Week 7 will be one of the trickiest weeks for fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em decisions during the 2023 NFL season. Not only are more backfield injuries hitting more teams (see 49ers, Rams, Lions, but more backup quarterbacks also are in play to change the course of several passing games.
Wait, there’s more. Six teams have a bye in Week 7: Bengals, Jets, Panthers, Titans, Cowboys, and Texans. That means no Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, Derrick Henry, Tony Pollard, CeeDee Lamb, and C.J. Stroud, among others.
Putting all that in a blender, the start ’em sit ’em fantasy football lineup decisions are more challenging. Don’t worry, here’s more help from the Decider’s latest combination of weekly rankings and recommendations. 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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Fantasy Football Week 7 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Must starts
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. MIA)
- Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (at PHI)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. LAC)
- Josh Allen, Bills (at NE)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (at KC)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. DET)
Stronger starts
7. Brock Purdy, 49ers (at MIN). Purdy is still a fine young QB, even with some injury concerns with key weapons. He can pick apart the Vikings with the versatility and depth the Niners still have in the passing game.
8. Jared Goff, Lions (at BAL). Goff is no longer a splits guy, as he’s starting to ball out at home and on the road in this loaded offense. It’s hard to run on the Ravens, but their secondary has some issues. More important, for the first time all season, Goff should have all his key weapons healthy in a duel with Lamar Jackson.
9. Jordan Love, Packers (at DEN). Love should have settled and learned more during the bye, and his receivers will be healthier to boost him back to fantasy starter status. Plus, the Broncos still stink.
10. Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. PIT). The Steelers can rough him up a bit with their pass rush, but he can get it done with volume and great matchups for his wide receivers.
11. Geno Smith, Seahawks (vs. ARI). Smith has been underwhelming with the digits, but he’ll deliver with his wide receivers here playing well off the run.
12. Sam Howell, Commanders (at NYG). Howell can follow the lead of Taylor Heinicke and have some moxie-fueled success against this defense.
13. Daniel Jones, Giants (vs. WAS). Tyrod Taylor isn’t a comfortable streamer at this point, but watch out for Danny Dimes (neck) dealing his best passing and running effort of the season should he go.
DFS picks
Jared Goff, Lions (at BAL, $6,700 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel). Funny as it sounds based on his recent play, he’s a bit of contrarian play because of the matchup, but keep in mind the Ravens haven’t faced many top QBs yet.
Aidan O’Connell, Raiders (at CHI, $4,700 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel). There’s a good chance the rookie from Purdue will make another start ahead of Brian Hoyer with Jimmy Garoppolo (back) hurt again. The Bears’ matchup isn’t so bad back near where O’Connell grew up as a Chicago suburb top prep QB. He can be better than he was earlier this year and deliver very cheap 3X value.
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
14. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (if he plays, at NO). Lawrence is well out of the top 12 with his production so far, so we’re playing him every week based on upside. Going into a short week with a bad knee, he remains a better reality QB vs. a tough pass defense on the road.
15. Kirk Cousins, Vikings (vs. SF). Cousins should be faded hard without Justin Jefferson (hamstring) against this nasty defense with a familiar coach who knows his tendencies.
16. Russell Wilson, Broncos (vs. GB). Wilson stays cold following KC with the Packers’ pass defense giving him the Lambeau shivers in Denver.
17. Derek Carr, Saints (vs. JAX). The numbers that QBs have put up vs. the Jags say “yes,” especially after a solid fantasy game in Week 6, but the eye test says “no.”
18. Kenny Pickett, Steelers (at LAR). Pickett’s charged up after a bye, but the Rams’ pass defense is better than you think.
19. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (vs. ATL). He missed a lot of big chances vs. the Lions at home, and the Falcons are another sneaky tough pass defense.
20. Desmond Ridder, Falcons (at TB). He’s put up two fine fantasy games with more confidence in his arm, but he should be somewhat curbed on the road.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start ‘Em: Running backs
Must starts
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at MIN)
- Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (vs. ARI)
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars (at NO)
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at CHI)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at TB)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. JAX)
- D’Andre Swift, Eagles (vs. MIA)
- Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (at PHI)
- Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs. LAC)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (at KC)
- Aaron Jones, Packers (at DEN)
- Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (at NYG)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (at WAS)
Stronger starts
14. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. BUF). Stevenson revved up in a favorable matchup in Las Vegas, and now he gets a chance to attack a wilting Bills run defense at home.
15. Javonte Williams, Broncos (vs. GB). He looked good coming back from the hip injury in Week 6 and should be the best source of offense against the Packers’ front seven.
16. Jerome Ford, Browns (at IND). He’s still getting the key touches and volume over Kareem Hunt, and the Colts are starting to spring more leaks vs. the run.
17. James Cook, Bills (at NE). Cook’s usage has been weird in relation to Latavius Murray, but this is a chance for him to operate with good scrimmage work in a positive rebound game script.
18. Roschon Johnson, Bears (vs. LV). There’s a good chance he returns from the concussion to immediately take over lead duties against a defense that just couldn’t slow down the Packers or Patriots.
19. Alexander Mattison, Vikings (vs. SF). This is a tough spot, yes, but the Vikings should once again trail and he can get the digits in the passing game.
20. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at BAL). He should return to see a key role with no David Montgomery (ribs) as Jared Goff embraces a more pass-happy approach.
21. AJ Dillon, Packers (at DEN). Dillon looked powerful again before the bye, and the Broncos can wear down fast against him and Jones.
22. Craig Reynolds, Lions (at BAL). The Lions will stick with the power run, too, and with 10-12 touches, he has a shot of popping into the end zone for Monty.
DFS Picks
Kenneth Walker, Seahawks (vs. ARI, $7,000 DraftKings, $8,80 FanDuel). This screams of a multiple-TD game with at least 100 total yards for Walker.
Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (at NYG, $5,800 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel). He can put together a big scrimmage day with another great shot to score to pay off easily in cash games.
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit ‘Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
23. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. CLE). Taylor runs into a tough matchup at home while still working in a committee, so beware.
24. Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos (vs. GB). The little guy is back to being a complementary speed guy.
25. Kareem Hunt, Browns (at IND). Don’t go chase his late work vs. the 49ers.
26. Zack Moss, Colts (vs. CLE). See Taylor, Jonathan.
27. Gus Edwards, Ravens (vs. DET). The Bus is making too many stops for us to get on board.
28. Rachaad White, Buccaneers (vs. ATL). When will the pivot happen to Ke’Shawn Vaughn or Sean Tucker? It can happen soon.
29. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (at LAR) and 30. Najee Harris, Steelers (at LAR). The Steelers continue to have one of the least productive backfields in the NFL, and Aaron Donald won’t help.
30. D’Onta Foreman, Bears (vs. CHI). He’ll go back to being an ordinary juror with Roschon Johnson back.
31. Zach Evans, Rams (vs. PIT). You won’t be saved by ringing this bell, either. It’s alright not to force it in a tough, pass-happy spot.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers
Must starts
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at PHI)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. MIA)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (at NE)
- Cooper Kupp, Rams (vs. PIT)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (at KC)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at BAL)
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at MIN)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (at CHI)
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at CIN)
- Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. PIT)
- Chris Olave, Saints (vs. JAX)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at PHI)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. MIA)
- Marquise Brown, Cardinals (at SEA)
- Amari Cooper, Browns (at IND)
- Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (at NO)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. ATL)
- D.J. Moore, Bears (vs. LV)
- Christian Kirk, Jaguars (at NO)
- Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (vs. ARI)
- Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. DET)
- Christian Watson, Packers (at DEN)
- Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (at CHI)
Stronger starts
26. Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at NYG). Scary Terry came to life a few weeks before Halloween, and he comes back to haunt the Giants’ secondary.
27. Drake London, Falcons (at TB). London is being treated like a No. 1 target, finally, and the Bucs struggle with such guys.
28. Jordan Addison, Vikings (vs. SF). The 49ers can be beat in a few spots in the secondary, and Addison’s versatility helps in what should be a negative game script.
29. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. ATL). Godwin revved up a bit for Baker Mayfield last week, and this is another good spot in the slot.
30. George Pickens, Steelers (vs. LAR). Pickens will be good for another big-play fueled day.
31. Gabe Davis, Bills (at NE). He finally cooled off and didn’t find the end zone vs. the Giants, but he can return here even with low volume away from Stefon Diggs.
32. Curtis Samuel, Commanders (at NYG). Samuel keeps putting up pleasing numbers with Sam Howell as the preferred No. 2.
33. Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (at GB). Jeudy will take advantage of getting away from the Jaire Alexander matchup to be effective.
34. Rashee Rice, Chiefs (vs. LAC). He’s getting close to putting it all together, and it can easily happen here.
35. Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants (at WAS). They immediately found good use for him to stand out from a weak wideout corps, and the momentum carries over here.
DFS picks
Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. PIT, $7,600 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel). Nacua coming down to earth vs. the Cardinals provides a mild contrarian opportunity, as he should exploit a transitional secondary whose attention will be on Cooper Kupp.
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (vs. ARI, $6,000 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel). Lockett has been big-game dependent as opposed to consistent, but he can definitely blow up for big plays against this secondary.
Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants (vs. WAS, $3,800 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel). He’s so crazy cheap for being a top option for a team in a great matchup.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
36. Michael Pittman Jr, Colts (vs. CLE). The Browns can easily erase him from Gardner Minshew with a combination of pass rush and coverage.
37. Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. GB). There’s a fair chance he sees plenty of Jaire Alexander, who just silenced Davante Adams.
38. Romeo Doubs, Packers (at DEN). Doubs will keep fading behind Christian Watson.
39. Josh Palmer, Chargers (at KC). He’s been just OK in the past two games, and the team may want to involve Quentin Johnston more very soon.
40. Josh Downs, Colts (vs. CLE). It’s not great for him or Pittman.
41. Diontae Johnson, Steelers (at LAR). Be careful with him in his first game back from a hamstring injury, and the Rams aren’t giving enough in the secondary to trust two wideouts producing.
42. Josh Reynolds, Lions (at BAL). Jameson Williams really hurts his value.
43. K.J. Osborn, Vikings (vs. SF). He’s facing a tough spot to get open outside vs. the 49ers’ secondary.
44. Michael Thomas, Saints (vs. JAX). His days as a top fantasy asset are long gone.
45. Tutu Atwell, Rams (vs. PIT). Tutu is fading a lot more than Puka Nacua with Cooper Kupp eating up all the big plays.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start ‘Em: Tight ends
Must starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. LAC)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. DET)
- George Kittle, 49ers (at MIN)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (at BAL)
- T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. SF)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs. MIA)
- Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at TB)
- Evan Engram, Jaguars (at NO)
Stronger starts
9. Luke Musgrave, Packers (at DEN). Let’s hope this is a must-start time for Musgrave after flashing before facing the worst tight end defense in the league.
10. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (at LAR) “‘Muth” chants will be heard in Los Angeles as he puts together a nice first game back with a good shot to score.
11.Taysom Hill, Saints (vs. JAX). He looked good in a dedicated receiving role last week, and the Jaguars can have trouble with his versatility and speed.
12. Cole Kmet, Bears (vs. LV). Let’s hope Tyson Bagent remembers to get him the ball in a terrific matchup back again at home.
13. Darren Waller, Giants (vs. WAS). The matchup says you can play him if needed.
13. David Njoku, Browns (at IND). The Colts can give up nice yardage days to tight ends, so this calls for him to get going.
14. Cade Otton, Buccaneers (vs. ATL). He’s TD-dependent, for the most part, but the matchup is favorable for that.
15. Michael Mayer, Raiders (at CHI). He’s starting to roar for them in a starting role to complement the wide receivers, and the Bears really struggle to cover the position.
DFS pick
Luke Musgrave, Packers (at DEN, $3,300 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel). Here we go again. His price is very reasonable and his big-play ability just might be unleashed with no injury issues
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
16. Jonnu Smith, Falcons (at TB). Just say no to Jonnu because you know they can’t support two productive tight ends most weeks.
17. Logan Thomas, Commanders (at NYG). It’s hard to know exactly what you’ll get despite the targets, and there are solid pivot options.
18. Gerald Everett, Chargers (vs. KC). He’s getting involved more, but he’s still not scoring enough to have impact as a shorter-area target for Justin Herbert.
19. Zach Ertz, Cardinals (at SEA). You can’t McBride him to a good day, as the Seahawks have really cleaned up vs. the tight end.
20. Tyler Higbee, Rams (vs. PIT). Man, they sure pay him a lot as a blocker.
21. Noah Fant, Seahawks (vs. ARI). The Cardinals, like the Seahawks, have tightened up their TE coverage.
22 Greg Dulcich, Broncos (vs. GB). This is so dull to consider even with byess because Adam Trautman is there.
23. Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. BUF). Henry is being hidden a lot in the passing game for the likes of Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start ‘Em: Defenses
Stronger starts
- Bills (at NE)
- 49ers (at MIN)
- Raiders (at CHI)
- Packers (at DEN)
- Browns (at IND)
- Seahawks (vs. ARI)
7. Commanders (at NYG). They rebounded in Atlanta and should stay effective with more plays here.
8. Buccaneers (vs. ATL). Ridder is getting very messy with the ball.
9. Eagles (vs. MIA). Sure, the Dolphins can score, but they can also get racked with sacks and Tua can be pressured into some mistakes.
10. Jaguars (at NO). They’re hot, and they can put a dent in a not-so luxury Carr.
11. Steelers (at LAR). They can get after Stafford well, and he’ll drop back often.
12. Lions (at BAL). They’ve blossomed into a consistent playmaking defense that’s bringing good fantasy returns most weeks.
DFS picks
Browns (vs. IND, $3,300 DraftKings) and Colts ($3,800 FanDuel). Yep, go into the same game for the right prices on bargain defenses that will take advantage of backup QBs for sacks and takeaway.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit ‘Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
13. Saints (vs. JAX). Looks like Lawerence will play, so no.
14. Ravens (vs. DET). Goff can light them up too much.
15. Chiefs (vs. LAC). They are reliable but not here vs. Herbert, who tends to play them well.
16. Giants (vs. WAS). It’s a home trap. This defense just can’t be trusted.
17. Rams (vs. PIT). It’s a home trap, part two. Not enough big plays here.
18. Falcons (at TB). This could turn out like the Commanders game vs. Mayfield.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer’s weekly analysis by listening or watching the daily Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.