Fantasy Football Start/Sit Week 7: Who to Start and Sit This Week

Nailing your start/sit calls in a given week can be the difference between winning and losing

Using our fantasy football projections as a guide, let’s get you prepped for this week’s fantasy football decisions.

This article is geared toward 12-team, half-PPR scoring formats with only one starting quarterback -- though the general advice can be loosely applied to most formats. Injury information may change after this article is published. You can stay up to date with this week’s injury news via our NFL player news page.

All betting references refer to the NFL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. All statistics via NFL Next Gen Stats and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise stated.

Fantasy Football Start/Sit This Week (Week 7)

Fantasy Football Starts for Week 7

Kyler Murray, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Murray is beginning to look much more like the fantasy quarterback we hoped to see after returning from injury. He completed 24 of 30 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown in his most recent start while adding 51 rushing yards on 10 carries, resulting in 18.3 fantasy points. That rushing workload is particularly encouraging because Murray's legs give him a path to a useful fantasy day even if his passing production is merely average.

This week, the Minnesota Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts, who have been a favorable matchup for quarterbacks this season.

With another week removed from his injury and 16 rushing attempts over his last two games, Murray belongs in the QB1 conversation.

Emanuel Wilson, RB, Seattle Seahawks

The matchup isn't ideal, but Wilson's workload is enough to keep him in fantasy lineups during a difficult bye week. He has recorded at least 14 carries in three consecutive games and has topped 13 fantasy points twice during that stretch. Earlier this season, Wilson showed his ceiling when he turned 24 touches into 120 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Seattle Seahawks face a difficult Kansas City Chiefs defense, but volume can overcome a less-than-perfect matchup at running back. With Jadarian Price sidelined and Wilson continuing to handle meaningful work, he's a viable RB2 or flex option in Week 7.

Germie Bernard, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Bernard's role has exploded over the past two weeks, and it's getting difficult to leave him on fantasy benches. After catching 6 of 9 targets for 80 yards in Week 5, Bernard followed it up with 11 receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets last week. He commanded a 27.3% target share in that performance and has now accumulated 21 targets over his last two games.

Injuries elsewhere in the Pittsburgh Steelers receiving corps have opened the door for Bernard, and he's made the most of it. A Week 7 date with the New Orleans Saints isn't a smash matchup, but Bernard's recent volume gives him a strong PPR floor and enough upside to use as a WR3.

Omar Cooper, WR, New York Jets

It's risky to overreact to one breakout performance, but Cooper's underlying usage makes his Week 6 explosion particularly interesting.

Returning from injured reserve, the rookie caught 6 of 7 targets for 103 yards and a touchdown while leading his team in targets. More importantly, Cooper ran a route on 85% of the New York Jets' dropbacks, suggesting his production wasn't simply the result of a handful of lucky big plays.

Now he draws a matchup with a winless Miami Dolphins team that has struggled on both sides of the ball.

Cooper carries some volatility after playing only one full game, but the combination of first-round draft capital, immediate playing time, and target volume makes him an appealing WR3 or flex play.

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings

Assuming Hockenson is cleared to play, Week 7 looks like a good time to get him back into fantasy lineups. His output has been volatile so far this campaign, but he's already demonstrated his ceiling with a 24.9-PPR-point performance against Miami in Week 4. Through five appearances, Hockenson has averaged 9.8 PPR points per game despite a pair of extremely quiet outings.

Indianapolis has surrendered some big tight end performances already this year, including 25.1 PPR points to Travis Kelce and 21.5 to Pat Freiermuth. Hockenson was still listed as questionable Wednesday morning, so his status needs to be monitored, but he profiles as a low-end TE1 if active.

Fantasy Football Sits for Week 7

Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

Pollard's name recognition and volume makes him difficult to bench, but his recent fantasy production hasn't warranted automatic-start status. He's scored 7.6 fantasy points or fewer in consecutive games and hasn't topped 13.6 points in any game this season. The larger concern is an offense that has averaged only 14.0 points per game, leaving Pollard with limited touchdown opportunities.

Things don't get easier against the Cleveland Browns, who have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. The Tennessee Titans also continue to involve other backs, reducing Pollard's receiving and overall touch ceiling.

Unless your bye-week situation leaves you short on alternatives, Pollard is better left on the bench.

Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Wilson still possesses a useful season-long role, but his weekly floor has become difficult to trust. He's scored fewer than eight fantasy points in three of six games and has been held to 7.3 points or fewer in each of his past two. Outside of two games in which he reached 13 and 17 targets, Wilson has seen exactly seven targets in each of his other appearances.

That kind of volume isn't especially enticing against the Denver Broncos, who have been one of the stingier fantasy matchups for wide receivers. The Arizona Cardinals’ wideout still has enough big-play ability to produce, but this looks like a week to explore alternatives if you have serviceable ones.

Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Cleveland Browns

Fannin's early-season breakout was exciting, but his role has headed in the wrong direction. After producing 14 receptions for 126 yards and three touchdowns from Weeks 2 through 4, he's totaled only 2 catches for 13 yards over his past two games. He's also failed to exceed five targets in any game since Week 3.

The matchup against Tennessee isn't enough to offset that shrinking role, especially with the Titans ranking among the tougher fantasy opponents for tight ends. At a position where volume can already be difficult to find, betting on one or two targets isn't appealing. Fannin needs to show that his early-season usage is coming back before he returns to fantasy starting lineups.

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots

Henderson simply isn't getting enough work to warrant starting right now. He played only 24% of the New England Patriots' offensive snaps last week, recording seven carries and one target. He has scored 4.8 or fewer PPR points in four consecutive games and is averaging only 5.6 points per game for the season.

His Week 7 matchup with the Chicago Bears isn't a good spot for a player surviving on limited opportunities, either. Chicago has allowed roughly 10% fewer fantasy points than average to opposing running backs, and Henderson's current role makes him extremely touchdown-dependent.

Fantasy Football Start/Sit FAQ

Who should I start in fantasy football this week?

The best starts are typically players with strong recent usage, favorable matchups and a reliable path to touches or targets. Matchup-specific factors and changes in workload should also be considered before setting your lineup.

Who should I sit in fantasy football this week?

Players can be worth sitting when they face difficult matchups, have seen their role decrease or carry significant risk due to injuries or inconsistent usage. Even proven players can be matchup-based sits in a given week.

How do you decide who to start or sit in fantasy football?

Start/sit decisions should account for a player's expected volume, recent production, matchup, offensive role and game environment. Comparing those factors against your other lineup options can help determine which player offers the best combination of floor and upside.

Should I start a player with a difficult matchup?

It depends. A difficult matchup can lower a player's expected production, but high-volume players can still deliver strong fantasy performances regardless of the matchup. The player's role and expected opportunity should usually carry more weight than matchup alone. Another huge factor is whether or not you have quality alternatives on your roster.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.