A.J. Brown came back from his high ankle sprain against the Jets and immediately commanded 10 targets, a clear sign New England intends to run its passing game through him again. The results did not match the volume, with just three catches for 27 yards. Now he gets a short week and a Thursday night trip to Chicago with an even thinner receiver room around him. Find out whether you should start or sit A.J. Brown in Week 7.
A.J. Brown Start or Sit Advice for Week 7
The target share is the headline. Brown has drawn 14 targets in his two appearances, an average of 7.0 per game, and the 10 he saw in Week 6 showed he walked straight back into the No. 1 role. He also drew two red zone targets against New York.
The competition for looks has thinned out considerably. Romeo Doubs is now on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and is hoping to return after New England’s Week 11 bye, and Mack Hollins remains on injured reserve as well. That leaves DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III and Kyle Williams as the other receivers, along with tight end Hunter Henry. Douglas scored 21.6 PPR points last week, but none of them command targets the way Brown does.
The health picture is clean heading into kickoff. Brown practiced fully this week and does not carry an injury designation, and Drake Maye is also practicing without limitation. The Patriots throw for 243.5 yards per game.
Chicago presents a neutral matchup that leans favorable for a big-play receiver. The Bears allow 31.8 PPR points per game to wide receivers, right at the league average of 32.0, but they give up 16.3 yards per catch against a league mark of 13.0 and 115.7 air yards per game against 102.9. They have also surrendered six touchdowns to receivers, above the league average of 5.1. Chicago’s opponents have thrown right around league average against it, so those numbers are an honest read.
The Biggest Fantasy Risk for A.J. Brown in Week 7
Efficiency has been a problem in both of his games. Brown has caught just six of his 14 targets, a 42.9% catch rate, for 53 yards. That works out to 3.8 yards per target, a number that has to climb for the volume to translate into fantasy points. He has posted 5.6 and 5.7 PPR points in his two outings.
The ankle is part of that question. Even with a full week of practice, high ankle sprains can linger, and a short week before a Thursday game does not give him much extra time to recover from Sunday’s workload.
Chicago’s pass rush is also a factor. The Bears have 17 sacks, above the league average of 13.4, and New England’s offensive line will be without center Ben Brown and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, with tackle Morgan Moses questionable. Pressure on Maye could cut down the time Brown needs to work downfield.
Fantasy Outlook for A.J. Brown in Week 7
Brown is a Strong Start in Week 7 as a WR2 with WR1 upside. The target volume is back, the receiver room around him is depleted, and Chicago gives up big plays and touchdowns to receivers at an above-average rate.
The catch rate and the lingering ankle keep some uncertainty in his floor, and a banged-up offensive line adds risk. Still, a receiver drawing double-digit targets in a thin room is a strong bet to break through. Lock him in for Thursday night.