Fantasy football Week 7: Five players set to smash projections

Ahead of Week 7 in the NFL, here are five players who could smash their fantasy football projections because of friendly matchups. 

Lions QB Jared Goff vs. Buccaneers

PPR projection: 16.83

Goff isn't an elite fantasy quarterback because he rarely runs (16 yards rushing this season), but he won't need to to put up a big number against the Bucs. Tampa Bay, which is dealing with injuries in the secondary, has given up a combined 688 passing yards to quarterbacks Mac Jones of the 49ers and Sam Darnold of the Seahawks in its last two games. Goff will be airing it out in this matchup. 

Chargers RB Kimani Vidal vs. Colts

PPR projection: 12.2

Without injured running backs Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris available, Vidal took over as RB1 for the Chargers. In his first start of the season, Vidal played 67 percent of snaps and put up 138 total yards and a touchdown (22.8 PPR points) against the Miami Dolphins. The Colts have been stingy against running backs this season, but Vidal's high usage and receiving skills make him a must-start in Week 7. 

Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs. Cowboys

PPR projection: 15.8 

Croskey-Merritt has finally taken over as the RB1 in Washington. The rookie running back played a season-high 66 percent of the team's offensive snaps and carried the ball 17 times against the Chicago Bears in Week 6. Now he gets to face a Cowboys defense that ranks 30th in the NFL in points allowed to running backs. Fire up JCM as a top-20 RB in Week 7. 

Rams WR Jordan Whittington vs. Jaguars

PPR projection: 7.4

Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua suffered an ankle injury against the Baltimore Ravens and hasn't practiced this week, so we're not expecting to see him in Week 7. That opens the door for Whittington, who led all L.A. wide receivers in snap count (92 percent) and saw a season-high four targets last week. The Jaguars rank 26th in the NFL in points allowed to WRs, so Whittington is a decent flex play if Nacua can't go. 

Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr. vs. Dolphins

PPR projection: 10.9