With half of October already in the books, the NFL season races toward Week 7's main slate. Like the mad dash of Halloween evening, it has been a wild ride with some tricks but mostly treats of the daily fantasy variety.
The best way to ensure some sweet, sweet DFS prizes each week: target value picks. That's where this column comes in — we scour the player pools, pinpoint the most overlooked and undervalued names, and serve them up for you on a proverbial platter like King-sized Snickers on your rich neighbor's front porch.
If you can't find the best deals, you probably won't be winning on Sunday. Let us do the research for you — we'll highlight the best players at every position on DraftKings and FanDuel, so you can create an optimal lineup and cash in on Sunday.
As always, we review the previous column to see how we did, like a kid counting out his candy haul on Hallow's Eve. Let's take a gander at our biggest hits last week, with each player's DK salary and ultimate Week 6 fantasy production:
| Pos. | Player | Week 6 matchup | Salary | Points |
| QB | Drake Maye | Patriots at Saints | $5,900 | 27.2 |
| QB | Sam Darnold | Seahawks at Jaguars | $5,400 | 24.0 |
| QB | Bryce Young | Panthers vs. Cowboys | $4,800 | 19.5 |
| RB | Rico Dowdle | Panthers vs. Cowboys | $5,800 | 36.9 |
| WR | Ladd McConkey | Chargers at Dolphins | $5,700 | 26.0 |
| WR | D.K. Metcalf | Steelers vs. Browns | $5,500 | 19.5 |
| WR | Tre Tucker | Raiders vs. Titans | $4,700 | 12.0 |
| TE | Harold Fannin Jr. | Browns at Steelers | $3,400 | 15.5 |
| TE | Jake Tonges | 49ers at Bucs | $4,700 | 11.8 |
| TE | AJ Barner | Seahawks at Jaguars | $3,600 | 10.1 |
| DST | Seattle | Seahawks at Jaguars | $2,700 | 11.0 |
| DST | Tampa Bay | Buccaneers vs. 49ers | $2,900 | 11.0 |
Another strong week in the books! Definitely not as many as last week — and far less true "booms." but Maye, Darnold, Dowdle and McConkey alone made it a pretty solid showing. You might just see some of those names below as we try to ride the momentum!
On that note, let's keep this train rolling! Here's The Sporting News' Week 7 DFS sleepers and fantasy football value picks for DraftKings and FanDuel tournaments, highlighted by a running back explosion of an encore and a projected wide receiver mega-breakout!
MORE: Learn how to play NFL DFS
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 7: QB value picks
Caleb Williams, Bears vs. Saints (DK: $5,800 | FD: $7,900)
A home date vs. the Saints makes for an appealing start for just about any quarterback, especially one in a Ben Johnson offense coming off three straight wins.
Williams has averaged well over 20 DK points per game this season, and New Orleans ranks as one of the five most generous defenses to QBs in fantasy land. Start the second-year man without hesitation.
Bo Nix, Broncos vs. Giants (DK: $5,600 | FD: $7,100)
This will mark just the third Broncos home game of the season, and the first one came all the way back in Week 1. This matchup and price tag have us excited at a prime 'buy-the-dip' opportunity.
Nix has endured some tough road outings, but his last game in the Mile High atmosphere was a boom-type performance: 326 passing yards, three total TDs and nearly 30 DK points (vs. CIN). The Giants have let three QBs eclipse 22 points this season, and we expect Nix to make it four.
Other QBs whose Week 7 values exceed their price tags:
- Jordan Love, Packers at Cardinals (DK: $6,200 | FD: $7,800)
- Bryce Young, Panthers at Jets (DK: $5,300 | FD: $7,200)
- Spencer Rattler, Saints at Bears (DK: $4,800 | FD: $6,600)
- Dillon Gabriel, Browns vs. Dolphins (DK: $4,400 | FD: $6,500)
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 7: RB value picks
Breece Hall, Jets vs. Panthers (DK: $6,300 | FD: $7,000)
The 0-6 Jets are actually favored this weekend, which gives you an idea of how pathetic Carolina's defense has been this season. This could also be one of the last showcases for Hall ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 4, with potential suitors likely licking their chops if he goes off.
Hall did diddly-squat against the Broncos last week — it's the Broncos, after all! However, the week before that, he diced the Cowboys up like Jason Voorhes at a steamy summer camp. And without injured wideout Garrett Wilson, the majority of the Justin Fields offense should go through Breece for as long as he's still around.
Quinshon Judkins, Browns vs. Dolphins (DK: $6,000 | FD: $7,400)
Judkins hit the ground running the moment his NFL career began back in Week 2, but he endured his first roadblock last weekend in Pittsburgh. A bounce-back should be in order, though, because the Dolphins seem to be down crazy creek without a paddle. Our four teams have allowed more PPR points to running backs, so it's 'Game on' for Quinshon.
More strong Week 7 RB values:
- Alvin Kamara, Saints at Bears (DK: $5,900 | FD: $6,500)
- Kimani Vidal, Chargers vs. Colts (DK: $5,500 | FD: $6,200)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots at Titans (DK: $5,200 | FD: $5,700)
- Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs vs. Raiders (DK: $5,000 | FD: $6,000)
- Kyle Monangai, Bears vs. Saints (DK: $4,700 | FD: $5,100)
MORE: This Week's Fantasy Rankings
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 7: WR value picks
Ladd McConkey, Chargers vs. Colts (DK: $6,000 | FD: $7,300)
McConkey had a slow start to the season, but he started trending up with a 15-point DK performance in Week 5 vs. Washington and followed that up with a 7-catch, 100-yard, 1-touchdown performance in Miami last week.
Lord 'a mercy! Give us more of that, young Ladd! He just might, as the Colts have surrendered the fourth-most PPR points to wideouts this season. Sorry to the Quentin Johnston faithful, but 2025 Ladd has arrived.
Courtland Sutton, Broncos vs. Giants (DK: $5,900 | FD: $7,700)
Sutton had a rare dud of a week against the Jets, scoring just 2.7 PPR points. Before that, he had per-week totals of 17.9 (@ PHI), 19.1 (vs. CIN) and 26.8 (@ LA). Oh, and he averages 18.7 PPG at home on the season. Fire him up and let's root for a little Sutton Sutton this weekend.
Rashee Rice, Chiefs vs. Raiders (DK: $5,600 | FD: $7,500)
We're getting a discount deal on Rice at DraftKings, but FanDuel isn't selling at any reduced rates. The young speedster has probably been champing at the bit to get out on the field, and what a glorious opponent the Raiders are for a guy coming off a six-game suspension.
Patrick Mahomes loves throwing the ball to Rice, and few in the NFL can do more after the catch than the 25-year-old. We're off to the proverbial races.
More strong Week 7 DFS values at WR:
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins at Browns (DK: $6,300 | FD: $6,900)
- Deebo Samuel, Commanders at Cowboys (DK: $6,200 | FD: $7,100)
- Jordan Addison, Vikings vs. Eagles (DK: $5,100 | FD: $6,100)
- Romeo Doubs, Packers at Cardinals (DK: $5,000 | FD: $6,300)
- Luther Burden III, Bears vs. Saints (DK: $4,300 | FD: $4,900)
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 7: TE value picks
Darren Waller, Dolphins at Browns (DK: $4,200 | FD: $6,000)
Waller has revitalized his NFL career in South Beach, which has little to be excited about outside of him and Jaylen Waddle. The dude has been absolutely raking, averaging over 15 PPR per game, and there's no reason to think he will suddenly slow down against Cleveland.
When Myles Garrett charges hard at Tua Tagovailoa this Sunday afternoon, Waller should cash in as one of the Dolphins' key dump-down targets. Wall up, boys and girls!
More Week 7 TEs worth a look:
- Evan Engram, Broncos vs. Giants (DK: $4,000 | FD: $5,000)
- Harold Fannin Jr., Browns vs. Dolphins (DK: $3,900 | FD: $5,500)
- Mason Taylor, Jets vs. Panthers (DK: $3,400 | FD: $4,700)
FANTASY LINEUP TIPS: Week 7 Start 'Em Sit 'Em | Week 7 Sleepers | Week 7 Busts
Best NFL DFS sleepers for Week 7: D/ST
Indianapolis Colts at Chargers (DK: $2,800 | FD: $4,200)
A few weeks ago, readers might have scoffed at the idea of taking Indy's D on the road against the Justin Herbert-led Chargers. But now that Herb was cooled down, Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris are both injured, Quentin Johnston has come back to Earth and the Bolts' o-line is banged up, Indy seems like a fine play.
Herbert dazzled last weekend in Miami, but at this point it feels like a JV quarterback could drop the Dolphins. When Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis and company start barreling down toward the depleted LA line, positive D/ST numbers will follow for the Colts.
More sleeper D/ST plays for Week 7:
- Cleveland Browns vs. Dolphins (DK: $3,000 | FD: $3,900)
- New York Jets vs. Panthers (DK: $2,600 | FD: $4,300)
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