Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 7
SSSQ is a weekly look at under-the-radar fantasy players to consider starting and potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut.
Consult our Week 7 rankings for the rest of your lineup decisions. You can also listen to the Week 7 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
Start
Brock Purdy, 49ers
at Vikings
Purdy was the QB8 in fantasy points per game over the first five contests before last week's loss saw Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and Trent Williams suffer injuries against a tough Browns defense.
That trio has a shot to play on Monday night, but Purdy will produce with or without them in a much easier matchup versus the Vikings.
Minnesota is allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2023. The ranking would be even worse if Justin Fields hadn't left early in Week 6.
Boone's projection: 253 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 9 rushing yards
Other QBs to start
- Geno Smith vs. Cardinals
- Jordan Love at Broncos
Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs
vs. Chargers
After being eased back into the lineup at the start of the year, Pacheco has turned into a workhorse in recent weeks with at least 17 touches in each of the past four outings.
He has yardage totals of 78, 158, 64, and 98 during that stretch and scored three touchdowns.
Now he gets to face the Chargers, who are the ninth-friendliest opponent for fantasy running backs. Pacheco also topped 100 rushing yards against them in their last meeting in 2022.
Boone's projection: 86 rushing yards, 24 receiving yards, 2 receptions, TD
Other RBs to start
- Jerome Ford at Colts
- Brian Robinson Jr. at Giants
- James Cook at Patriots
Christian Watson, Packers
at Broncos
Since returning from injury, Watson scored a touchdown on limited snaps in Week 4 and posted 91 yards on seven targets in Week 5.
Coming off the bye, there should be no questions about his health when he takes on the Broncos.
Even with Pat Surtain in the secondary, Denver has given up some big games to wideouts, including Tyreek Hill (9-157-1), DJ Moore (8-131-1), Jakobi Meyers (9-81-2), and Terry McLaurin (5-54-1). Watson will be next on this list with at least one score in Week 7.
Boone's projection: 79 receiving yards, 5 receptions, TD
Other WRs to start
- Amari Cooper at Colts
- Zay Flowers vs. Lions
- Terry McLaurin at Giants
Logan Thomas, Commanders
at Giants
Thomas was a forgotten man with a season-low one target in last week's win over the Falcons.
Before that performance, the veteran had either topped 40 yards or scored a touchdown in every game this season.
You should expect him to bounce back against the Giants, who have given up at least 55 yards or a TD to a tight end in each of their past four games.
Boone's projection: 62 receiving yards, 5 receptions, TD
Other TEs to start
- Kyle Pitts at Buccaneers
- Luke Musgrave at Broncos
Sit
Kirk Cousins, Vikings
vs. 49ers
In his first game since Justin Jefferson was placed on injured reserve, Cousins failed to capitalize on a great matchup versus the Bears. He finished as the QB23 with just 181 passing yards and a single TD.
Things won't get any easier against the 49ers' pass rush. San Francisco has been the second-toughest opponent for fantasy QBs in 2023.
Cousins is going to struggle most weeks without Jefferson in the lineup.
Boone's projection: 197 passing yards, TD, INT
Other QBs to sit
- Jared Goff at Ravens
- Baker Mayfield vs. Falcons
Rachaad White, Buccaneers
vs. Falcons
With six teams on bye and so many injuries to backfields around the league, it'll be hard to sit any starting running back in Week 7. But you should at least lower expectations for these guys.
White has been a fantasy disappointment most weeks. However, in his defense, he's faced one of the toughest running back schedules so far.
Unfortunately for him, that continues with the Falcons, who have been the fourth-stingiest defense against fantasy backs.
Boone's projection: 38 rushing yards, 19 receiving yards, 2 receptions
Other RBs to sit
- Alexander Mattison vs. 49ers
- Najee Harris at Rams
- Gus Edwards/Justice Hill vs. Lions
Michael Pittman Jr., Colts
vs. Browns
Pittman has been outstanding for the Colts this year and is coming off a nine-catch, 109-yard performance against the Jaguars.
However, it'll be a challenge to put those numbers up against a Browns defense that's proving it's one of the best the NFL has to offer.
Cleveland's defenders have been strong across the board, but they're holding wideouts to the fewest fantasy points league-wide. This is going to be a down game for Pittman in what will otherwise be a great season.
Boone's projection: 46 receiving yards, 4 receptions
Other WRs to sit
- Courtland Sutton vs. Packers
- Diontae Johnson at Rams
- Josh Reynolds at Ravens
Gerald Everett, Chargers
vs. Chiefs
Everett has only topped 30 yards in one game this season, and the loss of Mike Williams didn't improve his volume last time out.
His fantasy day - which included just three catches for 16 yards - was only salvaged by a trip to the end zone.
Until we see Everett producing, he's best left on your bench or on the waiver wire.
Boone's projection: 32 receiving yards, 3 receptions
Other TEs to sit
- Tyler Higbee vs. Steelers
- Hunter Henry vs. Bills
Stash
Past stashes that still qualify: Rico Dowdle, Zamir White, Jonathan Mingo, Jalin Hyatt
Devin Singletary, Texans
Singletary (14% rostered) is one bye this week, so most fantasy managers won't be thinking about him.
However, he had his best performance of the year in Week 6 with 13 touches for 62 yards on a season-high 54% of the Texans' snaps. That coincided with Dameon Pierce playing a season-low 33% of the snaps.
While we don't expect Singletary to steal Pierce's starting job, Houston's rushing attack has struggled, and it's possible the veteran could factor in heavily when the team returns from its bye.
It's worth stashing him for a week or two to see how it plays out.
Malik Willis/Will Levis, Titans
With Ryan Tannehill expected to miss time due to an ankle injury, fantasy managers in two-quarterback or superflex leagues should be stashing Willis (0% rostered) and Levis (0% rostered) during the Titans' bye week.
When Tennessee returns to the field, we'll see a QB competition unfold between the two young passers - with the winner likely making multiple starts.
As rumors circulate about the Titans becoming sellers at the trade deadline, the team might decide to use the second half of the season to see what it has in some of its younger players - beginning with Willis and Levis.
Quit
Quarterback (1QB): Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson
Running back: Dalvin Cook, Emari Demercado
Wide receiver: Jahan Dotson, Tutu Atwell
Tight end: Pat Freiermuth, Zach Ertz