Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em: Week 7

We’re headed into the Week 7 weekend action in the NFL, and fantasy managers get a little reprieve with the bye weeks. Only two teams are resting, the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys, so that’s good news for setting lineups.

On Sunday, remember, we have the third straight weekend of games in London as the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars square off at Wembley Stadium. Believe it or not, due to some recent changes and an uptick in production, both of these teams have a handful of fantasy-relevant players despite their poor overall records, so be ready.

The waiver wire has been pretty active again, with players like wide receiver DeMario Douglas receiving plenty of action, from those aforementioned Patriots. Will we hear more about him? Maybe. We also saw teams make some big trades that could upset the fantasy landscape some, with the Buffalo Bills adding wideout Amari Cooper, and the New York Jets acquiring WR Davante Adams via trade, changing the depth chart and fantasy value for plenty of receivers in the AFC.

Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.

Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.

Feel free to ask any specific start/sit questions via X, formerly Twitter, (@danieledobish), or check out our start/bench list for Week 7:

Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Baltimore Ravens: Mayfield and the Tampa Bay offense is on fire, posting 30 or more points in three consecutive games. The Bake Show had a stat line last week that might remind Bucs fans of Jameis Winston: 325 yards and four TDs at New Orleans in Week 6, but he also tossed three INTs. He had just two picks in the first five games, so let’s call that an anomaly. He faces a Baltimore pass D allowing the second-most fantasy points to QBs, so it could be another big week.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams vs. Las Vegas Raiders: Stafford and the Rams are coming off the bye week, and they should be rejuvenated. It’s possible Staff gets WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) back in the lineup, too. Officially, the high-volume pass catcher carries a questionable tag after returning to practice. Kupp is a game-time decision, but either way, Stafford is a strong fantasy start. Obviously, Kupp would help immensely, but facing a Raiders’ pass defense that allows the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs is super helpful, too.

Sit ‘Em

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Murray is such an exciting football player, and he does unimaginable things on the field to keep plays alive when most others would be cut down. But, a not-so-deep dive on the stats shows he has just one TD pass in five of his six games, and he has accounted for multiple scores in just two of his six games. He also has 214 or fewer passing yards in five of six outings. Facing a Chargers D that allows just 192.0 passing yards per game, which ranks No. 1 in the NFL with only 13.2 points per game, is not an elixir to cure his statistical ills.

Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rodgers is reunited with his old buddy Davante Adams from Green Bay. The two made beautiful music together in Titletown, including three 1,000-yard seasons for the receiver in eight campaigns. The Jets could have added Wayne Chrebet, Don Maynard, Al Toon and Wesley Walker this week, too, and it might not matter against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers allow the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing QBs, giving up just 208.7 passing yards and 14.3 PPG.

Running Backs

Start ‘Em

Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills: After a bummer in Week 3, Pollard has been picking up the pace and showing out like fantasy managers hoped in the past two outings. He has 39 carries for 181 yards and two touchdowns in the past two games, and he is averaging a healthy 4.6 yards per carry, up more than a half-yard per attempt versus his first three outings. The bye week really looks to have helped, and if QB Will Levis could do anything in the pass game, it would take even more pressure off Pollard and the running game. The Bills are pretty giving on the ground, so trust TP20.

Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders vs. Carolina Panthers: Robinson appears good to go after missing time due to a knee injury. He is officially questionable but trending toward play, and it’s just in time against a bad Panthers’ rush D, which allows more fantasy points to opposing RBs than any other unit in football. In the NFC, Carolina allows, on average, 8.1% more fantasy points than the next worst rushing defense, the Dallas Cowboys. Robinson is likely to share some carries with Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols, but as long Robinson doesn’t have a setback, he is the star.

Sit ‘Em

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Baltimore Ravens: This is the first of the Monday Night Football doubleheader, so there’s no official status for Rachaad White (foot) as of Friday evening. At best, he’s likely a game-time decision. Regardless of his availability, Irving also may have to contend with RB Sean Tucker and a poor matchup. No defense has surrendered fewer rushing yards per game to the position in 2024 than Baltimore’s 45 against. There has been some damage via the passing game, though backs have scored at only the 16th-highest rate in relation to attempts. Given the touch-split uncertain and potential for a pass-happy affair, Irving should be held in reserve where possible.

Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Mason (shoulder) was removed from the injury report Friday and is good to go, but the matchup is a greater concern. Kansas City has given up the second-fewest RB rushing yards per game (56.2) since the year opened, and it’s also a poor matchup for aerial success out of the backfield. Scoring-wise, none of the 18 catches have found the end zone, and just two of the 86 attempts faced went for six. That’s the 11th-best ratio from a defensive perspective. Then, you have to consider the Chiefs could force a negative game script to keep San Fran imbalanced.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em

DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: You had to know we were coming back to Douglas. He was expected to be the alpha dog in the New England Patriots game, but his production was extremely limited with QB Jacoby Brissett under center. A change to rookie QB Drake Maye last week showed the possibilities, as Douglas shook free for a season-best 92 receiving yards, six grabs, and nine targets with his first score of the campaign. The Jags allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers, so “Pip Pip, Cheerio,” enjoy the show by Douglas in Jolly Ole’ England.

Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings: Williams will be part of what could be a very exciting NFC North shootout in the Twin Cities. Both the Lions and Vikings are terrible against the pass, so this has the potential of being a track meet and fantasy favorite of managers everywhere. Williams has 76 or more receiving yards in four of his five games, and he has scored in back-to-back outings. Look for another strong stat line in Week 7.

Sit ‘Em

Davante Adams, New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Adams was traded to the Jets, joining his old pal Rodgers. And, just like that, his hamstring is suddenly better. Funny how that works, right? If you’re expecting a big debut in Pittsburgh, it isn’t likely. While Adams is expected to debut, a day or two cramming for a new team is hard enough, even for a seasoned veteran. Doing it against the Steelers and their sturdy defense is just too tall of a mountain.

Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans: Yes, it’s the other trade acquisition, too. Cooper was added to be the No. 1 wideout for Buffalo, and he will be. It’s not hard, as he simply needs to leapfrog WRs Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir. While that duo obviously has more than a few days worth of knowledge of the playbook. Cooper will likely get a few high-percentage targets or a fly route in his debut, looking to get him involved, and let the home fans shower him with love. But the Titans allow the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts, so be careful.

Tight Ends

Start ‘Em

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams: The rookie has quickly risen up the fantasy ranks, and is a bona fide TE1 in all formats. And, he is basically the most dangerous option in a Vegas passing attack that lost its headliner via trade (see above). Bowers hopes his Vegas residency is much longer, and the way it is going, he could be the Carrot Top of the Raiders. Wait, is that a good thing? The Rams allow the third-most fantasy points to opposing TEs, so Bowers should have another strong performance.

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans at Green Bay Packers: Admit it, do you sometimes mix up Houston’s Dalton Schultz, and Buffalo’s Dalton Kincaid? They’re actually fairly interchangeable. Anyway, Schultz should have way more than peanuts for fantasy production this week. He’ll be going up against a Green Bay defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing TEs. Look for QB C.J. Stroud to key on him early and often, especially in red-zone situations.

Sit ‘Em

Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans: So, here is the difference in Daltons: Schultz has a favorable one, while Kincaid has a terrible matchup. The Titans’ pass defense is No. 1 against opposing fantasy TEs, allowing just 14 receptions, 120 yards and zero TDs all season. It’s one of the rare things Tennessee is actually doing well. With a new mouth to feed with Cooper, and a strong running game, there won’t be a lot of service for Kincaid.

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers vs. Houston Texans: Kraft blew up two weeks ago against the Los Angeles Rams, hauling in a pair of touchdowns with 88 yards, but he crashed back to Earth in a big way in Week 6 with a season-low 13 receiving yards. The Texans are hard on opposing TEs, too, allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to the position, with just 129 receiving yards and two scores.