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Welcome to the Week 7 edition of fantasy football starts and sits from The Sporting News.
"The Decider" is your one-stop shop for fantasy start/sit lineup advice in 2025 -- a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and not to play:
- There are several high-drafted fantasy players who should be in lineups every week when they're active. Those are the "regular starts."
- For those borderline options with favorable matchups, they are "stronger starts," while the recommended sits are "weaker starts."
- We're also basing our advice on 12-team, half-point PPR to split the difference between shallow and deep leagues and full-PPR and standard formats.
Going beyond the redraft league starts and sits, "The Decider" also includes some DFS picks for different styles of games on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Keep scrolling for how to put the best fantasy football lineups on "the field" for your critical fifth game with tips on starts and sits this week.
➕ LINEUP TIPS THIS WEEK: Week 7 Sleepers | Week 7 Waiver Wire
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must-start Week 7 QBs
- Jayden Daniels, Commanders (at DAL)
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. WAS)
- Drake Maye, Patriots (at TEN)
- Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (at DET)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. LV)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at MIN)
Strong Week 7 QB starts
7. Jared Goff, Lions (vs. TB): He's back at home in the dome ready to fire plenty to keep up with red-hot Mayfield in a battle of top NFC teams with No. 1 overall pick QBs.
8. Caleb Williams, Bears (vs. NO): He ground through to beat the Commanders. This game will be a lot prettier for his stat sheet overall.
9. Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. IND): He restored some of his mojo last week and will get more of it in a high-scoring affair with the Colts at home.
10. Bo Nix, Broncos (vs. NYG): Nix is a better fantasy QB at home and he can compile good passing and rushing to produce well.
11. Bryce Young, Panthers (at NYJ): You might prefer to consider him only in home games, but he did light up the Cardinals away and the Jets are a mess.
12. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. LAR): The numbers aren't pretty and the matchup isn't either, but something he says he'll get the job done with his toughness passing and running.
13. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (at CIN): He should come away with 250 and 2 with strong support from the running game on the road.
14. Daniel Jones, Colts (at LAC): He will be busy on the road in a back-and-forth affair with Herbert.
DFS QB Week 7 pick
- Caleb Williams, Bears (vs. NO, $5,800 on DraftKings, $7,900 on FanDuel): He will be the latest big-armed and mobile second-year QB to go off on the Saints' defense, falling the nice lead of Maye.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker Week 7 QB plays
15. Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. JAX): The thought of no Puka Nacua with him makes this hard to trust with a tough Jaguars defense looming in London.
16. Jordan Love, Packers (at ARI): His volume is bound to be low in a matchup dominated by running game and defense vs. a shorthanded offense.
17. C.J. Stroud, Texans (at SEA): The Seahawks tend to give up QB digits, but this is a bit boom or bust in sonic territory vs. an active defense.
18. Mac Jones, 49ers (at ATL): Buyer beware him and Brock Purdy with how well the Falcons' pass defense is playing, especially in prime time.
19. Justin Fields, Jets (vs. CAR): He's on the verge of being benched and the Panthers won't help his cause.
20. Jaxson Dart, Giants (at DEN): The rookie has gone two for three in good start situation but the Broncos' pass defense is absolute fire at the moment.
21. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (if he plays, vs. GB): You cannot go here with this brutal overall matchup should he return.
22. Sam Darnold, Seahawks (vs. HOU): He will be embroiled in a defensive slugfest with Stroud.
📈 Click for our full set of fantasy football weekly rankings.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must-start Week 7 RBs
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at LAC)
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. ATL)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. TB)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at SF)
- Josh Jacobs, Packers (at ARI)
- Rico Dowdle, Panthers (at NYJ)
- Quinshon Judkins, Browns (vs. MIA)
- Saquon Barkley, Eagles (at MIN)
- Kyren Williams, Rams (vs. JAX)
- Javonte Williams, Cowboys (vs. WAS)
- De'Von Achane, Dolphins (at CLE)
- Breece Hall, Jets (vs. CAR)
- JK Dobbins, Broncos (vs. NYG)
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (vs. DAL)
- Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (vs. KC)
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. LAR)
- David Montgomery, Lions (vs. TB)
- Rachaad White, Buccaneers (at DET)
- Cam Skattebo, Giants (at DEN)
- D'Andre Swift, Bears (vs. NO)
- Jordan Mason, Vikings (vs. PHI)
Strong RB Week 7 plays
22. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (at CIN): He's back getting all the key touches and the Bengals are the easiest matchup for his osition.
23. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (at TEN): He's getting high-leverage work in an explosive offense vs. a reeling defense.
24. Alvin Kamara, Saints (at CHI): He's getting busier and the Bears can give up good combined numbers to backs.
25. Kareem Hunt and 26. Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (vs. LV): The Chiefs can rip the heart out of the Radiers this week with a massive scoring output in which each should get in on the fun.
27. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (at TEN): If you're missing James Cook and/or Derrick Henry, Henderson is playable based on the matchup behind Stevenson.
DFS RB Week 7 Picks
- Quinshon Judkins, Browns (vs. MIA, $6,000 on DraftKings, $7,400 on FanDuel): Judkins should smash this spot at home to rebound from being stymied vs. the Steelers as the Dolphins have given it up to evern much lesser backs.
- Javonte Williams, Cowboys (vs. WAS, $6,700 on DraftKings, $7,500 on FanDuel): Williams had a rough outing in Carolina but back at home he can compile a great scrimmage day with a TD in a high-scoring game.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker RB Week 7 plays
28. Kimani Vidal, Chargers (vs. IND): Vidal was the guy for sure over Hassan Haskins but he took advantage of a great spot vs. the Dolphins. The Colts aren't nearly as bad vs. backs.
29. Tony Pollard, Titans (vs. NE): This is a running game to avoid unitl some things are sorted with the rest of the offense.
30. Chase Brown, Bengals (vs. PIT): You can't feel confident about this with the Steelers getting strong after a slow start.
31. Kenneth Walker III and 32. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (vs. HOU): This is a split in a tough defensive matchup where scoring and receiving can't help compensate.
33. Michael Carter and 34. Bam Knight, Cardinals (vs. GB): The Packers will render this replacement committee useless.s
👮 PROTECT YOUR BACKFIELD: RB handcuff rankings and depth charts
Fantasy Football Week 7 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must-start Week 7 WRs
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. TB)
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (vs. HOU)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. PIT)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. PHI)
- Nico Collins, Texans (at SEA)
- George Pickens, Cowboys (vs. WAS)
- Deebo Samuel, Commanders (at DAL)
- DK Metcalf, Steelers (at CIN)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. NYG)
- Drake London, Falcons (at SF)
- Ladd McConkey, Chargers (vs. IND)
- Xavier Worthy, Chiefs (vs. LV)
- Rashee Rice, Chiefs (vs. LV)
- Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (vs. LAR)
- Rome Odunze, Bears (vs. NO)
- Davante Adams, Rams (vs. JAX)
- Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (at NYJ)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. PIT)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at CLE)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. IND)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (at MIN)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at MIN)
Strong WR Week 7 starts
23. Jameson Williams, Lions (vs. TB): He came through out of his slump in Kansas City and a big-play TD is forthcoming on the Bucs
24. Sterling Shepard, Buccaneers (at DET): In the same game, Shepard should be busy as the veteran target for Mayfield along with the tight end.
25. Chris Olave, Saints (at CHI): The Bears can struggle with good No. 1s in coverage and Olave qualifies with a more confident Spencer Rattler.
26. Stefon Diggs, Patriots (at TEN): It's Diggs' turn to be the guy for Maye in a great coverage spot.
27. Romeo Doubs, Packers (at ARI): Doubs should go 5-50 as a floor and dent the end zone in the desert.
28. Elic Ayomanor, Titans (vs. NE): With Calvin Ridley ailing, look for rookie-to-rookie to reve up again.
29. Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (at LAC): The matchup isn't easy but he should play well off tight end again for Jones.
DFS WR Week 7 picks
- Deebo Samuel, Commanders (at DAL, $6,200 on DraftKings, $7,100 on FanDuel): Samuel should be busy and destroy this second being moved around well for Daniels in the spread offense.
- Ladd McConkey, Chargers (vs. IND, $6,000 on DraftKings, $7,300 on FanDuel): McConkey got going big time minus Quentin Johnston and that momentum continues against the Colts.
- George Pickens, Cowboys (vs. WAS, $7,300 on DraftKings, $8,000 on FanDuel): Pickens keeps coming through with big plays and TDs and this spot is no different.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker Week 7 WR plays
30. Kendrick Bourne, 49ers (vs. ATL): This week's identity will be not making enough downfield catches vs. a tough pass defense.
31. Rashid Shaheed, Saints (at CHI): Olave will be fine but the Bears' pass rush can limit the downfield damage.
32. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (at KC): Geno Smith is starting to kill everyone's value who doesn't have an alliterative name.
33. Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants (at DEN): He'll go back to doing not much vs. the Broncos' secondary on the road.
34. Matthew Golden, Packers (at ARI): This is more of a Doubs short-to-intermediate game vs. a downfield passing one.
35. Jordan Addison, Vikings (vs. PHI): The Eagles can limit him well in the slot or outside.
36. Tre Tucker, Raiders (at KC): The Chiefs' pass defense has been super on point of late on the back end.
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Fantasy Football Week 7 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must-start Week 7 TEs
- Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (at WAS)
- Trey McBride, Cardinals (vs. GB)
- Tyler Warren, Colts (at LAC)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. TB)
- Tucker Kraft, Packers (at ARI)
- George Kittle, 49ers (if he returns, vs. ATL)
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. LV)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at MIN)
Stronger Week 7 TE starts
9. Zach Ertz, Commanders (at DAL): He's back with Daniels and making more plays with the team streamlining to intermediate passing through the red zone.
10. Cade Otton, Buccaneers (at DET): Otton should help pick up a lot of slack from the injured wide receivers for Mayfield, too.
11. Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (vs. MIA): He has a big rookie shot in a sweet spot minus a knee-injured David Njoku.'
12. Mason Taylor, Jets (vs. CAR): The matchup is pristine and he will get it done with no Garrett Wilson.
13. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at SF): The 49ers' tight end coverage took a big hit minus Fred Warner.
14. Dalton Schultz, Texans (at SEA): They need to keep using him more for Stroud given this matchup is great.
DFS TE Week 7 pick
- Tucker Kraft, Packers (at ARI, $4,900 on DraftKings, $6,300 on FanDuel): We're sticking with this Packer in another terrific matchup, this time on the road where he is good for another solid yardage/catch day with another short TD.
Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker TE Week 7 starts
15. Darren Waller, Dolphins (at CLE): He's been solid but it's not inspiring to play much against the Browns on the road.
16. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. PHI): He's been gone with the Wentz for the most part.
17. Hunter Henry, Patriots (at TEN): It's more of a wide receiver and running back game for the Patriots to smash.
18. Michael Mayer, Raiders (at KC): He's got the alliterative name but the Chiefs were anomalous in giving it up to the tight end last week.
19. Evan Engram, Broncos (vs. NYG): Other random dudes at the position are scoring for Denver, so no.
20. Jonnu Smith, Steelers (at CIN): The paper says yes but the actual execution and usage say no.
Fantasy Football Week 7: Defense/special teams best starts
- Denver Broncos (vs. NYG)
- Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LV)
- New England Patriots (at TEN)
- Chicago Bears (vs. NO)
- Green Bay Packers (at ARI)
- Cleveland Browns (vs. MIA)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (at CIN)
- Seattle Seahawks (vs. HOU)
- Houston Texans (vs. SEA)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. LAR)
- Los Angeles Rams (vs. JAX)
- Philadelphia Eagles (at MIN)
- Minnesota Vikings (vs. PHI)
- Carolina Panthers (at NYJ)
DFS Week 7 D/ST pick
- Cleveland Browns (vs. MIA, $3,000 on DraftKings, $3,900 on FanDuel): They were the right price to go after the Dolphins' dysfunction with an angry Myles Garrett. Look for plenty of sack and pick fun in the second win for the Browns.
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