Week 7 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Fantasy Wide Receivers
James Newell
Host · Writer
Welcome back, readers! I am happy to return for a second year as The Sporting Tribune's fantasy football analyst. If you are new here, my mission is to help fantasy managers with any dilemmas or questions they may have through the course of the season to ultimately win their leagues. For the next 17 weeks, I will produce weekly fantasy content that will go over the waiver wire, rankings, and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em columns.
Being a fantasy manager often means having to make difficult roster decisions, but I aim to take some of the guesswork out of it with my Start 'Em and Sit 'Em column for every position. It goes without saying that I won't include obvious calls like "start Trey McBride" or "sit Tommy DeVito." Instead, I search for players that could be perceived as fringe that could propel your lineups for weekly wins.
As always, if you have any questions or don't see your players here, feel free to follow me on Twitter (X) – @JamesNewell96 and send me a message, where I typically respond in a timely manner.
Start ’Em
Matthew Golden @ DET (Projected FPTS – 16.8): Did you know that Golden is being started in only 77.3 percent of ESPN leagues? That number is way too low for a receiver who’s ranked eighth in fantasy and is averaging 16.8 points this season. He has a magnificent matchup this week against the Lions, who have one of the worst defenses in the league. Four wideouts have scored more than 19 fantasy points against Detroit. The projected game total is around the mid-50s, so expect a high-scoring affair.
Germie Bernard @ NO (Projected FPTS – 12.5): Bernard rose to the occasion as Pittsburgh’s WR2, with both Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson on injured reserve. Over the last two games, the rookie has tallied 17 receptions on 21 targets for 167 yards and a touchdown, which has him ranked as the WR9 during that span. His number will continue to be called, especially this week against the Saints, who’ve been generous to opposing wide receivers this season.
Jameson Williams vs. GB (Projected FPTS – 11.2): After a brutal start to the season, Williams has been rolling in his last two games, combining for 34.9 fantasy points. Despite his reputation for being streaky, I expect Williams to continue this heater against the Packers in what should be a high-scoring matchup. Green Bay’s defense has allowed five wide receivers to reach at least 16 fantasy points. Keep in mind, Williams nearly notched 27 fantasy points against the Packers in their last meeting. Williams should be in your lineup this week.
Honorable Mentions: George Pickens @ PHI; DeVonta Smith vs. DAL; DK Metcalf @ NO; Luther Burden III vs. NE; Jalen Coker vs. TB; A.J. Brown @ CHI; Christian Watson @ DET; Emeka Egbuka @ CAR; Devaughn Vele vs. PIT.
Sit ’Em
Michael Wilson vs. DEN (Projected FPTS – 12.3): Wilson has put up 4-30-0 and 4-32-0 lines in the two games without Marvin Harrison Jr. Those aren’t finishes you expect from him, but you might think he’s due for a big game. I don’t see it happening this week against the Broncos, who’ve allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per target to perimeter receivers. Denver’s defense also ranks 10th-lowest in EPA to wideouts. Wilson isn’t a must-bench player, but managers need to keep their expectations in check.
Xavier Worthy @ SEA (Projected FPTS – 10.2): Worthy has put up solid double-digit fantasy finishes in three of his last four games, including 14.3 points last week against the Chargers. However, the matchup this week against the Seahawks is daunting, even if Rashee Rice isn’t active. Seattle has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game and the third-lowest EPA per target to the position this season. Expect Worthy to see most of the attention from the Seahawks’ secondary in this game.
Josh Downs @ MIN (Projected FPTS – 10.0): Expectations for Downs have completely nosedived over his last three games. He hasn’t scored more than 8.7 fantasy points during that span, and veteran Keenan Allen has seen more targets and been more fantasy relevant. Downs has a bad matchup this week against the Vikings, who are lights out against opposing receivers. Minnesota has given up the fourth-lowest EPA per target and the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the position.
Lowlights: Carnell Tate vs. CLE; Jaylen Waddle @ ARI; Tre Tucker vs. LAR; Ryan Flournoy @ PHI; Chris Godwin Jr. @ CAR; Dontayvion Wicks vs. DAL; Caleb Douglas @ NYJ; Ja’Kobi Lane vs. CIN.
