We've continued to see boom-or-bust performances all over the wide receiver position, as even studs like Tyreek Hill and Terry McLaurin have had some surprising dud weeks. Obviously, you're starting those guys no matter what, but they are the perfect representation of how the wide receiver group as a whole has been up and down this year. That said, someone has to start for you during this six-team bye, and our Week 7 fantasy WR rankings can help you decide who's worth playing.
Wide receiver is the deepest position in fantasy, but losing Stefon Diggs, Emmanuel Sanders, CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper, Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and others to bye weeks certainly makes the rankings a challenge to create. With so many guys out, don't be surprised when you see a guy like Michael Pittman Jr. inside the top 25.
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Overall, the studs who are available this week don't face incredibly tough matchups. The Bengals' WR trio led by Ja'Marr Chase (@ Ravens) might have a tough road ahead, but Chase and Tee Higgins should still be started. DK Metcalf (vs. Saints) and Tyler Lockett (vs. Saints) face a stingy defense and have Geno Smith at QB, but you can't really sit either of them.
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Among guys on the start 'em, sit 'em bubble, Rondale Moore and Christian Kirk (vs. Texans), Marquez Callaway (@ Seahawks), Jaylen Waddle and DeVante Parker (vs. Falcons), and Allen Robinson (@ Buccaneers) have great matchups. And, yes, we've arrived at a weird time in fantasy where Robinson isn't a must-start, but we've seen time and time again the Bucs' defense has trouble stopping anyone through the air. You can also try Darnell Mooney (@ Buccaneers), but he's better in PPR leagues.
WEEK 7 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Callaway could be joined by Tre'Quan Smith (hamstring) (ankle) for the first time this season, but we're not ready to say how that will affect him in fantasy yet. New Orleans might decide to open up the passing game, and a matchup with Seattle is a great time to do just that. We still like Callaway. We also love targeting WRs who play against Tennessee, and Mecole Hardman has gotten enough targets the past two weeks to make us think he can do enough damage to be a flex.
WEEK 7 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo
Odell Beckham Jr. and Donovan Peoples-Jones (vs Broncos), Corey Davis and Jamison Crowder (@ Patriots), and DeVonta Smith (@ Raiders) all face off with top-10 defenses against wideouts, but we understand if you have to start them with the lack of depth due to all the byes. Just know there is bust potential with all of them, though all of those defenses looked vulnerable against wideouts last week.
MORE WEEK 7 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup Builder
We mentioned how Smith and Thomas are eligible to return next week, and they could be joined Jerry Jeudy (ankle), Jarvis Landry (knee), and a couple other secondary WRs who have been on the IR. You might want to give these guys a week off before putting them in your lineup, but don't let them sit on the waiver wire for too long.
Again, the WR position is deep, and this might be one of the rare weeks you're forced to play guys in tough matchups or put your faith in risky streamers. In standard leagues, lean on guys who are the most likely to score a touchdown if you're in a desperate situation. Red-zone targets and matchups are key in sit/start decisions in this scenario.
Fantasy WR Rankings Week 7: Who to start at wide receiver
Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Tyreek Hill, KC @ TEN |
| 2 | Davante Adams, GB vs. WAS |
| 3 | Cooper Kupp, LAR vs. DET |
| 4 | DeAndre Hopkins, ARI vs. HOU |
| 5 | Calvin Ridley, ATL @ MIA |
| 6 | A.J. Brown, TEN vs. KC |
| 7 | Deebo Samuel, SF vs. IND |
| 8 | D.J. Moore, CAR @ NYG |
| 9 | Mike Evans, TB vs. CHI |
| 10 | Terry McLaurin, WAS @ GB |
| 11 | DK Metcalf, SEA vs. NO. The Seahawks' WRs' fantasy outlooks have obviously taken a hit with Geno Smith at the helm, but we'll give them another chance at least for this week. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett have the talent to produce regardless, but if they're duds again in Week 7, we'll have to start knocking them down even lower. New Orleans has been solid on defense but is in the bottom half of the league against WRs. WR11 might seem high for Metcalf, but it's mostly the result of a ton of WRs being on a bye. He and Lockett are tough to evaluate right now, but again, we'll give them another shot before overreacting too much. |
| 12 | Julio Jones, TEN vs. KC. Most notably, Mike Williams, Emmanuel Sanders, and Marquise Brown have lit up this Kansas City secondary, and Jones is seemingly healthy again. He was held out of Weeks 4 and 5, but the latest news suggests it was more of a precaution. Jones showed against Seattle (six catches, 128 yards) he's still got something in the tank, and this feels like the game Tennessee's offense will put it all together for the first time all year. |
| 13 | Brandin Cooks, HOU @ ARI. Cooks had down weeks against New England and Buffalo, but those were expected. Again Indianapolis, he caught nine-of-13 targets for 89 yards and was a borderline WR1 in PPR for Week 6. With so many studs on a bye, he should again be viewed as a borderline WR1 against a Cards' defense that has given up nine touchdowns to WRs through six weeks. Van Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, and Donovan Peoples-Jones have all scored on them, so perhaps Cooks will grab his second touchdown of the year to go along with double-digit targets. |
| 14 | Ja'Marr Chase, CIN @ BAL. Chase has 553 receiving yards -- good for second most all-time in a rookie's first six games. We all speculated Chase could have Justin Jefferson-like impact in his first year, and it turns out that is the case. Baltimore has been a mixed bag on offense, but Chase has been reliable this year, and this Bengals' offense is emerging quickly. He and Tee Higgins should be started this week, while Tyler Boyd sits on the start-or-sit bubble after a one-catch performance against Detroit. |
| 15 | Robert Woods, LAR vs. DET. Woods has been mostly unproductive except for his strong performance against Seattle, but Detroit's defense leaves a lot to be desired. That said, the harsh reality for Woods owners is he is now a boom-or-bust wide receiver. Against the Giants, he only caught two balls for 31 yards, but his day was saved by a touchdown. We don't like to overhype "revenge games," but you'd have to think Matthew Stafford will be motivated to play against his former team. You just have to hope Cooper Kupp isn't the only beneficiary. |
| 16 | Chris Godwin, TB vs. CHI. |
| 17 | Allen Robinson, CHI @ TB. Robinson showed some signs of life in Week 6, catching four-of-seven targets for 43 yards. We obviously expect a lot more from him, but it was a decent start. He also found himself wide open for a deep touchdown, but Justin Fields didn't see him. We have to hope as Fields gets better, Robinson will, too. Tampa came into Week 6 giving up the second-most points to fantasy WRs, so is the chance for the Bears' passing attack to get going. Darnell Mooney has received at least five targets in five-of-six games this season, so he has some flex appeal after scoring his first touchdown of the season last week, but Robinson should still be considered the top dog here. |
| 18 | Marquise Brown, BAL vs. CIN. Brown charted his worst fantasy performance of the season in Week 6, but the Ravens dominated the Chargers from start to finish, so they opted to lean on their rushing attack to close out the game. That said, we're trusting him against Cincinnati based on his body of work this season. The Bengals have been a middle-of-the-pack unit against WRs this year, but they haven't faced tough matchups with the exception of Davante Adams and Adam Thielen, both of whom scored 25-plus fantasy points in half-PPR leagues. |
| 19 | Courtland Sutton, DEN @ CLE. Sutton is averaging 10 targets per game over the past five weeks and has scored touchdowns in back-to-back games. Cleveland's defense has given up points in bunches to No. 1 WRs this year. Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, Mike Williams, Brandin Cooks, and DeAndre Hopkins have all scored touchdowns against them, with Hopkins and Williams scoring two. That said, Sutton has a WR1 ceiling, but this game screams "sloppy Thursday Night Football." Still, with Jerry Jeudy (ankle) still banged up, Sutton and Tim Patrick should be viewed as solid options this week at WR2 and flex. |
| 20 | Tee Higgins, CIN @ BAL. See Ja'Marr Chase. |
| 21 | Sterling Shepard, NYG vs. CAR. Shepard returned from his hamstring injury in Week 6 and was immediately productive, catching 10-of-14 targets for 76 yards. It's hard to fully evaluate New York's pass-catchers because we haven't seen them healthy on the field together since the emergence of Kadarius Toney. Darius Slayton (hamstring), Kenny Golladay (knee), and Toney (ankle) will all likely be "questionable" this week, so it might be worth starting one of them if they are one of the lone talented pass-catchers available for Daniel Jones. Shepard and Toney carry the most upside, though. |
| 22 | DeVonta Smith, PHI @ LV. Smith has been inconsistent, but it's hard to blame him for the ineffectiveness of Jalen Hurts as a passer. However, we have to take that into consideration in fantasy football. Las Vegas has given up the fourth-fewest points to fantasy WRs, but Smith remains a low-end WR2 in a tough week for WRs on a bye. |
| 23 | Corey Davis, NYJ @ NE. Davis caught just two passes for eight yards against New England in their first meeting this season, so while his ceiling is capped, it's hard to think he'll be just as unproductive in Week 7. Zach Wilson has shown more signs of life, and the Pats' have given up some solid games from wideouts. Like Smith, he remains a low-end WR2 by default. Jamison Crowder will continue to be attractive in PPR leagues, but his ceiling is limited against New England, too. |
| 24 | Tyler Lockett, SEA vs. NO. See DK Metcalf. |
| 25 | Michael Pittman Jr., IND @ SF. Pittman has drawn seven or more targets in four-of-six games this year and looks to be in the midst of a breakout season. He was quiet against Houston, as the Colts led wire-to-wire but should bounce back in Week 7 against the Niners, who have given up touchdowns to alpha X-receivers DeAndre Hopkins, DK Metcalf, and Davante Adams. They've also allowed scores to Quintez Cephus, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, and Freddie Swain. T.Y. Hilton looked good in his season debut, so he might warrant flex consideration. He left the game against Houston early with a quad injury, but it seems Indianapolis was just being cautious with the veteran WR. If Hilton plays, Pittman loses a little value, but he still has WR2 upside. |
| 26 | Odell Beckham Jr., CLE vs. DEN. Beckham showed flashes of productivity against Arizona, catching five passes for 79 yards. He also commanded a 25-percent targets share. Denver's defense has looked rough against WRs after a hot start to the season, so Beckham could have another decent day. It's worth noting his fantasy prospect remains about the same whether Baker Mayfield (shoulder) or Case Keenum starts for Cleveland. Donovan People-Jones had a nice Week 7 performance with two touchdowns, but this probably isn't the game you want to play him in if you can find another option. |
| 27 | Tim Patrick, DEN @ CLE. See Courtland Sutton. |
| 28 | Jakobi Meyers, NE vs. NYJ. Meyers has seen five-plus targets in all six of his games and at least nine targets in three games. He remains an attractive piece in PPR leagues but takes a hit in standard leagues due to his career-long end-zone drought. The Jets have been statically strong against WRs because teams have dominated them, so there is the chance that happens in this game. |
| 29 | Marquez Callaway, NO @ SEA. Callaway may be joined by Michael Thomas (ankle) and Tre'Quan Smith (hamstring) for the first time this year, but we have to think he'll be the top target for now while those guys settle in. Seattle's secondary struggles have been well documented, and Jameis Winston leads the league in touchdown passing/attempt. The recipe is there for a strong day from Callaway. |
| 30 | DeVante Parker, MIA vs. ATL. We'll see if Parker (hamstring) plays against Atlanta, but this could be a perfect situation with Tua Tagovailoa back and facing a horrendous Falcons' defense. Atlanta has given up the ninth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, and we saw the Dolphins' passing offense look prolific against Jacksonville in Week 6. That said, Parker and Jaylen Waddle are flex considerations with high upside. |
| 31 | Hunter Renfrow, LV vs. PHI. In Week 6, Renfrow caught a season-low three passes on five targets, but he caught at least five passes in the five games prior. This was more a product of Derek Carr completing just 18 passes on the day. It was a rare low-volume passing attack as Vegas crushed Denver, but we don't see that happening in Week 7. Philly can do enough on offense to keep the game close, and Renfrow will return as a safe PPR option with a high floor. Henry Ruggs remains a boom-or-bust option suited better for standard leagues. |
| 32 | Christian Kirk, ARI vs. HOU. Kirk, Rondale Moore, and A.J. Green are all candidates to start in your flex spots against the lowly Texans, but just know one or two of them will likely bust with all the mouths to feed in Arizona. Their upside is always high, though, so whether your start one of them depends on if you're a risk-taker. Kirk has been the most consistent this year, which is why we have him ranked the highest. |
| 33 | Jaylen Waddle, MIA vs. ATL. See DeVante Parker. |
| 34 | Rondale Moore, ARI vs. HOU. See Christian Kirk. |
| 35 | Jamison Crowder, NYJ @ NE. See Corey Davis. |
| 36 | Mecole Hardman, KC @ TEN. Hardman has burned fantasy owners in the past, but he's drawn 17 targets in the past two weeks and will be in shootouts often. Tennessee has given up the most fantasy points to WRs heading into Week 6, so although it may be nerve-racking to put Hardman in your lineup, this is the time to do it. |
| 37 | A.J. Green, ARI vs. HOU. See Christian Kirk. |
| 38 | Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE vs. DEN. See Odell Beckham Jr. |
| 39 | Tyler Boyd, CIN @ BAL. See Ja'Marr Chase. |
| 40 | Brandon Aiyuk, SF vs. IND |
| 41 | Darnell Mooney, CHI @ TB. See Allen Robinson. |
| 42 | Henry Ruggs III, LV vs. PHI. See Hunter Renfrow. |
| 43 | Darius Slayton, NYG vs. CAR |
| 44 | Zach Pascal, IND @ SF |
| 45 | Rashod Bateman, BAL vs. CIN |
| 46 | Deonte Harris, NO @ SEA |
| 47 | Allen Lazard, GB vs. WAS |
| 48 | Randall Cobb, GB vs. WAS |
| 49 | Robby Anderson, CAR @ NYG |
| 50 | Van Jefferson, LAR vs. DET |
| 51 | Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET @ LAR |
| 52 | Nelson Agholor, NE vs. NYJ |
| 53 | Tyler Johnson, TB Vs. CHI |
| 54 | DeSean Jackson, LAR vs. DET |
| 55 | Khalif Raymond, DET @ LAR |
| 56 | Preston Williams, MIA vs. ATL |
| 57 | Tre'Quan Smith, NO @ SEA |
| 58 | Jalen Reagor, PHI @ LV |
| 59 | Kendrick Bourne, NE vs. NYJ |
| 60 | Olamide Zaccheaus, ATL @ MIA |
| 61 | Devin Duvernay, BAL vs. CIN |
| 62 | Chris Conley, HOU @ ARI |
| 63 | Adam Humphries, WAS @ GB |
| 64 | Chris Moore, HOU @ ARI |
| 65 | Rashard Higgins, CLE vs. DEN |
| 66 | Freddie Swain, SEA vs. NO |
| 67 | Byron Pringle, KC @ TEN |
| 68 | Chester Rogers, TEN vs. KC |
| 69 | Josh Reynolds, TEN vs. KC |
| 70 | Quez Watkins, PHI @ LV |
| 71 | DeAndre Carter, WAS @ GB |
| 72 | Terrace Marshall Jr., CAR @ NYG |
| 73 | Bryan Edwards, LV vs. PHI |
| 74 | Marquise Goodwin, CHI @ TB |
| 75 | Demarcus Robinson, KC @ TEN |
| 76 | Josh Gordon, KC @ TEN |
| 77 | Elijah Moore, NYJ @ NE |
| 78 | Dante Pettis, NYG vs. CAR |