We now find ourselves a third of the way through the 2023 season with a Week 7 slate that features several vital fantasy football assets on a bye week.
After last week’s slate had just two teams with time off, fantasy football managers will have to do a lot of maneuvering to get around the six teams not playing. Teams on a bye in Week 7 include the Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans.
Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.
Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.
Feel free to ask any specific start/sit questions via X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11) or check out our start/bench list for Week 7:
Quarterback
Start ‘Em
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders at New York Giants
We’re going back to the second-year passer this week as a potential streaming option. The Giants defense is allowing 15.4 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and Howell has finished outside the top 15 just once this season, so he provides a solid floor with some upside.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals
A matchup play here, Smith hasn’t looked like his 2022 form yet this season outside of a QB8 finish in Week 2. He can get things going in the right direction, though, against a Cardinals defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game (19.7) and fourth-most passing yards (1,598) to quarterbacks this season.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts
It seems there’s a chance Watson will play against the Colts after missing two games due to a shoulder injury. Considering the bye weeks and other quarterback injuries, Watson can be started as a QB2 option, but it might be wise to wait a week to see how he looks before trusting him in fantasy lineups.
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers
This just feels like a game Cousins could crumble in. He’s failed to exceed 15 fantasy points in two of his last three games. Without Justin Jefferson, it might be tough for Cousins to find a rhythm against a tenacious 49ers defense that has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game (9.9) to the position.
Running Back
Start ‘Em
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts
Though we also named Kareem Hunt a sleeper this week, Ford is a solid RB2 option. The Colts have allowed the 10th-most PPR points per game (23.3) to running backs this season, and they just lost their best piece against the run in defensive tackle Grover Stewart. Ford should have enough upside to provide a solid start even if he’s splitting time with Hunt.
D’Onta Foreman, Chicago Bears vs. Las Vegas Raiders
It seems we’re getting another spot start from Foreman this week as rookie Roschon Johnson deals with a concussion. Foreman saw 15 carries in Week 6, and it’s likely he’ll see a similar workload with Tyson Bagent under center. The Raiders have allowed the 11th-most PPR points per game (22.9) to running backs this season.
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills
Stevenson finally had a bounce-back performance in terms of fantasy production in Week 6, posting a 10-46-1 rushing line and adding five receptions for 24 receiving yards. The Bills have allowed the 12th-most PPR points per game (22.8) to the position while also allowing 5.2 yards per attempt on the ground.
Sit ‘Em
Baltimore Ravens RBs vs. Detroit Lions
It’s always a bit tough to sit the Ravens running backs because the team itself is so good at running the ball. However, there’s too much of a split between Justice Hill and Gus Edwards. Rookie Keaton Mitchell also could be a factor as well. The Lions have been one of the best defense against the run this season, allowing the fewest PPR points per game (11.8) and second-fewest rushing yards (283) to opposing backs.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons
The volume for White has been nice, but it hasn’t led to much production. He’s still a solid depth running back to have, but the Falcons have allowed the second-fewest PPR points per game (14.2) to opposing backs and are one of just two teams that haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown to a running back.
Pittsburgh Steelers RBs at Los Angeles Rams
Managers may not have a choice but to start Najee Harris or Jaylen Warren, so consider this a heads up to simply temper expectations. Even coming out of the bye week, it will be tough to have full confidence in a split backfield against a Rams defense allowing the third-fewest PPR points per game (14.4) to the position over the last three weeks.
Wide Receiver
Start ‘Em
Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
We’re going back to the rookie wideout this week in what could be a barn burner. There has been little separation in the Chiefs wide receiver room, but Rice has been the most productive despite his limited opportunities. He can continue his solid play against a Chargers defense allowing the second-most PPR points per game (45.3) to the position.
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders at New York Giants
With just a single WR1 finish to his name this season, McLaurin has been a tough start. He does have at least six receptions in four of his last five games and double-digit targets in two of his last three. Over the last three weeks, the Giants have allowed the sixth-most PPR points per game (39.7) to opposing wide receivers, so McLaurin should be in the lineup.
Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
Despite his down performance in Week 6, Brown has posted double-digit fantasy points and double-digit targets in four of his last five games. He gets a divisional battle against the Seahawks, who currently have allowed the most PPR points per game (47.0) and sixth-most receptions (90) to opposing wide receivers this season.
Sit ‘Em
WR Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
Between dealing with an injury to begin the season and a lack of major involvement in the passing game, Jeudy has yet to finish as a WR2 during a week this season. He’s averaging just 5.8 targets and 44.4 receiving yards per game since his debut, and that’s not going to cut it against a Packers defense allowing the seventh-fewest PPR points (28.8) and third-fewest receptions (52) to wide receivers this season.
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos
The rookie should still be stashed as a potential second-half breakout candidate, but his involvement went way down upon the return of Christian Watson in Week 5 just before the team’s bye. Reed is an intriguing talent, and the Broncos aren’t a scary matchup, but the usage may not be enough to provide upside this week.
Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts
Even with Deshaun Watson likely returning this week, Moore can’t be trusted in starting lineups. He hasn’t hit double-digit points in a game yet this season, and this matchup with the Colts could be a low-scoring affair that features two teams wanting to run the ball.
Tight End
Start ‘Em
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos
One of our sleepers this week, we’re going back to the rookie tight end coming out of the bye week. The Broncos have allowed the most PPR points per game (16.8) and receiving yards (454) to opposing tight ends this season, and Musgrave has three games with a 15% target share or higher.
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Miami Dolphins
Most managers don’t have a choice but to start Goedert despite the fact that he has just one game this season with double-digit PPR points. Not many tight ends have his weekly upside, and the Dolphins have allowed the 10th-most receiving yards (311) and eighth-most receptions (34) to the position.
Sit ‘Em
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills
Over the last four weeks, Henry has averaged just 18.8 receiving yards per game and surpassed two receptions in a game once. Meanwhile, the Bills have allowed the third-fewest PPR points per game (7.3) and have yet to allow a touchdown to the position this season.
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Higbee finds himself in a tough matchup against a Steelers defense allowing the fourth-fewest PPR points per game (7.7) and the second-fewest receptions (17) to opposing tight ends. With just six targets combined over the last two games, Higbee is best left on the bench.
