NFL DFS players are going to have a bit more trouble making lineups in Week 7. Why? Well, bye weeks are here in full force, so the player pool has thinned out a bit. The byes are as bad as it gets in Week 7 with the Eagles, Bills, Vikings, and Rams out of action, so those in DraftKings and FanDuel contests will have to dig deep for sleepers and stacks to buoy their daily fantasy lineups in cash games and tournaments alike.
Stacking continues to gain popularity in the fantasy community because of how effective it can be. It allows DFS players to load up on talents participating in high-scoring games and pair quarterbacks with their top targets.
Of course, stacking doesn't have to involve a quarterback. Most do, but the running back/defense stack is a popular method, as well. Contrarians tend to opt for some funkier stacks that include conflicting positions — like QB and RB — that give lineups high ceilings but low floors.
WEEK 7 DFS: Best values
DraftKings and FanDuel remain the top DFS platforms worldwide, but DraftKings has the more variable pricing. That makes it a bit easier to craft creative stacks, especially when targeting cheaper receivers. That's not to say you can't stack on FanDuel; it's just sometimes harder to find value when doing so.
Below are some of our favorite sets of teammates for Week 7 DraftKings and FanDuel lineups.
WEEK 7 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings
Week 7 NFL DFS Picks: Top cash game stacks for DraftKings, FanDuel
QB Lamar Jackson, WR Devin Duvernay, and TE Mark Andrews, Ravens vs. Browns (DK/FD Stack)
The Ravens have cooled a bit after a prolific start to the season on offense, but this is a matchup that should suit them well. The Browns have allowed 30 points in three of their six games and have the third-worst scoring defense in the NFL. That should allow Jackson and Co. to move the ball on Sunday.
Some may raise eyebrows at going with a passing-heavy lineup considering that the Browns are worst against running backs this year. The reason for this choice? Jackson is the main rushing offense for the Ravens, so it's easier to build a stack around him and his favorite pass-catchers.
Jackson has averaged 86.8 rushing yards per game since Week 2, so he should have a chance to break 100 and score a touchdown. Andrews is his favorite target and has been targeted at least 10 times in four of his past five games. If he's out because of his knee injury, you can just pivot to Isaiah Likely for a cheaper option. As for Duvernay, he is streaky but cheap and will provide lineup differentiation. He also is a big-play threat and will get opportunities to catch the ball, run it and return it, too.
If Rashod Bateman (foot) plays, you could potentially swap him out for Duvernay, but as it stands, this lineup has a nice floor/ceiling combination that will make it an ideal play in cash game lineups.
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
QB Justin Herbert, RB Austin Ekeler, and WR Keenan Allen (if he plays), Chargers vs. Seahawks (DK Stack)
The Chargers are going from playing one of the NFL's best defenses to one of its worst. The Seahawks have allowed the second-most points per game (27.2) this season and are one of just three teams allowing 400-plus yards per game this season.
That bodes well for every aspect of Los Angeles' offense. Herbert is due for a strong game after he failed to throw a touchdown on 57 passes against the Broncos. He will target Allen early and often if his star receiver plays, and if not, Mike Williams should be the top pass-catcher against a young Seattle secondary. Either is a strong play.
Going with Ekeler here will give us a majority of the Chargers' run offense, too. On top of that, Seattle is allowing the third-most receiving yards to running backs (305) so far this season, and we all know how dominant Ekeler is in a pass-catching role.
Realistically, you could stack this game and roll with three Chargers and a couple of Seahawks. This figures to be a high-scoring affair, so take advantage.
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
RB Josh Jacobs and Raiders D/ST, Raiders vs. Texans (DK/FD Stack)
No NFL team has allowed more DK and FD fantasy points to running backs this year than the Texans. They are one of just three teams allowing 30-plus FPPG on DraftKings and are one of four allowing more than 25 FPPG on FanDuel. That bodes well for Jacobs, who has totaled 298 rushing yards and three touchdowns in his past two games.
Some will be scared by the idea of playing the Raiders defense given that they allow 26 points per game, but Houston scores just 17.2 points per game (fifth fewest in the NFL) and averages the third-fewest yards per game at 291.2. Las Vegas can limit Davis Mills and company and get plenty of pressure with Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones.
WEEK 7 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Week 7 DraftKings, FanDuel Picks: Best stacks for daily fantasy football tournaments
QB Jared Goff, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, and TE T.J. Hockenson, Lions at Cowboys (DK/FD Stack)
It might seem odd to roll with the Lions against a strong defense like that of the Cowboys, but Detroit actually matches up well with them. Dallas' biggest strength is their pass rush, but the Lions have two strong tackles, Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell, who will work to slow them down. Their interior line is solid, as well.
That protection should give Goff more time than other quarterbacks have had to break down Dallas' pass defense. St. Brown has been Goff's favorite receiver this season and has averaged 9.8 targets per game. He will also be fully healthy after the bye week, so he could be poised for a big day.
Meanwhile, Hockenson has had an up-and-down season, but he feasted against Seattle. At the very least, he is a touchdown threat and could have a big day with St. Brown taking away some of the defense's attention.
RB Ezekiel Elliott, RB Tony Pollard, and WR CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys vs. Lions (DK Stack)
The Lions have a strong offense but come with significant holes on defense. They are one of just two teams that's allowed eight rushing TDs to RBs this season despite playing just five games.
As such, Elliott and Pollard could be in for big games. The former found a lot of success against the Eagles in Week 6, so he should be poised to produce against a weaker Detroit run defense. As for Pollard, he is an explosive playmaker, so he could have a breakout game, too.
Pairing those two backs together makes for an interesting stack on its own, but adding Lamb will give us lineup differentiation. The Lions shut down Justin Jefferson in their Week 3 matchup but have otherwise been weak against No. 1 wideouts, so Lamb could go off in the return of Dak Prescott (thumb).
RB Breece Hall and New York D/ST, Jets at Broncos (DK/FD Stack)
Let's keep this simple. The Broncos have the worst scoring offense in the NFL and are set to play in Week 7 with either a gimpy Russell Wilson (hamstring) or backup Brett Rypien. Neither look like good options at the moment, and the Jets have scored at least nine fantasy points in their past three outings.
The way to beat the Broncos' strong defense is to run the ball against them, so Hall is a nice option to pair with this defense. He has posted a touchdown in three consecutive games and has averaged 159 scrimmage yards over his past two. He will be asked to carry the Jets in this matchup.
