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

Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts vs. Buffalo Bills

While fourth-round rookie running back Nyheim Hines has shown well in the passing game in spots, the fact of the matter is that the Indianapolis Colts just haven’t received nearly enough production from the N.C. State product. Hines is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry and 6.0 yards per reception, meaning that he’s an essentially useless component of a stagnant offense that relies entirely on T.Y. Hilton and Eric Ebron for big plays.

That could change in the coming weeks if 2017 fourth-round pick Marlon Mack can follow up on a strong Week 6 performance against a solid New York Jets defense. Mack blew Hines out of the water with 89 rushing yards on just 12 carries, joining the likes of Raheem Mostert as possible Week 6 breakouts at the running back position.

Mack shouldn’t be a backup on the depth chart anymore, seeing as how his big-time performance against the Jets brought his yards per carry average up to 5.6 this season. Mack is also averaging 61.5 rushing yards per game, with both stats being clear improvements from his subpar rookie campaign in Indianapolis.

The Colts will face the tough Buffalo Bills defense in Week 7, but Mack did manage to explode against a relatively stout Jets run defense. Mack isn’t asked to do much in the passing game, but his work on the ground could be critical for Andrew Luck and the Colts offense. If the Bills have one weakness on the ground, it’s touchdowns, as they’ve allowed five of them this year. Mack has no touchdowns this season, but he did notch three rushing scores in 2017 on 93 carries. That could be something for fantasy owners to hope for in Week 7 if they choose Mack as their sleeper.