Fantasy Football 2018: 10 RB sleepers to target for Week 7

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 07: Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) runs during the National Football League game between the New York Jets and the Denver Broncos on October 7, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 30: Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) reacts after scoring a touchdown in an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons on September 30, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals won the game 37-36. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants

The Atlanta Falcons already had to place stars Keanu Neal and Deion Jones on the injured reserve earlier this season, and star running back Devonta Freeman was added to that list this past week. Freeman, a former fourth-round pick out of Florida State, will undergo groin surgery this week and could return to the team once eligible to be activated off of the injured reserve.

Until then, Tevin Coleman will continue to prosper in Freeman’s absence, and Ito Smith could carve out a nice role for himself in the Falcons offense. Coleman is a legitimate star at the running back position, but it seems like both he and the Falcons offense would operate best if Coleman is placed in a time-share with another back.

Enter Smith, who is an intriguing fourth-round rookie out of Southern Miss. Smith has run for a touchdown in each of his past three games, so he already has the potential to score when he touches the ball, even if his yards per carry average of 3.2 isn’t impressive.

Smith will have chances to score against the Giants defense, which looked dead in Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Under Pat Shurmur, the Giants have been a dysfunctional mess, and Smith could be among those that benefits.

Freeman regularly touches the rock 200-300 times per season, so there are both rushing attempts and receptions for Smith to earn in this offense. The Falcons invested a mid-round draft pick in him, and he’s picked up some touchdowns. Facing off against a Giants defense that has allowed more than a few rushing touchdowns this year, Smith will have a chance to shine in primetime.

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