Fantasy Football Redraft

Print

Fantasy Football Start Sit Week 7: The Commanders Are Poised For A Breakout

This is where good fantasy managers separate from lucky ones. The right lineup decisions, powered by Draft Sharks rankings, can make all the difference in Week 7.

Week 7 byes: 

• Baltimore Ravens
• Buffalo Bills

Your Draft Sharks Team Intel page will help you set your ideal lineup, applying our award-winning weekly projections to your custom scoring.

Quarterbacks

Jaxon Dart's streak is in jeopardy in Denver

Start

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

After their four-game win streak ended in Kansas City, Goff and the Lions return home for back-to-back games against NFC playoff teams from last season.

This week, Detroit hosts Tampa Bay in what projects as a shootout. The Lions’ implied total of 29 points leads Week 7, and the game carries a 52.5-point total -- second-highest of the week.

Goff thrives at Ford Field. He has thrown multiple TD passes in eight straight home games, including seven across two home starts this year as Detroit has averaged 43 points per game.

He leads the NFL with 14 TD passes and draws a favorable matchup against a Tampa Bay defense allowing the ninth-most adjusted fantasy points to QBs. The Buccaneers have given up 340+ passing yards and four total TDs in each of their last two games.

Everything points to another top-10 fantasy performance for Goff at home.

Sit

Jaxson Dart, New York Giants

Since taking over as the Giants’ starter, Dart has produced two top-10 fantasy finishes and two wins. That momentum hits a wall in Week 7, as the Giants travel to Denver to face a defense that allows the second-fewest yards (254.2) and points (15.8) per game.

Dart’s fantasy value has come from his legs. He’s one of only three QBs -- along with Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts -- to rush for 50+ yards in each of his first three starts. But Denver has allowed just 7.6 rushing yards per game to opposing QBs. The Broncos recently held Jalen Hurts to 3 rushing yards and no TDs, and limited Justin Fields to his second-lowest rushing total of the year (31).

If Denver contains Dart on the ground, he’ll be forced to challenge a secondary giving up only 165.2 passing yards per game. Dart is averaging 169.3 through the air with four TDs and two picks in his three starts.

With the Giants carrying a league-low implied total of 16.75 points, leave Dart on your bench this week.

Running Backs

Jacory Croskey-Merritt takes command

Start

Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers gave Warren Week 4 off (plus the bye) to rest a knee injury, and he returned last week as the lead back. He played 53% of the snaps, led the team with 11 carries, and matched Kenneth Gainwell in routes run (13). Gainwell, who thrived in Warren’s absence, saw his snap share drop to 34%.

Being the lead back against Cincinnati has been highly productive this season. The Bengals have allowed a league-high eight RBs to post RB1-2 finishes and are giving up 32.1 fantasy points per game to the position, most in the league.

Starting RBs have averaged 19.7 PPR points against Cincinnati. With Pittsburgh favored by 5.5 on the road, Warren projects as a strong RB2 this week. Check out Warren’s upside in our Week 7 RB rankings. 

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders

The Commanders experimented with a committee after Austin Ekeler’s injury, but Croskey-Merritt has taken over since Week 5. The rookie has led Washington in snaps for four straight games while Chris Rodriguez’s role has evaporated (and he’s dealing with a calf injury).

Croskey-Merritt handled 14 carries in Week 5 and 17 of the team’s 19 RB carries in Week 6. Washington now faces Dallas, which allows the most adjusted fantasy points to RBs. Lead backs are averaging 128.7 total yards and five total TDs against the Cowboys this season.

Croskey-Merritt followed up an overall RB5 finish in Week 5 with 18 touches in Week 6. That volume, and an excellent matchup, make JCM a quality RB2 in Week 7. Start him confidently.

Sit

Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

The firing of HC Brian Callahan only adds to the chaos in Tennessee. The Titans rank last in total offense and continue to shuffle their backfield.

Since Tyjae Spears’ debut in Week 5, Pollard’s snap rate has dropped from 89% to 59%, and he’s posted season lows in touches (17, 12). Spears has played 42% of snaps in those two games, handling 26% of carries and matching Pollard’s 7% target share.

The Titans face a New England defense allowing the fourth-fewest rushing yards (83.5 per game). Pollard managed only 47 scrimmage yards last week and now risks losing more passing-down work to Spears. He’s a low-end flex at best.

Bam Knight and Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals

Arizona increased Knight’s work and decreased Carter’s in Week 6. Knight played 34 snaps, producing 54 yards and a touchdown on 12 touches. Carter logged 32 snaps and 11 touches for 64 yards.

Knight has the edge on early downs, while Carter’s extra routes (seven more last week) give him more receiving upside.

This week’s matchup is brutal. Green Bay ranks first in run defense, allowing only 73 rushing yards per game. Both backs carry flex-level volume upside but limited ceilings in a tough road spot.

Wide Receivers

Deebo Samuel will rebound in Dallas

Start

Kendrick Bourne, 49ers

Injuries have gutted the 49ers’ receiving corps, and Bourne has stepped up. He has delivered 142 yards in consecutive games while playing 81% of snaps.

He ranks second among San Francisco WRs in route rate (82%) and target share (17%) since Week 2.

TE George Kittle and WR Jauan Jennings were limited at practice on Wednesday. WR Ricky Pearsall did not participate. 

San Francisco leads he league with 291.5 passing yards per game.That volume should continue in a game where the Niners carry a 24-point implied total, which ranks 10th in Week 7.

The injuries in San Francisco must be closely monitored. Bourne is the healthiest pass-catcher, which makes him the safest bet. View Bourne as a WR3 with upside if he enters the game as the only healthy WR. Should Jennings and Pearsall get in full practices, Bourne still offers flex value, but his path to targets shrinks. 

Sit

DeVonta Smith, Eagles

Philadelphia’s passing game has regressed badly, ranking 29th in yards per game (179.2). Jalen Hurts sits 19th in passing yards, and only Bryce Young and Cam Ward trail him among six-game starters.

Smith has reached double-digit fantasy points just twice and has been held under 50 yards in two of his last three games. That trend should continue against a Minnesota secondary allowing the fewest adjusted fantasy points to WRs.

The Vikings have yielded only two WR touchdowns all season and just two 50-yard receiving performances. Smith remains a bench candidate in this matchup.

Jakobi Meyers, Raiders

Meyers is on the field plenty. He ranks seventh in snap rate (92%) and fifth in route rate (95%). But the production hasn’t followed.

QB Geno Smith’s erratic play has been a major drag. Meyers ranks 18th in targets (43) but hasn’t topped 40 yards since Week 3 and has four straight single-digit PPR games.

A matchup with Kansas City won’t help. The Chiefs rank eighth against the pass, allowing 192 yards per game, and have allowed just five WR TDs all season. 

Tight Ends

Harold Fannin has top-10 upside

Start

Harold Fannin Jr., Browns

David Njoku’s thigh injury forced him out early in Week 6, and his missed Wednesday practice makes him questionable for Week 7.

In Njoku’s absence, Fannin logged season highs in snaps (66), targets (11), catches (7), and yards (81). Cleveland runs “12” personnel nearly half the time (49.9%), and Fannin has outscored Njoku in four of five games.

If Njoku sits, Fannin projects for a heavy workload against a Miami defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to TEs.

Sit

T.J. Hockenson, Vikings

Uncertainty at QB continues to limit Hockenson’s upside. With J.J. McCarthy under center, he averaged just 2 catches for 13.5 yards per game. His production with Carson Wentz (5 catches, 42 yards per game) has been modest but unspectacular.

Despite ranking seventh in route rate (81%) and 12th in target share (17%) at the position, Hockenson sits just 23rd among TEs in PPR points, with one top-10 finish.

The matchup doesn’t help. Philadelphia allows the third-fewest adjusted fantasy points to TEs, with only one TE topping 35 yards and one TD allowed all year. Hockenson remains tough to like.

Next Up

Week 7 Matchups That Matter: Get-Right Spot For Jayden Daniels

Next Article  

Jody Smith, Analyst

Jody Smith has been playing fantasy football for over 30 years, the last 15 as an analyst, writer, and editor. Jody's rankings have been among the most consistent, placing him inside the top-10 in multi-year accuracy.