The 2023 NFL season is flying by our eyes. We have six weeks in the books and 12 more to go. Meanwhile, this week is bye-mageddon. Six teams are on a bye in Week 7, leaving fantasy players without several critical starters. Unfortunately, that makes setting your fantasy football lineup a nightmare.
This week, fantasy players could have a difficult decision between Puka Nacua and Marquise Brown. Both wide receivers have played well this season despite not having a superstar quarterback on the team. So, which one should you start in Week 7?
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Puka Nacua’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Nacua has been the biggest surprise in fantasy this season. The fifth-round rookie is the WR8, averaging 16.2 half-PPR fantasy points per game. He has 50 receptions on 70 targets for 598 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The rookie leads the NFL in receptions and is top four in receiving yards.
MORE: 2023 WR Fantasy Football Rankings
Furthermore, Nacua has remained fantasy-relevant despite the return of Cooper Kupp. In the two games with the superstar wide receiver, the rookie has 11 receptions on 18 targets for 97 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 21.2 fantasy points. Yet, his numbers could be even better if not for a dropped touchdown last week.
Meanwhile, he faces the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7. Pittsburgh has surrendered 35.6 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the fourth-most in the NFL. They have given up four receiving touchdowns to opposing wide receivers over their past three contests.
Marquise Brown’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Many had low expectations for Brown this year because of the team’s quarterback situation. Kyler Murray hasn’t played this season, while Joshua Dobbs has been inconsistent. However, that hasn’t impacted the star wide receiver’s production. The former Oklahoma Sooner is the WR18, averaging 11.5 half-PPR fantasy points per game.
Brown has been the clear-cut top weapon for the Arizona Cardinals. He leads the team in receptions (29), targets (53), receiving yards (334), and touchdowns (three). More importantly, the star receiver has scored at least 13.1 fantasy points in all but one game since Week 1.
Meanwhile, the veteran faces the Seattle Seahawks this week. Seattle has surrendered 38 fantasy points per game to wide receivers, the second-most in the NFL. They have given up at least 216 receiving yards to wide receivers in over half of their matchups this season.
Which Wide Receiver Should You Start?
According to the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say Nacua is the player to start. He is projected to score 11 half-PPR fantasy points. His projections include five receptions for 59.5 receiving yards and 0.2 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Brown’s projection is for 10.9 fantasy points with 5.9 receptions for 63.3 receiving yards and 0.3 touchdowns this week.
I agree with the Start/Sit Optimizer. Nacua has been a fantasy superstar all season, even with Kupp in the lineup. Furthermore, he has a far superior quarterback. However, fantasy players should feel confident starting either player this week.
Both wide receivers have been top-20 players this season and have fantasy-friendly matchups in Week 7. Furthermore, with six teams on a bye and multiple star players not playing this week because of injury, fantasy players likely won’t have a better option on their bench.