NFL Nation answers the biggest fantasy questions -- provided by ESPN fantasy football analyst Mike Clay -- across the league for Week 7.
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AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Is there any reason we shouldn't count on a big day from Josh Allen against the struggling Dolphins?
If Allen is ever to turn in his first standout performance of the season, it'll be Sunday against a Dolphins defense that has taken the ball away only twice this season. Miami owns the NFL's second-worst rush defense, which could open rushing lanes for Allen -- who is yet to have a game on the ground reminiscent of his rookie season. If he's available, Allen is a set-and-forget quarterback this weekend. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques
Miami Dolphins
Do you anticipate a larger role for Albert Wilson this weekend in his second game back?
Wilson had five catches for 15 yards on six targets in his first game action since Week 1 (missed time with a calf injury). The Dolphins eased him back into action with only 29 snaps (39%). Wilson is their playmaker, and his yards-after-catch skill set could add a lot more to a dead offense. I'd expect Miami to manufacture a larger role for him alongside Preston Williams and DeVante Parker, starting Sunday. -- Cameron Wolfe
New England Patriots
How much of a factor will Ben Watson be in the passing game?
Minimal. While Tom Brady might look his way in the red zone, when it comes to the passing game, the attack projects to revolve more around the wide receiver position, starting with Julian Edelman. It would be a surprise if Watson's presence leads to a heavier emphasis on passes to tight ends. -- Mike Reiss
New York Jets
Considering how poorly he's fared against the Patriots in his career, can we still count on WR Robby Anderson on Monday?
Anderson is confident he can break out because, for a change, he has his starting quarterback. In three of the past four meetings, the Jets had to use their backup. The big problem is Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, though. He covers Anderson like a blanket, so yes, it would be a stretch to count on Anderson for a big game. -- Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
When do you expect Miles Boykin will take on a larger offensive role?
No one can say with any certainty when that will happen. It's strange, because Boykin looked like the Ravens' best receiver in training camp. Now he's fourth in the pecking order at wide receiver in terms of targets and routes run, behind Marquise Brown, Willie Snead and Seth Roberts. Boykin has made an impact in the red zone (two touchdowns on two passes thrown his way there), but he really hasn't gotten consistently open anywhere else. It could be another year until Boykin adjusts to the physicality of the game and becomes Lamar Jackson's No. 2 or No. 3 wide receiver. -- Jamison Hensley
Cincinnati Bengals
Do the Bengals have any hope of stopping DJ Chark and Dede Westbrook with their top three CBs out?
Yes, but only because the run defense is the worst in the NFL. The Bengals have faced the fifth-fewest targets in the league and the most rushing attempts. The real weakness in Cincinnati's defense is very apparent. -- Ben Baby
Cleveland Browns
With the slow start in mind, do you expect any significant offensive changes during the bye?
The biggest changes likely to occur will come up front, where the Browns have had problems with "consistency," in the words of general manager John Dorsey. Change could come via a lineup shuffle or a trade. Dorsey wasn't cryptic this week in expressing his interest in Washington holdout left tackle Trent Williams. -- Jake Trotter
Pittsburgh Steelers
Do you expect JuJu Smith-Schuster to return to producing at a high level following the bye?
Yes, eventually. With a rotating cast of quarterbacks, the passing game has been slower developing than the run game. But as Mason Rudolph returns to action and continues to get more comfortable in his role, and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner gets more comfortable calling plays for Rudolph, I expect Smith-Schuster's numbers to rebound in a big way. -- Brooke Pryor
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Was Darren Fells' career-high seven-target performance in Week 6 a fluke or a sign of things to come?
Fells will continue to be a part of the Texans' game plan -- he had two touchdowns the week before against the Falcons -- but I don't expect him to lead Houston in receiving yards again this Sunday as he did at Kansas City. Deshaun Watson has so many weapons on offense, and Fells isn't the only Texans tight end to have a big game this season. -- Sarah Barshop
Indianapolis Colts
Which wide receiver is most likely to lock down No. 2 duties behind T.Y. Hilton?
There is no clear-cut No. 2 receiver behind Hilton. That's why the Colts are basically doing it by committee at the second receiver spot. Running back Nyheim Hines is second on the team in receptions (18), followed by tight end Jack Doyle (14). Rookie Parris Campbell is the closet receiver to Hilton in receptions, with 10, but he's out indefinitely with an abdominal injury. So any player, any game, could end up being the second receiver. -- Mike Wells
Jacksonville Jaguars
Should we expect a bounce-back week from DJ Chark Jr. and Dede Westbrook against the injury-plagued Bengals?
Absolutely for Chark, but it's iffy on Westbrook because he did not practice Thursday due to a shoulder injury. Both had disappointing outings in Week 6, and the expectation is that teams will try to mimic what the Saints did to take Chark away: bracket him with a safety and play two-deep. That leaves stuff open in the middle of the field, and the Jaguars failed to take advantage of that last weekend, but they've certainly worked on it in practice this week. I don't know if we'll see big numbers, though. The Bengals are last in the NFL in run defense, and the Jaguars will likely try to take advantage of that. -- Mike DiRocco
Tennessee Titans
Who will benefit most if the offense is turned over to Ryan Tannehill?
The biggest beneficiaries will be the receivers, specifically A.J. Brown. Tannehill will get the ball out quickly and help put the wideouts in position to make plays. Neither Tannehill nor Marcus Mariota throws with a lot of anticipation, but expect to see the receivers get more chances because Tannehill is better able to stay on schedule with his passes. Brown is a specialist when it comes to picking up yards after the catch. -- Turron Davenport
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Should we be buying into Courtland Sutton as a legit No. 1 wide receiver?
At this moment, yes, despite the Broncos' obvious troubles in the passing game. Defenses are still giving Emmanuel Sanders either the top cornerback in coverage or more of the double-coverage looks, so Sutton is the only Broncos receiver to have at least seven targets in each game. Physically, he is a difficult matchup for opposing defensive backs, and Joe Flacco trusts Sutton to be in the right place with his routes and is more willing to put the ball up in a crowd when Sutton is the receiver than he is with some of the team's other pass-catchers. -- Jeff Legwold
Kansas City Chiefs
Can we feel confident in relying on anyone not named Travis Kelce or Tyreek Hill while Patrick Mahomes is out?
If you're talking strictly receivers, I wouldn't be confident in anyone other than Kelce or Hill. While Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson and Sammy Watkins have had their big games or moments, Kelce and Hill are the consistent producers. But LeSean McCoy is still capable of putting up big numbers. The Chiefs might give him a larger role in Mahomes' absence. -- Adam Teicher
Los Angeles Chargers
Are Mike Williams' bizarre touchdown deficiencies simply bad luck, and will he get back on track soon?
Williams totaled 11 touchdowns last season but has yet to reach the end zone in 2019. Williams' struggles in the red zone mirror his team's issues in that part of the field this season. The Clemson product also has been battling through nagging injuries, limiting his effectiveness near the goal line. However, Williams appears to be getting healthier, so perhaps his touchdown drought will come to an end in the near future. -- Eric D. Williams
Oakland Raiders
Zay Jones addition aside, do you expect any significant offensive changes following the Week 6 bye?
Well, the Raiders working out LeGarrette Blount was an eyebrow-raiser, even if they haven't signed the bruising running back. But with no true No. 1 receiver, and with the success the Raiders had running the ball against the Bears and Colts during this two-game winning streak, it's obvious Oakland is changing its offensive identity into more of a smashmouth squad. Which means more Josh Jacobs. -- Paul Gutierrez
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Who will get the most opportunity in the receiving game behind Amari Cooper (if he plays) and Michael Gallup?
The other question to answer would be whether Randall Cobb is healthy to play, but even if he is, the Cowboys likely would go to a committee approach behind their top two receivers. Devin Smith, who had a 51-yard touchdown catch in Week 2, will be active, and the Cowboys will work with Tavon Austin and Cedrick Wilson as well. Last season's committee approach at receiver did not work too well before the trade for Cooper, but Dak Prescott gets the 29th-ranked pass defense this weekend. -- Todd Archer
New York Giants
Will we get our first big statistical game out of Daniel Jones since Week 3 with Arizona in town this weekend?
Yes. Jones' past two starts came with the offense short-handed against the Vikings and Patriots, a pair of top-10 pass defenses. In his other start since the Week 3 comeback over the Buccaneers, the Giants shut it down early with a big lead against the Redskins. This is a much better situation for Jones, with both Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram set to return against the 30th-ranked pass defense. It's the perfect spot for the Giants' rookie quarterback to have another big game. -- Jordan Raanan
Philadelphia Eagles
Do you have any optimism that the Eagles' defense can slow the Cowboys' passing game this weekend?
Yes. With Dallas' offensive line banged up, the Eagles' front will be able to turn up the heat on Dak Prescott. The Eagles are also getting healthier in the secondary with Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby returning to practice this week. Put all that together, and Philadelphia should look much better on defense than it did a week ago in Minnesota. -- Tim McManus
Washington Redskins
Can we count on Terry McLaurin to overcome a tough 49ers' defense this weekend?
The 49ers rank 23rd in the NFL in allowing receivers to average 14.11 yards per catch so, yes, McLaurin can still hurt them. He got open vs. Byron Jones, and he got open vs. Stephon Gilmore. McLaurin does an excellent job in particular against man coverage or Cover 3 looks. He runs routes with savviness, and with better QB play, he could have at least four 100-yard games. But the real issue is more about the Redskins' front and whether Case Keenum will have the opportunity to find McLaurin. That will be a much tougher task and would limit the passing game success. -- John Keim
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
Do you expect any change in running back usage following the Week 6 bye?
The Bears had better change their running back usage. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is a limited passer, but for whatever reason, the Bears have yet to commit to the run. The team is very high on rookie David Montgomery, but it hasn't fed him the ball. Chicago wants to get Tarik Cohen going, but Montgomery is the key to stabilizing the offense coming off the bye. I believe the Bears finally make a concerted effort to run the ball against New Orleans. Otherwise, they have no shot. -- Jeff Dickerson
Detroit Lions
Will Darius Slay shadow Stefon Diggs or Adam Thielen on Sunday?
Slay shadowed Diggs last season and could draw that assignment again if the Lions choose to go that route with their corners against Minnesota. Considering the play of Rashaan Melvin this season, Detroit has corners who can match up with both Diggs and Thielen. So the Lions have multiple options and, not surprisingly, aren't yet giving much of an indication how they'll handle it. -- Michael Rothstein
Green Bay Packers
Can we still trust Jimmy Graham as a starting fantasy tight end?
Could he ever be trusted this season? Aaron Rodgers has gone out of his way to insist that he needs to get Graham the ball more, but age seems to have caught up with him. It's one thing to lose your athleticism, but the 32-year-old Graham seems to have lost his hands, too. That dropped TD against the Lions should've been a gimme, and the one against the Eagles wasn't good, either. If anything, perhaps the Packers might think about getting their other aging tight end, Marcedes Lewis, more action. -- Rob Demovsky
Minnesota Vikings
Is Stefon Diggs back on track, or will he return to underwhelming production against competent secondaries?
Detroit has one of the best secondaries in the NFL, so expecting Diggs to repeat what he did against Philadelphia (167 yards, three touchdowns) is unrealistic this weekend. But the way the Lions deploy the pieces of their secondary will force them to pick their poison between whom they view as the bigger threat. If that player is Diggs, that could mean a better day for Thielen. -- Courtney Cronin
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
With the defense struggling, is it safe to assume the offense will continue to need to air it out all season long?
I don't know if the Falcons necessarily have to air it out, but they definitely need to score. Remember, Matt Ryan has a chance to throw for 300 yards for a seventh consecutive game, but the Falcons are 1-5. He'd much rather trade in those yards for points, as the Falcons averaged just 17.5 points per game through the first four contests. But, yes, Atlanta likely will have to win shootouts moving forward based on the ineptitude of the defense. -- Vaughn McClure
Carolina Panthers
Who will benefit most if Cam Newton returns as the team's starter in Week 8?
Cam Newton. The offense has averaged 31.3 points a game under Kyle Allen during a four-game winning streak since an 0-2 start with Newton. Christian McCaffrey has had three games with 175 or more yards from scrimmage. The line has played its best football despite injuries. So the only player who truly benefits is Newton himself. -- David Newton
New Orleans Saints
Considering the Saints rank 24th in offensive TDs this season, should we be worried about their top producers Sunday at Chicago?
You should absolutely be worried, especially when you consider that Alvin Kamara and Jared Cook are out. The Bears rank third in the NFL by allowing just 13.8 points per game, and Chicago plays on a notoriously tricky grass surface. But you're still going to start wide receiver Michael Thomas, and you can still consider running back Latavius Murray based on his projected volume. And then you can look forward to the upcoming schedule, when the Saints play four of their next five games against Arizona, Atlanta (twice) and Tampa Bay. -- Mike Triplett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Is there any hope for an O.J. Howard breakout following the Week 7 bye?
Sources say he's not on the trade block, so at least that's clear. Heading into last weekend, he was averaging only 2.8 targets per game, but that went up to five targets against the Panthers. The problem is, he hasn't made the most of his opportunities, with a 15.8% drop rate, second highest in the league at any position. While the Panthers' use of Cover 3 lent itself to more plays for the tight end in the middle of the field, this staff is making a concerted effort to get Howard and Cameron Brate more involved. But I don't think Howard is going to get the six to nine targets like some of the top-tier guys. -- Jenna Laine
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Is Chase Edmonds locked in as a backup, or could he threaten David Johnson for a larger share of the touches?
No, Edmonds will not overtake Johnson's share of touches. Not this season. Not next season. Edmonds is locked into the backup role, and it's a great fit for him. The great thing about Edmonds is that because he has a similar skill set to Johnson, the Cardinals don't have to change their playbook for him, keeping a level of consistency throughout substitutions. -- Josh Weinfuss
Los Angeles Rams
Can we count on a 'get right' game for this offense against a struggling Atlanta defense?
You can count on the offense to make a move in the correct direction, but a "get right" game? That's tough to predict, given how the offensive line has struggled to find consistency this season and that the Rams have now placed left guard Joe Noteboom on injured reserve. The Rams will now turn to rookie David Edwards to take over at the position. For the offense to "get right," it all starts up front, and the offensive line continues to be the biggest question mark for the 2019 Rams. -- Lindsey Thiry
San Francisco 49ers
Do you believe any of these wide receivers will emerge as a consistent No. 1 option anytime soon?
No. The 49ers' offense simply isn't built in a way that is going to feature one wide receiver. Perhaps that would change if they had an obvious No. 1 guy, but as currently constructed, they don't. Nobody on the roster is going to surpass tight end George Kittle as quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's top target and put together top fantasy numbers from week to week. That doesn't mean there won't occasionally be big games for some of the wideouts, but it's probably best not to bet on any one guy providing big numbers consistently. -- Nick Wagoner
Seattle Seahawks
Who will see the biggest boost in targets with Will Dissly out long term?
Jacob Hollister for now, Ed Dickson eventually. Hollister and Luke Willson are the only true tight ends on the Seahawks' roster until Dickson comes off injured reserve, which he can do as early as Week 9. Hollister began the season on the practice squad in part due to his limitations as a blocker, but the Seahawks were excited about his speed and receiving potential when they traded for him after the draft and when they saw him during the offseason program. Whichever tight end takes on the lead receiving role in that group, he might not get enough targets to be fantasy-relevant in the same way Dissly was, though. -- Brady Henderson