Fantasy Football NFL 2024: Start ‘em, Sit ‘em: Week 7

Welcome back to Fantasy Football Start ‘em, Sit ‘em – where each week we explore some of my best picks for who should be starting in fantasy managers’ lineups, and who should be sitting the week out.

Week 6 was just a continuation of the injury onslaught that has been haunting fantasy managers all season – rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. left their game with a concussion and will need to clear protocol to play this week, Jaguars RB1 Travis Etienne left against the Bears with a hamstring injury and didn’t return, Saints WR1 Chris Olave is also in concussion protocol and poised deep-threat Rashid Shaheed has a “concerning” knee injury, and Eagles TE Dallas Goedert left with a hamstring injury in the first quarter of their game.

Only two teams are on bye weeks this week however, although that leaves fantasy managers without Caleb Williams and his receivers, as well as Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.

Per usual, let’s take a look at the best of what we have left to work with this week.

Ian’s Record: 27-16

Start ‘em

Drake Maye (QB, Patriots) at Jaguars

The rookie QB class of 2024 has officially arrived.

Given the circumstances surrounding his first NFL start, Maye performed as well as he likely could’ve behind New England’s suspect offensive line against Houston’s stout defense. He threw 33 times and for all 3 of their touchdowns, a workload probably due to RB Rhamondre Stevenson being sidelined with a foot injury.

Now, he is set up with an enormous breakout-game opportunity against Jacksonville’s defense that just allowed Caleb Williams to toss 4 touchdown passes (hope you read my last article). It’ll be worth monitoring Stevenson’s status, but I like Jerod Mayo to let Maye have some fun in a get-right game.

Brian Robinson Jr. (RB, Commanders) vs Panthers (if he plays)

Austin Ekeler might be a better option here given Robinson’s current status, but if Robinson is able to practice this week and suits up Sunday, he’s in for a delicious matchup against a horrific Carolina run defense.

They’ve allowed 13 total touchdowns to opposing backs in only 6 weeks on a 4.59 average yards per carry. Robinson has already found the endzone 5 times in 5 games played this year. If he plays, I like him to find the endzone once or even twice.

Chris Godwin (WR, Buccaneers) vs Ravens

Godwin saw season highs each in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns during the 50-burger the Bucs put up last week as he continues to be arguably the best wide receiver in fantasy football this year. He’s averaging 20.7 fantasy points a game with at least 5 catches for 50+ yards every week thus far.

The Ravens have surrendered 8 receiving touchdowns in the past 4 weeks and sit dead last in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers in that span. Rest assured fantasy managers, Godwin’s not going anywhere this week.

Hunter Henry (TE, Patriots) at Jaguars

Keeping in rhythm with my claims of Jacksonville’s atrocious defense, I like Henry to find the endzone for a second week in a row in this breakout-game opportunity for Drake Maye. The Jags have allowed the most receiving touchdowns to TEs this year (4), and Henry came in second for the team in targets last week. Chance it and let’s ride.

Sit ‘em

Bo Nix (QB, Broncos) at Saints

I know I just said the rookie QB class has officially arrived, but Nix is the one exception this week.

New Orleans has already logged 10 interceptions in just 6 weeks (second behind the Bears, but they’re on a bye this week) after picking off Baker Mayfield 3 times last Sunday. While Mayfield also threw for 325 yards and 4 touchdowns, I don’t see that in the cards for Nix as he has yet to surpass 250 through the air on the season. Pass.

Jordan Mason (RB, 49ers) vs Chiefs (if he plays)

While Mason has been quite a Cinderella story in Christian McCaffrey’s absence, an AC joint sprain and tough matchup make for a risky play for this Super Bowl rematch.

In their past 3 games, Kansas City is only surrendering a measly 2.66 yards per carry to opposing backs. Even if Mason is deemed healthy enough to play, I’m anticipating a pass-heavy script since these teams don’t really seem to like each other.

Bills WRs vs Titans

There’s a chance I eat my words with this if Amari Cooper decides to go off in his Bills debut, but given how much Josh Allen likes to spread the ball around now that Stefon Diggs is gone, I would rather just not touch any Bills WRs until we get some clarity.

Their offense may stink, but Tennessee’s pass defense has remained elite all season. They’ve only allowed 2 touchdowns to wide receivers behind strong performances from Darrell Baker Jr. (77.1 PFF grade) and S Quandre Diggs (74.2 PFF grade), and they have yet to allow a receiver to surpass 100 yards.

Tucker Kraft (TE, Packers) vs Texans

I took a shot with this guy last week and missed, so it’s a no from me.

There’s too many young wideouts in Green Bay that Jordan Love, well, loves more, and Houston covers tight ends extremely well. Pass.

BYES: DALLAS COWBOYS, CHICAGO BEARS