Every week, Yardbarker highlights an important individuals main into the week’s NFL video games.
From gamers to coaches and past, listed below are the ten most vital individuals to keep watch over in Week 7.
Extensive 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 harm — to play in Sunday’s street matchup vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2).
New York (2-4) is banking on Adams and beginning QB Aaron Rodgers rekindling their chemistry. Based on ESPN’s Benjamin Solak, Rodgers and Adams mixed for 68 TDs after they performed in Inexperienced Bay from 2014-21, essentially the most amongst QB-WR duos throughout that span.
Adams and Rodgers might 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 pick of Georgia has 37 receptions, the second most by a rookie tight finish by 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 stable numbers in Sunday’s street recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams (1-4). L.A. has allowed 24 factors per recreation in its previous three contests.
Extensive receiver Keon Coleman | Buffalo Payments
In one other blockbuster commerce Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns (1-5) despatched 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 house recreation 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 means of 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 might dwindle.
Linebacker Fred Warner | San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have misplaced 4 straight video 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 workforce “recover from that hump.”
Plus, the 49ers might hold 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 hold being a difference-maker within the 49ers house recreation. By means of 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 street recreation. In his Monday information convention, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans mentioned Love — who’s tied for second within the league in passing TDs (12 in 4 video games) — is “the most effective QB we have confronted.”
ESPN Analytics provides the Packers (4-2) a 57.7% likelihood to beat Houston. If Stroud and Co. pull off an upset, that will bolster his early MVP case. By means of 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) by his first 5 video games. Whereas it is a huge loss for Detroit, Campbell believes Glenn is one cause the workforce 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 activity in Sunday’s street recreation 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 take into account 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.
Operating 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 workforce.
“I am fairly certain I am going to visualize breaking an extended landing run,” Barkley just lately informed ESPN’s Jordan Raanan and Tim McManus. “making performs there. That goes a great distance.”
Do not be shocked if Barkley helps the Eagles enhance to 4-2 and reveals why the Giants (2-4) ought to’ve saved him. By means of 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 determine 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 document and did not make a playoff look.
If Wilson performs, that 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 information convention, Colts HC Shane Steichen mentioned he expects Richardson (indirect) to start out in Sunday’s house recreation in opposition to the Miami Dolphins (2-3).
QB Joe Flacco made his second straight begin in a 20-17 Week 6 street win over the Tennessee Titans, despite the fact 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 5 TDs and one decide in that house.
Operating 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 house recreation in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens (4-2), Tucker ought to obtain extra carries. On Monday, Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles informed 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 marvel for the Buccaneers (4-2).
