Week 7 of the NFL season has arrived! Injuries have already thrown a wrench into multiple receiving corps around the league, so it’s time to take a deep dive into the position.
Let’s break down my Week 7 start ’em, sit ’em fantasy football wide receiver picks.
Start ‘Em: Demario Douglas (Patriots) at Jaguars
A Patriot not named Rhamondre Stevenson being fantasy relevant? In this economy?!
I’d say I’m as shocked as you, but that’s not the case. As a Patriots fan, I’ve sat through blowout after blowout over the last few years. Virtually the entire offensive product New England has put on the field has been ugly, but “Pop” is one of the bright spots.
The shifty slot receiver is a matchup nightmare for most corners, and it’s started to translate into production lately. Douglas has racked up 22 receptions over his last four games, and he’s fresh off his best outing of the season in Drake Maye’s first career start, hauling in six balls for 92 yards and a touchdown.
With Maye under center, the Patriots’ passing game has new life. Douglas should continue to be the beneficiary this week against a vulnerable Jaguars secondary in London.
Sit ‘Em: Khalil Shakir (Bills) vs. Titans
Shakir failed to make an impact in his return from an ankle injury, catching both of his targets for just 19 yards against the Jets.
Following the departure of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Buffalo’s offense has turned into a run-centric scheme. While Shakir has featured as Josh Allen’s top pass-catcher thus far, the volume hasn’t been ideal, as he hasn’t seen more than six targets in a game this season.
This week, Shakir and the Bills take on a shockingly stout Titans secondary that has allowed the fewest passing yards and the second-fewest fantasy points to receivers per game. Until Shakir carves out a larger role or draws a more favorable matchup, leave him on your bench.
Check out my full Week 7 start/sit article with picks at each position here!
Start ‘Em: Courtland Sutton (Broncos) at Saints — THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Don’t look now, but Sutton has jumped back into fantasy-relevant territory.
The big receiver has racked up at least 13 PPR points in three of his last four matchups, establishing himself as the clear top target for rookie Bo Nix. After failing to find the end zone in his first three outings, he’s scored in two of Denver’s last three contests.
This week, Sutton finds himself in a favorable matchup against the Saints. New Orleans allows the most passing yards per game at 395.8, giving up the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Sutton’s ceiling is relatively limited in this conservative Broncos passing attack, but he’s still perfectly capable of producing solid WR2 numbers.
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Sit ‘Em: George Pickens (Steelers) vs. Jets
Pickens has been a fantasy no-show in each of the Steelers’ last two outings, catching six balls for 79 yards.
Now, he’ll be working with a new quarterback. Despite Justin Fields’ recent streak of solid performances, Mike Tomlin is reportedly benching him for Russell Wilson. Personally, I don’t believe this is the right move. While it could actually help Pickens’ fantasy production down the line, I wouldn’t bank on it this week as he and Wilson begin to develop their in-game rapport.
With a matchup against Sauce Gardner looming, it’s best to leave the big-play receiver on your bench and opt for someone with a safer floor.
Start ‘Em: Tank Dell (Texans) at Packers
After a slow start to the year, fantasy managers were eager to see if Dell would assume a larger role in Houston’s offense after Nico Collins landed on IR.
The 24-year-old didn’t disappoint. Dell saw a season-high nine targets against the Patriots, hauling in seven of them for 57 yards and a touchdown. Stefon Diggs out-gained Tank from a yardage standpoint, but C.J. Stroud looked the youngster’s way more often.
Dell’s uptick in usage should carry over to Houston’s Week 7 tilt against the Packers, so you can fire him up as a WR2.
Those are my start ’em, sit ’em Week 7 fantasy football wide receiver picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice later this week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
