Another week of fantasy football roster decisions are here! New options are slowly emerging as teams go deeper into their bench. Here are the players to pay attention to for Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 7.
Last week’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em wasn’t the best in terms of how it unfolded. Starting Baker Mayfield and Diontae Johnson while advising against Brian Thomas Jr. were the biggest successes. On the other hand, doubting Drake Maye and believing in Dontayvion Wicks were the biggest misses. It was a step up from Week 5, but the goal is to be better each week.
Note: This article is for players who are considered flex options or for matchup-specific reasons. You won’t see players like Davante Adams and Saquon Barkley on here because they should be starting all the time.
Fantasy Football 2024: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 7
Quarterbacks
Start: Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy has had an average start to the season and while Kansas City is a tough defense to face, there is some optimism for him this week. Purdy has thrown for 250+ yards in four of six games this season, and it’s expected he will be throwing the ball a lot on Sunday. The Chiefs are going to shut down the run game and dare Purdy to beat them which sets him up nicely for fantasy owners.
Sit: Russell Wilson
While it’s not confirmed Russell Wilson will be starting Sunday night, the odds are getting higher and higher. He’s healthy and able to play, but it’s anyone’s guess as to what you’ll get from him. Going up against a tough Jets defense isn’t exactly a recipe for success either. Taking the wait-and-see approach with Wilson is the best way to handle it.
Start: Sam Darnold
Speaking of quarterbacks who struggled against the Jets, Darnold was a letdown last week for fantasy owners. However, there’s hope for him against the Lions. Minnesota is going to need him to counter Detroit’s high-octane offense, and it’s possible Aaron Jones doesn’t play. The game script should set up the Vikings to throw a lot which gives Darnold the green light.
Read More: Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings Week 7
Running Backs:
Start: Tank Bigsby
Tank Bigsby, it’s your time to shine. With Travis Etienne expected to miss at least one week, this is a chance for Bigsby to be the workhorse. New England gives up an average of 130 yards per game on the ground, so the opportunities for the second-year running back will be plentiful. Bigsby showcased in Weeks 4-5 that he can handle a higher workload, and now is the time to expect it once again.
Sit: Sean Tucker
Sean Tucker was the RB1 in fantasy football last week, but there are two reasons why he shouldn’t be started. Even with Rachaad White’s injury, it’s going to be a rotation between Tucker and Bucky Irving. Pair that with a matchup against a tough Ravens defense, and the outlook looks even worse. Unless you need a boom-or-bust player in your lineup, avoid Tucker this week.
Start: Brian Robinson Jr.
Brian Robinson Jr. owners are going to feast this week with the Commanders playing against the Panthers. Carolina might just be the worst run-defense in the league as six running backs have totaled at least 70 yards against the Panthers already. Robinson is returning from a knee injury, but the odds are still in his favor to have a very strong performance.
Read More: Fantasy Football Week 7 Bounce-Back Candidates
Wide Receivers:
Sit: Darnell Mooney
Darnell Mooney has seen his targets increase as the season has progressed. However, the Seahawks have been abysmal against the run lately. The Falcons are coming off of a game where they ran for over 200 yards, so it’s very possible they use a similar gameplan against Seattle. If that’s the case, you can expect another quiet day from Mooney like he had last week against Carolina.
Sit: JuJu Smith-Schuster
It’s hard to sit someone who caught seven passes for 130 yards last week, but one week of data isn’t enough to justify starting JuJu Smith-Schuster. The veteran wide receiver has only caught nine passes total this year, meaning he was ineffective for much of the fantasy season. It doesn’t mean he can’t step up with injuries, but it’s best to see him perform for multiple games before inserting him into your lineup.
Start: Bub Means
Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are out for Thursday night’s matchup with the Broncos. Someone has to catch passes from Spencer Rattler, and Bub Means is the next man up. He saw eight targets last week in the loss to Tampa Bay, and he could see a similar number with Patrick Surtain injured for Denver. If you’re in a tough spot and need a receiver, consider Means as he will see a lot of targets.
Read More: Fantasy Football Week 7 Wide Receiver Rankings
Tight Ends:
Sit: David Njoku
It’s a favorable matchup this week for David Njoku, but injuries and a struggling Browns offense have made things tough for him this season. He’s seen 19 targets through three games but only has 89 yards to show for it. If you’re in a pinch in a PPR league, you may be able to get away with playing Njoku. Otherwise, avoid him at all costs.
Read More: Fantasy Football Week 7 Buy/Sell
Start: Hunter Henry
With Maye taking over the offense in New England, Hunter Henry is going to be much more consistent in fantasy football. He may be touchdown-dependent at times, but there’s a high chance of him having a strong game against the Jaguars in London. The tight end position has been hit-or-miss this season which makes Henry someone to consider if you’re looking for consistency.
Main Photo Courtesy of Matthew Hinton – Imagn Images
