Today’s fantasy football daily fix delivers news and notes about Josh Freeman and Michael Vick, as well as DraftKings Week 7 daily fantasy D/ST recommendations for the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and San Diego Chargers.

News & Notes

Josh Freeman to Start for Minnesota Vikings

After being Schianoed out of Tampa Bay, Josh Freeman has not only landed on his feet, he’s landed the starting gig in Minnesota. Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier anticipates that Freeman will play well; no word on whether he approved of the length of the shorts Freeman wore to practice or the way he slouched in his chair during meetings this week.

As big as this decision feels, I don’t really expect much fantasy impact in the short term. Even with a great matchup against the Giants, a greenhorn Freeman is only a consideration in the deepest of leagues. Adrian Peterson has proven himself to be immune to crappy quarterbacking. Things will get slightly better for Greg Jennings, but again, in the short term, it’s tough to expect much from Freeman.

Over the long term, this could be a big one. Freeman was awful for the Bucs this year, but his performance over the past few seasons proves he’s got the talent to succeed as a starter. He’s a great stash if you’ve got a free roster spot, and somebody to keep an eye on in just about all formats.

Michael Vick’s Hammy Still Hurting

If you weren’t already scrambling to your waiver wire to speculatively add Nick Foles, now’s the time to get going. Foles lit it up in spot duty last week; now Michael Vick is saying his injured hamstring may keep him out for a few more weeks.

Foles is a pretty good quarterback in a great (and getting greater) offense. He won’t run like Vick did, but he’ll put up good enough passing numbers to be at least a fringe starter in 12-team leagues, with upside to be much more than that. Scoop him up if you still can.

Houston Texans Undecided on Starter

Gary Kubiak is noncommittal about who his starting quarterback will be; T.J. Yates and Case Keenum split the first team reps this week and Matt Schaub remains hobbled with a bum ankle.

I’m sure this is interesting for Texans fans, but for fantasy purposes, I couldn’t care less who plays quarterback. Whether it’s an injured Schaub or a healthy backup, I’m not feeling good about starting Texans not named Arian Foster this week against Kansas City.

DraftKings Defense/Special Teams Recommendations

If you’ve never played DraftKings before, it’s time to start. You’re reading this column, so I know you like fantasy football, and new depositors will get a free ticket into a Millionaire Grand Final qualifier, a contest that as me so excited, I wrote a whole damn article about it!

So yeah, I think you’ve got some signing up to do. Once you’re registered, check out the multitude of options DraftKings has to offer; I’m personally a big fan of the Double Up and Triple Up contests.

CADILLAC

After Houston fans’ jersey sacrifices were finally repaid with a Schaub injury, Yates entered the game… and promptly threw yet another pick six. While I can’t predict yet another TAINT (What? Bill Simmon’s isn’t using it…) from whoever starts for the Texans this week, I can recommend the Kansas City Chiefs ($4,800) with great confidence. Houston fans deserve the mediocre offense they’ve got, and the Kansas City defense is just plain awesome.

The San Francisco 49ers ($4,700) are a good defense that’s only getting stronger. Justin Smith is still on the comeback trail, but both Patrick Willis and Eric Reid were both full participants in practice on Wednesday. They face off against the Tennessee Titans this week, who have become a much friendlier opponent since losing the slippery Jake Locker. Backup Ryan Fitzpatrick has quarterbacked well enough to get himself sandwiched between Geno Smith and Eli Manning at 32nd in the QBR rankings.

BUICK

I’ve given up trying to explain what it is that’s made Eli Manning such a horrible quarterback this season. I’ll just accept the fact that he’s terrible and pick up the Minnesota Vikings ($3,200) this week. Minnesota’s pass defense isn’t great – they’ll definitely give up some points – but Harrison Smith is one of the better back-end ballhawks in football.

The Green Bay Packers ($3,700) are without Clay Matthews, but even without it clean-shaven superstar, the Green Bay pass rush is among the best in the league. With Matthews out with a broken thumb, the Pack racked up five sacks against a decent Baltimore offensive line in Week 6. Fortunately for you (and the Packers), the Cleveland Browns’ offensive line isn’t anything near “decent.” The Browns’ 9.5% adjusted sack rate ranks sixth-worst in football, only the lowly Oakland Raiders have surrendered more sacks.

CHEVROLET

While no team gets to face those lowly Raiders this week, the Buffalo Bills ($3,000) get the next best thing, at least in terms of crappy pass protection. The Bills pass rush is about average, but against the Miami Dolphins’ swiss cheese front, that should be good enough for three or four sacks. Toss in the threat of yet another interception by rookie linebacker Kiko Alonso and the Bills are a great cheap option this week.

Anyone familiar with college football betting lines should be familiar with the term “Alabama Minus Everything.” It means that when Alabama plays a cupcake, no matter how terrible opponent or how elevated the spread, you always lay the points. I’d like to suggest a corollary for DraftKings: “[Insert Jacksonville Jaguars’ Opponent Here] For Anything.” No matter what the cost, whatever defense is playing Jacksonville will be on this list. This week’s lucky winner is the San Diego Chargers ($3,100).