Houston’s offense is building momentum after a 70-point surge over five quarters, and a stiff Monday-night test at Seattle looms. CJ Stroud’s development and Will Anderson Jr. anchor a growth story as the team weighs deadline moves without derailing its long-term plan. Debates circle around Breece Hall chatter, the viability of Dell’s return, and how internal OL progress (Scruggs, Ingram, Tomlinson) shapes the run game and pass protection as they chase a playoff spot.

Rest, travel, and a late kickoff add nuance to a schedule designed to prove the Houston season is more than flashes. 2026 contract timelines for Stroud and Anderson intensify the need for sharp drafting and sensible asset management, making every decision—on and off the field—critical to sustaining momentum into next year.

Jets sit 0-6 as Week 7 with the Panthers approaches, and Justin Fields has faced a brutal stretch. A 13-11 loss to Denver featured 9 sacks and only 45 passing yards on 9 completions, intensifying questions about the quarterback and offense. Despite the rough start, New York has clung to Fields, a two-year, 40 million dollar bet, while the outside chatter grows louder about 2026 plans and whether a jolt via a top draft pick could reshape the franchise.

Complicating the narrative is a speculative online mock that slots Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza as the Jets’ future if the season worsens, highlighting the general fear that the offense lacks timing and precision. Mendoza’s strong college resume — 17 TDs, 2 INTs, 84.2 QBR across six games — illustrates the kind of clean-pocket passer the system covets. In the short term, patience remains the message as culture and trajectory are reassessed.

Overall, the piece emphasizes that turning a struggling franchise around takes time. It notes Glenn’s insistence on sticking with the plan, even as scrutiny intensifies, and underscores how perception can outrun reality in a volatile season. The Jets will aim to flip the script starting against Carolina, hoping for a spark that alters the narrative rather than confirms it.

Week 7 fantasy trade playbooks spotlight Derrick Henry, Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Warren, Mason Taylor, Drake Maye, and Keenan Allen as clear buy-low targets or durable pieces. Sell-high candidates include Rachaad White, Jake Ferguson, and Keenan Allen in certain contexts, with bye weeks and upcoming schedules shaping moves. The piece emphasizes leverage around Ravens, Broncos, Steelers, Jets, and Patriots assets as playoff horizons loom.

In short, capitalize on Henry’s bye-window and Ravens’ likely run emphasis, lean into Sutton’s rest-of-season upside despite early turbulence, and target Taylor and Maye as short-term fills when Wilson or Maye’s matchups trend favorable. Use schedule windows to optimize trades before Week 8.

Ty Simpson headlines a fresh 2026 NFL Draft mock as the Jets’ likely quarterback, posting the top overall grade (86.6) and the best intermediate-throw grade (91.1) among projected first-round passers. A wave of other top talents—including Rueben Bain Jr., Dante Moore, Jordyn Tyson and a stout trench class—are paired with NFL teams in early-round projections, highlighting a class rich in edge talent, tackles and polished receivers who could reshape fantasy rosters and rookie bets.

Across the board, the mock stacks versatile playmakers with teams eyeing balance on offense and pressure defense. The piece leans into the Buckeyes’ depth, emphasizes game-changing edge players, and points to a robust set of blockers and receivers who could emerge as fantasy-impact rookies in 2026. The overall takeaway: a high-ceiling class with clear paths to immediate NFL roles and fantasy relevance.