinals (proj. 4.6 points)
Kimani, in his first NFL action, was primarily used as a receiving back and cashed in big time when targeted. I expect him to be leaned on more this week, especially with Gus Edwards headed to IR. The Cardinals allow about 23 PPG to RBs in fantasy this year, making this a favorable matchup.
WR: Noah Brown vs Carolina Panthers (proj. 8.3 points)
Noah commanded a team-high 8 targets in Week 6, and when he's been healthy, he's ran the 2nd most routes and received the 2nd most targets among Washington's WR group. I expect him to have a big game against Carolina.
TE: Cade Otton vs Baltimore Ravens (proj. 8.6 points)
The tight end position has been pretty bleh this year, as fantasy managers have had to rely on some second-tier players to provide production there. Cade has quietly moved his way up the ranks, and is primed for a breakout game against Baltimore.
Flex: Devaughn Vele vs New Orleans Saints (proj. 7.2 points)
Similar to Noah Brown, Vele has been a go-to-target when on the field. In Weeks 1 and 6 - his only games played this year, Vele totaled 12 receptions for 117 yards on 13 targets, while having the 2nd most receiving snaps among Broncos receivers in both games. Now he's matched up against the Saints, who are allowing just over 30 fantasy PPG to WRs this year.
Week 7 Game Predictions
AFC Games
Patriots vs Jaguars (London)
Titans vs Bills
Bengals vs Browns
Dolphins vs Colts
Jets vs Steelers (SNF)
NFC Games
Eagles vs Giants
Lions vs Vikings
Seahawks vs Falcons
Panthers vs Commanders
Cross Over Games
Broncos vs Saints (TNF)
Texans vs Packers
Rams vs Raiders
Chiefs vs 49ers
Chargers vs Cardinals (MNF)
Ravens vs Buccaneers (MNF)
** Bye Week: Bears, Cowboys
Record from Week 6: 8-6
Season Record: 51-41
Photo: Sam Hodde/Getty Images
Final Notes:
With a third of the year over, be on the lookout for my first Zona Zone of 2024, as I cover the first six games of the Arizona Cardinals season.
Comments