Every week, Yardbarker highlights a very powerful folks main into the week’s NFL video games.
From gamers to coaches and past, listed below are the ten most necessary folks to keep watch over in Week 7.
Large receiver Davante Adams | New York Jets
On Tuesday, the Las Vegas Raiders dealt Adams to the Jets for a 2025 conditional third-round decide. On Wednesday, Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich mentioned he expects Adams — who has missed three straight video games with a hamstring damage — to play in Sunday’s highway matchup vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2).
New York (2-4) is banking on Adams and beginning QB Aaron Rodgers rekindling their chemistry. In accordance with ESPN’s Benjamin Solak, Rodgers and Adams mixed for 68 TDs after they performed in Inexperienced Bay from 2014-21, probably the most amongst QB-WR duos throughout that span.
Adams and Rodgers could fizzle vs. Pittsburgh, although. The hapless Jets offense is tied for twenty second within the league in factors (18.8 PPG) whereas the Steelers are second in factors allowed (14.3).
Tight finish Brock Bowers | Las Vegas Raiders
With Adams gone, Bowers ought to emerge because the Raiders’ No. 1 choice. Per ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez, the first-round select of Georgia has 37 receptions, the second most by a rookie tight finish via his first six video games within the Tremendous Bowl period (Keith Jackson of the Eagles had 38 in 1988).
Vegas (2-4) has failed to attain 20-plus factors in any of its previous three video games, however Bowers ought to nonetheless be capable to produce strong numbers in Sunday’s highway sport in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams (1-4). L.A. has allowed 24 factors per sport in its previous three contests.
Large receiver Keon Coleman | Buffalo Payments
In one other blockbuster commerce Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns (1-5) sent Amari Cooper and a 2025 sixth-rounder to the Buffalo Payments (4-2) for a 2025 third-rounder and a 2026 seventh-rounder.
On Wednesday, Payments head coach Sean McDermott mentioned he hasn’t decided whether or not the five-time Professional Bowler will play in Sunday’s dwelling sport in opposition to the Tennessee Titans (1-4). Whether or not Cooper performs or not, the commerce might nonetheless have an effect on Coleman, a rookie out of Florida State.
By his first six video games, the second-round decide solely has 12 receptions for 201 yards and two TD catches. Coleman should begin producing higher numbers or his targets could dwindle.
Linebacker Fred Warner | San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have misplaced four straight games to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, together with Tremendous Bowls LIV and LVIII. Throughout a Tuesday look on KNBR-FM in San Francisco, Warner mentioned beating Ok.C. would assist the group “get over that hump.”
Plus, the 49ers might maintain gaining momentum in the event that they defeat the Chiefs (5-0) on Sunday. After a 1-2 begin, they’ve gained two of their final three video games and have moved into first within the NFC West.
Warner ought to maintain being a difference-maker within the 49ers dwelling sport. By his first six video games, he leads the league in compelled fumbles (4) and is tied for sixth in interceptions (two).
Quarterback C.J. Stroud | Houston Texans
Houston (5-1) may have Stroud to outplay Inexperienced Bay Packers QB Jordan Love in Sunday’s highway sport. In his Monday news conference, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans mentioned Love — who’s tied for second within the league in passing TDs (12 in 4 video games) — is “one of the best QB we have confronted.”
ESPN Analytics provides the Packers (4-2) a 57.7% chance to beat Houston. If Stroud and Co. pull off an upset, that might bolster his early MVP case. By his first six begins, the second-year passer is tied for fifth within the league in passing TDs (10) and is seventh in QBR (66.3).
Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn | Detroit Lions
In a 47-9 Week 6 win over the Dallas Cowboys (3-3), Lions edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a damaged tibia and fibula. On Monday, Detroit HC Dan Campbell mentioned Hutchinson’s restoration will take “4 to 6 months.”
Hutchinson leads the league in sacks (7.5) via his first 5 video games. Whereas it is a large loss for Detroit, Campbell believes Glenn is one motive the group can overcome the star pass-rusher’s absence.
Glenn looks as if a pointy defensive thoughts, because the Lions (4-1) rank eighth within the NFL in factors allowed (18.2). Nonetheless, he has a difficult job in Sunday’s highway sport in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings (5-0), who’re sixth within the league in factors (27.8 PPG).
Monitor whether or not Glenn’s protection flops or thrives. If the unit struggles, Detroit ought to contemplate buying one other edge-rusher earlier than the Nov. 5 commerce deadline, maybe Jadeveon Clowney of the Carolina Panthers or Za’Darius Smith of the Cleveland Browns.
Working again Saquon Barkley | Philadelphia Eagles
Barkley — who starred for the New York Giants from 2018-23 — returns to MetLife Stadium Sunday. He mentioned he’ll envision making game-changing performs earlier than the matchup along with his former group.
“I am fairly certain I am going to visualize breaking an extended landing run,” Barkley just lately instructed ESPN’s Jordan Raanan and Tim McManus. “making performs there. That goes a good distance.”
Do not be shocked if Barkley helps the Eagles enhance to 4-2 and exhibits why the Giants (2-4) ought to’ve stored him. By 5 video games this season, the 27-year-old operating again is fourth within the league in dashing yards (482) and tied for eighth in dashing TDs (4).
Quarterback Russell Wilson | Pittsburgh Steelers
Per Yardbarker’s Aaron Becker, on Tuesday, Steelers HC Mike Tomlin mentioned Wilson is “in consideration” to start out Sunday in opposition to the Jets and that he would resolve later this week.
A possible QB change looks as if a head-scratcher. In six begins this season, QB Justin Fields has accomplished 66.3% of his passes for 5 touchdowns and one interception whereas posting an above-average 54 QBR. Over his previous two seasons with the Denver Broncos, Wilson had a dreadful 11-19 beginning report and didn’t make a playoff look.
If Wilson performs, which will show Tomlin is not satisfied Fields is the reply and lift extra questions on Pittsburgh’s QB state of affairs for the remainder of the season.
Quarterback Anthony Richardson | Indianapolis Colts
In his Monday news conference, Colts HC Shane Steichen mentioned he expects Richardson (indirect) to start out in Sunday’s dwelling sport in opposition to the Miami Dolphins (2-3).
QB Joe Flacco made his second straight begin in a 20-17 Week 6 highway win over the Tennessee Titans, regardless that Richardson practiced final week. Steichen mentioned he was exercising warning and that there was no QB controversy.
Regardless, Richardson’s play should enhance. In 4 begins, he’s 2-2 and has extra interceptions (six) than passing TDs (three). Flacco, in the meantime, went 1-1 over his previous two begins, throwing for five TDs and one decide in that area.
Working again Sean Tucker | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tucker rushed for a career-high 136 yards and one landing on 14 carries in a 51-27 Week 6 win over the New Orleans Saints (2-4). On Wednesday, the second-year again out of Syracuse earned NFC Offensive Participant of the Week.
Even when Tampa Bay beginning RB Rachaad White (foot) returns for Monday’s dwelling sport in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens (4-2), Tucker ought to obtain extra carries. On Monday, Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles instructed the media Tucker, White and rookie Bucky Irving give them a “three-headed monster” at operating again.
Tucker steamrolling the Ravens’ No. 1-ranked run protection (59 YPG) would show he isn’t a one-game surprise for the Buccaneers (4-2).
