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Fantasy Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for NFL Week 7: Terry McLaurin, Nick Chubb, Amari Cooper, and Others

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With two teams on bye and plenty of injuries around the NFL, here are some start ’em/sit ’em recommendations for your fantasy team entering Week 7.

Making lineup decisions can be the most frustrating — or most rewarding — part of fantasy football. We’re here to help you make those calls with our fantasy start ’em/sit ’em picks for Week 7.

After back-to-back weeks with four teams on bye, only the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys are off in Week 7. However, there are a lot of injuries that are impacting fantasy lineups, so let’s take a look at which players you should insert into your lineup this week and who should remain on your bench. Also, be sure to check out our weekly column that provides start/sit advice on every player around the league.

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Which Players Should You Start in Week 7?

Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. BAL)

Baker Mayfield has been one of the feel-good stories in the NFL over the last year and a half. Mayfield bounced around to four teams in eight months, and most people wrote him off, but he’s emerged as a really good quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He’s currently leading the NFL in passing touchdowns (15) and just led the Bucs to a 51-point, 594-yard performance in a win over their divisional-rival New Orleans Saints.

Mayfield’s real-life success has translated to fantasy production beautifully. Believe it or not, he’s currently the QB2 behind only Lamar Jackson, averaging 23.4 fantasy points per game.

In five of six weeks, Mayfield has posted top-seven finishes, including QB2, QB2, and QB3 performances. He has a talented supporting cast led by Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, who are tied for the league lead in TD receptions.

Helping his floor is the fact that Mayfield has rushed for 20+ yards in four games this season, with two rushing touchdowns. Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen admitted that Mayfield’s mobility and escapability surprised him, but he has since added some designed runs for his QB.

Can you really trust Mayfield against the Ravens’ defense, though?

Yes! Baltimore has the NFL’s best run defense, but their pass defense has struggled mightily. The Ravens are currently allowing the second-most passing yards per game (275.7) and the sixth-most passing touchdowns per game (1.8).

This season, Baltimore has allowed three different quarterbacks to top 20 fantasy points (Joe Burrow, Dak Prescott, and Jayden Daniels). The Bucs love passing the ball, so don’t be surprised if Mayfield has another QB1 finish at home this week on Monday Night Football.

Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders (vs. CAR)

Brian Robinson Jr. missed Week 6 with a knee injury, so you’ll need to make sure he practices and monitor the Washington Commanders’ injury report before inserting him into your starting lineup. However, assuming Robinson plays, he could have a monster performance against the Carolina Panthers.

Robinson has been outstanding this season, and he’s become a set-it-and-forget-it player in your starting lineup. He’s currently the RB11, averaging 13.9 fantasy points per game. Robinson has five rushing touchdowns in five games, and he’s produced 9.1% over fantasy expectations.

Washington is tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the second-highest-scoring offense in the NFL, so Robinson should continue to get plenty of goal-line and red-zone touches in Week 7 and as the season progresses.

The Panthers are allowing the most rushing touchdowns per game (2.0) and the third-most rushing yards per game (153.5) this season. If Robinson is 100%, this matchup could be a smash spot.

Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans (at BUF)

Entering this season, the Tennessee Titans were an ambiguous backfield that fantasy managers attacked since it was clear that one of Tony Pollard or Tyjae Spears would outperform their draft slot.

Through six weeks, Pollard has done exactly that, as he’s currently the RB18 in PPR and half-PPR leagues. Pollard has at least 16 carries in four of five games, with four top-20 fantasy finishes this season.

Over the last two weeks, Pollard is averaging 19.5 carries, 90.5 rushing yards, and one touchdown.

Now, with Spears labeled as week-to-week with a hamstring injury, Pollard should see even more touches against a Buffalo Bills team that is allowing the 10th-most rushing yards per game (140.2) this season.

Davante Adams, WR, New York Jets (at PIT)

This move felt close to inevitable, and now it’s official. We will get news on where Davante Adams’ recovery from his hamstring injury sits, but it stands to reason that the Las Vegas Raiders were being cautious with their star to protect his trade value.

Assuming he is good to go from a health perspective, now what? Entering the season, Adams was thought of as a top-15 receiver (depending on your site, his ADP was in the WR11-13 range) as the focal point of a questionable offense. Now, he is the focal point of a questionable offense that carries some upside.

His history with Aaron Rodgers is impossible to ignore. Despite iffy quarterback play, Adams opened this season with production rates of +14.5% and +14.8% over expectation, so it’s safe to say that he has plenty left in the tank. Now, he reunites with his close friend and four-time NFL MVP.

Rodgers has struggled with the deep ball recently. If we remove the Hail Mary last night, he is 9-of-31 with no scores and three picks during this three-game skid when throwing the ball 15-plus yards down the field. But with the non-verbal communication portion of his timing-oriented game now set, logic would state that a bounce-back is to be expected in short order. Due to their chemistry, Adams and Rodgers should have an easier time with this midseason trade than Amari Cooper and Josh Allen, but there will still be an adjustment period.

It’s worth noting that the Jets are on a short week and face an elite Pittsburgh Steelers defense, but after that, the schedule runs out nicely for Rodgers to push as a fantasy starter with Adams safely inside the top 10 at the position in all formats.

  • Week 8 at Patriots
  • Week 9 vs. Texans
  • Week 10 at Cardinals
  • Week 11 vs. Colts

New York then goes on bye and the schedule gets even more friendly to close out the fantasy season: Seahawks, Dolphins, Jaguars, Rams, and Bills. This move might put the Jets into the playoffs and certainly could vault your fantasy team up the standings.

Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders (vs. CAR)

Not to pick on the Panthers, but the Commanders’ offense is rolling and this is a juicy matchup that should be exploited. Just as Robinson should be in your lineup, so should Terry McLaurin.

McLaurin got off to a quiet start to the season, totaling just eight catches for 39 yards and zero touchdowns in Weeks 1 and 2.

However, in the four weeks since, the veteran wide receiver has been on fire. Over that span, Scary Terry has been the WR3 in half-PPR leagues and the WR5 in PPR formats.

McLaurin now has a touchdown catch in three of his past four games after scoring in just three of his 17 previous contests. He’s finished as a top-16 WR in three of the past four games.

The Panthers are allowing the second-most passing touchdowns per game (2.0), so you see where this is going. Daniels and McLaurin are developing a special connection, so they should both be in your starting lineup until they give us a reason to sit them.

Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans (at GB)

Fantasy managers were devastated when Nico Collins was put on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 5. Collins was arguably the best receiver in the NFL through the first month of the season, and losing him was a big blow to the Houston Texans’ offense.

Once Collins went down, everyone wondered who would step up in his place.

In Houston’s 41-21 win over the New England Patriots in Week 6, Tank Dell had his best game of the season, leading the team in routes run (32), targets (nine), and receptions (seven) while catching his first touchdown of the year after scoring seven times in 11 games as a rookie.

C.J. Stroud and Dell have terrific chemistry, and it was on display again on Sunday as they connected on six of Stroud’s first 14 throws.

In Week 7, Houston takes on the Green Bay Packers in what could become a shootout, so Dell could put together another impressive finish. If you expect Stroud to continue to target Dell, it’s worth noting that four of the last six wide receivers who recorded at least five catches against the Packers have found the end zone.

Evan Engram, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. NE)

There was really only one positive to take away from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 35-16 loss to the Chicago Bears in London: Evan Engram’s play. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars desperately missed Engram while he was sidelined due to a hamstring injury in the previous four games, and that was evident on Sunday.

Engram was Lawrence’s favorite target over the weekend, throwing to him a team-high 10 times, and the veteran tight end caught every single one. Engram finished with 102 yards despite playing just 61.2% of snaps, and that number should increase in Week 7.

This performance wasn’t some fluke either; we know that Lawrence and Engram have a special connection.

After all, Engram finished fourth in the NFL with 114 receptions in 2023 — not just among tight ends, but among all pass catchers. He was two catches shy of tying Zach Ertz’s NFL record for the most grabs by a TE in a single season.

Tight end is a dumpster fire, so Engram should absolutely be in your starting lineup going forward.

Which Players Should You Sit in Week 7?

Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts (vs. MIA)

In Week 1, fantasy managers who drafted Anthony Richardson felt excellent about their decision. After all, he finished as the QB4 and racked up 212 passing yards and two passing touchdowns while adding 56 rushing yards and a score on the ground.

However, it’s been all downhill since. In the following two weeks, Richardson threw one touchdown and five interceptions to finish as the QB21 and QB31, respectively. Then, Richardson suffered an oblique injury that knocked him out of Week 4 and caused him to miss Weeks 5-6.

Joe Flacco filled in admirably, causing some Indianapolis Colts fans to call for the 39-year-old to remain the starter. Colts head coach Shane Steichen has stressed that Richardson will remain the team’s starting QB, but the fact that this is even a conversation says everything about how this season has gone for Richardson up to this point.

Even if Richardson plays in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins, can you really trust him in your starting lineup? There’s such a wide range of outcomes given how inconsistent he’s been.

Also, one of the main reasons fantasy managers were so excited about Richardson was his rushing. But would it be a surprise if the Colts limit his carries while he recovers from the oblique injury? Richardson has now missed 15 games in his young NFL career (plus three early exits), so that starts to become a conversation behind closed doors.

I’m still holding out hope that Richardson can become a fantasy stud, but I want to see some improvement and ensure that the rushing yards will be there before inserting him back into my starting lineup.

Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. BAL)

Is it a coincidence that the Buccaneers’ rushing attack exploded the moment that Rachaad White was sidelined with a foot injury?

In a 51-27 win over the Saints, Tampa Bay rushed for 277 yards on 35 carries — their third-best rushing performance in franchise history — thanks to huge games from Sean Tucker (14 carries for 136 yards and a touchdown) and Bucky Irving (14 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown). Tucker also added 56 receiving yards and a score through the air.

On Monday, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles raved about Tucker’s play, saying that he’s shown enough to make this backfield “a three-headed monster” going forward. White was already difficult to trust given his inefficiency and Irving’s emergence, but now he also has Tucker nipping at his heels and a foot injury that might limit him.

Also, the Bucs have a brutal Week 7 matchup against the Ravens, who are allowing by far the fewest rushing yards per game (59) this season. Even if White manages to come back from his foot injury, you’re probably better off sitting him.

It’s very possible that White is the third-best rusher on Tampa Bay’s roster. This could become a full-blown committee where White is mainly used as a pass blocker and receiving threat. Bucs-Ravens is a Monday Night Football game, too, so it could be tough to find a last-minute pivot if White is a last-minute scratch.

Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns (vs. CIN)

In Week 7, Nick Chubb will make his triumphant return from his devastating knee injury. This is an attractive matchup for the All-Pro running back, as the Cincinnati Bengals are allowing the fifth-most rushing yards per game (146), and three different RBs have topped 21 fantasy points against Cincy this season (Chuba Hubbard, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Tyrone Tracy Jr.).

So, why are we recommending that you sit Chubb?

Well, we have no idea how involved Chubb will be in his first game back in 398 days. He has now had two ACL surgeries on the same knee.

As Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com put it, Chubb “has torn every ligament in the knee at least once, and several twice,” seemingly becoming the first NFL running back to come back from two major reconstructions of the same knee.

It’s very possible that Cleveland only gives Chubb a few carries to get him back in the mix and then gradually increases his role over time. Looking good in practice is different from taking hit after hit in an NFL game.

The hope is that Chubb will return to his usual workhorse role at some point in the second half of the season, but I’d take a wait-and-see approach early on. I know this is frustrating since you’ve had Chubb stashed on your IR for the first six weeks of the season, but there’s no way of knowing what his role will be.

Jerome Ford suffered a hamstring injury in Week 6, which complicates things a bit. But don’t be surprised if the Browns use a committee of Chubb, D’Onta Foreman, and Pierre Strong Jr. this week and then ramp up Chubb over time.

It’s also worth noting that the Browns have one of the worst offenses in the NFL, averaging the fewest yards per game (240.2) and third-fewest points on average (15.8) this season. Deshaun Watson has been dreadful, and that likely isn’t changing anytime soon, especially now that Cooper is gone. Goal-line and red-zone carries could be hard to come by in this offense.

George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. NYJ)

There are several reasons why I’m staying away from George Pickens this week.

First of all, it seems like he’s in the doghouse. Over the last two weeks, Pickens played just 67% of snaps against the Las Vegas Raiders and 59% of snaps against the Dallas Cowboys.

Also, Justin Fields has been struggling as a passer recently, completing just 14 passes in Week 6 and 15 passes in Week 5. Fields has been rushing more (which his fantasy managers love), but his lack of pass attempts and dip in efficiency spell trouble for Pickens.

Then, there’s the matchup. The New York Jets are allowing the second-fewest passing yards (148.8) and second-fewest passing touchdowns per game (.7).

There are several obstacles for Pickens to overcome this week, so I’d rather just sit him. Pickens has had two solid performances (WR23 and WR24 finishes) and four duds (WR64, WR62, WR46, and WR43). It feels like this week will fall into the latter category.

Amari Cooper, WR, Buffalo Bills (vs. TEN)

With this trade from the Cleveland Browns to the Buffalo Bills, Amari Cooper will go from playing with arguably the NFL’s worst starting quarterback (Deshaun Watson) to arguably the best (Josh Allen). This trade is incredible for Cooper’s fantasy value rest-of-season, as he immediately becomes Allen’s WR1.

The Browns were averaging the fewest yards per game (240.2) and third-fewest points on average (15.8) this season, so it was hard to feel confident when putting Cooper in your starting lineup. But the 30-year-old is still very talented and has plenty left in the tank, as evidenced by his career-highs in receiving yards (1,250) and yards per catch (17.4) in 2023.

However, I’d wait a week or two before starting Cooper. Not only will he be trying to learn the playbook and get acclimated to a new quarterback, coaching staff, and city, but he also has a tough matchup. The Titans are allowing the fewest passing yards per game (137) this season. Cooper should have some monster weeks in Buffalo, but it might take some time.

Also, Bills head coach Sean McDermott recently told reporters that he’s not sure if Cooper will play in Week 7 since he’s still getting up to speed.

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins (at IND)

Entering this season, there was a ton of excitement about Miami’s offense, and deservedly so given their talented playmakers. However, ever since Tua Tagovailoa suffered his fourth concussion in five years, it’s impossible to trust any Dolphins players.

Over the last four weeks, Tyreek Hill is averaging just 8.6 PPR points (down from 22.2 PPR ppg in his 31 games alongside Tagovailoa), and Jaylen Waddle is averaging just 7.8 PPR points. Over the last three games, Waddle has finished as the WR61, WR57, and WR47.

Not great!

Given how high you drafted Hill, you’re probably still continuing to start him and hoping for the best. But you should probably bench Waddle until Tagovailoa returns or the Dolphins’ offense shows some sign of life.

Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens (at TB)

Mark Andrews had his best game of the season in Week 6, finishing as the TE3 after catching three passes for 66 yards and a touchdown against the Commanders.

Well, Andrews still played only 34 of the Ravens’ 68 snaps, meaning he was on the field for half of their offensive plays. Also, he ran just 18 routes.

For comparison, Isaiah Likely played 46 of 68 snaps (67.6%), running the same number of routes (18) and receiving the same number of targets (four) as Andrews. Charlie Kolar also mixed in, playing 22 of 68 snaps (32.5%).

In other words, Andrews still finds himself in the exact same role and crowded situation — he just happened to score a touchdown against Washington. He also had a bad drop that was ultimately picked off.

And it’s worth noting that on the play before Andrews’ touchdown, Likely had a red-zone target that was nearly a score, and we’d be having a very different discussion right now if Likely caught that pass.

Instead of wondering whether you should start or sit Andrews, I would try to sell him as soon as possible coming off his TE3 finish. He still has plenty of name recognition, so perhaps you can get one of your league-mates to bite after his big week.

For more start/sit analysis, check out our weekly column where we break down the fantasy outlook of every player around the NFL.

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