Week 7 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

Sportz Nation Staff
3 hours ago
7 min read

by Matt Hylen and Zak Drapeau 10/16/2025 Sportz Nation

Start 'Em (Matt Hylen)

Quarterback

Caleb Williams vs NO

Caleb Williams has proven a lot of doubters wrong this season, which I think continues in Week 7. After posting a 252-yard and 2 total TD performance last week, Williams is primed to keep the momentum going against a poor Saints team that allows the 4th most points to QBs.

Justin Fields vs CAR

Though the Jets have been abysmal this season, Justin Fields as a whole has not been in fantasy. Yes, last week was extremely poor, but it was hard to see him having any sort of success against an elite Denver defense. Fields has a much easier matchup this week against a Panthers team who are in the middle of the pack defensively but are prone to allowing big plays.

Jared Goff vs TB

Jared Goff could be seen as an everyday starter, but I feel he especially deserves a starting nod this week. Goff is coming off a modest 203-yard, 2-TD game last week, but should elevate his fantasy performance against a beat-up Tampa Bay defense that allows the 8th most fantasy points to QBs. Look for Goff to be a beneficiary of a potential shootout on MNF.

Running Back

Credit to Joshua Gunter via cleveland.com

Quinshon Judkins vs MIA

Judkins could very possibly have the best game of his young career. He has not only proved to be the workhorse of this offense in the run game, but is also playing a Dolphins team that gave up 206 rushing yards to Rico Dowdle (who was getting his first start in Carolina) and 124 rushing yards to Kimani Vidal (who was elevated from the Chargers' practice squad that week). Look for Judkins to run wild in Week 7.

Jaylen Warren vs CIN

Jaylen Warren did not have the best of games last week, but he should bounce back on TNF. Warren is going from playing statistically the best run defense in Week 6 to the worst run defense in Cincinnati in Week 7. As the certified RB1 and healthy, Warren should have no problem producing for your fantasy team.

Jordan Mason vs PHI

Jordan Mason has been the clear RB1 since Aaron Jones Sr.'s injury. Coming off a bye in Week 6, Mason will get a great matchup against the Eagles, who allow the 7th most fantasy points to RBs and 7th most rushing yards per game.

Wide Receiver

Credit to Mike Moraitis via sportingnews.com

Terry McLaurin at DAL

If Terry McLaurin comes back from injury this week, there is no better time for a breakout game. When he has played, McLaurin has struggled to get on the same page as QB Jayden Daniels. Now that he has had time to heal from the injury, I believe McLaurin will come back better than ever against the worst pass defense in football, the Dallas Cowboys.

Courtland Sutton vs NYG

Courtland Sutton was basically non-existent last week, catching one of only three targets for 17 yards. However, Sutton is far too talented and a vital part of his offense's success for that to happen twice in a row. Sutton has a great matchup to boot against the Giants, who allow the 4th most fantasy points to WRs.

Rashee Rice vs LV

After serving his 6-game suspension, this will be Rashee Rice's first game of 2025. Even though there could be some rust in the early stages, I feel the Chiefs will want to get Rice involved right away. He should be the WR1 for Kansas City through the rest of the season, while having a great matchup against the Raiders, who allow the 8th most fantasy points to WRs.

Tight End

Credit to Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Goedert at MIN

Goedert is coming off his best performance of 2023, securing 9 of his 11 targets for 110 yards and a TD. In an offense without an identity at the moment, Goedert has benefited the most from it. He has been a great safety net for QB Jalen Hurts, receiving 7+ targets in half the games he's played. Look for Goedert to continue this level of production against an average Vikings defense.

Tucker Kraft at ARI

Tucker Kraft has cooled off a bit since his Week 2 breakout, but has been involved enough to be starter-worthy at the TE position. His red zone usage alone makes him a safe start against the Cardinals, who allow the 9th most fantasy points to TEs.

Cade Otton at DET

Cade Otton's involvement in the offense has grown due to the Buccaneers' injuries at the wide receiver position. With as many targets (11) in the past two weeks as in the entire season prior, Otton seems to have found a place in this high-powered Bucs offense. Even with the possible return of Mike Evans this week, Otton will be a startable TE against the Lions, whose defense is extremely beat up.

Sit 'Em (Zak Drapeau)

Quarterback

Jaxson Dart at DEN

Let's pump the brakes on Dart and Skatteboo-mania just a little bit, especially when they travel to Denver this week. I do like Dart's rushing upside and his ability to make plays, and for most weeks, he would be a Top-15 Fantasy QB, but in Denver, I don't know if the Giants even score 10 points.

Jalen Hurts at MIN

The Eagles looked like a shell of their former selves last week in New York. Hurts has been pretty consistent with his 17-20 point marks so far this season, but I have to believe his performance will only be worse when traveling from New York to Minnesota. Plus, all of the drama with AJ Brown and Devonta Smith has made Dallas Goedert the only reliable option for him.

Daniel Jones at LAC

Danny Dimes has been a breath of fresh air for the Colts this season, but as the season progresses, they will rely more and more on Jonathan Taylor. Jones will still have decent games, but I don't foresee him having multiple-TD games often and definitely see him falling off this week when he travels to LA. The Chargers' defense ranks 9th against Fantasy QBs and hasn't given up more than 1 passing TD in a game all year.

Running Back

Saquon Barkley at MIN

Why aren't the Eagles using Barkley? To be fair, the entire Philly offense hasn't looked good in their 2-game losing streak, but Barkley has only gotten 18 carries in the last two games. Now, in a tough road game in Minnesota, which has a Top-10 run defense, I would seriously consider Barkley as a FLEX-at-best option this week.

Kenneth Walker vs HOU

Houston's defense is legit this year, and as if it wasn't shaky enough starting any Seahawk besides JSN in fantasy, Walker has been in a slump. With less than 10 points and without a touchdown in 3 straight games, look for the Seahawks to either abandon the run or continue to get Charbonnet involved more.

Chase Brown vs PIT

With Joe Flacco, the Bengals' offense does look a lot better, but Chase Brown is still a bad start. With only 202 rushing yards and 2 TDs on the year, Brown's main fantasy upside is from a few 5-yard catches per game and hasn't broken double-digit points since Week 1.

Wide Receiver

Photo by Stephanie Scarbrough/ Associated Press

Puka Nacua at JAX

I'll be the first to admit I was dead wrong about Puka Nacua this year, but this week in particular... sit him. It seems like Nacua will be coming back too early after a high ankle sprain last week to make the Jaguars game, and I can't see it going well. Nacua has the second-highest target share of any receiver in the league, but against a stingy Jaguars defense, he will probably have a 3-for-30 type stat line as he continues to rehab his ankle.

Michael Pittman at LAC

Pittman started the year off great, but as the Colts have moved to a run-based offense, he has struggled in fantasy. Match that with an upcoming matchup in Los Angeles against the Chargers, and Pittman will be VERY touchdown-dependent this week.

Emeka Egbuka at DET

Egbuka had his first average performance this week against the 49ers, thanks to a hamstring injury that will bother him throughout this week as well. Likely to play in Detroit this week through the injury, the Lions will hound the rookie receiver and likely see him receive very few catches, especially if Mike Evans is able to return.

Tight End

George Kittle vs ATL

Week 7, and George Kittle will finally return for the 49ers... just in time to face Atlanta. The Falcons' defense is a top-3 unit in the league this year, and even with the play of Mac Jones this year, who's likely to make his 4th start this week, I would give Kittle another week to assimilate back into the lineup.

Travis Kelce vs LV

Kelce started the year on a very good pace, but is likely to see his target share drop with Rashee Rice's return to the team. Kelce's main attraction is his middle-field catch-and-run ability, which is the exact play style of Rice. Kelce won't have a silent game, but he could easily be bettered by a tight end you could probably find on the waiver wire.

Darren Waller at CLE

What a breath of fresh air Waller has been in Miami. After Tyreek Hill's injury, Waller has actually been competing with Jaylen Waddle for the number one option. Unfortunately for him, his quarterback can't throw the ball anymore and will also be going against a good defense in Cleveland this week. Find a better option.