Fantasy Football: Week 7 quarterback rankings

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Atlanta Falcons star Matt Ryan is our No. 1 fantasy football quarterback for Week 7.

With Matthew Stafford and Deshaun Watson serving Week 7 byes, you likely don't have to make a move at the position. Still, there are plenty of exploitable matchups to use to your advantage en route to winning your weekly matchup.

If you do need a replacement quarterback, are streaming the position, or just want to keep a talented gunslinger away from your fantasy football foe, take a look at some of my top players to add and drop off of your waiver wire for Week 7.

Here are my Top 20 options at the position this week.

TOP 20 WEEK 7 RANKINGS BELOW

TOP SHELF

He was the 2016 NFL MVP, but Matt Ryan hasn't looked like it this season. The Atlanta Falcons star has only one game with multiple passing scores this season and one game with at least 300 passing yards. He also has six interceptions through five games, after throwing just seven picks in 16 games last season. What could be the cure? The New England Patriots. Ryan and the Falcons were on the wrong end of an upset last Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots are currently allowing the most fantasy poinst per game to opposing quarterbacks. New England has also allowed the most passing yards (2,029) and passing scores (14) to opposing passers. Look for Ryan and Julio Jones to go off in this high-scoring showdown.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is my No. 3 option at the position in Week 7. Prescott and the Cowboys travel west to take on the San Francisco 49ers, a defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Prescott has four consecutive games with multiple touchdown passes entering the contest. He is an elite option in Week 7.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is my No. 11 option at the position in Week 7. Carr takes on the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football. He looked a bit shaky in his return from injury in Week 6, but did complete 21 of 30 passes in the 17-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs are a bit more friendly to opposing quarterbacks, allowing the sixth-most yards and fourth-most touchdowns to the position. Carr is a must-start in this spot.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff is my No. 14 option for Week 7. Goff might have hit a lull, but he gets a decent matchup here against the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona is tied for allowing the second-most touchdown passes and has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing passers. Look for the Rams to get the running game rolling again to help free up Goff for more consistent production.

LONGSHOTS

Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor might have a depleted group of wide receivers, but he has dart-throw value in Week 7 if your waiver wire is bare. Taylor is my No. 15 quarterback for the week with a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a defense allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles is my No. 17 option for the week and should only be used as a desperate streaming play. Bortles and the Jaguars are up against the Indianapolis Colts this weekend. The Colts have allowed the second-most passing yards and fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing passers. Bortles is also coming off one of his best games of the season.

Week 7 Quarterback Rankings