Six teams, including heavy hitters like the Bills, Chargers, and Cowboys, are on bye this week, and with the usual amount of tough matchups and depth-depleting injuries, Week 7 fantasy start 'em, sit 'em decisions likely feel impossible for some. As always, we're here to help with expert lineup advice and NFL DFS tips so you know who to start in season-long and daily lineups.
In addition to the Bills, Chargers, and Cowboys, the Jaguars, Vikings, and Steelers are off, so there are massive holes at virtually every fantasy position (with the possible exception of TE). Finding the right sleepers and streamers won't be easy, especially with the likes of Nick Chubb, George Kittle, Kadarius Toney, and Saquon Barkley dinged up, but we'll do our best to provide adequate replacements.
WEEK 7 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
QB must-starts
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at TEN)
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. HOU)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. CIN)
- Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. DET)
- Tom Brady, Buccaneers (at CHI)
- Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. WAS)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at LV)
Stronger starts
Joe Burrow, Bengals (at BAL). He's right there as an almost-automatic play. He should deliver multiple TDs again with volume on the other side of Lamar Jackson.
Ryan Tannehill, Titans (vs. KC). He's almost back to his usual fantasy relevance in this run-first offense, as A.J. Brown coming alive on Monday night is a great sign. The matchup can't be beat at home, either.
Matt Ryan, Falcons (at MIA). He should be on point in Arthur Smith's offense after the bye with all his weapons back, and the Dolphins' defense seems to be unraveling everywhere.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (vs. ATL). He dropped 329 yards and two TDs on the Jaguars in his return, and the passing offense seems perfectly tailored to him now with great volume because the defense stinks.
Teddy Bridgewater, Broncos (at CLE). The dude isn't getting enough love for producing in a run-first offense with four multiple-TD games when healthy.
Carson Wentz, Colts (at SF). The dude also isn't getting enough love for producing in a run-first offfense with four multiple-TD games when healthy.
DFS bargain/streamer special
Justin Fields, Bears ($4,300 on DraftKings, $5,600 on FanDuel). Fields' passing attempts shot up to 27 last week, and he also rushed for 43 yards. There are signs the Bears are letting the rookie loose, and that will be out of necessity with a negative game script trailing Tom Brady in Tampa. You won't find an upside starter much cheaper than this.
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Derek Carr, Raiders (vs. PHI). He ripped the Broncos last week, but the Eagles' defense can cause him problems at home with their coverage looks, inside pass rush, and dangerous cornerbacks.
Sam Darnold, Panthers (at NYG). The matchup by the numbers might seem like a good one, but this feels like an ugly, low-scoring game in the wind between two turnover-rpone QBs.
Daniel Jones, Giants (vs. CAR). The matchup by the numbers is a bad one, and this feels like an ugly, low-scoring game in the wind between two turnover-prone QBs.
Jameis Winston, Saints (at SEA). He is a pretty limited-ceiling play against a bad run defense on the road with the Seahawks offering little offensive resistance.
Taylor Heinicke, Washington (at GB). You might think about trusting him on the road to put up garbage digits, but he's underwhelmed badly of late and is starting to look overwhelmed.
Mac Jones, Patriots (vs. NYJ). He's been solid in the past two home games, but this won't be high-volume passing again.
Baker Mayfield, Browns (vs. CLE). You can't go there with all Cleveland injuries, including his own.
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football Week 6 Start 'Em: Running backs
RB must-starts
- Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. KC)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (at SEA)
- Aaron Jones, Packers (vs. WAS)
- Darrell Henderson, Rams (vs. DET)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at SF)
- Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers (vs. CHI)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (at BAL)
- Darrel Williams, Chiefs (at TEN)
- D'Andre Swift, Lions (at LAR)
- Damien Harris, Patriots (vs. NYJ)
- Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (at NYG)
- Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons (at MIA)
- Antonio Gibson, Washington (if he plays, at GB)
Stronger starts
Chase Edmonds and James Conner, Cardinals (vs. HOU). The Cards should cruise to victory with a big lead and involve their two backs plenty as they both rebound into at least flex values.
Josh Jacobs, Raiders (vs. PHI). The Eagles are most vulnerable in power run defense, and the Raiders got him on track last week with effective critical touches.
Mike Davis, Falcons (at MIA). They have found the right mix between him and Cordarrelle Patterson running the ball, and it will continue to net solid resuts against a wilting Dolphins' front seven.
D'Ernest Johnson, Browns (vs. DEN). He is bound to get big volume in a good rushing offense with Nick Chubb (calf) and Kareem Hunt (calf) out.
Myles Gaskin, Dolphins (vs. ATL). You never know with this backfield, but this is a solid matchup to involve his style of running and pass-catching.
Michael Carter, Jets (vs. NE). He's getting the ball in key spots and might be New York's only reliable source of some offense.
A.J. Dillon, Packers (vs. WAS). The WFT run defense is bad, and Dillon should get enough work at flex to complement Aaron Jones.
Devonta Freeman, Ravens (vs. CIN). He's the best bet to get the key touches if Latavius Murray (ankle) can't go. We saw evidence of that last week. (Update: Murray is out.)
Sony Michel, Rams (at DET). He didn't quite get enough cleanup work against the Giants, but this should be a more comfortable blowout in Detroit, a team that struggled in multiple-back spots.
DFS bargains
Miles Sanders, Eagles (at LV, $5,100 on DraftKings, $5,900 on FanDuel). Sanders proved to the Eagles last week they need to give him the ball a lot more. Look for a pivot to more running game usage and involving both Sanders and rookie Kenneth Gainwell in the passing game. There's also potential for sneaky positive game script.
J.D. McKissic, Washington (at GB, $5,000 on DraftKings, $5,700 on FanDuel). Antonio Gibson (shin) keeps on hurting, so WFT may need to lean on McKissic even more all-around here. He should rack up the second-half checkdowns as Taylor Heinicke plays futile catchup vs. Aaron Rodgers.
WEEK 7 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
Elijah Mitchell, 49ers (vs. IND). Do you really trust the rookie to get the right volume and come through in a tough matchup? Kyle Shanahan may be ready to rope-a-dope us again after a bye.
Alex Collins, Seahawks (vs. NO). His hip is hurting, Rashaad Penny (calf) should return, and the matchup isn't good.
Devontae Booker, Giants (vs. CAR). He's not Dalvin Cook or Ezekiel Elliott against their run defense.
Melvin Gordon III and Javonte Williams, Broncos (at CLE). The Browns are still stopping the run, and the continued committee limits both of them badly.
Damien Williams and Khalil Herbert, Bears (at TB). A split backfield against this run defense doesn't sound appealing at all.
Jamaal Williams, Lions (vs. LAR). His usage has all but faded behind D'Andre Swift.
Mark Ingram, Texans (at ARI). The game script is bound to be awful, keeping him from key damage against the Cardinals' run defense.
Kenyan Drake, Raiders (vs. PHI). Don't go chasing that weird stat line from the Broncos game.
Nyheim Hines, Colts (at SF). They're living on Jonathan Taylor time now.
MORE WEEK 7 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup Builder
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
WR must-starts
- Davante Adams, Packers (vs. WAS)
- Tyreek Hill, Chiefs (at TEN)
- Cooper Kupp, Rams (vs. DET)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals (vs. HOU)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (at BAL)
- D.J. Moore, Panthers (vs. MIN)
- Terry McLaurin, Washington (at GB)
- Calvin Ridley, Falcons (at MIA)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (vs. IND)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. CHI)
- Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. CHI)
- Antonio Brown, Buccaneers (vs. CHI)
- A.J. Brown, Titans (vs, KC)
- Marquise Brown, Ravens (vs. CIN)
- Robert Woods, Rams (vs. DET)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at CLE)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (vs. NO)
- Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (vs NO)
- Brandin Cooks, Texans (at ARI)
- Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons (at MIA)
Stronger starts
DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at LV). Look for him to rebound big-time after disappointing in last week's great matchup because here's another good one downfield.
Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. ATL). Going 'Bama rookie here again, as Waddle is starting to get locked in with Tua with other Miami wideouts falling.
Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (at SF). He was quieted last week with the new shiny toys (T.Y. Hilton) returning for Carson Wentz, but he won't be forgotten as a big body who can do well in this spot.
Tee Higgins, Bengals (at BAL). He's been ignored a bit away from Ja'Marr Chase, but here's banking on him returning to the end zone in a shootout.
Jakobi Meyers, Patriots (vs. NYJ). He's got the best matchup vs. a rookie and will deliver good PPR stats with an outside shot at that elusive first TD.
Allen Robinson, Bears (at TB). It's another good matchup, and Justin Fields throwing more and better gives him a chance for his best game.
Marquez Callaway, Saints (at SEA). He's feeling it with Jameis Winston and is the best bet for most of his production.
A.J. Green, Christian Kirk, or Rondale Moore, Cardinals (vs. HOU). You could do a lot worse than hoping for one of these guys to go off with 'Nuk in a cake matchup.
DFS bargains
Darnell Mooney, Bears (at TB, $4,600 on DraftKings, $5,900 on FanDuel). Mooney and Justin Fields form a cheap stack for tournament formats as the connection to stay hot with the Bucs not having the personnel to slow it down away from Allen Robinson.
Robby Anderson, Panthers (at NYG, $4,800 on DraftKings, $5,500 on FanDuel). Anderson may have rekindled something with Sam Darnold late in Week 6, and he returns to New York to stretch the field away from the James Bradberry-D.J. Moore matchup.
Hunter Renfrow, Raiders (vs. PHI, $4,800 on DraftKings, $5,600 on FanDuel). The Eagles' zone defense will limit the big-play damage downfield but also open plenty of comfortable routes for Renfrow with the best matchup in the slot. He's more of a cash-game consideration.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
Julio Jones, Titans (vs. KC). Hamstrung or not, you can't really trust him here beyond one big play.
Tim Patrick, Broncos (at CLE). The Broncos won't have more than one wideout deliver against Cleveland's cornerbacks.
Odell Beckham Jr., Browns (vs. DEN). Tough matchup. Tough to trust. N-OBJ.
Henry Ruggs III, Raiders (vs. PHI). Zone coverage and Darius Slay will kill his hot streak.
Corey Davis, Jets (vs. NE). It's brutal against J.C. Jackson, and the evidence is there.
Tyler Boyd, Bengals (at BAL). He's not getting enough volume to deploy.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (vs. IND). He might be out of the doghouse after the bye, but start at your own high risk.
All Lions (vs. LAR). Yikes vs. Jalen Ramsey and Co.
MORE WEEK 7: Top waiver pickups | FAAB budget planner | Buy-low, sell-high
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start 'Em: Tight ends
TE must-starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at TEN)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. CIN)
- Darren Waller, Raiders (vs. PHI)
- Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at MIA)
- Noah Fant, Broncos (at CLE)
- T.J. Hockenson, Lions (vs. LAR)
- Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers (if he returns, vs. CHI)
Stronger starts
Mike Gesicki, Dolphins (vs. ATL). Tua or Jacoby, it hasn't mattered much to his steady high production all of a sudden.
Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at LV). He's back healthy and alone at the position, just in time to follow Noah Fant doing damage on Vegas.
Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington (at GB). He's essentially picking up for the lost production of Logan Thomas (hamstring) now.
Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. NYJ). He'll keep scoring for Mac Jones.
Mo Alie-Cox, Colts (at SF). Bye weeks mean thinking about this key red-zone target for Carson Wentz.
DFS bargain
Zach Ertz, Cardinals (vs. HOU, $3,900 on DraftKings, $5,300 on FanDuel). Ertz goes from super-subbing for the Eagles in his last game in Philadelphia to dropping a score against the league's worst tight end defense in his first game at Arizona.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
Robert Tonyan, Packers (vs. WAS). He can still make some clutch catches, but his volume remains a concern.
Tyler Higbee, Rams (vs. DET). He's solid, but he can just worry about blocking because Matthew Stafford will light up his former Lions with his wideouts alone.
C.J. Uzomah, Bengals (at BAL). The numbers and recent production say yes, but the sporadic usage says no.
Evan Engram, Giants (vs. CAR). You can think about it, but that's about it.
Cole Kmet, Bears (at TB). You can think about it, but that's about it.
All Browns (vs. CLE). You just don't know where Baker Mayfield might go anymore.
Fantasy Football Week 6 Start 'Em: Defenses
Defense must-starts
- Rams (vs. DET)
- Patriots (vs. NYJ)
- Cardinals (vs. HOU)
- Saints (at SEA)
- Buccaneers (vs. CHI)
- Panthers (at NYG)
- Packers (vs. WAS)
Stronger starts
Browns (vs. DEN) or Broncos (at CLE). There's some solid reasoning to start either side here, but lean Cleveland as the home team pumped by a midweek prime-time crowd.
Colts (at SF). They're starting to play better and can force a few mistakes.
49ers (vs. IND). They should return to playing better and force a few mistakes.
Giants (vs. CAR). Same Darnold's turnover rate is starting to rival Daniel Jones'.
DFS bargain
Eagles (at LV, $2,300 on DraftKings, $3,500 on FanDuel). The Eagles' defense matches up well with the Raiders' offense up front and on the back end, and there should be some sacks and interceptions to be had on the road.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
Ravens (vs. CIN). This game feels like pretty high-scoring with limited mistakes from either side.
Raiders (vs. PHI). It's a trap against Jalen Hurts.
Chiefs (at TEN). It's a trap against Ryan Tannehill.
Falcons (at MIA) and Dolphins (vs. ATL). Let's not force this one on either side.
Bears (at TB). Not against Tom Brady on the road, as this isn't last year.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's in-depth fantasy football advice for Week 7 by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
