Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 7
More costly injuries piled up in Week 6. Also, six teams are on bye to hamper the depth. After attacking the waiver wire and being up-to-date on injuries, our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 7 is the next best tool in the arsenal of the well-prepared fantasy football manager.
Let’s take a look at some unheralded starts and players to fade in Week 7.
Week 7 Byes: Carolina, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, New York Jets, Tennessee
Quarterbacks
Start ‘Em
Sam Howell (Washington Commanders) at New York Giants
Howell has recently been posting impressive fantasy stats. He has exceeded the 18-point mark in fantasy in four out of his last five games, even surpassing 25 points in one of them. Furthermore, he has registered more than 290 passing yards in three of those games and has thrown multiple passing touchdowns in three of them as well.
Howell’s mobility adds another dimension to his value as well. He is facing the Giants, who are ranked in the middle of the pack when it comes to defending against quarterbacks. But New York has allowed some significant performances and won’t pose a formidable defensive threat. Especially considering the numerous teams on bye, Howell represents a compelling choice for this week.
Brian Hoyer (Las Vegas Raiders) at Chicago
I like whichever Raiders quarterback starts this week. The Bears are currently ranked 29th in terms of fantasy points per game allowed to quarterbacks, and wide receiver Davante Adams has been calling for the football more. That’s always a good thing for the offense.
Additionally, the Bears might be starting Division II QB Tyson Bagent, who should commit turnovers and provide favorable field position for the Raiders’ offense all game. Hoyer is a smart enough veteran to know to get the ball to Adams. Plus, he has the experience to keep the Raiders’ winning streak alive.
Sit ‘Em
Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) at Kansas City
Herbert appears to be struggling recently, as he missed wide-open receivers in the loss to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football, including a deep pass to Keenan Allen. Furthermore, he is facing a formidable Chiefs pass defense on the road, which ranks seventh in terms of allowing fantasy points to quarterbacks.
While it may not be necessary to dumpster dive for a replacement for Herbert this week, if there’s another top 12-15 option available, it might be wise to lean in that direction. Fantasy managers forced to stick with Herbert should lower their expectations this week.
Running Backs
Start ‘Em
Brian Robinson (Washington Commanders) at New York Giants
Robinson received a heavy workload in the first two weeks of the season when the Commanders were winning games. In those contests, Robinson amassed 37 carries. Over the past four weeks, he has averaged 10 carries per game and has become more involved in the passing game, with eight receptions over the last three weeks.
The Commanders are going up against the Giants, who have allowed 5.1 yards per rushing attempt this season, which ranks as the third-highest in the league. While Washington has leaned towards a pass-heavy approach this season when they have a lead, their running rate approaches the league average at 46.5%. As the Commanders are the favorites against the Giants, Robinson is likely to receive both efficient rushes and more volume compared to recent weeks.
Jerome Ford (Cleveland Browns) at Indianapolis
Ford may not have fully met fantasy managers’ expectations in recent weeks. But he has consistently performed as a top-24 fantasy running back in each of the past four games. That dates back to Nick Chubb’s season-ending injury. Ford has carried the ball at least nine times and caught at least two passes in every game this season.
Despite Kareem Hunt’s increasing playing time, Ford’s volume should be sufficient, given the number of injuries at the position and the teams on bye this week. The Browns will be facing the Indianapolis Colts, which is a top-10 matchup. The Colts have allowed nine rushing touchdowns this season, tied for the second most among teams.
Sit ‘Em
Najee Harris (Pittsburgh Steelers) at Los Angeles Rams
Harris has underperformed expectations in four out of the last five weeks, finishing outside the top 35 fantasy running backs in those instances. Despite the numerous injuries at the position and bye weeks, starting Harris might not be wise.
Although the Rams have struggled against top-tier running backs, they have fared well against others. Harris has been tackled behind the line of scrimmage on 25.4% of his carries. That is the fifth-worst rate among running backs. Additionally, the Steelers are underdogs, potentially leading to fewer carries for Harris and more pass routes for Jaylen Warren.
Rachaad White (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Atlanta Falcons
White has been one of the more disappointing players this season, posting a season-low 38 total yards in Week 6 against the Detroit Lions. He has started to lose touches to Ke’Shawn Vaughn. Also, it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue. However, this week’s matchup dictates it very well could.
In Week 7 Tampa hosts the Falcons, who rank third in terms of fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, White faces another tough challenge. Only three running backs have scored 10.9 PPR or more points against Atlanta this year. And the Falcons have yet to allow a rushing touchdown to a running back.
Wide Receivers
Start ‘Em
Rashee Rice (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Rice is starting to emerge as the Chiefs’ top receiver. Going into Week 7 against the Chargers, Rice has scored at least 11.2 PPR points in each of his last two games, making him a sneaky option as a third fantasy receiver in all leagues for this matchup.
Also, the Chargers are the second-most generous team in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, with nine receivers accumulating at least 11.2 PPR points against Los Angeles this year. Rice is posting good numbers on limited volume. However, if the rumored increase in snaps happens, he’s got WR2 upside.
Wandale Robinson (New York Giants) vs. Washington
As of Thursday afternoon, we are still uncertain whether Daniel Jones (neck) or Tyrod Taylor will start as the quarterback for the Giants in Week 7 against Washington. Whoever starts will ideally help Robinson build on his Week 6 performance against the Bills when he caught eight passes for 62 yards on eight targets. The Commanders have allowed seven receivers to score at least 14.8 PPR points this year, and Robinson should continue to demonstrate his recovery from last year’s torn ACL.
Sit ‘Em
Jameson Williams (Detroit Lions) at Baltimore
Williams is still working his way back into the offense and has not fully acclimated yet. He ran just nine routes last week and was targeted three times. While he always poses a deep threat, there is a significant risk if he doesn’t make a big play.
This week, his chances don’t look promising as the Ravens have allowed only 5.8 yards per catch to receivers, the lowest in the league. Baltimore has also given up the second-fewest yards on deep passes to wide receivers this season. Given these factors, leave Jameson on the bench.
Courtland Sutton (Denver Broncos) vs. Green Bay
Sutton has been a relatively dependable fantasy option this season despite the Broncos’ offensive struggles. He currently ranks as the WR24 on the season. However, the Broncos have one of the toughest matchups for wide receivers as they face the Green Bay Packers, who have allowed the third-fewest receiving yards in the league. They have forced incompletion on 17.3% of targets to outside wide receivers, which is the third-highest rate among defenses.
Also, Sutton’s success has primarily come against man defenses. And the Packers predominantly use zone defense, which could limit his performance. Bench Sutton this week in a poor matchup against Green Bay’s strong CB tandem of Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas.
Tight Ends
Start ‘Em
Zach Ertz (Arizona Cardinals) at Seattle
Ertz disappointed in the previous week, catching only two of five targets for 22 yards. Also, most of that production came during garbage time. Nonetheless, he ranks sixth among tight ends in targets and has surpassed eight fantasy points in four of his six games.
Particularly in a week when six teams are on bye, any tight end consistently seeing volume is a viable choice. The Seattle Seahawks have allowed a passer rating of 103.4 on targets to tight ends this year, which keeps Ertz as a valid option for another week.
Sit ‘Em
Hunter Henry (New England Patriots) vs. Buffalo
Henry is currently dealing with an ankle injury and missed practice on Wednesday. While it’s hoped that he will be able to play, starting him against the Buffalo Bills may not be a wise choice. In his last two games, Henry has underperformed with just one catch for 7 yards on five targets against the Saints and Raiders.
Also, Henry has gone four consecutive games without finding the end zone. Mac Jones is facing challenges, and the Patriots’ offense is struggling as a whole. Considering that the Bills rank third in terms of fewest fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends, it’s hard to justify starting Henry in this matchup.
