Week 7 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Smartest Matchups to Exploit, Sleeper Plays and More

We're six weeks into the 2025 NFL season, and a few fantasy facts have become clear.

Only a handful of stars appear truly matchup-proof, but those who are—and who have managed to stay healthy—are likely to be league-winners. Several early fantasy draft picks, though, have disappointed, while several more have been bitten by the injury bug.

Standouts like Cooper Kupp, Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr. were among the list of players injured in Week 6. Bye weeks will further complicate matters in Week 7, as the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills will both be out of action.

Let's dive into some players to start, sit and target on the waiver wire this week.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Matt Freed

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers

Start: Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers

Aaron Rodgers, who is coming off a 235-yard, two-touchdown performance, has become a reasonable streaming option in 2025. He's not going to throw 40-plus times every week because that's not the Pittsburgh Steelers' game plan. However, he will put up good numbers in the right matchups.

On Thursday night, the Steelers will visit the Cincinnati Bengals, who have surrendered an average of 19.1 fantasy points to opposing QBs this season.

Sit: Jaxson Dart, New York Giants

Rookie Jaxson Dart has become an intriguing fantasy option, due in large part to his scrambling ability. Last Thursday, he racked up 195 passing yards, 58 rushing yards and two combined touchdowns.

However, the New York Giants' newest star has shown some ball-security issues (2 INTs, 2 fumbles) and faces a tough Week 7 matchup. His legs may carry Dart to fantasy relevance, but the Denver Broncos have allowed an average of just 11.8 fantasy points to opposing QBs.

Sleeper: Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young certainly isn't in the "fantasy star" category just yet. However, he's shown improvement over the last few weeks and is starting to become a solid matchup-based streamer. He threw for 199 yards with three touchdowns and an interception on Sunday.

Young will have another favorable matchup this week against a New York Jets defense that has surrendered 18.9 fantasy points per game to opposing QBs. He's rostered in only 21 percent of Yahoo leagues and 20 percent of ESPN leagues.

Running Back

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

Chargers RB Kimani Vidal

Start: Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns seem determined to annoy fantasy managers this season. Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was rolling before only getting 12 carries in Week 7. That made no sense, Kevin Stefanski!

Fortunately, Judkins is poised for a bounce-back game. The Miami Dolphins are coming to town and have surrendered an average of 5.6 yards per carry and 23 fantasy points per game to opposing backfields.

Sit: Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks also seem eager to frustrate fantasy managers in 2025. They continue to use a split backfield, even though Kenneth Walker III has been far more efficient than Zach Charbonnet. While Walker has still come through for managers more often than not, the rotation is a problem.

Walker only received 11 touches in Week 6, while Charbonnet logged 13. This week, they'll face a Houston Texans defense that has surrendered an average of just 14.5 fantasy points to opposing backfields

Sleeper: Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Charger

Managers who took a flier on Kimani Vidal last week were rewarded. With Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton both on injured reserve, the Los Angeles Chargers turned to a tandem of Hassan Haskins and Vidal. The latter proved to be the lead back, finishing with 18 carries, three receptions, 134 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.

Vidal isn't likely to thrive as much against an Indianapolis Colts defense that has allowed just 16.6 fantasy points per game to opposing backfields. However, he's the closest thing to a starter available on the waiver wire, available in over 70 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton

Start: Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

The Broncos did not adjust well, offensively, to London on Sunday. The Broncos mustered just 13 points while standout receiver Courtland Sutton caught just one pass for 13 yards. Sutton should, however, bounce back this week.

Though Sutton was only targeted three times in Week 6, he was targeted an average of eight times in his previous three games. He should have a similar target share this week against a Giants defense that has surrendered an average of 31.5 fantasy points per game to opposing receiver groups.

Sit: DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles

Something is off with the Philadelphia Eagles' offense, and Philly has spent the past couple of games trying to force things in the passing game. For wideout DeVonta Smith, the results have been mixed.

Smith had eight catches for 114 yards in Week 5 but only four catches for 49 yards on Thursday night. Expect him to have another quiet game in Week 7 for a couple of reasons. For one, the Eagles should look to get back to basics and lead with the run. Secondly, the Minnesota Vikings are coming off their bye and have given up the fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers.

Sleeper: Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots

New England Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte had a stellar game in Week 6, finishing with five catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns. He's shown a lot of improvement alongside quarterback Drake Maye this season and has some matchup-based sleeper value.

Boutte will face an average Tennessee Titans secondary this week and should see several one-on-one opportunities if the Titans focus on slowing Stefon Diggs. Boutte is still available in over 90 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.