Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 7
SSSQ is a weekly look at underappreciated 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.
For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 7 rankings. You can also listen to the Week 7 preview episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.
Start
Dak Prescott, Cowboys
vs. Lions
Welcome back, Dak!
As a celebratory gift for your return to the lineup, you get to face a Lions defense that ranks last in Football Outsiders' defensive DVOA and has given up the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Normally, we might be cautious about a passer returning from a hand injury, but that's not the case on a week where Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, and Kirk Cousins are on bye.
Prescott is a top-10 fantasy option, thanks to the friendliest of matchups.
Boone's projection: 271 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 18 rushing yards
Other QBs to start
- Geno Smith at Chargers
- Tua Tagovailoa vs. Steelers
Kenneth Walker, Seahawks
at Chargers
In his first game as the Seahawks' starter, Walker delivered a 23-touch, 110-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Cardinals.
It's everything Walker's fantasy managers could have wanted, and there's plenty of reason to project an even bigger Week 7.
The second-round rookie will face the Chargers, who are the fourth-easiest matchup for opposing running backs. Brandon Staley's defense has been hit hard on the ground in 2022, including huge games by Nick Chubb (134 yards, 2 TDs), Dameon Pierce, (131 yards, TD), and James Robinson (100 yards, TD) over the last month.
As the new focal point of the Seahawks' offense, expect Walker to be the latest back to top the century mark versus the Chargers - while setting personal bests in several categories.
Boone's projection: 116 rushing yards, 14 receiving yards, 2 receptions, 2 TDs
Other RBs to start
- Ezekiel Elliott/Tony Pollard vs. Lions
- Raheem Mostert vs. Steelers
- Travis Etienne vs. Giants
Allen Lazard, Packers
at Commanders
Lazard has been a strong producer since getting back into the lineup in Week 2.
The 26-year-old has scored a touchdown in four of his five games this season, and he went for 116 yards in the lone contest where he didn't find the end zone.
Randall Cobb being sidelined will put an even bigger emphasis on the Packers' top pass-catcher, which should mean a couple more targets thrown his way each week. That's especially exciting heading into a contest against a Washington unit that's permitted the fifth-most fantasy points to receivers.
You can confidently start Lazard as a top-20 fantasy wideout in Week 7.
Boone's projection: 84 receiving yards, 5 receptions, TD
Other WRs to start
- Tyler Lockett at Chargers
- Brandin Cooks at Raiders
- Brandon Aiyuk vs. Chiefs
Gerald Everett, Chargers
at Seahawks
Everett's numbers dipped the last two weeks with Donald Parham active, but it's worth getting him back in your lineup for this matchup.
Parham is currently in concussion protocol on a short week and has yet to take the practice field since the injury occurred on Monday night.
In addition to Parham potentially being sidelined, Everett will have even more motivation than usual going against his former team - the Seahawks.
Seattle also happens to be the best matchup for fantasy tight ends this season. They've given up at least 50 yards and/or a touchdown to eight different tight ends in the first six weeks.
If you're searching for a fantasy starter, Everett can be that low-end TE1 for you in this contest.
Boone's projection: 67 receiving yards, 5 receptions, TD
Other TEs to start
- Hayden Hurst vs. Falcons
- Evan Engram vs. Giants
Sit
Justin Fields, Bears
at Patriots
After a slow start to the season, Fields has finished as a top-12 fantasy quarterback in back-to-back games. That may lead some managers to consider him as a bye-week replacement, but we're here to make sure you don't.
Bill Belichick and the Patriots tend to dominate young quarterbacks. That trend has continued this season by containing four of the six passers they've encountered - with the only exceptions being a pair of stars in Lamar Jackson and Aaron Rodgers.
Fields is about to have a frustrating outing on the road and under the Monday Night Football lights. We strongly advise you find a different streaming option.
Boone's projection: 176 passing yards, 2 INTs, 38 rushing yards
Other QBs to sit
- Marcus Mariota at Bengals
- Zach Wilson at Broncos
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs
at 49ers
Edwards-Helaire has found himself in a committee backfield, with teammate Jerick McKinnon out-snapping him in each of the last two games.
However, the concerns about CEH's production have been there all year, since he's only played more than 45% of the Chiefs' snaps once this season.
With that kind of usage, it's not surprising that his numbers can be volatile. The 23-year-old has only topped 40 yards from scrimmage in one of the last four outings.
And this isn't the matchup to target if you're hoping for a boom game. The 49ers are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2022, and they should be getting some defensive starters like Nick Bosa back this week.
CEH should be viewed as a touchdown-or-bust RB3/flex play.
Boone's projection: 37 rushing yards, 11 receiving yards, 2 receptions
Other RBs to sit
- David Montgomery at Patriots
- Melvin Gordon/Latavius Murray vs. Jets
- James Robinson vs. Giants
DJ Moore, Panthers
vs. Buccaneers
Poor quarterback play has doomed Moore this season, and there's no end in sight with P.J. Walker starting in an unfavorable spot against a stingy Buccaneers defense.
Sadly, the departures of Christian McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson won't boost Moore's projection into a range where you'd feel comfortable having him in your lineup because what he might gain in volume, he'll lose in offensive efficiency.
The Panthers were already one of the worst offenses in the league, and now Moore is the only piece defensive coordinators need to worry about stopping.
Moore belongs on your bench until a better matchup comes along for Carolina.
Boone's projection: 46 receiving yards, 5 receptions
Other WRs to sit
- Jerry Jeudy vs. Jets
- Darnell Mooney at Patriots
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling at 49ers
Mike Gesicki, Dolphins
vs. Steelers
Consider this your regular reminder that big games from Gesicki are few and far between.
His six-catch, 69-yard, two-touchdown stat line against the Vikings is enticing, especially at a position where a quarter of the teams in your league are desperate for a competent starter - but Gesicki is not the answer.
He's failed to eclipse five PPR fantasy points in four of his six tries in the opening month-and-a-half.
Unless he gets traded before the deadline or injuries strike the Miami receiving corps, Gesicki will remain a desperation bye-week fill-in at best.
Boone's projection: 28 receiving yards, 3 receptions
Other TEs to sit
- Hunter Henry/Jonnu Smith vs. Bears
- Noah Fant at Chargers
Stash
Sony Michel, Chargers
With Joshua Kelley out four-to-six weeks due to a knee injury, Michel (6% rostered) is locked in as the Chargers' No. 2 running back behind Austin Ekeler.
On top of being one injury away from starting in a quality offense, Michel can offer flex value in the right matchup - like this week against a Seahawks defense that gives up the ninth-most fantasy points to the position.
Zamir White, Raiders
While everyone assumed the Raiders would deploy a committee backfield under Josh McDaniels, Josh Jacobs has once again fought off all contenders to be a workhorse in Vegas.
Over his last four games, Jacobs has touch counts of 20, 18, 32, and 26. He also finished as a top-three weekly fantasy back two consecutive weeks before his recent bye.
However, this type of volume comes with an increased chance of injury at a position that already carries plenty of risk. So, forward-thinking fantasy managers in deeper leagues will use a bench spot to stash away Jacobs' backup White.
The rookie profiles as a straight-line runner who packs a punch when colliding with oncoming defenders. He impressed in training camp and would step into the lead role if Jacobs were to miss time.
Quit
Quarterbacks (1QB): Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford
Running backs: Deon Jackson, Mike Boone
Wide receivers: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jahan Dotson
Tight ends: Irv Smith Jr., Tyler Conklin