How will the trade of Chris Chambers affect his value and the value of Vincent Jackson and Marty Booker? -- L. Mayes, Baron Rouge, La.
Michael Fabiano: Chambers saw the fourth-most targets in the NFL headed into this week, but that will change dramatically in San Diego. He's more of a No. 3 fantasy receiver with the Bolts. The deal will have a negative affect on Jackson, who goes from the second option in the Chargers' pass attack to third behind Antonio Gates and Chambers. That will make him closer to a No. 4 fantasy wideout the rest of the season. Booker, who is now the top option in Miami, goes from waiver-wire fodder to a borderline No. 3 or 4 fantasy receiver. He should now be owned in most leagues with 12-plus teams. I also think the deal is a positive for Philip Rivers, who now has one more weapon in the pass attack. Ted Ginn Jr. will also see more opportunities for the Fins and is worth a roster spot in larger formats.
I drafted Marc Bulger this season, but then I dropped him for Kurt Warner. Now Warner is out and I'm left with Matt Schaub as my only healthy quarterback. If I can't re-acquire Bulger, who should I start in Week 7? -- W. Dunham, Washington, D.C.
M.F.: Schaub has an extremely tough matchup this week against Tennessee, but I would still start him if Andre Johnson returns from an injured knee. Be sure to check our fantasy injury report throughout the week on Johnson's status. If you still don't feel safe with Schaub, however, look to add Jeff Garcia off the waiver wire. He faces a Detroit defense that has allowed an average of two touchdown passes a game. David Garrard would also be a nice alternative if he's still a free agent in your league.
I need to start two running backs from Rudi Johnson, LaMont Jordan, Willie Parker and Adrian Peterson. Also, which two wideouts should I start from Dwayne Bowe, Larry Fitzgerald, Reggie Wayne and Roy Williams? -- C. Natale, Ottsville, Pa.
M.F.: Parker is a lock starter this week against Denver's 32nd-ranked run defense, and it's hard to sit Peterson even against a formidable Dallas defense. As a result, I'd reserve Johnson and Jordan and start Parker and Peterson. I think Wayne and Williams should get the nod at wide receiver. Neither has a fantastic matchup (Wayne vs. Jacksonville, Williams vs. Tampa Bay), but I'd stick with the studs in this case. I like Bowe this week against Oakland, but not more than Wayne and Williams. With Tim Rattay under center for Arizona, the same holds true with Fitzgerald.
Who should I start with Reggie Bush in Week 7: Cedric Benson, Ahman Green, Brandon Jacobs or Marshawn Lynch? -- F. Ajose, Minnesota
M.F.: I don't trust Benson, especially against a Philadelphia defense that has been stout against the run at home. Green faces Tennessee's top-ranked run defense, so he's a risk as well. Lynch faces Baltimore's third-ranked run defense, so Jacobs is the best bet based on the matchups. He faces a San Francisco defense that has allowed over 130 rushing yard per game on the road. Be sure to check the status of Jacobs, however, as he has a sore ankle after Monday's win over Atlanta. If Jacobs is less than 100 percent or the league rewards points for catches, then I would side with Lynch despite the matchup.
Is it time to bench Shaun Alexander? He has been awful this season. I have to start two of Alexander, Marion Barber and Ronnie Brown. -- G. Hause, Warrick, R.I.
M.F.: There's no way you should bench Brown, and Barber's matchup against a formidable Minnesota run defense is not attractive. Even in the midst of a three-week slide, I'd still start Alexander against an awful St. Louis defense that ranks 27th in the NFL against the run. The Rams have allowed an average of 140 rushing yards per game on the road, so Alexander should bounce back.
Who should be my third wideout this week: Jerricho Cotchery, Kevin Curtis, Santonio Holmes or Calvin Johnson? -- C. Cruz, San Diego, Calif.
M.F.: This is the week to lean on Cotchery, who faces a Cincinnati defense that ranks 28th against the pass and has surrendered 13 receiving touchdowns. Cotchery, who is tied with Braylon Edwards for 11th in receiver targets after six weeks, should produce a nice stat line in this contest of disappointing AFC teams.
Who should I start in Week 7: Michael Bennett or Brian Leonard? Also, should I start Brian Griese or Chad Pennington? -- G. Anthony, Dearborn, Mich.
M.F.: I'm not sure what sort of role Bennett will play in his first week with the Buccaneers, but he seems destined to lose goal-line work to Earnest Graham even if he sees 10-15 carries. Graham should remain the starter for now, and he has more value than Bennett this week as a fantasy option. Overall, I'd start Leonard against a Buffalo defense that ranks 25th against the run. The matchup between Griese and Pennington favors the Jets quarterback, but it's hard to trust him. Again, I would see if Garcia or Garrard is on the waiver wire and add one of them ahead of Griese or Pennington. Otherwise, roll the dice and start Pennington against Cincinnati.
I have been offered Steve Smith for Roy Williams. This would be a no-brainer, but Carolina's quarterback situation scares me. Should I accept the deal? -- S. Jones, Potomac, Md.
M.F.: Both of these wideouts are very close in overall value. Smith has averaged 14.0 points a week in NFL.com's standard scoring system, while Williams has averaged 11.4. In leagues that reward points for receptions, Smith has averaged close to 20 points a week compared to Williams' 17.2 points. Smith is also seeing just over nine targets a week, while Williams has averaged 8.6. As for the strength of schedule, Smith faces six teams ranked in the lower half of the NFL in pass defense, while Williams faces seven such teams. With both wideouts so close in all these intangibles, I'd keep Williams and pass on the deal for three reasons: 1. He is in an offense that throws the football a ton; 2. The quarterback situation in Detroit is far more stable than the one in Carolina; 3. Williams has one more game on the schedule the rest of the season.
Should I trade Brett Favre and Braylon Edwards for Tom Brady and Patrick Crayton? -- W. Willis, Bronx, N.Y.
M.F.: If the loss to Edwards doesn't decimate your core of wide receivers, I would make this trade in a heartbeat. Brady is the top player in fantasy football -- he's on pace to break Peyton Manning's single-season record for touchdown passes -- and he's shown no signs that he'll experience a statistical fall. What's more, I think Favre is a tremendous sell-high player after his incredible start to the season.
I have been offered Tony Romo and Clinton Portis for Derek Anderson and Edgerrin James. My running backs are Portis, Brandon Jacobs and Larry Johnson. Should I make the trade? -- E. Christensen, Philadelphia, Pa.
M.F.: There is some risk with Portis, who doesn't seem like the same running back this season due to a knee that's less than 100 percent, but I'd still take this deal due to the Romo factor. Other than Brady, no one has more fantasy points this season than the Dallas quarterback. What's more, I think he'll be far more consistent the rest of the season than Anderson. I would look to add Ladell Betts via the waiver wire or trade if possible to insure Portis, but overall I would make this trade.
