Fantasy Football QB Rankings Week 7: Who to start, best sleepers at quarterback

Nick Musial

Fantasy Football QB Rankings Week 7: Who to start, best sleepers at quarterback image

Somehow, we've reached Week 7 of the fantasy football season. As we approach the halfway point of the fantasy regular season, the significance of each week becomes even more pronounced. Playoffs are seemingly on the line with every passing matchup. With injuries and bye weeks taking their toll, finding dependable signal-callers is crucial, and our Week 7 fantasy QB rankings are here to help you navigate this important position.

Week 7 brings with it a whopping six byes, and at least one every-week starter won't be available. We also lose two potential streamers and a couple of solid QB matchups, limiting the potential sleepers. 

Let's break down our rankings, highlight the top options, and find some streamers in if you're in a bind.  

MORE: Watch NFL RedZone live with Sling (50% off first month)

Which QBs are on bye in Week 7?

The Week 7 slate features six teams on bye, as Joe Burrow, C.J. Stroud, Dak Prescott, Bryce Young, Ryan Tannehill, and Zach Wilson get a week off to rest up.

WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

While only 50 percent of those QBs carry fantasy relevancy in single-QB leagues, not having Burrow, Stroud, and Prescott available will likely lead fantasy owners to search the waiver wire for streaming options, especially considering the current injury situation.

WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Who are the best fantasy QBs in Week 7?

Despite the Dolphins owning a 5-1 record through six weeks, their defense has been exploitable through the air, which results in Jalen Hurts (vs. Dolphins in Week 7) holding the top spot in our Week 7 QB rankings. Josh Allen (@ Patriots), who entered Week 6 as the overall QB1, isn’t far behind, sitting as our QB2 in Week 7.

Patrick Mahomes (vs. Chargers) had a solid Week 6 showing against Denver and will likely post another Mahomes-like effort against another vulnerable AFC West foe.

Tua Tagovailoa (@ Eagles) continues to dissect defenses but isn’t a top-three QB this week when matched up against a stout Eagles defensive line. Lamar Jackson (vs. Lions), Brock Purdy (@ Vikings), and Justin Herbert (@ Chiefs) remain must-starts as bona fide QB1s, though we will be watching the Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and Christian McCaffrey (oblique) injuries in San Francisco and adjust Purdy if needed.

WEEK 7 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em

Who are the best fantasy QB sleepers, waiver pickups in Week 7?

Although the QB pool is relatively shallow, fantasy owners looking to pick up a QB in Week 7 could pivot toward Sam Howell (@ Giants), Jordan Love (@ Broncos), and Matthew Stafford (vs. Steelers). 

The Broncos entered Week 6, allowing the most fantasy points per game to QBs, so Love has as good of a matchup as it gets. The Giants have held their own against QBs, but Wink Martindale’s defense is still exploitable through the air, and Howell is thriving in Eric Bieniemy’s offense. Stafford has the toughest matchup of the bunch, but the Rams pass-heavy scheme gives him ample volume to post a competent fantasy point output.

In deeper leagues, Josh Dobbs (@ Seahawks), Desmond Ridder (@ Buccaneers), and Baker Mayfield (vs. Falcons) could be worth a filer. Dobbs is finding his groove as a passer and draws an exploitable Seattle secondary, making him look like a prime DFS value candidate.

Ridder's posted two strong fantasy performances in consecutive weeks, and although he'll be on the road in Week 7, he's an appealing start in deeper/superflex leagues. Mayfield is never a flashy play, but has solid playmakers around him along with a reliable play-caller to lend itself to a strong fantasy day.

WEEK 7 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks

Who are the biggest potential QB busts in Week 7?

On the bust front, steer clear of Kenny Pickett (@ Rams), Derek Carr (vs. Jaguars), and Russell Wilson (vs. Packers). Although the Rams' defense is far from a world-beater, the Steelers' predictable offensive scheme doesn't give us any confidence in his Week 7 fantasy prospects.

Carr's Week 6 fantasy point output looked encouraging from afar, but the Saints were forced to pass at a high clip, trailing the majority of the contest, with Carr attempting 50 passes. Don't expect that type of volume this week against Jacksonville, though technically the matchup is decent on paper.

Not many fantasy owners are rolling out Wilson, but he remains best suited on the bench or in free agency. Geno Smith's inconsistent play concerns us, but he's still startable this week against a Cardinals defense that entered Week 6, allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to QBs.

What are the biggest QB injuries in Week 7?

This week, we saw Justin Fields (hand), Trevor Lawrence (knee), and Jimmy Garoppolo (back) exit their respective games with injuries. We’ve Lawrence (vs. Saints) in our initial Week 7 rankings for now, but replaced Fields with rookie Tyson Bagent (vs. Raiders) and Garoppolo with Brian Hoyer (@ Bears).

Lawrence has a short week with the Jaguars facing the Saints on Thursday Night Football, so if he can’t go, look for C.J. Beathard to make the spot start. 

We also think Deshaun Watson (shoulder) makes his return against the Colts, but if he's out again, P.J. Walker will get another chance. 

It’s also worth noting that Ryan Tannehill could be in jeopardy of missing a couple of games after sustaining an ankle injury in London. The Titans are idle in Week 7, but there’s a chance either Malik Willis or Will Levis gets a starting nod in the near future.

We'll be updating these QB rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.

Fantasy QB Rankings Week 7: Who to start, sit at quarterback

These rankings are based on four-point passing TD scoring

Rank    Player
1    Jalen Hurts, Eagles vs. Dolphins
2    Josh Allen, Bills @ Patriots
3    Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. Chargers
4    Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins @ Eagles
5    Lamar Jackson, Ravens vs. Lions
6    Justin Herbert, Chargers @ Chiefs
7    Brock Purdy, 49ers @ Vikings
8    Sam Howell, Commanders @ Giants
9    Geno Smith, Seahawks vs. Cardinals
10    Jordan Love, Packers @ Broncos
11    Jared Goff, Lions @ Ravens
12    Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars @ Saints
13    Matthew Stafford, Rams vs. Steelers
14    Deshaun Watson, Browns @ Colts
15    Kirk Cousins, Vikings vs. 49ers
16    Josh Dobbs, Cardinals @ Seahawks
17    Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers vs. Falcons
18    Kenny Pickett, Steelers @ Rams
19    Desmond Ridder, Falcons @ Buccaneers
20    Derek Carr, Saints vs. Jaguars
21    Tyrod Taylor, Giants vs. Commanders
22    Brian Hoyer, Raiders @ Bears
23    Russell Wilson, Broncos vs. Packers
24    Tyson Bagent, Bears vs. Raiders
25    Mac Jones, Patriots vs. Bills
26    Gardner Minshew, Colts vs. Browns

Week 7 QB fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

Draft Sharks projections for the new week will update every Tuesday and be constantly adjusted throughout the week

We're proud to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning projections and rankings every week. To see Draft Sharks' Week 7 3D floor-to-ceiling projections for quarterbacks -- plus get access to all of Draft Sharks' industry-leading tools -- become a Draft Sharks' member today at the link below!

TRY DRAFT SHARKS FREE: Dominate with exclusive tools, including Free-Agent Finder & Trade Navigator!

Nick Musial

Nick Musial Photo

Nick Musial is a Content Producer at The Sporting News. He recently joined the team after studying sport management and journalism at the University of Kansas. Nick’s an avid sports bettor who’s always looking for value.