NFL Fantasy Football 2025: 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.
Another week, another grueling list of injuries. The Cardinals may be down yet another RB as Emari Demercado went down with an ankle injury, WR Marvin Harrison Jr. has a concussion, Browns TE David Njoku left early with a knee injury, Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks left early with an ankle injury, Jets WR Garrett Wilson will miss a couple weeks with a hyperextended knee, Bucs rookie phenom Emeka Egbuka will miss time with a hamstring injury, and Rams star WR Puka Nacua may be unavailable for week 7 with an ankle injury. Bears WR DJ Moore was also hospitalized in DC after their game nursing a groin injury.
On top of all that, the Ravens and Bills are on byes this week, meaning fantasy managers are without Josh Allen, James Cook, Dalton Kincaid, Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, and Mark Andrews.
Ian’s Record: 26-22
Start ‘em
Caleb Williams (QB, Bears) vs Saints
Chicago has found their stride.
After dropping their first two games, the Bears suddenly find themselves on a three-game win streak after shocking the Commanders on Monday Night Football. Caleb’s had a couple ups and downs, but overall he looks more comfortable and confident in his second year.
After a two-week road trip, I like Caleb and the Bears to come back home and stay hot in a very favorable matchup. New Orleans has surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing QBs in the past three weeks with 672 passing yards, 128 rushing yards, and 8 total touchdowns.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB, Commanders) at Cowboys
Jacory had a down week after tearing through the Chargers in week 5, but he remains the lead back in DC and is set for another big day in Dallas.
The Cowboys’ run defense remains horrid as they just allowed Rico Dowdle to scramble up over 200 total yards for a second week in a row. If he can get in the 15-20 range of reps as he has the past two weeks, he can easily get 100+ yards and a touchdown.
Chargers WRs vs Colts
With Johnston sidelined last Sunday, second year star Ladd McConkey finally saw his usage soar as he hit 100 yards for the first time this season and a score against Miami. If Johnston is deemed able to return this week things may change for McConkey, but I can easily see both having productive days against Indianapolis.
The Colts have allowed a league-leading 727 receiving yards to opposing WRs in the past four weeks. RB Kimani Vidal had a good day against Miami as well, but Indy’s run defense is much better – there will be much more opportunity through the air than on the ground.
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Browns) vs Dolphins
Fannin already was receiving his fair share of targets alongside David Njoku, but with Njoku’s availability currently up in the air, Fannin becomes a must start in my book as Cleveland prepares to host the broken Dolphins.
No one in Miami is on the same page right now, and the Browns offense should see plenty of field time as their elite run defense should deal with Miami’s offense pretty quickly most drives.
Sit ‘em
Sam Darnold (QB, Seahawks) vs Texans
Since the beginning of the season it looks like Darnold has been getting better and better each week, but I like him to cool down a bit against this tough Houston defense.
They just shut out the Titans and held the Ravens to 10 points before the bye, and have only surrendered three passing touchdowns and are one of three teams that have yet to allow 1000 total passing yards. This will be a low scoring game.
Chase Brown (RB, Bengals) vs Steelers
I’m hoping by this point you’ve gotten Chase out of all your starting lineups, because there are plenty of streaming options that are better than him at this point.
Even with the QB change, things aren’t looking like they’ll change for the Bengals’ run game. Chase just got shut down by the Packers, he’ll get shut down again by Pittsburgh.
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR, Giants) at Broncos
It’s no question that the Giants are feeling good after their statement win against the Eagles last Thursday, with explosive performances from the new league-favorite rookie pair Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo.
Robinson had himself a good day too, but he’ll likely be receiving the Surtain treatment in Denver this week, so it’s a no from me.
TJ Hockenson (TE, Vikings) vs Eagles
Hockenson may have a little more promise with JJ McCarthy potentially returning, but it’s still a wait and see for me since we’ve only seen the two play together for a game and a half.
Not to mention, the Eagles have surrendered the fourth least amount of fantasy points to TEs thus far. This will either be a game McCarthy struggles in in his return, or Wentz will start again and continue ignoring Hockenson. Pass.
BYES: BALTIMORE RAVENS, BUFFALO BILLS
