Fantasy Football Week 7 Rankings, Grades & Start/Sit Advice (2023)

Welcome to Week 7, friends. As always, we’re here to provide you with some fantasy football Quick Grades (or Start/Sit Grades, if you prefer) for the week.

We tapped into our consensus projections and rankings and Derek Brown’s weekly Primer to generate this week’s Quick Grades. See below for the results and accompanying notes.

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Week 7 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

Sam Howell: Howell is a volume monster QB2. He is fifth in pass attempts and ninth in passing yards. If Howell had the rushing production that we were promised to go along with this volume, he’d be a top-12 fantasy quarterback right now. Among 32 qualifying quarterbacks, Howell ranks 23rd in passing grade and 17th in yards per attempt. His arm talent has been on a special level in terms of accuracy. He is sixth-best in highly accurate throw rate (immediately behind Trevor Lawrence) and second in adjusted completion rate. New York has been a giving pass defense with the eighth-highest yards per attempt, the tenth-highest passer rating, and the tenth-most passing touchdowns allowed. Two keys to victory for Howell in Week 7 are his ability to rip apart man coverage and his handling of the blitz. The Giants utilize man coverage at the fourth-highest rate (35.6% per Fantasy Points Data). Against man coverage, Howell ranks (among 33 quarterbacks) eighth-best in yards per attempt and 17th in fantasy points per dropback with the tenth-best passer rating. New York blitzes at the sixth-highest rate in the NFL. Among 36 qualifying quarterbacks versus the blitz, Howell is 28th in yards per attempt, but he has the fourth-best blitz-adjusted completion rate (fifth-lowest aDOT versus the blitz). Week 7 Positional Value: QB2 with QB1 upside

Baker Mayfield: Mayfield is an acceptable QB2 weekly. He is the QB17 in fantasy ranking 22nd in yards per attempt, 15th in adjusted completion rate, and 16th in fantasy points per dropback. Mayfield faces an Atlanta pass defense that has contained quarterbacks giving up the seventh-lowest yards per attempt and second-lowest passing yards per game. The one silver lining for Mayfied is that the Falcons have given up the fifth-most passing touchdowns (tied). Week 7 Positional Value: QB2

Jared Goff: Goff continues to play fantastic football. He is the QB6 in fantasy, ranking second in passing grade, third in yards per attempt, and first in adjusted completion rate. Goff should have time in the pocket this week against a defense that ranks 25th in pressure rate despite blitzing at the 12th-highest rate. If the blitz does get home, Goff could have some issues as he is 19th in passing grade and 18th in yards per attempt against the blitz. Baltimore has one of the best pass defenses in the NFL, containing quarterbacks with the second-lowest fantasy points per game, the second-lowest yards per attempt, and the fourth-lowest adjusted completion rate allowed. Week 7 Positional Value: QB2

Lamar Jackson: Jackson has been operating at another level this season as a passer. He is fourth in passing grade, fifth in adjusted completion rate, and tenth in yards per attempt as the QB7 in fantasy. He would be ranked even higher in fantasy standing if he wasn’t 23rd in passing touchdowns. He is fifth in fantasy points per dropback and the QB3 in expected fantasy points per game. Jackson’s rushing acumen also remains as he ranks second in carries per game, second in red zone carries, and first in rushing yards per game. Detroit has been an improved pass defense this season. Despite allowing the tenth-most passing touchdowns, they have also kept passers in check with the eighth-lowest passer rating and adjusted completion rate permitted. The Lions will bring the heat this week as they have the eighth-best pressure rate, but Jackson has been strong with pressure in his face. He ranks seventh in pressured passing grade and first in big-time throw rate when pressured. Week 7 Positional Value: QB1

Gardner Minshew: Minshew looked rough last week. Among 34 quarterbacks last week to register a dropback, Minshew ranks 29th in passing grade, 18th in yards per attempt, and 19th in adjusted completion rate. He managed a whopping and frankly insane seven turnover-worthy plays. To put that into context, Justin Herbert has seven turnover-worthy plays all season. The Browns’ defense should have no issues wreaking havoc this week. Cleveland has allowed the lowest yards per attempt, the fourth-lowest passer rating, and the second-lowest adjusted completion rate, without even mentioning their fifth-best pressure rate. Even in Superflex formats, sit Minshew. Week 7 Positional Value: Must sit

Geno Smith: Smith has played much better this season than his QB23 fantasy output would suggest. This is a great bounce-back spot for him in Week 7. Smith ranks ninth in passing grade, 12th in yards per attempt, and second-best in adjusted completion rate. He will have all day in the pocket to pick apart this porous secondary. The Cardinals are 32nd in pressure rate while they allow the third-highest yards per attempt, fourth-highest passer rating, and fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Week 7 Positional Value: QB1

Josh Dobbs: Well, the entire fantasy community turned to Dobbs for quarterback help after he reeled off QB1 finishes (QB5, QB8) in Weeks 2 and 4, and then he proceeded to turn back into a pumpkin before Halloween. Over the last two weeks, he has failed to cross 6.0 yards per attempt in either start while rushing for a grand total of 48 yards. He was the QB22 and QB20 in those contests. Dobbs could author a nice bounce back game this week against a pass defense that ranks 14th in passer rating and adjusted completion rate with the third-most passing yards per game allowed. Week 7 Positional Value: QB2 with upside

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Week 7 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

Marquise Brown: Brown is the WR21 in fantasy, gobbling up a 27.0% target share, a 43.3% air-yard share, and a 32.5% first-read share with 1.79 YPRR. Brown ranks fifth among wide receivers in deep targets, and he’s also 12th in red zone targets. In Weeks 2-5, he never finished lower than WR22 (WR22, WR20, WR14, WR17) in weekly scoring. Seattle has been burned by wide receivers all season, allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to the position. Brown will run about 82% of his routes against Tre Brown (54.5% catch rate and 83.7 passer rating) and Tariq Woolen (70% catch rate and 120.0 passer rating). Week 7 Positional Value: WR2

Michael Wilson: Wilson has come alive against zone coverage this season. Against zone he has a 14.7% target share, a 25.8% air-yard share, and 2.64 YPRR (Wow!). His first read share also sits at 18.1%. Seattle happens to utilize zone on 83.8% of their snaps (the highest rate in the NFL). If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path flex this week that can offer some substantial upside, Wilson is your guy. Wilson will run about 71% of his routes against Tre Brown (54.5% catch rate and 83.7 passer rating) and Tariq Woolen (70% catch rate and 120.0 passer rating). Week 7 Positional Value: WR5 with WR3 upside this week

Tyler Lockett: Lockett is the WR34 in fantasy, garnering a 20% target share, a 36.0% air-yard share, and a 25.0% first-read share (second on the team). Lockett ranks seventh among receivers in red zone targets. His fantasy stock has been buoyed by his two top 20 weeks (WR6, WR19), but the other three games he has played have not been kind for fantasy (WR87, WR55, WR42). Lockett will run about 62% of his routes against Kei’Trel Clark (75.8% catch rate and 117.7 passer rating) and Marco Wilson (79.5% catch rate and 133.5 passer rating). Arizona has allowed the sixth-most PPR points to perimeter wide receivers. Week 7 Positional Value: WR2

Diontae Johnson: Johnson looks like he will return this week. He only played 43% of the snaps in Week 1 before his hamstring failed him, so we will go back to the 2022 numbers to figure out his possible usage this week. Last year, among 81 qualifying wide receivers, Johnson was 14th in target share (24.5%), 20th in air-yard share (32.6%), and 17th in first-read share (30.8%). If Johnson returns to a full workload, he will be a WR3 with WR2 upside based on target volume alone. Week 7 Positional Value: WR3 with WR2 upside

George Pickens: Pickens has remained a boom-or-bust player this year even after assuming the WR1 role for Pittsburgh in Johnson’s absence. Pickens was a WR1 twice (WR11, WR5) but outside the top 36 wide receivers in weekly scoring in two outings (WR38, WR65). This season, Pickens has a 23.8% target share, a 43.4% air-yard share, and a 32.7% first-read share. I don’t expect him to keep up that pace with Johnson back. Last year, he drew only a 14.7% target share, a 28.4% air-yard share, and an 18.6% first-read share. I expect his number to even out in the middle of these two samples with Johnson back. The Rams run zone coverage at the tenth-highest rate in the NFL (76.9%). Pickens has a 22% TPRR and 2.44 YPRR against zone this season, which has been a major improvement in his game. He could give Johnson a run for his money for the team lead in targets weekly starting in Week 7. Week 7 Positional Value: WR3

Cooper Kupp: Kupp wasted no time reminding everyone that he is still one of the best wide receivers in the game, with WR12 and WR4 finishes. Kupp has commanded a 34.4% target share with a magical 47.3% air-yard share and 41.7% first-read share. His 4.51 YPRR is an absolutely filthy number. Kupp will run about 52% of his routes in the slot against Chandon Sullivan (75% catch rate and 139.1 passer rating). Kupp will dominate again in Week 7. Week 7 Positional Value: WR1

Puka Nacua: Nacua’s usage numbers have remained immaculate despite Kupp’s return with a 29.5% target share, a 33.6% air-yard share, and a 31.4% first-read share. Those are WR1 usage numbers on any other team. Nacua was the WR11 in fantasy in Week 5, but last week, he finally had a down game as the WR56 in fantasy despite seven targets (two red zone targets). The Ram’s passing attack runs through Kupp and Nacua, with everyone else just left to pick up the scraps. Nacua will run about 54% of his routes against Levi Wallace (59.5% catch rate and 86.3 passer rating) and Patrick Peterson (57.1% catch rate and 109.8 passer rating). Week 7 Positional Value: WR1

Keenan Allen: Allen has turned back the clock and spit in the face of Father Time. He is the WR2 this season with a 29.5% target share, a 33.3% air-yard share, 2.85 YPRR, and a 36.9% first-read share. He’s seventh among wide receivers in red zone targets. The Chief’s utilize man coverage at the seventh-highest rate in the NFL (33.3%). Against man, Allen’s target share inflates to 34.9%, his YPRR rises to 3.11, and his first-read share rises to 39.2%. Allen will get peppered against his week by Herbert. Allen will run about 62% of his routes against Trent McDuffie (69.2% catch rate and 88.5 passer rating). Week 7 Positional Value: WR1

Josh Palmer: In the two games since Mike Williams was lost to injury, Palmer has played very well. I have to give him his due. He’s commanded a 24.6% target share, a 39.3% air-yard share, and produced 2.08 YPRR. His 22.9% first-read share over that short span is second to only Allen. Palmer’s biggest concern is that he could see shadow coverage from L’Jarius Sneed. Sneed has been a shutdown cover corner this season. He followed Calvin Ridley, D.J. Moore, Garrett Wilson, and Justin Jefferson on 58-75% of their routes. None of them exceeded 40 receiving yards in his primary coverage. Palmer has played well, but he isn”t in the same area code as those other receivers. The concern for Sneed taking him out of this game is real. Week 7 Positional Value: Worrisome WR3

Quentin Johnston: Over the last two games, Johnston has not been a full-time player with a 54% route run rate and only an 8.2% target share. He remains a stash, but the light grows dimmer daily. Week 7 Positional Value: Stash

Rashee Rice: Rice’s route run rate has jumped all over the map this season (last week: 39.1%), with only two games above 45%. Justin Watson‘s elbow injury could change that moving forward. I feel like I’m making the same case for Rice that has been made for Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore before him. The deja vu is real. Rice’s route metrics are impressive, though (lol). He has a 36% target per route run rate and 3.14 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). If he doesn’t break a big play or score a touchdown, then you’re likely upset you started him. Week 7 Positional Value: Stash

Week 7 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

Javonte Williams: Denver eased Williams back in with 35% of the snaps and ten touches that he turned into 52 rushing yards. This wasn’t that dissimilar from his earlier season workload. In Weeks 1-3, he played 42-45% of the snaps, averaging 14.7 touches and 60 total yards. Williams is not on the injury report this week, so we could see him creep back into the 40-50% range in snaps or even a tad higher. Among 53 qualifying backs, Williams is 13th in explosive run rate and 24th in yards after contact per attempt. Green Bay has the ninth-lowest stuff rate, the 11th-highest missed tackles allowed per attempt, and the fifth-most rushing yards allowed per game. This is a perfect matchup to get him going. Week 7 Positional Value: RB2/3

Jaleel McLaughlin: McLaughlin continues to threaten for more work, and it’s not hard to see why. Among 53 qualifying backs, he ranks second in explosive run rate, fourth in missed tackles forced per attempt, and second in yards after contact per attempt. He is lightning in a bottle. McLaughlin’s workload this week is questionable at best, but even on 10-12 touches, he could return nice flex value. Green Bay has the ninth-lowest stuff rate, the 11th-highest missed tackles allowed per attempt, and the fifth-most rushing yards allowed per game. Week 7 Positional Value: Strong Flex/RB3

Samaje Perine: Perine was shaken up toward the end of the Kansas City game, so that could have factored into the playing time, but Perine is trending toward droppable if he isn’t already there. Perine has only two games this season where he’s finished better than RB42 in fantasy. He also has four outings where he failed to surpass even 40 total yards. At the very least, Perine is a must-sit this week. Week 7 Positional Value: Must sit

Alexander Mattison: Mattison is the RB21 in fantasy, ranking tenth in snap share, fifth in opportunity share, and eighth in weighted opportunities. He has averaged 16.7 touches and 70.6 total yards. His snaps dipped to 51% in Week 5, but he rebounded with 79% of the snaps last week. Among 53 qualifying backs, Mattison ranks 38th in explosive run rate and 40th in yards after contact per attempt. He faces a 49ers run defense that has declined to the middle of the pack. They continue to stifle big runs with the 11th-lowest explosive run rate allowed, but they are only 17th in yards after contact per attempt and 17th in yards per carry allowed to zone runs (Mattison 65.9% zone). Week 7 Positional Value: Volume-based RB2/3

Cam Akers: Akers doesn’t look to be taking over this backfield anytime soon. Last week, he played nine snaps with only two touches. Week 7 Positional Value: Droppable / Low-end stash

Brian Robinson: This is a beautiful bounceback matchup for Robinson. Since Week 3, his stock has plummeted. With the Commanders facing a lot of negative game script (ninth-most plays since Week 3, trailing by eight or more points), his snaps have hovered between 36-37% in two of his last four games. Across his last four games, Robinson has averaged 12 touches and 55 total yards. Among 53 qualifying backs, Robinson ranks 18th in explosive run rate, 30th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 18th in yards after contact per attempt. New York has given up the fifth-highest explosive run rate, the ninth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and the sixth-highest yards per carry to zone runs (Robinson 67.5% zone). Week 7 Positional Value: RB2

Antonio Gibson: I expect Washington to keep this game close, if not pull out the victory. In the four games that Washington has either won or kept the score within a touchdown, Gibson has averaged five touches and 28.5 total yards. In that sample, he has surpassed 30 total yards in a game only once. Gibson’s path to a ceiling game is also blocked because the Giants have defended pass-catching running backs well. They have held the position to the lowest receiving yards and the seventh-lowest yards per reception. Sit Gibson. Week 7 Positional Value: Must sit

Saquon Barkley: The Giants wasted no time leaning on Barkley. In his first game back, he played 78% of the snaps with 28 touches and 98 total yards. In his first game back, his 8.3% explosive run rate and 3.50 yards after contact per attempt were strong marks, but his 13% missed tackles forced per attempt was concerning. Barkley has averaged 22 touches and 84.3 total yards this season. Washington has been an improving run defense. They have allowed the 13th-lowest yards after contact per attempt and the fifth-lowest missed tackles per attempt. They have also held gap runners (Barkley 52.8% gap) to the 14th-lowest gap scheme yards per carry. Week 7 Positional Value: Volume-based RB1

Week 7 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Logan Thomas: Despite Thomas disappearing in Week 6 (one reception and two receiving yards), he is the TE9 in fantasy points per game. In the games in which he has been able to play a full snap share, Thomas has had a 15.1% target share, a 70.4% route run rate, 1.29 YPRR, and a 15.3% first-read share. Thomas has three TE1 weekly finishes (TE11, TE10, TE4) this season. In those four full games, Thomas has seen his first-read share grow against man coverage to 18.5%. New York ranks 14th in receiving yards allowed to tight ends while giving up the third-highest yards per reception. Week 7 Positional Value: TE2 with weekly TE1 upside

Darren Waller: Waller is the TE12 in fantasy with a 20.3% target share (fourth-best), 1.46 YPRR (16th), and a 25.2% first-read share (second-best). He has only two red zone targets, which ranks 23rd among tight ends. With Taylor under center last week and Waller’s health in question, he still posted strong numbers with a 72.7% route run rate and a 19.4% target share. Washington has held tight ends to the 12th-lowest receiving yards and the third-lowest yards per reception. Week 7 Positional Value: Volume-based TE1

Kyle Pitts: Pitts’ snaps have decreased over the last two games as he’s been between 53-55% with a 63.7% route run rate (67.2% slot). He has compensated with the drop in playing time by commanding a strong 18.8% target share with a 28% target per route run rate (TPRR). Over those two weeks, he has had 2.24 YPRR and a 20% first-read share. Pitts will run against Christian Izien (84.2% catch rate and 93.3 passer rating) in the slot. Pitts should have his way with a corner that he has eight inches of height and 48 pounds on. Week 7 Positional Value: TE1

Jonnu Smith: Over the last two games, Smith has retained his WR3 role in this offense with a 14.1% target share (58.1% route run rate), 1.94 YPRR, and a 17.1% first-read share (third on the team). Smith is seventh in deep targets and 14th in red zone targets among tight ends. Smith will run about 69% of his routes against Christian Izien (84.2% catch rate and 93.3 passer rating) in the slot. Smith has a size advantage over Izien. The strength of the Buc’s pass defense is their outside corners. We could see Ridder hyper-target his tall and athletic tight ends. Smith is the TE10 in fantasy. Week 7 Positional Value: Borderline TE1

Cade Otton: Otton is a matchup-based streaming option only. He has a 78.1% route run rate, which is a plus, but he doesn’t command targets with a 10.4% target share and only two red zone looks. The Falcons have allowed the ninth-most receiving yards and seventh-most fantasy points to tight ends. Week 7 Positional Value: Matchup-based streaming option

Week 7 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 7 Kicker Start/Sit Grades