8 Big-Name Players You May Want to Avoid in Week 7

Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints

I might be the one with pie on my face this week if this call doesn't work out, but I don't think Drew Brees is startable in a standard league for Week 7. Period. No apologies.

Let's look at the facts, shall we? Coming off the bye, one expects the Saints to come out refreshed, rejuvenated, and swinging hard. But bear in mind that this game is in Detroit, and Brees is historically about 10 fantasy points better at home than on the road.

In addition, Brees has not yet eclipsed 20 points in any week this year so far, and is averaging an interception per week. Furthermore, top receiving target Jimmy Graham is out for Week 7, meaning Brees will have to make do with a motley crew of Marques Colston, Kenny Stills, and Brandin Cooks; talented, but not exactly elite reliability material.

To top the whole thing off, the Lions defense is by far the best defense against fantasy quarterbacks in the league, limiting them to 6.7 fantasy points below the NFL average. This is further confirmed by our Adjusted Defensive NEP metrics, which have the Lions far away as the best total defense and second-ranked against the pass. Bad matchup, terrifying environment, and a banged-up receiving corps means you should bench Brees this week.