For as painful as NFL football has been to watch at times this year, fantasy football remains as thrilling as ever. From the ambiance created by emerging young talent to evolving injury reports and opportunities on a weekly basis, the first half of the season has been one to remember. No, this is not me supporting the injury report shenanigans of the Indianapolis Colts from a week ago. What it is is me telling you that when buffoonery like that is taking place, it’s more important than ever to dot your I’d and cross your t’s when it comes to fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em decisions.
As a reminder, players like Breece Hall, Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson will still be started in lineups weekly. It’s the RB2 and FLEX spots where things can get a bit trickier. To help you make some of these tough decisions, check out our weekly fantasy football rankings and continue reading for our Week 7 fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em analysis at RB.
Wide Receivers — Week 7 Fantasy Football Start/Sit
Tight Ends — Week 7 Fantasy Football Start/Sit
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Fantasy Football Start ’em, Sit ’em: Week 7 RBs
Start: Najee Harris Fantasy Outlook vs. Jets
Through six weeks, Harris has not fewer than 13 carries in any game. Last week saw him post his best stat line of the season with 106 yards rushing and his first touchdown of the campaign on 14 carries. Harris has also caught multiple receptions in four straight games, including last week with Warren back in the lineup, thus further legitimizing his value in PPR formats.
In Week 7, the Steelers are expected to make a QB change to Russell Wilson. While this probably won’t cause Harris’ role or value to fluctuate, a matchup against a New York Jets defense that has been sneaky dreadful when it comes to stopping the run elevates him firmly into RB2 territory.
Start: Chase Brown Fantasy Outlook vs. Browns
Until further notice, Brown can be considered an RB2 candidate on a weekly basis. The fact that he has taken over the top spot in the Cincy backfield largely makes him matchup-proof when it comes to this sentiment. Since Week 4 when he garnered double-digit carries for the first time this season, Brown has averaged over five yards per carry twice and has found the end zone three times. He also has corralled multiple receptions in all but one game to date.
In Week 7, Brown and the Bengals will battle the in-state rival Cleveland Browns. With all of Cleveland’s dysfunction on offense, some may be overlooking the fact that the defense has also taken a step back. The Browns rank 21st in rushing yards allowed per game and have given up six scores on the ground. Brown singular has a great chance to get the better of Browns plural in this matchup.
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Sit: Tank Bigsby Fantasy Outlook vs. Patriots
On paper, it’s a great spot for Bigsby to have another big game. The Jags will once again be playing in London, this time against a poor New England Patriots defense. That said, are we sure we can fully trust a back that has no more than 13 carries and has played no higher than 40% of his team’s offensive snaps in a game this season?
Even if Etienne misses, Bigsby will still be splitting work with D’Ernest Johnson, and presumably giving way in most passing situations. Bigsby should have a fine overall game, but ranking him as an RB2 seems a bit overzealous for my taste.
Sit: Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary Fantasy Outlook vs. Eagles
Per Wednesday’s practice report, Devin Singletary picked up right where he left off before missing each of the last two games as a limited participant in New York Giants practice. All rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. has done in his absence is lead the entire NFL in rushing yards two weeks ago and score his first career touchdown in primetime this past Sunday. If Singletary misses a third consecutive game, Tracy’s outlook gets a boost. However, what happens if both players suit up?
Given how well Tracy has performed in Singletary’s absence, it’s tough to decipher just how the Giants’ backfield touches will be distributed upon the latter’s return. Singletary started the year off as an RB that was viewed as having a stable floor thanks to high usage. Now, Tracy may have earned himself a weekly role in the offense.
Of course, the other problem that affects the fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em outlook of both players is how bad the Giants’ offensive line is. This was a bad O-line even before tackle Andrew Thomas was lost to a season-ending injury this week. The matchup against what appears to be a steadily improving Philadelphia Eagles defense under coordinator Vic Fangio doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence either.
