We had another great week of games in Week 6, which included the last of the undefeated teams losing in heartbreaking fashion. The injuries were not quite as bad in Week 6 as they were in Week 5, but we still had a few star players go down in, and we are not sure when they will return as of now. The players that were injured in Week 6 included the likes of Justin Fields (throwing hand/thumb), Christian McCaffrey (oblique), and Deebo Samuel (shoulder), so hopefully you were able to pick up Jordan Mason, Elijah Mitchell, and, if you are in a Superflex or 2-QB league, Tyson Bagent. Now that Week 6 is in the books we can turn the page to Week 7 and look at who to start and sit this week.
The season can be a grind at times from doing waiver claims to looking at rankings and then finally deciding who to start. It can seem difficult, but that is where the staff at DrRoto.com comes in to help you. We have everything you need to make the tough decisions here in one place. I will be writing this start/sit article each week to help you make the tough lineup decisions. You can also join our members-only Discord channel and ask us personalized questions anytime you want on there.
Keep in mind before I get into my starts and sits this week that certain players should always be in your starting lineup. Please don’t try to get cute and sit the likes of Justin Jefferson, Christian McCaffrey or Patrick Mahomes. They are in your lineup regardless of matchups. The decisions I am here to help you with are for the players drafted in the middle to late rounds of your draft or added from waivers who you aren’t sure whether to trust.
Week 7 Quarterback Starts
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos
I know the last time we saw Jordan Love was on Monday Night Football in Week 5, and he did not look great in that game, but the Packers had their bye week in Week 6 and I believe they will come out with a new gameplan for Love. It does not hurt that they will be facing the Denver Broncos and their 32nd overall defense. Love has had a nice season so far, especially given that this is his first season as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Love is currently QB14 on the season with a 55.6% completion rate, 1,083 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and six interceptions. He has also added 109 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns as well this season. He should have a nice fantasy week since the Broncos are the 31st-ranked passing defense through the first six weeks of the season.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals
I realize that Geno Smith has been struggling so far this season, but I believe this can be a get-right game for him this week. Smith is ranked as the QB23 on the season. He has completed 67.7% of his passes for 1,169 passing yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. He has not been rushing as much this season as he did last season, but he has 42 rushing yards so far this season. The main reason I believe this is a good spot for Smith is because the Cardinals defense is ranked 30th in total yards allowed and 26th in passing yards allowed through the first six weeks of the season. I expect Smith and his receivers to have a nice fantasy day in Week 7.
Week 7 Quarterback Sits
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings vs. San Fransico 49ers
One thing that has gotten better for Kirk Cousins over the last few seasons is that he has been better in prime-time matchups, but I still can’t trust him this week on Monday Night Football against a tough 49ers defense. Cousins has put up good fantasy numbers so far this season. He has completed 67.2% of his passes for 1,679 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and four interceptions, which puts him at QB8 so far this season. The problem is that he is going up against a 49ers defense that is ranked 11th in passing yards allowed and fourth in total yards allowed on the season. With no Justin Jefferson again this week and the 49ers’ pass rush bringing the pressure all game long I believe Cousins is in for a long night and a bad fantasy week.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens
I have the same message this week as last week: When Jared Goff is at home in the dome, sign me up every week. When Jared Goff is on the road and facing a top-five defense, no thank you. I will find someone else with a better matchup to play this week. It does not help that the Ravens defense ranks third in passing yards allowed and second in total yards allowed this season. They defense has played well this season, especially against the pass.
Week 7 Running Back Starts
Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders at New York Giants
Brian Robinson has been struggling the last two games after a hot start to the season, but I believe he will bounce back this week against an up-and-down Giants defense. Robinson is currently ranked as the RB15 in PPR scoring on the season with 302 rushing yards, 11 receptions on 13 targets for 113 receiving yards, and five total touchdowns. He gets a great matchup this week against a Giants defense that ranks 31st in rushing yards allowed and 29th in total yards allowed so far this season. If the Commanders can keep this game close, then I expect Robinson to have 150 total yards and score a touchdown this week.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos
Aaron Jones should be back from his hamstring injury this week and he gets the matchup of the week against the 32nd-ranked Broncos’ defense. While I am not the biggest Jones fan, I have included the starting running back who is going against the Broncos’ defense just about every week because their rush defense is the worst in the league by far. Jones’ stats and rankings are not great this season because he has only played in two games so far. He managed three receptions, 141 total yards, and two total touchdowns in those two games. He is coming off the Packers’ bye week, so his hamstring should be well-rested, and the Broncos’ defense will not pose much of a challenge for the Packers this week. I expect Jones to have a monster game.
Week 7 Running Back Sits
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons
It has been a struggle for the Buccaneers to get the ground game going so far this season, and Rachaad White only has 232 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown this season. What has saved White’s fantasy value so far this season is his involvement in the passing game. White has 16 receptions on 17 targets for 98 receiving yards, and if it weren’t for those receptions he would be a lot lower than his RB24 ranking in PPR scoring on the season. This week, he gets another tough matchup against a Falcons defense that ranks 12th in rushing yards allowed and fifth in total yards allowed on the season. Hopefully he gets a lot of checkdown throws in this game to help his fantasy value this week, but I will be sitting him if possible.
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Rams
Najee Harris has been struggling so far this season. He is not the same player he was two years ago before the Lisfranc injury. Harris is currently the RB45 in PPR scoring with 247 rushing yards, five receptions on nine targets for 37 yards, and no touchdowns. Harris will face a tough Rams defense in Week 7. The Rams’ defense ranks 18th in total yards allowed, so expect Harris to struggle in this game, and he may even lose more touches to his backup running back Jaylen Warren this week.
Week 7 Wide Receiver Starts
Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders at New York Giants
Curtis Samuel has been on fire so far this season. He is supposed to be the number-three receiver in the Commanders’ offense, but their offensive line has been so bad in pass protection that they have had to go to a more “throw the ball short and let the playmakers do their best to get yards after the catch” passing game. That type of passing scheme fits Samuel’s skill set perfectly and is one of the reasons the Commanders signed him as a free agent a few years ago. He is currently the PPR WR25 with 27 receptions on 31 targets for 285 receiving yards and two total touchdowns. He also gets a nice matchup this week against a Giants defense that ranks 19th in passing yards allowed and 29th in total yards allowed on the season. I expect Samuel to get a lot of receptions this week, and hopefully he can turn a couple of short catches into a couple of big plays.
Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
Marquise Brown is having a nice but quiet fantasy season so far. When he got traded to the Cardinals two years ago, he envisioned catching passes from Kyler Murray, not Joshua Dobbs. So, while Dobbs has played well this season, his skill set does not match the skill set of Brown. Brown is more of a deep threat and take-the-top-off-the-defense kind of receiver, and Dobbs does not throw the most accurate deep ball in the league. All that being said, Brown is still ranked as the WR17 in PPR scoring on the season with 29 receptions on 53 targets for 334 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He also gets a nice matchup this week against a Seahawks defense that is tough against the run, so the way to beat them is by attacking their 17th-ranked pass defense. I expect Brown to have a big fantasy day for the Cardinals this week.
Week 7 Wide Receiver Sits
Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
Jerry Jeudy and the Broncos’ offense have been struggling this season. Jeudy has been rumored to be on the trade block as it looks like the Broncos’ coaching staff is trying to clean house and start fresh next year, so I am sure that has been tough on him as well. He is currently ranked as the WR60 in PPR scoring with 20 receptions on 29 targets for 222 receiving and zero touchdowns. He gets a tough matchup this week against a Packers defense that ranks second in passing yards allowed and eighth in total yards allowed. I would sit Jeudy this week if you have a better option available.
George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Rams
The Steelers’ offense has been struggling all season. There have been rumors that offensive coordinator Matt Canada is the main problem and could be fired before the end of the season if the offense does not start producing more yards and points. I thought that when Dionate Johnson got hurt in Week 1 George Pickens would assume the number-one receiver duties and really show why he was drafted so high in last year’s NFL draft, but that just has not happened, and it looks like Johnson might be back this week to take over that top receiver role. Pickens ranks as the WR27 in PPR scoring with 22 receptions on 40 targets for 393 yards and two touchdowns. He gets a tough matchup this week against a Rams defense that ranks 15th in passing yards allowed this season. With so many teams on a bye this week, you might not be able to bench Pickens, but if you do have a better option, I would avoid starting him this week.
Week 7 Tight End Starts
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos
I know I am picking on the Broncos this week, but it is hard not to when they are the worst defense in the league right now. Luke Musgrave and the Packers are coming off their bye week, and I believe this is the week that Musgrave breaks out. He is currently the TE21 in PPR scoring with 18 receptions on 23 targets for 159 yards and zero touchdowns. I really like Musgrave’s matchup this week, particularly against the Bronco linebackers in coverage. The Broncos really struggle covering the tight end, and I really think Musgrave could have five receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown in this game. Start him if you need a tight end this week.
Darren Waller, New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders
Darren Waller has not had the fantasy season most people thought he would have when he was traded to the Giants in the offseason. Waller is currently ranked as the TE11 with 28 receptions on 41 targets for 282 yards and zero touchdowns. However, he does get a great matchup this week against a Commanders defense that cannot stop the opposing tight end right now. The Commanders’ defense ranks 29th in passing yards allowed and 31st in total yards allowed. I expect Waller to have five receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown this week.
Week 7 Tight End Sits
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills
I am not sure what is going on in New England with the Patriots, but they have looked really bad as a team so far this season. Head Coach Bill Belichick has suffered the two worst defeats in his coaching career this season. Hunter Henry started the season off strong but has been quiet over the last two weeks. He is currently ranked as TE13 in PPR scoring with 18 receptions on 28 targets for 183 yards and two touchdowns. He also draws a tough matchup this week against a Bills defense that ranks eighth in passing yards allowed and 15th in total yards allowed on the season. I would sit him this week if you have a better option … and you could probably find a better option on the waiver wire this week.
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
I really like Tyler Higbee’s talent, and he can be a playmaker when the Rams need him to be one in the passing game. Unfortunately, there are not enough footballs to go around right now in L.A. with Cooper Kupp back in the mix for Higbee to be a viable option at tight end this week. Kupp and Puka Nacua demand the majority of the targets currently, and I do not see that changing any time soon. Higbee ranks as the TE17 with 20 receptions on 32 targets for 234 yards and zero touchdowns. It does not help that he has a tough matchup this week against a Steelers defense that will put pressure on Matthew Stafford all day long and ranks 13th in passing yards allowed on the season.
Week 7 Defense Starts
Las Vegas Raiders Defense at Chicago Bears
I must preface this by saying the Raiders’ defense is only a start if Justin Fields does not play this week. I am not expecting Fields to play this week, so that means the Bears will be starting either Tyson Bagent or Nathan Peterman. If that is the case, then I believe the Raiders will be a top-eight fantasy defense this week. The Raiders’ defense has been playing much better in recent weeks, and neither one of the backup quarterbacks for the Bears seems to be very good. I would expect a few sacks and turnovers from the Raiders’ defense this week.
Washington Commanders Defense at New York Giants
The New York Giants’ offense has been very up and down all season. I am not sure who will be playing quarterback for them this week, but both Tyrod Taylor and Daniel Jones have a knack for turning the ball over and allowing sacks. The Commanders’ defense is not a top unit right now, but they have talent in the front seven and the Giants are still beat up on the offensive line, so I would expect a few sacks and turnovers from the Giants this week.
Week 7 Defense Sits
New England Patriots Defense vs. Buffalo Bills
The Patriots’ defense has really struggled so far this year, and they have Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills fifth-ranked offense coming to town this week. I believe this game will get out of hand quickly as the Bills’ defense is good and the Patriots’ offense will have a hard time matching scores with the Bills’ offense. If you have been relying on the Patriots’ defense, I would find another defense to start this week, and possibly moving forward, as this looks like a lost season in New England.
Detroit Lions Defense at Baltimore Ravens
I know the Lions were a popular streaming defense last week and they have been a startable fantasy defense this season. But this week, the Lions get a tough matchup against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense. This should be a great matchup to watch, as the Lions’ defense is ranked first in rushing yards allowed and the Ravens’ offense is ranked fourth in rushing yards. Still, I would sit the Lions’ defense if you have a better option this week, as I believe the Ravens’ offense will win this battle of strengths as the home team.
Good luck in Week 7 everyone!
