Fantasy football owners face more tough start 'em, sit 'em decisions in Week 7, and things don't get easier with four offenses filled with top-flight fantasy performers — Bills, Eagles, Vikings, and Rams — off for the second and most brutal bye week of the 2022 NFL season. Fortunately, Sporting News NFL writer Vinnie Iyer is here to help with his Week 7 fantasy lineup advice and DFS tips.
Some of fantasy's biggest studs — Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook, and Cooper Kupp — will be out of action this week. Your lineups also will be missing Gabe Davis, Dawson Knox, Davin Singletary, DeVonta Smith, Miles Sanders, Dallas Goedert, Tyler Higbee, Kirk Cousins, Adam Thielen, and Irv Smith Jr. -- and that's in addition to all the big injuries (Jonathan Taylor, Darren Waller, Keenan Allen, Damien Harris, JK Dobbins, D'Andre Swift, Pat Freiermuth, Rashod Bateman, and more). In other words, it's going to be a tough week.
Navigating through a smaller-than-usual collection of potential starting options, here are our must-starts and start 'em sit 'em recommendations for Week 7. If you have specific lineup questions, check out RotoBaller's industry-leading "Who To Start?" tool below and compare up to four players across all positions.
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WEEK 7 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
QB must-starts
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. SEA)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. CLE)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. ATL)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at SF)
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. NO)
Stronger starts
Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. DET). Rayne Dakota will be back roaring against a terrible Lions' pass defense, pushing all of Dallas' weapons to a higher level.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers (at WAS). Rodgers also gets to go to work on a terrible Commanders pass defense in a mega rebound spot.
Derek Carr, Raiders (vs. HOU). Carr should light up the Texans will his full quiver of receivers coming off a bye.
Geno Smith, Seahawks (at LAC). Smith didn't need to force throws with Seattle's defense and running game balling out in Week 6. He will chuck a lot more opposite Justin Herbert in a great schematic matchup for him and his receivers.
Tom Brady, Buccaneers (at CAR). Brady will rip into the Panthers' suddenly depleted defense to take out his Steelers' frustrations, treating Carolina like his tablet and his offensive linemen.
Matt Ryan, Colts (at TEN). Ice was a stone-cold assassin against the Jaguars thanks to good pass protection and a strong running game, and he'll it up vs. the Titans.
Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers (at KC). Jimmy G will need to throw often to top targets on the other side of Patrick Mahomes given his team's rash of defensive injuries.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (vs. PIT). He's ready to start again, and he'll ride his wideouts to pleasing numbers against a banged-up secondary.
Daniel Jones, Giants (at JAX). Put more Danny Dimes in the jukebox, baby, as he will run and pass for viable numbers in Jacksonville.
DFS Targets
FanDuel cash game pick
Justin Herbert ($8,100 vs. SEA). Herbert is coming off a rough, TD-less game against the Broncos, but that won't happen again in a high-scoring game against the Seahawks' mediocre defense.
DraftKings tournament pick
Aaron Rodgers ($6,200 @ WAS). Rodgers also has a bad vibe coming off his awful Lambeau outing against the Jets. He has a good shot to take command of the Commanders with an old-school 300 yards and three TDs.
Streamer Special
Kenny Pickett, Steelers (at MIA, if he plays). Pickett might be able to clear concussion protocol with a limited practice week. Should he go, he can use his wide receivers, backs, and tight ends to move the ball well to the tune of 250 yards and two TDs with supplemental rushing production.
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. NYG). This is rough against a Wink Martindale defense after Lawrence got away with shakiness in Indy.
Jared Goff, Lions (at DAL). Goff will remain off against another defense, even at home.
Justin Fields, Bears (at NE). Bill Belichick against a young QB with limited weapons? Good night.
Marcus Mariota, Falcons (at CIN). This might seem like a volume-based play opposite Joe Burrow, but it's a real trap because that's when Mariota doesn't deliver.
Ryan Tannehill, Titans (vs. IND). Tannehill was uninspiring in the first matchup between these teams, and this should a run-heavy game.
Bailey Zappe, Patriots (vs. CHI). If you're Zappe and you know it, you should know the Patriots will win without needing to throw much against a tough pass defense and awful run defense. This would apply to Mac Jones (ankle) if he starts, too.
Taylor Heinicke, Commanders (vs. GB). Heinicke will be stifled filling in for Carson Wentz (finger), as the Packers' pass defense revs up to expected standards.
Zach Wilson, Jets (at DEN). Wherever the Broncos' defense goes, quarterbacks don't.
Davis Mills, Texans (at LV). The numbers say "yes," but his short history on the road screams "no."
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start 'Em: Running backs
RB must-starts
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. SEA)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (at JAX)
- Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (at LAC)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. CHI)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (if he returns, at TEN)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. IND)
- Nick Chubb, Browns (at BAL)
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders (vs. HOU)
- Breece Hall, Jets (at DEN)
- Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers (at CAR)
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. KC)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. ATL)
- Aaron Jones, Packers (at WAS)
- Dameon Pierce, Texans (at LV)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (at ARI)
- Najee Harris, Steelers (at MIA)
- D'Andre Swift, Lions (if he returns, at DAL)
Stronger starts
Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (vs. PIT). He'll get the main rushing volume in a more favorable matchup with positive game script.
Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, Cowboys (vs. DET). Zeke got rolling against the Eagles, and both he and Pollard will keep up the rushing punch in this great spot.
Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (vs. NYG). He's starting to establish himself more as Jacksonville's most dangerous all-around cog, and the Giants can be giving to the position.
Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (vs. GB). They didn't waver in making him the lead back, and power running is the best game plan vs. the Packers.
Kenyan Drake, Ravens (vs. CLE). Drake can stay hot at home in this favorable matchup with no JK Dobbins (knee) and both Justice Hill and Gus Edwards easing back into action.
Eno Benjamin, Cardinals (vs. NO). He should get one more start and have a back-end RB2 or high-end flex value.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Josh Jacobs, Raiders ($8,600 vs. HOU). He's expensive, but he's also red hot. The Raiders should be in favorable red-zone scoring position often against the Texans at home.
Aaron Jones, Packers ($6,800 at WAS). Rodgers will keep it simple by throwing to Jones more to help Allen Lazard, Romeo Doubs, and Robert Tonyan. Jones also can be trusted as the closer running back in Washington.
DraftKings tournament picks
Breece Hall ($7,600 at DEN). Hall should get massive volume on a worn-down Broncos defense, doing his best Austin Ekeler impression.
Travis Etienne Jr. ($5,400 vs. NYG). He's showing terrific juice as expected and he can get some chunk runs on the Giants as well as key receiving volume.
WEEK 7 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
David Montgomery, Bears (at NE). You can bet he will be the center of attention of the Patriots' defense with not much working in the passing game.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs (at SF). The Falcons ran well against the 49ers, but no single back had a big game. CEH is dealing with suspect usage and TD dependency in a committee of his own.
James Robinson, Jaguars (vs. NYG). He's slowed down relative to Travis Etienne, and this matchup favors his more explosive perimeter teammate.
AJ Dillon, Packers (at WAS). Let's hope to reverse jinx him, but he's not happening as a No. 2 reliably enough.
Kareem Hunt, Browns (at BAL). Let's hope to reverse jinx him, but he's also not happening as a No. 2 reliably enough.
Jamaal Williams, Lions (at DAL). He's a strong committee power back, but don't use him in a bad matchup like this.
All Broncos (vs. NYJ). Melvin Gordon? No. Mike Boone? Maybe. Latavius Murray. Um, OK. Avoid this Hackett of a backfield.
All Falcons (at CIN). Good luck figuring out Tyler Allgeier vs. Caleb Huntley vs. Avery Williams this week.
All Panthers (vs. TB). With no CMC, the committee of D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard are left with a brutal home matchup.
WEEK 7 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
WR must-starts
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. ATL)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (vs. KC)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (vs. HOU)
- Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (at TEN)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. DET)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (vs. PIT)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at CAR)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. PIT)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at LAC)
- Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at LAC)
- Mike Williams, Chargers (vs. SEA)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. ATL)
- Allen Lazard, Packers (at WAS)
- DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals (vs. NO)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (if he returns, vs. SEA)
- Chris Olave, Saints (at ARI)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at DAL)
- Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (at CAR)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. NYJ)
- Christian Kirk, Jaguars (vs. NYG)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. GB)
Stronger starts
Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, Steelers (at MIA). Let's hope Kenny Pickett (concussion) plays so these guys get going against the Dolphins' favorable coverage. If it's Mitchell Trubisky, one should pivot from Pickens to Chase Claypool.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (vs. KC). Aiyuk is on fire and steps into another juicy coverage matchup.
Brandin Cooks, Texans (at LV). The Raiders are down Nate Hobbs (hand), and their secondary stinks otherwise, so Cooks should have a post-bye get-well game.
Alec Pierce, Colts (at TEN). Pierce can destroy these corners away opposite Michael Pittman.
Romeo Doubs, Packers (at WAS). Given the injuries to Randall Cobb (ankle) and Christian Watson (hamstring), Doubs should roll well as the clear No. 2 to Allen Lazard.
Hunter Renfrow, Raiders (vs. HOU). Renfrow will be busy catching short passes against a classic zone defense.
Drake London, Falcons (at CIN). The passing volume will shoot up, and he can produce in garbage time.
Tyler Boyd, Bengals (vs. ATL). The Falcons have been good outside but can be roasted in the slot, and now their top two corners are hurt.
Michael Gallup, Cowboys (vs. DET). Giddyap with Dak back for the downfield passing success vs. corner Amani Oruwariye.
Rondale Moore, Cardinals (at NO). He has been very busy of late, and that will continue on shorter passes with no Marquise Brown (foot).
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Deebo Samuel, 49ers ($7,700 vs. KC). He was limited against the Falcons, but he will rev up as a runner and receiver against an overmatched Chiefs' defense.
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks ($6,800 at LAC). He will destroy the Chargers' coverage scheme when working outside against the zone away from Bryce Callahan.
Allen Lazard, Packers ($6,600 at WAS). All Lazard does is score touchdowns, and now he's starting to get No. 1-like targets, too.
DraftKings tournament picks
Tee Higgins, Bengals ($6,400 vs. ATL). Last week was a massive Ja'Marr Chase game with Higgins just getting back from his ankle injury. Expect a big Higgins game this week.
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks ($5,800 at LAC). See above.
Brandin Cooks, Texans ($6,600 at LV). He should get high volume with a chance to put up familiar 2021 garbage-time numbers.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
Amari Cooper, Browns (at BAL). The Ravens' secondary is playing much better, and he was lucky to get a TD with his bad overall game last week.
D.J. Moore, Panthers (vs. TB). He totally got squeezed last week, and it's not getting better here.
Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (vs. NYJ). This isn't feeling great against an improving Jets' pass defense.
Curtis Samuel, Commanders (vs. GB). The QB change and this particular matchup do not help him after a clunker.
Darnell Mooney, Bears (at NE). The Patriots' secondary will find it easy to take away Chicago's one dangerous deep target.
All Jets (at DEN). They're just not happening with Zach Wilson, and this pass defense is tough.
All Patriots (vs. CHI). The Bears' coverage got better with Jaylon Johnson returning, and it's difficult to know where the key targets will go in a given week for Jakobi Meyers and beyond.
All Titans (vs. IND). It's still hard to trust anyone here.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start 'Em: Tight ends
TE must-starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at SF)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. CLE)
- George Kittle, 49ers (vs. KC)
- Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at CIN)
- Darren Waller, Raiders (if he returns, vs. HOU)
- T.J. Hockenson, Lions (vs. DAL)
- Zach Ertz, Cardinals (vs. NO)
Stronger starts
David Njoku, Browns (at BAL). He still makes big plays with key targets, and the Ravens are still vulnerable against the position.
Robert Tonyan, Packers (at WAS). The numbers say "no," but he'll be used more as a wideout hybrid given their injuries.
Gerald Everett, Chargers (vs. SEA). What a great matchup in a REVENGE game.
Hayden Hurst, Bengals (vs. ATL). What a great matchup in a REVENGE game.
Daniel Bellinger, Giants (at JAX). For whom the Bell tolls? It tolls for the Jags, who struggled last week vs. the Colts' committee.
Evan Engram, Jaguars (vs. NYG). What a great matchup in a REVENGE game.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game and DraftKings tournament pick
Mark Andrews, Ravens ($8,500 and $7,400 vs. CLE). This is the only "safe" play on the board for main slates, as Cleveland's linebackers and safeties can be burned badly by him.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (at MIA). He's hard to trust when Pickett is set to start over Trubisky.
Taysom Hill, Saints (at ARI). The Cardinals give up a ton to the tight end. The problem is, he's not really a tight end.
Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, Patriots (vs. CHI). They will be used more as ace run blockers, as the Bears don't give up much to the position.
Tyler Conklin, Jets (at DEN). Add him to the disappointing target list on this team.
Noah Fant, Seahawks (at LAC). The usage of late is better, but you can't go there.
Mike Gesicki, Dolphins (vs. PiT). We're not buying him or his Griddy this week.
Cole Kmet, Bears (at NE). It's still a nyet against Kyle Dugger.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start 'Em: Defenses
Defense must-starts
- Patriots (vs. CHI)
- Cowboys (vs. DET)
- Buccaneers (at CAR)
- Packers (at WAS)
- Ravens (vs. CLE)
- Broncos (vs. NYJ)
Stronger starts
Bengals (vs. ATL). They tend to play better defense at home, and Marcus Mariota should create chances for sacks and turnovers.
Cardinals (vs. NO). They get the emotional prime-time bump at home against a shaky passing offense.
Giants (at JAX) and Jaguars (vs. NYG). Fire up the Spider-Man meme for decent big plays on both sides.
Dolphins (vs. PIT). The Steelers also have some appeal here, but the home team is a better choice in prime time against an uncertain QB situation.
Raiders (vs. HOU). Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones can help them rack up enough points vs. Davis Mills.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game pick and DraftKings tournament pick
Jets ($4,300 and $2,600 at DEN). They will get a gimpy Russell Wilson (hamstring) or Brett Rypien on the road after ripping Aaron Rodgers. Boom.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
Saints (at ARI). You can't march with them given how they're playing.
Chargers (vs. SEA). Not against a run-heavy clean offensive team.
49ers (vs. KC). Not with their injuries vs. Mahomes.
Colts (at TEN) and Titans (vs. IND). This doesn't seem like an inspiring play either way.
Chiefs (at SF). Not on the road against an explosive offense.
Bears (at NE). Not against...Bailey Zappe? Yep.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's in-depth fantasy football advice for Week 7 by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
