Welcome to Week 7, and welcome to Quick Grades, your weekly companion for start/sit clarity. We’ve combined consensus rankings and projections with The Primer’s matchup analysis to assign letter grades for every fantasy-relevant player, then added concise notes to illuminate the reasoning. Treat the grade as your default stance and the note as your context check.
Let’s make your weekly lineup calls easy. In general, A means start with confidence, C is matchup-dependent, and F is a bench. Scroll for every position’s call, plus key notes that explain the “why” behind the grade. Prefer a curated view of only your roster? Sync your team for a personalized My Primer experience.
Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings & Start/Sit Grades
To keep this fast and scannable, we’re leading with the overall Week 5 rankings. Below that, you’ll find each position (QB, RB, WR, TE, DST, K) broken out with letter grades and quick notes. Use the rankings for a top-down view, then jump to the position sections for the grades behind each call.
Week 7 Start/Sit Rankings
Week 7 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades
Matthew Stafford (QB)
Matthew Stafford is the QB15 in fantasy points per game with QB1 finishes in two of his last three games. He’s best viewed as a QB2 this week with his receiving weapons banged up. Stafford has been ballin’ this season, though. Among 41 qualifying passers, Stafford ranks sixth in yards per attempt, third in passing touchdowns and passing yards per game, and second in hero throw rate. He faces a Jacksonville pass defense that leads the NFL in interceptions and has allowed the 11th-lowest CPOE, but they have also given up the tenth-most passing touchdowns (tied) and the 11th-highest success rate per dropback. Stafford should put up solid numbers this week, but I don’t know if it’ll be enough to make it into QB1 territory.
Trevor Lawrence (QB)
Trevor Lawrence is the QB21 in fantasy points per game with two QB1 weeks this season under his belt (QB12, QB5). His Week 5 showing with his legs was an outlier. That is the only game this season where Lawrence has manufactured more than 12 rushing yards, so don’t expect his rushing equity to enter the equation most weeks. Among 41 qualifying quarterbacks, Lawrence ranks 18th in passing yards per game, 29th in yards per attempt, 27th in highly accurate throw rate, and 28th in fantasy points per dropback. I don’t expect Lawrence to have a monster game in Week 7. He’s likely posting mid-range QB2 numbers this week. The Rams have held quarterbacks to the seventh-lowest yards per attempt and CPOE and the 11th-lowest success rate per dropback.
Cam Ward (QB)
Cam Ward remains unstartable in fantasy. He’s still looking for his second outing of the season with double-digit fantasy points. He has only one game with at least 250 passing yards and hasn’t thrown for multiple touchdowns in any game this season. Among 41 qualifying quarterbacks, Ward ranks 37th in yards per attempt, 40th in catchable target rate, dead last in highly accurate throw rate, and 40th in fantasy points per dropback. I hope there are better days ahead for the rookie, but it doesn’t look good.
Caleb Williams (QB)
Caleb Williams is the QB8 in fantasy points per game, with three games as a top ten weekly option (QB9, QB1, QB10) and two games outside the top 15 fantasy quarterbacks in weekly scoring (QB20, QB24). Williams’ rushing score saved his fantasy day last week. Without it, he would have finished with 13.9 fantasy points for the week. Among 41 qualifying passers, Williams ranks 16th in yards per attempt, 34th in highly accurate throw rate, 37th in catchable target rate, and he has the third-highest off-target rate and the 14th-highest turnover-worthy throw rate. Williams’ fantasy production has been much better than his real-life quarterback play. Rushing production and some nice matchups have helped him this season. Lookie lookie, Williams has another soft matchup to exploit this week. He should post strong QB1 numbers this week. New Orleans has been clueless as a pass defense this season, giving up the eighth-most yards per attempt, the second-most passing touchdowns, the fourth-highest CPOE, and the seventh-highest success rate per dropback.
Spencer Rattler (QB)
Spencer Rattler has been a basement-level QB2 this season as the QB25 in fantasy points per game. He has only one QB1 weekly scoring performance (QB10). Among 41 qualifying passers, the Saints have had him operating as a game manager, ranking 24th in deep throw rate and 31st in aDOT, which has helped him rank eighth in catchable target rate, but he also has the 12th-highest turnover-worthy throw rate. Rattler is 36th in fantasy points per dropback. The Bears have been a burnable pass defense, but expecting more than QB2 numbers from Rattler this week is probably asking too much of him. The Bears have allowed the sixth-highest yards per attempt, the fourth-most passing touchdowns, and the second-highest CPOE.
Week 7 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades
Luther Burden (WR)
Luther Burden remains only a part-time player in the Bears’ offense and a stash only. Last week, he had a 36.4% route share and a season-high 13.8% target share and 13% first-read share. I still hope that Burden’s role will continue to grow, but we aren’t at the point where he’s flex viable, especially with a bad matchup like this week. The Saints have allowed the eighth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game and the 11th-fewest PPR points per target to slot receivers.
Jaylen Waddle (WR)
Jaylen Waddle is the WR15 in fantasy points per game and over the last two weeks he has been the WR8 and WR17 in weekly scoring while seeing two red zone targets. He has five deep targets and ranks sixth among wide receivers in red zone targets this season. Since Week 5, he has had a 24.6% target share, a 51.9% air-yard share, 102.5 receiving yards per game (3.66 yards per route run), and a 35.6% first-read share. He faces a Browns’ secondary that has the third-highest rate of single high (61.3%). Over the last two games, against single high, Waddle has had a 33.3% target share, a 60.8% air-yard share, 4.31 yards per route run, and a 47.6% first-read share.
Jerry Jeudy (WR)
With Dillon Gabriel under center, Jerry Jeudy has had an 18.8% target share and team-leading 24.6% first-read share, but he’s only produced 29 receiving yards and 0.71 yards per route run. He does have four red zone targets over the last two weeks, though. This could be the week that Jeudy turns the usage into actual fantasy production against a secondary that has allowed the tenth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Jeudy is a nauseating but viable flex play this week.
Jalen Coker (WR)
Jalen Coker will be back this week. Last week, he practiced in full (quad), and the team didn’t activate him, but it looks like the plan is for him to be a full go this week. Last year, he burst onto the scene as an undrafted free agent. He earned a starting spot as the season moved along and racked up four games with at least 60 receiving yards in the process. In the six games in which Coker played at least 68% of the snaps and Bryce Young was the starting quarterback, Coker had an 18.3% target share, 55.7 receiving yards per game, 1.89 yards per route run, and a 23.8% first-read share. He averaged 11.4 PPR points per game with three top-36 weekly fantasy finishes (WR17, WR12, WR28). Coker offers immediate flex value this week against a Jets’ secondary that has allowed the eighth-most PPR points per target to slot receivers.
Tetairoa McMillan (WR)
Tetairoa McMillan FINALLY got into the end zone (twice last week). He’s the WR28 in fantasy points per game with the eighth-most deep targets and 14th-most red zone targets among wide receivers. The worry for McMillan this week is that Sauce Gardner likely shadows him. Gardner has followed George Pickens, D.K. Metcalf, Courtland Sutton, and Mike Evans on at least 65.2% of their routes this season. Pickens and Evans secured touchdowns against Gardner, but none of those receivers surpassed 57 receiving yards in Gardner’s coverage. McMillan has a 22.4% target share with a 42.3% air-yard share while averaging 63.3 receiving yards per game (1.91 yards per route run) with a 28.5% first-read share. McMillan is still a solid bet for volume, and maybe he beats Gardner for a touchdown this week, but I wouldn’t expect him to win you your fantasy matchup in Week 7.
A.J. Brown (WR)
A.J. Brown is the WR42 in fantasy points per game. Yep, you read that correctly. He ranks 15th in deep targets and 21st in red zone targets among wide receivers. Brown has two top-24 weekly finishes this season among wide receivers (WR4, WR19). His per-route metrics aren’t horrible. Among 80 qualifying wide receivers, Brown ranks 37th in separation and 29th in route win rate. He has a 25.6% target share, 45.7 receiving yards per game (1.44 yards per route run), and a 33% first-read share. Minnesota utilizes two high at the highest rate in the NFL (69.8%). Against two high, Brown’s target share has fallen to 22.3% with 0.86 yards per route run and a 28.8% first-read share (tied for the team lead). The drop in efficiency and target share against two high is concerning for Brown, but Minnesota has allowed the ninth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Brown could still walk away from Week 7 with a strong game, but I’m not projecting a blow-up performance.
DeVonta Smith (WR)
DeVonta Smith is the WR38 in fantasy points per game with five deep targets and five red zone targets (all five in his last four games). Smith has a 20.9% target share, 53.5 receiving yards per game (1.64 yards per route run), and a 26.8% first-read share. Minnesota utilizes two high at the highest rate in the NFL (69.8%). Against two high, Smith is second on the team with a 22.3% target share (tied with A.J. Brown), but he has had a strong 1.92 yards per route run to go along with his 28.8% first-read share (tied for the team lead). I expect Smith and Goedert to lead the way for the Eagles’ passing attack this week. Smith will have to overcome a tough matchup, but he has the talent to do so. Minnesota has limited slot receivers to the tenth-fewest receiving yards per game and the fifth-fewest PPR points per target.
Jordan Addison (WR)
Since his return, Jordan Addison has finished as the WR21 and WR19 in weekly fantasy scoring, seeing two red zone targets (one touchdown) and three deep targets. Addison has a 16% target share with 77.5 receiving yards per game (2.04 yards per route run) and a 21.2% first-read share. In four of six games this season, Philly has utilized single high with 53.5-68.2% of their defensive snaps. Against single high, Addison’s target share has fallen to 14% with 0.72 yards per route run and a 17.6% first-read share. Philly has allowed the seventh-most receiving yards per game and the 12th-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers.
Xavier Worthy (WR)
Since his Week 4 return, Worthy has had a 70.2% route share, a 19.4% target share, 48.3 receiving yards per game (1.67 yards per route run), and a 22.4% first-read share. In those three games, he’s had three deep targets and three red zone targets. Last year, in their two meetings with Las Vegas, the Raiders utilized single high with 53.8-57.1% of their defensive snaps. This season, in four of six games, they have utilized single high with 56.1-69.6% of their defense snaps, so I think the Chiefs will see mostly single high coverage this week. Against single high, since Week 4, Worthy has had a 21.4% target share, 3.13 yards per route run, and a 25% first-read share. Worthy should have a wonderful day against a secondary that has allowed the second-most receiving yards per game and the third-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers.
Jakobi Meyers (WR)
Jakobi Meyers is dealing with knee and toe issues. He didn’t practice until Friday this week and only had a limited session. He has been listed as questionable this week. Meyers is the WR41 in fantasy points per game, ranking 21st among wide receivers in red zone targets. He has two top-36 finishes in weekly scoring, but none since Week 2 as the Raiders’ passing offense has tanked over the last few games. Meyers has a 22% target share, 54.8 receiving yards per game (1.71 yards per route run), and a 26.1% first-read share. The Chiefs have the third-highest two high rate (58.9%). Against two high, Meyers has seen his target share increase to 24.3% with 1.77 yards per route run and a 33.3% first-read share. Meyers is a solid flex play this week against a secondary that has allowed the 11th-most PPR points per target and the 12th-highest rating when targeted to slot receivers.
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Week 7 Running Back Start/Sit Grades
Rico Dowdle (RB)
Chuba Hubbard will be back this week, but I expect Rico Dowdle to lead this backfield this week. Hubbard has been extremely inefficient this season, and Dowdle absolutely crushed in his absence. The Panthers’ offense needed a spark and an identity, and Dowdle has provided that over the last two games. Dowdle has been the RB1 and RB2 overall in weekly scoring over the last two weeks, averaging 30 touches and 236.5 total yards. Among 50 qualifying backs, he ranks 11th in explosive run rate and second in yards after contact per attempt. Dowdle should have another nice week against the Jets. New York has allowed the tenth-most rushing yards per game, the sixth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and they rank 17th in missed tackle rate.
Chuba Hubbard (RB)
Chuba Hubbard will be back this week (calf). He was limited all week in practice until Friday (full). He doesn’t carry an injury designation into this game. Hubbard will likely work in a committee with Rico Dowdle this week. I don’t think Hubbard just goes away despite what Rico Dowdle has done over the last two weeks. Hubbard hasn’t been particularly effective this season, though. Yes, he’s the RB18 in fantasy points per game, but he has lived on volume with a glaring lack of efficiency. Hubbard ranks 30th in yards per touch. With his 53 carries this season, Hubbard hasn’t managed any explosive runs, and he hasn’t broken a single tackle. Hubbard is a middling flex option this week. New York has allowed the tenth-most rushing yards per game, the sixth-highest yards after contact per attempt, and they rank 17th in missed tackle rate.
Jordan Mason (RB)
Since Week 3, Jordan Mason has been the RB16 in fantasy points per game, averaging 17 touches and 81.3 total yards. Among 50 qualifying backs, he ranks 14th in explosive run rate and tenth in missed tackle rate. Minny should lean on Mason this week. Philly has allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game, the 14th-highest yards after contact per attempt, the tenth-highest yards per carry to zone runs, and the 12th-highest success rate to zone runs (Mason 55.1% zone).
Isiah Pacheco (RB)
Last week, Isiah Pacheco took over the Chiefs’ backfield. He played 77.4% of the snaps, handling 12 of 18 running back carries with a 52.6% route share (10% target share) and four of the five red zone carries. Pacheco finished with 13 touches and 51 total yards. His per-touch numbers still aren’t great, with a 10% missed tackle rate and 2.27 yards after contact per attempt. On a pass-first and pass-always offense, Pacheco’s weekly upside feels limited. Kansas City has zero interest in throwing the ball with the offense running through Patrick Mahomes and his receiving options. Pacheco could return decent flex value this week, but I wouldn’t expect much more than that. The Raiders are 19th in explosive run rate allowed and have given up the seventh-highest missed tackle rate and the fifth-most yards after contact per attempt.
J.K. Dobbins (RB)
Dobbins is the RB21 in fantasy points per game, averaging 16.2 touches and 77.5 total yards. Among 50 qualifying backs, he ranks sixth in explosive run rate and 29th in yards after contact per attempt. His fantasy value is reliant upon what he does in the rushing department. He has only one target in each of his last three games. The Giants should allow him to have a nice day on the ground, though. New York has allowed the 11th-most rushing yards per game, the eighth-highest explosive run rate, and the fifth-highest missed tackle rate.
Cam Skattebo (RB)
I’m sorry, Tyrone Tracy Jr. stans, but this is Cam Skattebo‘s backfield. Last week, Tracy Jr. returned and played only 29.9% of the snaps. Skattebo had a 71.6% snap rate, 19 of 26 running back carries, and a 48.5% route share (7.7% target share). Overall, Skattebo is the RB11 in fantasy points per game, and since becoming the Giants’ starting running back, he’s the RB12 in fantasy points per game. Since Week 4, he has averaged 23 touches and 101.4 total yards. Among 50 qualifying backs, Skattebo ranks sixth in missed tackles forced per attempt and ninth in yards after contact per attempt. Skattebo will get fed volume, but he’ll have an uphill climb this week. There is some hope, though. Denver has allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game, the eighth-lowest yards before contact per attempt, and the fourth-lowest explosive run rate, but they have also given up the 12th-highest missed tackle rate and the tenth-highest yards after contact per attempt. Skattebo should still produce volume RB2 stats this week.
RJ Harvey (RB)
Sean Payton can’t get out of his own way or RJ Harvey‘s these days. Last week, Harvey saw his snap rate fall to 28% with only two of 18 running back carries, while he did lead the team with a 27.3% route share and 13.3% target share. He’s not playing enough, and the Denver offense isn’t prolific enough for him to have fantasy start ability with this tiny of a workload. He’s still been effective with his work, ranking 15th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 25th in yards after contact per attempt. If Denver gets up to a big lead, maybe Harvey gets some work late this week. The matchup is good enough that he could have flex viability, but in most instances, I’m not playing him this week. The Giants should allow him to have a nice day on the ground, though. New York has allowed the 11th-most rushing yards per game, the eighth-highest explosive run rate, and the fifth-highest missed tackle rate.
Kimani Vidal (RB)
Kimani Vidal stepped up last week as the Chargers’ clear workhorse. Will it be this good every week for Vidal? No, he doesn’t get to play against the Dolphins weekly, but he is the clear leadback for this offense, right now. Vidal handled six of seven possible red zone rushing attempts, he played 67.2% of the snaps, had 18 of 24 running back carries, and had a 43.6% route share (10.5% target share). Last week, Vidal finished with 21 touches and 138 total yards as the RB9 for the week. Vidal has been good on a per-touch basis this season with a 13.6% explosive run rate and 3.41 yards after contact per attempt. Vidal could easily have another standout day in Week 7. Indy has allowed the 13th-highest explosive run rate, the sixth-highest yards before contact per attempt, the sixth-highest yards per carry to zone runs, and the fifth-highest success rate to zone runs (Vidal 59.1% zone).
Week 7 Tight End Start/Sit Grades
Mason Taylor (TE)
After last week’s disappointing near goose egg for Taylor, since Week 4, he has been the TE16 in fantasy points per game with TE11 and TE8 weekly finishes in Weeks 4-5. Since Week 4, Taylor has a 22.2% target share, 44.7 receiving yards per game (1.41 yards per route run), and a 22.4% first-read share. Taylor has two red zone targets in his last three games. Taylor is back in the TE1 discussion this week against a defense that has allowed the most receiving yards and the second-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends. Taylor could operate as the clear top receiving option for the Jets this week.
Oronde Gadsden II (TE)
Last week, Oronde Gadsden became the Bolts full-time tight end with a 69.2% route share, a 21.1% target share, 68 receiving yards (2.52 yards per route run), and a 31.6% first-read share. He even saw an end zone target. He was the TE12 for the week. Indy has utilized single-high with 51.2-62.5% of their defensive snaps in four of their six games. Against single high, Gadsden has a 26% target per route run rate and 1.72 yards per route run. Among 52 qualifying tight ends, against single high, those marks rank fifth-best and 13th. Gadsden Jr. could easily post another TE1 stat line this week against an Indy defense that has allowed the tenth-most receiving yards and the 13th-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Zach Ertz (TE)
Zach Ertz is the TE16 in fantasy points per game, with two TE1 finishes this season (TE2, TE5). He has zero deep targets and four red zone targets this season. This week’s matchup against Dallas is a great schematic matchup for him. Dallas has the sixth-highest two-high rate in the NFL (58.5%). Against two high, Ertz has a 23.1% target share, 2.30 yards per route run, and a 35.1% first-read share (WOW!). Dallas isn’t a wonderful matchup for Ertz on paper, but Daniels should look to him often this week. Dallas has allowed the 12th-most receiving yards per game to tight ends while ranking 16th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game allowed.
Theo Johnson (TE)
Since Week 4, Johnson has been the TE12 in fantasy points per game, seeing an 18.4% target share and 21.7% first-read share. During that stretch, he has produced 25.7 receiving yards per game (1.04 yards per route run) and three scores (three end zone targets). His per-route efficiency hasn’t been great, and he’s honestly lived off the touchdowns, which is like many tight ends in fantasy, but without the touchdowns, Johnson would have a basement-level TE2. Sit Johnson this week as Denver has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game and receiving yards per game to tight ends.
Kyle Pitts (TE)
Kyle Pitts is the TE14 in fantasy points per game with three red zone and zero deep targets. He has a 17.1% target share with 44.6 receiving yards per game (1.43 yards per route run) and a 14.8% first-read share. Pitts is a sit this week. The 49ers have held tight ends to the 12th-fewest receiving yards per game, the tenth-lowest yards per reception, and the 14th-fewest fantasy points per game.
Cade Otton (TE)
Cade Otton has been a ghost for much of this year as the TE33 in fantasy points per game. He has reemerged in the passing offense over the last two weeks with 12.1 and 10.1 PPR points as the TE13 and TE17 in weekly scoring. He has only one red zone target this season, though. Over the last two games, Otton has had a 19.6% target share, 66 receiving yards per game (3.07 yards per route run), and an 11.1% first-read share. Otton is a strong streaming option at tight end this week against a Lions’ defense that has allowed the 14th-most receiving yards per game, the seventh-highest yards per reception, and the 12th-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
AJ Barner (TE)
AJ Barner is the TE13 in fantasy points per game with three TE1 outings on the 2025 resume (TE9, TE8, TE1). Barner has four red zone targets and four touchdowns across his last five games. Barner has an 11% target share with 34.2 receiving yards per game (1.93 yards per route run) and a 10.4% first-read share. This isn’t the week to steam him. Houston has allowed the eighth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game and the fifth-fewest receiving yards per game to tight ends.
Week 7 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades
Week 7 Kicker Start/Sit Grades
