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If you’re thinking of selling Antonio Brown, don’t. If you’ve got a chance to get the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver at a discounted rate, pounce. Sure, Brown’s value will probably take a small hit without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the lineup for an estimated four to six weeks. In his stellar seven-year career, Brown has never caught a touchdown pass from anyone else, even though he has played in 11 total games without Roethlisberger. But ESPN Steelers reporter Jeremy Fowler cautioned that you shouldn’t fret too much over Brown’s numbers without Roethlisberger over four games last season (a total of 17 catches, 235 yards, zero TDs). As Fowler pointed out, three of those games came with Michael Vick at quarterback. But in the one game where Brown had an entire week to prepare and play with current Steelers backup Landry Jones, he wound up catching six passes for 124 yards. “Heck, Jones might rely on Brown more than Roethlisberger, who has been targeting Brown about 10 times a game, down from nearly 12 per game from 2014-15,” Fowler said. Jones obviously remains a work in progress, with just two starts in four NFL seasons. But Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell expressed confidence in Jones this week, saying, “If he has a pep in his step, I think Landry can strike it." Another concern with Brown this week is the matchup against the New England Patriots, who are well known for scheming to eliminate a team’s top weapon. But that’s harder to do against a Steelers offense that features both Brown and Bell. And Fowler pointed out that Brown had 11 catches for 113 yards and a touchdown last season despite matching up against Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler.  Here is more Week 7 fantasy advice from ESPN’S NFL Nation crew:
Buying Ajayi: Take the under on another 204 rushing yards and two touchdowns for Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi in Week 7. But his unexpected breakout performance last Sunday should help Ajayi secure a more consistent role going forward. ESPN Dolphins reporter James Walker said Ajayi is “now the unquestioned No. 1 option” after Miami did a lot of mixing and matching early in the season. And Walker wrote that Ajayi is eager to prove he’s not a one-hit wonder. Arian Foster is still in the mix now that he’s recovering from a hamstring injury. As Walker reminded, Foster beat out Ajayi for the starting job back in training camp. “So I wouldn’t count Foster out of Miami’s offensive plans completely,” Walker said. But Walker said rookie coach Adam Gase and his staff have been looking for someone to step up in the backfield all year. And Ajayi’s performance went a long way toward earning their trust. Walker also pointed out that Sunday's game was the first time the Dolphins had all five starting offensive linemen healthy at the same time, which helped the entire offense. Brees human on road: Drew Brees' home-road splits have become drastic over the past two years. He has averaged 374 yards in 11 New Orleans Saints home games, with a total of 34 TDs and seven interceptions. In nine road games, he has averaged 276 yards, with a total of 12 TDs and eight interceptions. As I wrote this week on the ESPN Saints page, you shouldn’t necessarily bench Brees and targets such as receiver Brandin Cooks at Kansas City. But you should be prepared for much more pedestrian numbers from the NFL’s No. 1 passing offense, even though Brees just threw for 465 yards and four touchdown last Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Brees’ road history -- combined with Kansas City’s solid and opportunistic defense -- will make this a challenging week. Brees, however, insisted that he doesn’t spend time worrying about those road numbers. He said there are some obvious advantages at home (crowd noise, no weather elements and a fast surface). But he said, "I think the expectation level is still the same, whether we’re playing home or whether we’re playing away." Room for two TEs in San Diego: Antonio Gates' return from a hamstring injury hasn’t done anything yet to dampen the breakout season of rookie San Diego Chargers tight end Hunter Henry, who has a TD in each of the past three games. At the same time, Henry’s breakout doesn’t mean Gates can’t get back to his longstanding role as a go-to target for Philip Rivers. ESPN Chargers reporter Eric Williams said there is room for both tight ends to play key roles. “I hate to ride the fence here, but both clearly have fantasy value,” Williams said. “As he continues to get healthier, Gates still has value as a go-to target for Philip Rivers in the red zone and on third down. And Hunter Henry has shown he can create explosive plays with his speed and athleticism down the seam of the defense and after the catch.” Williams said the Chargers will use a healthy dose of both players. He said San Diego ran two-tight-end sets 56 percent of the time against the Denver Broncos in Week 6. More for Miller: Lamar Miller's role with the Houston Texans has never been a question since they acquired him this offseason to be an every-down back. He has had at least 22 touches in five games. But last Sunday’s game was the first time he really broke out, with 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts, even when Houston was trailing most of the night. ESPN Texans reporter Sarah Barshop said Miller benefited from improved line play. And she expects that renewed commitment to the running game to continue after it worked out so well in Houston’s come-from-behind victory, although Monday's game against Denver’s defense will provide a stiff test. "I think the more we get Lamar the ball, probably the better," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "Because I think when he touches the ball usually good things happen." Britt legit: Kenny Britt's seven catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns last week were no fluke. Although the eighth-year veteran has never surpassed 775 yards in a season, he has developed a great chemistry with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum, according to ESPN Rams reporter Alden Gonzalez. And he is taking advantage of “constant single coverage” because defenses are so intent on stopping running back Todd Gurley. "I think both mentally and physically, it’s as good as I’ve seen Kenny,” Rams offensive coordinator Rob Boras said. ESPN fantasy analyst Mike Clay added in his Insider notes column that Britt has been on the field for 91 percent of the Rams' pass plays and is enjoying a career-high target share (22 percent). No rush to replace White: The return of Tom Brady has been great for New England Patriots pass-catching running back James White. ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss said in this week’s Insider fantasy Q&A that White’s role could potentially be in jeopardy if Dion Lewis returns healthy from a knee injury at some point. But Reiss said there’s a good chance Lewis won’t return before the early November bye week. So fantasy owners can “stay locked in” with White for now.
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