Week 6 provided plenty of surprises for fantasy football, including two rookie WRs finishing in the top-six of weekly rankings, while five of the top-10 TEs are unrostered in over 90.0% of leagues. Plus, key pieces like Bears TE Colston Loveland finally provided a strong showing.
That proves Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em decisions aren’t always the most simple decisions in the world. A player sitting on your bench could have a top-10 weekly finish ahead for NFL Week 7. Even pieces on the waiver wire may warrant an immediate start.
Byes are in full swing, leaving plenty of fantasy football teams vulnerable, as stars like Bills QB Josh Allen, Bills RB James Cook, Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, and more are on bye this week.
We’ve got you covered, as we provide options for your lineup in NFL Week 7’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, including player projections for picks on PrizePicks.
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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, NFL Week 7
Week 7’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is headlined by the Steelers passing game in the NFL’s first game in France on Sunday. Meanwhile, the 49ers, Broncos, and Seahawks defenses remain units to avoid for fantasy football matchups.
We’ll cover the good and bad for each major position group for full-PPR leagues, including quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.
Here’s who you should start and who should warm the bench for Week 7’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em.
Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Two all-time greats are featured in Week 7’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em at quarterback. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is always a big game waiting to happen, but Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers has quietly become a reliable fantasy football producer.
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers: Start ‘Em
Game: Steelers vs. Saints – Sunday, October 25, 9:30 a.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 230.5 Pass Yards, 33.5 Pass Attempts, 1.5 Pass TDs
Last week, we targeted the Saints’ defense for our Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, and it didn’t go as planned, as Giants QB Jameis Winston was benched thanks to turnovers.
However, New Orleans still gave up success in the passing game, with backup Giants QB J.J. McCarthy racking up 17.3 fantasy points (QB12) in about one quarter of play. The Saints allow 7.7 yards per passing attempt (26th) and a 50.8% dropback success rate (28th), per RBSDM.
Since Week 3, Aaron Rodgers has recorded 23.7 (QB8), 24.0 (QB3), 22.0 (QB12), and 17.0 fantasy points (QB13). He’s now up to QB14 on the season.
While Rodgers has only 7.5 air yards per attempt (22nd), he makes up for that with volume. The Steelers carry a 66.15% pass play rate (second) with 39.2 passing attempts per game (fourth). Alongside the breakout of rookie WR Germie Bernard, don’t expect that to slow against a vulnerable Saints defense.
Add Aaron Rodgers to your PrizePicks lineup.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: Sit ‘Em
Game: Chiefs vs. Seahawks – Sunday, October 25, 8:20 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 221.5 Pass Yards, 13.5 Rush Yards, 1.5 Pass TDs (Demon), 0.5 INT
Patrick Mahomes has been no world beater in fantasy football, tallying 19.4 fantasy points per game (QB12). Following Week 5’s bye, he’s down to QB15 on the season.
He began the season with a bang, tallying 25.9 FPPG over his first two games. Over his last three, Mahomes had 16.9 (QB20), 17.0 (QB13), and 11.5 fantasy points (QB23). He’s up to 3 INTs on the season, including 1 turnover-worthy play in back-to-back appearances, via Pro Football Focus.
Thanks to RB Kenneth Walker III sporting mind-blowing numbers, Kansas City has a 46.93% rush play rate (ninth) compared to a 53.07% pass play rate (24th). Plus, Chiefs WR Rashee Rice still has an unknown status for Week 7 due to a hamstring injury.
The Seahawks allow 4.0 yards per play (first), 5.2 yards per play (first), and a 39.2% dropback success rate (second). Further, the unit forces 1.8 turnovers per game (second), while FTN credits Seattle with a 36.0% pressure rate (fourth).
According to Pro Football Reference, the Seahawks allow only 12.3 FPPG to QBs (second-fewest). To avoid havoc and turnovers, the Chiefs could keep leaning on the run with Walker facing his former team in Seattle.
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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Running Backs
Bengals RB Chase Brown comes off disappointing fantasy performances with his role potentially in danger. Meanwhile, Dolphins RB Ollie Gordon II carries a healthy workload but may be limited on one of the league’s worst units. Who should start in Week 7?
Dolphins RB Ollie Gordon II: Start ‘Em
Game: Dolphins vs. Jets – Sunday, October 25, 1:00 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 54.5 Rush Yards, 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon), 14.5 Rush Attempts
Since Dolphins RB De’Von Achane suffered his season-ending knee injury, Ollie Gordon’s role hasn’t been in question with 83.6%, 56.4%, and 65.2% snap shares over his last three.
While those slight dips in snap rates initially cause concern, he’s racked up 13.5 carries, 94.0 rushing yards, 1.0 rushing TDs, and 16.4 FPPG over his previous two. Furthermore, Gordon posted 17 and 18 rushing attempts in two of those three appearances.
The Phins’ RB touts a healthy 48.3% red zone rushing attempt share, and that’s like gold on a team scoring only 14.0 PPG (31st). Gordon had a 65.2% snap rate in Week 5, but he took 22 rush snaps compared to RB Jaylen Wright’s 6.
Gordon should keep dominating work on the ground, and the Jets allow 4.2 yards per carry (19th), a 42.5% rush success rate (26th), and 20.0 FPPG to RBs (12th-most).
Predict More or Less for Ollie Gordon’s rush yards projection on PrizePicks!
Bengals RB Chase Brown: Sit ‘Em
Game: Bengals vs. Ravens – Sunday, October 25, 1:00 p.m. ET
Ollie Gordon II recorded 14.8 fantasy points in Week 5’s Bengals vs. Dolphins game, but we didn’t see the same success for RB Chase Brown. He posted 13 carries, 39 rushing yards, 3 catches, 21 receiving yards, and 7.0 fantasy points (RB35).
Brown is RB17 on the season, while his 13.0 FPPG ranks as RB19. He has only 1 TD on the season despite a 40.9% red zone rushing attempt share, and his 3.5 yards per carry and 1.72 yards after contact per attempt (35th) are drawing clear efficiency concerns.
That efficiency is even more alarming when Cincinnati has a 77% run block win rate (first), per ESPN. In Week 5, he took 15 rush snaps and 13 carries compared to RB Samaje Perine’s 17 rush snaps and 14 carries.
Additionally, Perine posted 4.9 yards per carry vs. the Dolphins and is up to 4.1 YPC on the season, putting the veteran among Week 7 waiver wire targets.
The Ravens aren’t the best matchup in the world either; Baltimore limits opponents to a 37.9% rush success rate (10th) and 3.8 YPC (ninth). That’s far from ideal when Brown has efficiency woes and could be losing touches to Perine.
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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers
Steelers WR Germie Bernard is becoming a rookie breakout, including 25.7 fantasy points (WR3) in Week 6. But is this success sustainable? Cardinals WR Michael Wilson, meanwhile, should get more looks following the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade, but he’s yet to produce since the move.
Steelers WR Germie Bernard: Start ‘Em
Game: Steelers vs. Saints – Sunday, October 25, 9:30 a.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 54.5 Receiving Yards, 4.5 Receptions (Demon), 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)
Following 10.5 targets, 8.5 receptions, 83.5 receiving yards, and 20.1 FPPG over his last two games, Germie Bernard is a must-add across fantasy football and could become an immediate starter in most leagues.
Steelers WR Michael Pittman Jr. and WR Roman Wilson remain on injured reserve, meaning Bernard should stay in the starting lineup for the foreseeable future. That’s supported by 91.7% and 93.7% snap shares in his last two.
The rookie has taken full advantage of his opportunity, sporting a lofty 28.4% target share — which leads the Steelers in the split. Bernard isn’t getting many air yards behind his targets, with a 3.6 average depth of target (aDOT).
However, he has 10.5 targets per game, 1.90 yards per route run, and an 11.8% explosive catch rate since Week 5. Plus, these are mostly easy throws for Aaron Rodgers, leading to a 95.2% catchable target rate for Bernard.
Backed by sheer volume, Bernard carries a ton of value for PPR leagues right now. As mentioned, the Saints are a good matchup for this Pittsburgh passing game and Aaron Rodgers.
Pick More or Less for Germie Bernard’s projections on PrizePicks.
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Cardinals WR Michael Wilson: Sit ‘Em
Game: Broncos vs. Cardinals – Sunday, October 25, 4:05 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 56.5 Receiving Yards, 5.5 Receptions (Demon), 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)
Marvin Harrison Jr. was inactive in Week 5, followed by a trade to the Texans. In two games as the Cardinals’ clear-cut WR1, Michael Wilson has posted 7.0 targets, 4.0 receptions, 31.0 receiving yards, and 7.3 FPPG.
That followed 15.0 targets, 9.0 catches, 92.0 receiving yards, and 21.2 FPPG over two games in Week 3 and 4. Perhaps Harrison was drawing more attention in secondaries than we give him credit for.
Week 7 isn’t a favorable matchup either, with the Broncos giving up 6.4 yards per passing attempt (10th) and a 42.9% dropback success rate (seventh). Opposing receivers tally only 23.4 FPPG (eighth-fewest).
Considering Denver conceding 4.7 YPC (25th), perhaps the Cardinals will lean on the run more often, increasing their low 38.86% rush play rate (23rd). That becomes even more likely if RB Jeremiyah Love returns from his ankle injury.
Since Week 5, Wilson’s 17.5% target share is behind TE Trey McBride (23.8%) and WR Kendrick Bourne (20.0%).
Add Michael Wilson to your PrizePicks lineup for Week 7.
Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends
Rams WR Davante Adams suffered a hamstring injury in Week 6 and is set to miss six to 10 weeks. That increases receiving roles in the Los Angeles offense, including TE Tyler Higbee.
After finishing as one of the fantasy football’s best last season, Falcons TE Kyler Pitts Sr. comes off back-to-back strong performances, but a challenging matchup with the 49ers awaits in Week 7.
Which TE could be the right call for this week’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em?
Rams TE Tyler Higbee: Start ‘Em
Game: Rams vs. Raiders – Sunday, October 25, 4:25 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 31.5 Receiving Yards, 3.5 Receptions, 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)
Rams Terrance Ferguson suffered an injury in Week 3 and was placed on injured reserve. Since then, Tyler Higbee recorded 70.9%, 65.5%, 67.1%, and 82.8% snap shares.
The veteran TE immediately became a reliable fantasy piece with 20.2 (TE6), 11.7 (TE12), and 13.3 fantasy points (TE11) from Week 3 to 5. Despite a season-high snap share on Sunday, Higbee tallied only 4 targets, 4 receptions, 22 receiving yards, and 4.2 fantasy points (TE30) in Week 6.
However, WR Davante Adams is now set to miss at least six weeks, opening up more targets on this offense. Since Week 3, Higbee’s 14.6% target share is fourth on the team. Plus, his 1.54 yards per route run were actually ahead of Adams’ 1.37 in the split, and solid efficiency suggests more work.
The Raiders allow 7.9 yards per passing attempt (28th) and 14.4 FPPG vs. TEs (sixth-most).
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Falcons TE Kyle Pitts: Sit ‘Em
Game: 49ers vs. Falcons – Sunday, October 25, 1:00 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 3.5 Receptions, 35.5 Receiving Yards
After years of disappointment, Falcons TE Kyle Pitts finally provided a strong fantasy campaign as TE2 in 2025. That led to a high TE7 average draft position (ADP) this season, per FantasyPros.
From Week 1 to 4, Pitts totaled only 2.9 FPPG. But he’s rebounded with 15.2 (TE8) and 23.0 fantasy points (TE2) over his last two. With Pitts trending in the right direction, why should he warm the bench in Week 7?
Much of this concerns his matchup with the 49ers. No one wants to face San Francisco right now, which carries an absurd +11.2 average score margin (second). Perhaps the only positive is a potential negative game script, forcing the Falcons to air it out.
As expected for the Niners defense allowing 6.3 yards per passing attempt (ninth), opposing TEs post only 6.5 FPPG (third-fewest).
Furthermore, Pitts’ value has been carried by 3 receiving TDs over his last two. Scoring opportunities should be limited with the 49ers yielding only 18.3 PPG (fourth). Plus, Pitts has only a 13.5% target share on the season.
Add Kyle Pitts to your PrizePicks lineup for NFL Week 7.
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Turn Your Fantasy Football Takes to NFL Picks on PrizePicks
A Steelers stack with Aaron Rodgers and Germie Bernard draws attention for Week 7, while Chase Brown, Michael Wilson, and Kyle Pitts all have tough matchups ahead for fantasy football.
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