NFL Week 7 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em WRs: Jaylen Waddle Breakout Ahead?

Among the noteworthy wide receiver injuries from Week 6 were 49ers WR Mike Evans (Achilles) and Commanders WR Terry McLaurin (knee) being sidelined. The news is particularly bad for McLaurin, who is out for the remainder of the season.

As we continue to adjust to injuries, let's highlight some NFL Week 7 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em candidates for the WR position, including picks to consider on PrizePicks for Jaylen Waddle, Germie Bernard, and more. Keep this analysis in mind when making your Week 7 fantasy football decisions.

Make your NFL Week 7 predictions and picks on PrizePicks now.

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Start: Broncos WR Jaylen Waddle

Game: Broncos vs. Cardinals – Sunday, October 25, 4:05 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 52.5 Receiving Yards, 4.5 Receptions (Goblin), 12.5 Fantasy Score

The trade for Waddle was supposed to ignite the Broncos’ passing attack. He had one good performance in Week 2, catching 8 passes for 138 yards in a 20-13 win over the Jaguars.

However, he has been mostly non-existent with his new team.  In each of his other five games, he recorded 35 or fewer receiving yards. In three of those matchups, he recorded 2 or fewer receptions.

Waddle’s lack of production hasn’t been because of a diminished role. He leads the Broncos with 38 targets, with WR Courtland Sutton trailing him at 28 targets. Outside those two, no other Denver wide receiver has received more than 12 targets.

As underwhelming as Waddle has been, a matchup versus the Cardinals could help him get back on track.

Per RBSDM, Arizona ranks 30th iin dropback EPA/play allowed. The Cards have given up 10 TDs to wide receivers, which is the second-most. According to RotoWire, their 10.1 yards allowed per target to wide receivers is the highest mark among the 32 teams.

Add Jaylen Waddle to your PrizePicks lineup now.

Start: Steelers WR Germie Bernard

Game: Steelers vs. Saints – Sunday, October 25, 9:30 a.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 54.5 Receiving Yards, 4.5 Receptions (Goblin), 12 Fantasy Score

Injuries continue to pile up at wide receiver for the Steelers. Their prized offseason addition WR Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) is on IR and will miss at least two more games.

Joining him on IR last week was WR Roman Wilson (finger). Wilson left their 34-22 Week 5 win over the Colts early, and Bernard stepped up to catch 6 of 9 targets for 80 yards.

In last week’s 26-19 win over the Buccaneers, Bernard logged 74 offensive snaps with the game going into overtime. He was second on the team with 12 targets, posting 11 receptions for 87 yards and 1 TD. Bernard and DK Metcalf (15) were the only wide receivers on the Steelers to receive a target in the matchup.

Since reinforcements won’t be coming this week, Bernard should receive a significant target share once again vs. the Saints. After allowing 27 points to the Giants last week, the Saints are 23rd in dropback EPA/play allowed, and their 8.39 yards allowed per target to wide receivers ranks 21st.

Add Germie Bernard to your PrizePicks lineup now.

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Sit: Saints WR Devaughn Vele

Game: Steelers vs. Saints – Sunday, October 25, 9:30 a.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 41.5 Receiving Yards, 3.5 Receptions (Goblin), 9.5 Fantasy Score

The Saints selected WR Jordyn Tyson with the eighth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to form a dynamic duo with WR Chris Olave. However, he has yet to appear in a game while recovering from a hamstring injury.

Tyson's absence has put Vele into an expanded role, with his 43 targets ranking second on the team behind Olave. The volume of targets has been there for Vele, but he hasn’t recorded more than 69 receiving yards in a game.

Across the last four games, he posted 55 or fewer receiving yards. Per PFF, his average depth of target (aDOT) of 11.2 yards ranks 48th among 80 wide receivers, while his average of 2.8 yards after the catch per reception is 61st.

The Steelers already allow the fourth-fewest yards per target to wide receivers (6.87), so Vele’s upside in this matchup might be limited.

Add Devaughn Vele to your PrizePicks lineup now.

Sit: Colts WR Josh Downs

Game: Colts vs. Vikings – Sunday, October 25, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 44.5 Receiving Yards, 3.5 Receptions (Goblin), 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)

The Colts suffered a tough 26-20 loss at the hands of the Titans in Week 6. Downs generated another muted stat line in the loss, posting 4 receptions for 50 yards.

That was his fourth game of the season with fewer than 50 receiving yards. He has yet to score a touchdown, receiving a total of 5 red zone targets through six weeks.

Colts QB Daniel Jones has struggled in his return from a torn Achilles, throwing more interceptions (6) than touchdown passes (4). His 59.6% completion rate is on pace to be the lowest mark of his career.

It’s difficult to envision Daniels playing well against a Vikings team that leads the league in dropback EPA/play allowed, so sitting Downs in fantasy could be a wise move.

Add Josh Downs to your PrizePicks lineup now.

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Waddle has the potential to finally break out in Week 7 with a favorable matchup versus the Cardinals on tap. Bernard is also in a spot to thrive with a lot of targets likely coming his way against the Saints. On the negative side of things, difficult matchups leave Vele and Downs with limited fantasy appeal.

Don’t wait until Week 7 kickoff — make your NFL picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.

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