Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 7: Reviewing Fantasy Football's Top Fringe Starters

Every week, there are fantasy fringe players who managers are trying to decide whether to start or sit. For Week 7, there may be even more players on that fence.

That's because some big-name fantasy stars will be out of action this week on byes. The four teams that won't be playing are the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles. So fantasy managers who typically rely on top playmakers from those teams may be trying to decide between a few fringe players to fill in those spots.

Who's capable of putting up some big points thanks to an enticing matchup? Who has bust potential and could greatly disappoint fantasy managers?

Here's some start/sit advice for a few fringe players for Week 7.

Start 'Em: Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) works in the pocket against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Need to stream a quarterback because Buffalo's Josh Allen, Minnesota's Kirk Cousins and Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts are all on byes? Then you should consider starting Jimmy Garoppolo, as the 49ers QB could put up some solid stats this week.

San Francisco is hosting the Kansas City Chiefs for a Super Bowl LIV rematch. And because the Chiefs are likely to put up a lot of offense, the 49ers will have to try to keep up. That should bode well for Garoppolo, who could be passing quite a bit.

Garoppolo has thrown for more than 250 yards each of the past two weeks, and he also had two touchdown passes in each of those games. Now, he'll face a Kansas City defense that is allowing 266 passing yards per game, sixth most in the NFL.

Although Garoppolo isn't a start-worthy QB every week, he will be in Week 7 thanks to this matchup. Yet he's likely still on the waiver wire in plenty of leagues. So if you need to find a quarterback to start, Garoppolo is a great option.

Sit 'Em: David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery cuts away from Washington Commanders safety Kam Curl in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Entering the season, David Montgomery was the Bears' No. 1 running back. But now, the team may be taking more of a committee approach, as Montgomery has been struggling and Khalil Herbert has been flashing his potential.

Chicago head coach Matt Eberflus said earlier this week that the team will be going with the "hot hand" at running back moving forward (per Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports Chicago). That could be Montgomery some weeks, and it could be Herbert in others.

It makes it difficult for fantasy managers to decide whether to start either of these RBs. But in Week 7, it's probably best to sit both in a less-than-ideal matchup against the New England Patriots.

Montgomery has scored only one touchdown this year and has rushed for only 87 yards over the past two weeks upon his return from knee/ankle injuries. It seems unlikely he'll get off to a strong start against the Pats, so the Bears may pivot at that point. It's too fluid of a situation to trust Montgomery in fantasy lineups this week (and potentially for the foreseeable future).

Start 'Em: Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel

Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel (10) runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Landover, Md. The Titans won 21-17. (AP Photo/Jess Rapfogel)

Curtis Samuel got off to a hot start this season, but he's been less productive of late. He hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 2, and he's been held to 48 or fewer receiving yards in three of the Commanders' past four games.

Last week, Samuel had his worst showing yet, as he had only two catches for six yards in Washington's win over Chicago. However, Samuel could be much more involved in Week 7, as the Commanders will be changing up their offensive game plan.

Carson Wentz is out because of a fractured finger on his right hand, so Taylor Heinicke will be starting at quarterback for Washington on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Heinicke will likely stick to the short passing game, and that should bode well for Samuel, who works a lot out of the slot and will be in a position to excel.

This should be an opportunity for Samuel to have a bounce-back performance, especially because the Commanders could be playing from behind and have to pass a decent amount. So Samuel is worthy of starting as a flex player in fantasy lineups this week.