Fantasy Football Week 7 Sit/Start: Wide Receivers
Fantasy football season is officially in full swing. We’re looking at wide receivers in Week 7 in this piece. With a jam-packed slate, we have a list of WRs you should avoid at all costs and others you absolutely need to find a spot for in your lineup. Let’s dive in!
Start: Wan’Dale Robinson — New York Giants (vs PHI)
Wan’Dale Robinson has been a fantasy surprise for those in PPR leagues. Only Garrett Wilson has seen more targets than the Giants’ slot receiver through six games. Robinson hasn’t had many big yardage totals (his season-high is 71), but he’s hauled in at least five receptions in four straight and has 37 catches (T-4th in the NFL) on the season. Going up against a putrid Philadelphia pass defense, Robinson should see close to 10 targets and would be a viable FLEX option.
Sit: George Pickens — Pittsburgh Steelers (vs NYJ)
A QB change is happening in Pittsburgh with Russell Wilson set to replace Justin Fields. What does that mean for the rest of the offense? Not much, probably. Wilson has been mediocre-to-average for at least two seasons. He’s 35 years old and his best playing days are behind him. George Pickens would have been a great fit for an offense led by Wilson during the Seattle days. Now, Pickens is unlikely to see an uptick in his numbers with Wilson under center. The Pittsburgh WR has been ice-cold the last two weeks, recording six receptions on 15 targets for 79 yards.
Start: Diontae Johnson — Carolina Panthers (at WAS)
Diontae Johnson’s health is something to monitor as we approach Sunday. The former Steeler is nursing an ankle injury that has recently kept him out of practice. He’s played through the ailment the last two weeks, but his status for Week 7 remains unclear. If he plays, Johnson is a no-brainer start. He’s been excellent since Andy Dalton has taken over at QB. Since Week 3 (Dalton’s first start), Johnson is averaging 6 receptions, 10.8 targets, 76.5 yards, and has scored 3 TDs. He’s on a 102/1,300/13 pace for nearly a quarter of the season. Start him with confidence as soon as he’s cleared to go.
Sit: Marvin Harrison Jr. — Arizona Cardinals (vs LAC)
The rookie wideout has yet to clear concussion protocol to be ready for Arizona’s game on Monday. Even if Harrison Jr. can play, we’d keep him clear of any fantasy lineup. He was quiet in his last full game in Week 5 versus the 49ers, totaling just 2 receptions for 36 yards. Nursing a head injury, we’d imagine the Cardinals would limit his snap count if he can play. Additionally, the Chargers have been particularly stingy against wideouts this season. They rank 28th in points allowed to receivers through six games.
Start: Jordan Addison — Minnesota Vikings (vs DET)
The second-year wideout is about to come around. Jordan Addison had a huge game for the Vikings in Week 4, scoring two TDs, but was held in check in their most recent game versus the Jets. Still, he was targeted eight times against New York and has a much more appealing matchup in Week 7. Minnesota is hosting Detroit in a pivotal NFC North matchup. The Lions have a young secondary susceptible to giving up big plays. They’ve allowed the fourth most points to opposing WRs thus far. Addison and Justin Jefferson should feast against this defensive backfield.
Sit: Michael Pittman Jr. — Indianapolis Colts (vs MIA)
Indianapolis’ No. 1 WR has scored touchdowns in each of his last two games, but we’re avoiding Michael Pittman Jr. in Week 7. Anthony Richardson returning to the lineup is a net-negative in the passing game. While Richardson is a tremendous athlete, Joe Flacco remains the more well-rounded passer. It should also be noted that Pittman Jr. is nursing a back injury. He missed practice earlier in the week, but should be healthy enough to play against the Dolphins. Miami has been strong against wideouts this year. They’ve only allowed one receiver to eclipse 63 yards on them this year — Seattle’s DK Metcalf went for 104 in Week 3.
Start: Jaxon Smith-Njigba — Seattle Seahawks (at ATL)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s breakout is nearly upon us. The second-year wideout out of Ohio State has been steadier as of late. Through the first three games, Smith-Njigba had one monster game (12 targets, 16 receptions, and 117 yards) sandwiched in between two duds (5 targets, 5 receptions, and 58 yards total). However, he’s stabilized over the last three games, averaging over 9 targets and nearly 6 receptions. Atlanta’s defense isn’t terrible, but they lack a consistent pass rush. QB Geno Smith can dominate a defense when he’s kept clean. Smith-Njigba should be one of the main beneficiaries of a high-scoring contest.
Sit: Jerry Jeudy — Cleveland Browns (vs CIN)
With Amari Cooper gone, Jerry Jeudy now steps into the No. 1 WR role in the Cleveland Browns’ offense. This nominal change doesn’t impact his fantasy value in any meaningful way. Cleveland’s passing attack is completely broken because Deshaun Watson has devolved into one of the worst QBs in the league. They faced off against two of the worst pass defenses in the league the last two weeks (Washington and Philadelphia). In those matchups, Jeudy totaled 2 receptions for 51 yards on six targets. If anything, Cooper’s absence will bolster TE David Njoku, who will see the bulk of the targets in this putrid offense.
Start: Davante Adams — New York Jets (at PIT)
Davante Adams finally got his wish and was sent to the New York Jets via trade earlier in the week. After being out for the previous three weeks, Adams is reportedly ready to go and will make his Jets debut in Week 7. He could be limited from a snap count perspective, but his old friend Aaron Rodgers will likely make it a point to get the ball to him. These two have incredible chemistry and should waste no time getting reacclimated on the field. The Jets’ passing attack looked improved last week with Todd Downing taking over play-calling, and should only get better with Adams in the fold.
Sit: Jaylen Waddle — Miami Dolphins (at IND)
The Dolphins insist that Tua Tagovailoa will return at some point this season. But, it won’t be in Week 7, and that means Jaylen Waddle should be kept far away from your fantasy lineup. Waddle has failed to crack 50 yards since Week 1. He has yet to score a touchdown this season. The big play wideout simply can’t get it done with Miami’s number of mediocre QB options. Until Tagovailoa returns, Waddle can be glued to your bench, even in a favorable matchup against the Colts’ secondary.