New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe made the most of the Week 6 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Grupe had a perfect day, hitting field goals from 29 and 42 yards out and converting all three of his extra point attempts in the 51-27 loss which resulted in his best fantasy score since Week 1. He is 10-for-10 on field goal attempts in 2024 though he has missed two extra points. The Saints open Week 7 with a Thursday night matchup against the Denver Broncos. The game is expected to be a low-scoring affair given Denver's defensive prowess and lack of firepower on offense. As such, Grupe's upside is limited in a game where scoring chances are expected to be few and far between. Grupe has not done enough this season to separate himself from the pack so fantasy managers should have no qualms about streaming another kicker in Week 7.

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson caught all three of his targets in Week 6 for a season-best 48 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He started off the game with a 27-yard gain on a strike from quarterback Spencer Rattler, who was filling in for an injured Derek Carr (oblique) and will likely start again in Week 7. He also had a 30-yard catch-and-run negated by an illegal shift penalty in the third quarter. With Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) ruled out and Taysom Hill (ribs) doubtful for Thursday's game against the Denver Broncos, New Orleans will be short on experienced skill position players. Johnson's usage may very well then skew more towards route running than blocking as it did in Week 6 but even so he will be a risky play so early in the week. Denver has allowed just five passing touchdowns all year (two to tight ends), limiting Johnson's upside. Tight end streamers in deeper leagues might want to take a chance but managers in the typical 10 or 12-team formats can leave Johnson on the wire in Week 7.

Wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (ankle) popped up on the New Orleans Saints injury report earlier this week but got a full practice in the day ahead of their Thursday night matchup against the Denver Broncos. Wilson was limited in the team's earlier sessions but carries no injury designation going into Week 7. With Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) both ruled out there is an opportunity for Wilson to see more snaps than usual. That may not result in much fantasy value, though. Olave's early departure in Week 6 afforded Wilson three targets while stand-in quarterback Spencer Rattler gave most of his attention to rookie wideout Bub Means. Even without Patrick Surtain (concussion), Denver still boasts a formidable secondary and their pass rush will give Rattler fits. Wilson is not a viable option in fantasy in Week 7.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Mason Tipton could be in for an increased snap share in Week 7 with Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) both out. Tipton logged a season-high 41% share in Week 6 after Olave departed with his injury just three plays into the game. The extra run did not equate to a more productive day, however, and he finished with one catch for 15 yards on two targets. Unfortunately for Tipton, the Saints square off against the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. Denver has one of the stingiest defenses in the league this season and is allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. Despite the opportunity to see more time on the field, Tipton shouldn't be counted on as a fantasy asset.

It took injuries to the New Orleans Saints top two receivers, but rookie Bub Means will likely get his first NFL start on Thursday when Week 7 begins. With Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) declared out, Means has a chance to build off his impressive Week 6 performance. In that game, he tied running back Alvin Kamara for the team lead in both catches (five) and targets (eight), gaining 45 receiving yards and scoring a touchdown after taking over for Olave, who was forced out of the game on the Saints' third offensive play. Unfortunately, Means' opportunity comes against the Denver Broncos, who have held opposing wide receivers in check better than anyone else this season. Over their first six games, they have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game and just one touchdown to the position. The one glimmer of hope for Means is that Denver will be missing the elite play provided by cornerback Patrick Surtain II (concussion). Means projects as a WR5 and is a risky play in the first game of the week.