10 WRs to start or sit

Week 7 of the NFL season offers plenty of intrigue, including a Super Bowl rematch and three division battles. Only two teams, the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears, have byes, up from four in each of the last two weeks.

Both teams feature top wide receivers in fantasy football this season, including CeeDee Lamb and DJ Moore. However, as more teams play, managers also have to make more difficult lineup decisions. Here are five wide receivers to consider starting this week — and five to avoid if possible.

NFL POWER RANKINGS: NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Where do the Jets finish after loss to Bills and Davante Adams?

Fantasy Football starts them: Week 7 WRs

Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Flowers struggled in Week 6 against the Commanders with a franchise-record nine catches for 132 yards in the first half. He didn’t score but had one of his better weeks of the season. That could happen again in Week 7 on “Monday Night Football” against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have typically given up most of their points to outside receivers like Flowers this season. Tampa Bay’s defense is much better against the run than the pass, which could impact Baltimore’s game plan this week.

DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

Three weeks ago it would have been a joke to use a New England Patriots wide receiver in fantasy football, but with Drake Maye at center in Week 6, the passing game looked better than it has all season. Douglas had six catches for a season-high 92 yards and a touchdown on nine targets against the Texans. This week the Patriots face Jacksonville, which allows the second-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.

Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (vs. Detroit Lions)

The Vikings return from a bye in one of the best games of the week against Detroit. Addison could play an important role in this game against a Lions defense, giving wide receivers the fourth-most fantasy points per game. His prospects could change if tight end TJ Hockenson returns to the lineup for the first time since the end of last season. Even if that is the case, Hockenson will likely be in relief in the next few weeks.

Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (at Arizona Cardinals)

McConkey and the Chargers have gone from one of the toughest pass defenses in Denver to one of the easiest in Arizona. The Cardinals give up the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in the NFL. They gave up a total of 187 yards and four touchdowns to the Packers’ wideouts in Week 6. The Chargers may not be able to repeat that, but McConkey has a great matchup this week.

Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers (at Washington Commanders)

Johnson garnered most of the attention in the passing game for Carolina last week with 10 goals. He turned that into six catches, 78 yards and a touchdown and could have another good performance on Sunday. Washington allows the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, and Johnson should benefit the most from this matchup. Carolina will likely play catch-up most of the game, throwing more than running the ball on offense.

Fantasy Football Sit ‘Em: Week 7 WRs

Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints (vs. Denver Broncos)

Shaheed struggled in Week 6 with just one catch for 11 yards on seven targets. Things probably won’t get much easier against the Broncos this week. Denver allows the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in the league. Spencer Rattler seemed fine in his first start for New Orleans, but Denver could be a tougher challenge for him and Shaheed.

Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)

Wilson had his second touchdown of the season last week against the Packers, but will likely have a tougher time this weekend. Los Angeles allows the sixth fewest points to opposing wide receivers in the NFL. Marvin Harrison Jr. also may not start on “Monday Night Football” due to his concussion last week. With or without him drawing some attention, Wilson probably won’t have a good week.

Allen Lazard, New York Jets (at Pittsburgh Steelers)

With the Jets trading for Davante Adams, the hierarchy of New York’s receiving corps will change and likely bring down Lazard. Nearly half of his yards from Week 6 came on the Hail Mary to end the first half. Adams could make his debut in Week 7, but even if he doesn’t, the Steelers’ defense gives up the 10th-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in the NFL.

Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (at Buffalo Bills)

Ridley was targeted eight times in Week 6 and turned that into zero catches. Admittedly, most of these goals were missed. The Titans’ offense ranks 31st in passing and likely won’t fare much better against a Buffalo defense, giving wide receivers the eighth-fewest fantasy points in 2024. The Titans’ passing offense generally can’t be trusted, especially against a good pass defense like Buffalo’s, so Ridley is a tough choice this week.

Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts (vs. Miami Dolphins)

Pittman Jr. surprisingly played on Sunday after being sidelined for several weeks with a back injury. He played well, finishing with five catches for 35 yards and a touchdown, but will also face a difficult pass defense this weekend. The Dolphins are giving up the third-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. The wideouts with the most yards against the Dolphins are faster players like Seattle’s DK Metcalf (four catches for 104 yards in Week 3) and Gabe Davis (three catches for 62 yards in Week 1). This isn’t Pittman Jr.’s game. His teammate Alec Pierce may be the better decision this week, but it’s a decision that’s all about success or failure.

Fantasy Football: Start’em, Sit’ems, Week 7

Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports offers you:

→ A good running back makes the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here’s who to start with and who to attend in Week 7.

→ Do you need an edge under the center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and sit in Week 7.

→ Tight ends can be the perfect x-factor for any fantasy team. Here’s who you should start and sit with in week 7.

→ Good defense can shut down your fantasy opponent’s offense. Here are some D/ST options for starting and participating in Week 7.

→ Kickers are people too: Here are some of the most clutch kickers your fantasy team should have in Week 7.