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Fantasy Football Flex Flyers: DeMario Douglas and Xavier Legette lead the pack for Week 7
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Fantasy Football Flex Flyers: DeMario Douglas and Xavier Legette lead the pack for Week 7

Each week I provide advice to help you close holes in fantasy lineups that remain after the first exemption run of the week. As the weekend approaches, the players mentioned here may still be available in free agency and could start Week 7 if you have last-minute drafting needs.

Players are ranked in order of potential production for the week (PPR score), and roster percentages are courtesy of CBS Sports.

DeMario Douglas, WR, NE (51% selected): In his Week 6 debut, Drake Maye revitalized New England’s passing game, and Douglas finished with a career-high 92 receiving yards. Maye and Douglas openly praised each other in the media this week, and a matchup against Jacksonville makes Douglas a viable fantasy starter in Week 7.
Jacksonville gives up the second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Additionally, Pro Football Focus rates Douglas’ individual matchup against slot cornerback Darnell Savage at 86.5, which is considered “excellent.”

Xavier Legette, WR, AUTO (40%): The Carolina rookie has caught two touchdown passes in the last three games. Wide receivers facing the Commanders have added appeal, as Washington ranks near the bottom of the league in fantasy points allowed. The matchup between Panthers and Commanders should be a fantasy bonanza. In Week 4, Legette finished with six receptions on 10 targets on the season, and with each passing week, the rookie has begun to grow more comfortable with the pace of the NFL.

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Romeo Doubs, WR, GB (64%): If Green Bay’s top four wide receivers are healthy, fantasy unpredictability is assured. Jayden Reed is a must-start option, but Doubs has been a frequent touchdown target for QB Jordan Love the past two seasons and caught two scoring passes in Week 6. Doubs takes the TD promise in what could be a higher-scoring matchup with the Texans , so check its availability.

Tyler Lockett, WR, ZEE (60%): For two years, fantasy analysts predicted Lockett would become irrelevant. But the old fixture in fantasy lineups remains an integral part of a busy Seattle passing game. He has been targeted 31 times in the past four games. Atlanta ranks 26th in receptions allowed to wide receivers, so in leagues where Lockett is available, he could be added and started.

Ty Chandler, RB, MIN (64%): Initial reports suggested that Aaron Jones was dealing with a hip injury, and the latest information indicates that his hamstring is bothering him. Friday’s practice report should shed light on his availability for Sunday’s game against the Lions. If Jones can’t play, Chandler will take the lead against Detroit’s third-ranked defense. While Chandler will have to compete for yardage, the touchdown options could be enough to start him as an RB2/flex option.

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Despite the Vikings’ newly earned defensive reputation, the matchup with Detroit could be a higher-scoring affair. Minnesota’s pass defense ranks 30th overall. If you selected Jones and didn’t find room for Chandler on the bench, this situation reminds you to always keep the handcuffs in reserve.

Tyler Goodson, RB, IND (14%): He could be fined for a key role against the Dolphins, with Jonathan Taylor possibly missing another game and Trey Sermon dealing with a knee injury. Goodson totaled 65 scrimmage yards on a dozen touches last week, and Miami ranks 30th in fantasy points per game allowed to RBs. Goodson is a viable plug-and-play option for Week 7 and is widely available in free agency.

Jaylen Warren, RB, PIT (52%): Upon his return from a knee injury in Week 6, Warren totaled just 18 yards from scrimmage. However, his role could expand and the Steelers desperately need another respectable playmaker. Even if Russell Wilson starts, he’s not looking to challenge the Jets’ defense through the air, so the Steelers might be able to use Warren enough to help him post a decent stat line.

Sean Tucker, RB, tuberculosis (34%): One of the most important waivers of Week 7, Tucker’s fantasy cap, will depend on Rachaad White’s availability. After a career performance in Week 6 (172 scrimmage yards, two touchdowns), Tucker will likely share contact with Bucky Irving if White is unavailable. In that scenario, Tucker is a viable RB2/flex position player. If White plays, a three-man committee will take away Tucker, as Todd Bowles said he would take a “hot hand” approach. Baltimore has been stingy against opposing RBs and ranks fourth in fantasy points per game allowed for the position. But if White is out, Tucker’s potential for carries and receptions could outweigh the matchup pitfalls.

Hunter Henry, TE, NE (53%): Henry always has some touchdown potential, and Maye could perform well against the Jaguars and find his tight ends in the end zone.

Tutu Atwell, WR, LAR (31%): Even if Cooper Kupp returns, Puka Nacua will still be out, and both Atwell and Jordan Whittington (17% on the roster) will be able to put up respectable fantasy point totals against the Raiders. Las Vegas’ offense seems so weak that the defense will surely be overworked.

Rashod Bateman, WR, BAL (12%): This might be the most complete offense we’ve seen from the Ravens during the Lamar Jackson era, and Bateman has found a niche. He may never live up to his first-round performance, but the fourth-year pro has put up double-digit PPR totals in his past two games. In the Baltimore-Tampa Bay game, offensive punches will be exchanged, and Bateman will be in the mix.

Alec Pierce, WR, IND (47%): Pierce is on the injury report with what may be a minor shoulder issue, and the return of Anthony Richardson puts a damper on the passing game, but Pierce did catch two TD passes and recorded long receptions of 60 and 44 plus yards in two games with Richardson under center during the first three weeks of the season. While the Colts may get plenty of action against Miami’s vulnerable rushing defense, Pierce remains positive as the Dolphins defense will spend a lot of time on the field until Tua Tagovailoa returns.

D’Onta Foreman, RB, CLE (9%): Nick Chubb appears ready to play for the first time this season, and Foreman is working through a groin injury. But Jerome Ford may be out, and an opportunity to split some work with Chubb is possible. Foreman totaled 47 scrimmage yards on 12 touches last week, which isn’t inspiring. The Bengals rank 19th in fantasy points per game allowed to RBs, so the hope here would be for a shared role in Cleveland’s backfield. Foreman is a deeper option in an obviously bad offense.

Kimani Vidal, RB, LAC (37%): JK Dobbins dominates the backfield for the Chargers. But Vidal caught a 38-yard TD pass in his NFL debut last week. Arizona ranks 23rd in fantasy points per game allowed to running backs, so the rookie could put up some acceptable fantasy totals.

Noah Fant, TE, ZEE (9%): If you dig deep for a tight end, consider Fant for potentially adequate statistical performance. He finished with six catches and 60-plus yards in two of his last four games.

(Photo by DeMario Douglas: Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)