The madness continues. Stars, those selected in the first couple rounds of drafts, are being out-targeted, and outperformed, by the unlikeliest of receivers. Madness, indeed.
Here is a look at the surprise target grabbers from Week 7, and a look at possible breakout options for Week 8 based on the usage they are seeing in the passing game. You can ask me more waiver wire and game day questions on Twitter @DemetriRafto.
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Surprise Week 7 Target Grabbers
Jack Doyle - (TE, IND)
It was a career day for Jack Doyle against the Tennessee Titans Week 7. Doyle reeled in nine of his career-high 10 targets for a career-best 78 yards. It was also the second straight week that the Colts' tight end scored a touchdown, bumping his season total to four; more than he posted in his three previous campaigns combined.
The pleasant addition of Doyle to those fantasy teams struggling with injuries at the tight end position has certainly paid off over the last two weeks. Andrew Luck has added another weapon to his arsenal and could continue to target Doyle while Dwayne Allen nurses an ankle injury heading into Week 8. The Colts face a tough Kansas City team that has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. It might be wise to look elsewhere at tight end this weekend, especially if the matchup is right.
Lance Kendricks - (TE, LA)
London was good to Lance Kendricks. He finished the day as the Ram's second leading target getter with nine, reeling in seven for 55 yards. Kendricks a more viable option in PPR formats since he doesn't accumulate enough yards to exceed projections in standard leagues. He is certainly a touchdown-dependent tight end, and a matchup-based option, but should be given a look for those in need of a fill-in weeks to come.
Los Angeles' offense leaves much to be desired on the field and for fantasy. It would be wise if Case Keenum continued to look short in the passing game instead of force-feeding the ball to Tavon Austin, and lobbing softballs into the hands of opposing secondaries. The Rams get some much-needed rest this week and return to the field Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers. Kendricks' ownership should certainly rise a bit, while his target-volume should stay at a favorable level.
Seth Roberts - (WR, OAK)
It's definitely hard to believe that this man saw more targets than Amari Cooper. Although, when your quarterback is blossoming into something special, there is going to be a lot of generosity on the field. Those with an eye on Seth Roberts or those looking to pick up a receiver off the waiver wire can only hope that this trend continues.
Roberts finished the day with nine targets, two shy of the team-high behind Michael Crabtree. Roberts was targeted often late in the game as the Raiders put their fifth win on ice against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The only issue is that the young receiver caught only four passes for a season-high 42 yards. He hasn't found the end zone since Week 4 but has tallied three touchdowns on the year so far. With Derek Carr throwing him the ball, that number could increase. He's a risky pickup and an even riskier start, but certainly a player to watch.
Possible Week 8 Breakout Options
Justin Hunter - (WR, BUF)
The options on offense in Buffalo continue to dwindle. With a banged up LeSean McCoy, Robert Woods likely missing another game with a foot injury, Marquise Goodwin suffering a concussion last week, and Sammy Watkins already out for the season, the Bills are in desperation mode and could look to the unlikeliest of candidates for production on offense.
In Week 7 against Miami, Justin Hunter played on all but four offensive snaps. He was unable to make his increased field time count, catching only two of his four targets, but he has proved in past weeks that he's a touchdown threat. Goodwin is listed as questionable for Week 8, and if he can't suit up against the New England Patriots, Hunter steps in as the team's lead receiver. Hunter is a punt and is handcuffed to the status of Goodwin, but could provide a ton of value in DFS.
Marqise Lee - (WR, JAX)
There is something very strange brewing in Jacksonville. Marqise Lee is out-producing Allen Robinson. Fantasy owners of Robinson are going nuts (myself included), and have become upset with Blake Bortles and his erratic play. But for two straight weeks, regardless of how bogus this is, Lee has caught more passes than Robinson and leads a Jacksonville receiving unit with 29 receptions.
It's only a matter of time before the Allens take over the offense again, but anything is possible. The issue with Lee is that he has yet to score a touchdown as Bortles and the Jaguars offense continue to look to Julius Thomas or Chris Ivory inside the red zone. But this could only mean that he's due. He gets a tough matchup against the Tennessee Titans in Week 8 but he has inserted himself into Jacksonville's offense enough for us to see a rise in his ownership.
Cordarelle Patterson - (WR, MIN)
Stefon Diggs returned from injury Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles, but it was another Vikings receiver that did most of the damage during the team's first loss of the season. Adam Thielen had sped onto the radar over the past couple weeks, specifically in Week 5 in the absence of Diggs. In Week 7, it was Cordarelle Patterson's turn.
Patterson has scored a touchdown in two straight games, catching all seven of his targets against a tough Eagles defense last week. He heads into a much easier matchup versus a Chicago Bears team that has relinquished the most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Sam Bradford and Minnesota's offense, despite their 5-1 record, have had trouble moving the ball downfield through the air. This makes Patterson a risky play, along with every offensive player on the Vikings, for that matter. Regardless, you have to believe that they will bounce back against the Bears Monday night. Look for Patterson to continue his production.
Other Options: Charles Clay (TE, BUF) vs NE, Quincy Enunwa (WR, NYJ) @ CLE, Tyreek Hill (WR, KC) @IND