Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Week 7

Week 7 offers a relative bye-week reprieve with just the Bears and Cowboys without a game. But with the Saints’ cluster of injuries, the Patriots’ quarterback swap, and the Davante Adams and Amari Cooper trades, there is still plenty of fantasy consternation. If you have lineup questions, my Week 7 start and sit column can help with its leaning on my comprehensive weekly fantasy projections that rank players and provide discrete values to help you set your lineups no matter your format or depth of fantasy league. Read on for a Week 7 primer.

The positional rankings and projected fantasy point totals rely on half-PPR scoring. The listed start/sit calls assume a 12-team league with 2 running back, 3 wide receiver, 1 tight end and 1 flex starting lineup spots. If your league is different, I recommend you start my higher ranked players over my lower ranked players.

You can find my weekly rankings and those of other FTN writers here.

Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Week 7

Quarterbacks

5. Baker Mayfield, TB vs. BLT: 32.2-247-1.80-0.74 and 3.0-19-0.15 = 18.4
6. Jalen Hurts, PHI at NYG: 31.5-235-1.18-0.76 and 8.3-29-0.39 = 17.9
7. Jordan Love, GB vs. HST: 33.6-253-2.02-0.94 and 2.3-9-0.09 = 17.7
8. Kyler Murray, ARZ vs. LAC: 31.5-216-1.32-0.50 and 4.3-37-0.12 = 17.4
9. Brock Purdy, SF vs. KC: 30.0-263-1.59-0.66 and 3.0-15-0.05 = 17.4

10. Anthony Richardson, IND vs. MIA

28.8-222-1.07-1.15 and 5.7-38-0.38 = 16.9

I’ve had a few false starts assuming Richardson would play the last two weeks. But if Week 7 is the week, then the risk/reward proposition is the same as it has been. On one hand, Richardson has held onto a top five average of 0.60 fantasy points per play this season. But on the other, he has exited three of his eight professional starts early with an injury. And that latter fact is bleeding into my modest 28.8 projected pass attempts for him this week. Consider your own appetite for risk if he plays and you need to start either him or a Geno Smith or Kirk Cousins type.

11. Patrick Mahomes, KC at SF

35.7-267-1.61-0.89 and 3.4-12-0.06 = 16.9

By some measures, Mahomes looks as efficient as ever this year. His 69.4% completion rate would be a career high, and his 7.7 yards per attempt just misses his 7.9-yard career average. But down to Travis Kelce on the back nine of his career, a rookie in Xavier Worthy, and an assortment of failed former draft picks at receiver and facing consistent two-high safety looks, Mahomes is averaging the lowest air yards per completion of any quarterback in the last decade. He may find a few more explosive plays when defenses mess up their Worthy coverages. But broadly speaking, Mahomes may not have the skill talent around him to support his traditional top five fantasy value.

12. C.J. Stroud, HST at GB

34.2-262-1.47-0.55 and 2.2-10-0.11 = 16.9

Stroud looked perfectly fine without his normal No. 1 receiver Nico Collins last Sunday, passing for three touchdowns and spearheading a 41-21 Texans blowout of the Patriots. But the talented sophomore has just 75 rushing yards this season and has lack of versatility remains an outsized penalty for typical fantasy scoring. He clears the QB1 benchmark in another bye week. But his fantasy starter status is more tenuous than you likely expect.

13. Geno Smith, SEA at ATL

38.4-272-1.34-0.85 and 2.5-17-0.08 = 16.8

Smith slipped from his torrid first-month efficiency with modest 58% completion and 4.7 yards-per-attempt rates in last Thursday’s loss to his division-rival 49ers. But Smith threw another fantasy-friendly total of 52 passes in that loss and continues to lap the field at his position with 41.8 attempts per game. I would still point to passing scripts as a major culprit. He certainly had one down a consistent multiple scores last week. But the longer this continues, the more likely it is that new OC Ryan Grubb is pushing pace with his play-calling. If you lost Dak Prescott to a bye week, you can start Smith with relative confidence.

14. Kirk Cousins, ATL vs. SEA

36.9-282-1.66-0.81 and 0.6-0-0.03 = 16.5

Cousins had his own passing explosion with 58 attempts two Thursdays ago. But the veteran has thrown a modest 30 or fewer times in four of his six starts this season. Arthur Smith may be in Pittsburgh, but the Falcons still seem to prefer to lean on their running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier in neutral scripts. And with his non-contributions as a runner, Cousins misses the QB1 benchmark because of it.

15. Sam Darnold, MIN vs. DET

29.8-235-1.67-0.81 and 3.5-11-0.06 = 15.9

Darnold may have turned into a pumpkin in his first October start. Before his bye in Week 5, the journeyman completed a meager 45% of his passes for 179 yards, no touchdowns and an interception in an ugly win over the Jets. But we’ve seen similarly underwhelming performances in London before that didn’t foreshadow the rest of those players’ seasons. And Darnold lost his standout running back Aaron Jones early in Week 5 and will hopefully have him back in Week 7. I see him as a high-end QB2 who has yet to throw even 32 passes in a game this season. But if you have an appetite for the risk, you could consider continuing to ride September’s MVP in your fantasy lineups.

16. Trevor Lawrence, JAX vs. NE: 33.8-237-1.45-0.68 and 2.3-12-0.11 = 15.8
17. Drake Maye, NE at JAX: 32.5-217-1.37-1.01 and 3.9-23-0.16 = 15.4
18. Jared Goff, DET at MIN: 33.3-271-1.34-0.67 and 1.6-2-0.04 = 15.4
19. Daniel Jones, NYG vs. PHI: 34.7-214-1.11-0.69 and 5.7-21-0.21 = 15.0
20. Justin Herbert, LAC at ARZ: 32.7-220-1.50-0.46 and 2.8-5-0.08 = 14.9
21. Andy Dalton, CAR at WAS: 36.8-238-1.62-0.88 and 1.5-5-0.02 = 14.9
22. Matthew Stafford, LA vs. LV: 35.1-255-1.40-0.70 and 0.7-2-0.02 = 14.7
23. Aaron Rodgers, NYJ at PIT: 35.9-231-1.54-0.83 and 1.4-5-0.03 = 14.5
24. Bo Nix, DEN at NO: 32.8-184-1.02-0.82 and 5.2-25-0.27 = 13.9
25. Russell Wilson, PIT vs. NYJ: 31.5-220-1.26-0.63 and 1.8-8-0.07 = 13.8
26. Spencer Rattler, NO vs. DEN: 34.7-223-1.18-1.04 and 3.0-14-0.10 = 13.5

Running Backs

20. Rhamondre Stevenson, NE at JAX: 13.7-61-0.40 and 3.7-2.8-15-0.09 = 11.9
21. Brian Robinson Jr., WAS vs. CAR: 13.6-58-0.56 and 2.2-1.7-15-0.07 = 11.9
22. Alexander Mattison, LV at LA: 12.7-48-0.43 and 3.3-2.5-20-0.10 = 11.2
23. Kareem Hunt, KC at SF: 13.9-52-0.50 and 2.2-1.7-11-0.05 = 10.5
24. Nick Chubb, CLV vs. CIN: 12.6-63-0.35 and 1.9-1.5-10-0.04 = 10.4
25. Bucky Irving, TB vs. BLT: 10.5-55-0.39 and 2.2-1.8-13-0.05 = 10.3
26. Najee Harris, PIT vs. NYJ: 13.1-52-0.33 and 2.8-2.1-16-0.06 = 10.1
27. Javonte Williams, DEN at NO: 10.2-38-0.27 and 4.4-3.4-22-0.10 = 9.9

28. Chase Brown, CIN at CLV

9.8-49-0.27 and 2.9-2.3-16-0.10 = 9.8

Brown has demonstrated he has the talent for a sophomore breakout with a 31.4% avoided tackle rate that is fourth best among backs with 50 or more carries this season. And he’s starting to see the workloads to match. Brown has trended up from a 20% snap share in Week 2 to 24%, 40%, 33% and 62% shares the last four weeks.

29. Tank Bigsby, JAX vs. NE

10.7-58-0.35 and 1.1-0.8-7-0.03 = 9.2

After Travis Etienne Jr. suffered his hamstring injury, Bigsby saw an unappealing 27% versus 56% snap share split with his veteran teammate D’Ernest Johnson. Clearly, the Jaguars do not trust the sophomore in pass protection. That said, Bigsby still paces his position with a 14.6% explosive run rate (15-plus yards) and looks like one of the most efficient runners in football. I would take the risk and flex Bigsby in Week 7. He may only need one breakaway carry, and he seems more likely to see it in what could be a run-promoting matchup with the Patriots and their rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

30. Raheem Mostert, MIA at IND

10.4-47-0.41 and 1.8-1.4-10-0.05 = 9.1

Mostert paced his position with 18 rushing touchdowns in 2023. But the veteran back owed the bulk of that total to a top-three volume of 20 carries inside the 5-yard line. You can’t expect that to continue with the Dolphins’ decline from second to 31st in passing DVOA with now Tyler Huntley at quarterback. A bye week will have helped Mostert recover from his chest injury. But even assuming he will recapture his 1-A rushing role in Week 7, Mostert has just a tenuous grasp of a flex starter spot.

31. Zack Moss, CIN at CLV

8.6-34-0.33 and 2.4-1.9-14-0.07 = 8.1

Moss is the major loser of his teammate Chase Brown’s apparent breakout. The veteran back played between 70-80% of snaps in Weeks 2 and 3, 60-70% of snaps in Weeks 4 and 5 and a modest 45% of snaps in Week 6. I would assume he’s the No. 2 back in Week 7, and I would bench him on the road in Cleveland.

32. Trey Sermon, IND vs. MIA

10.9-37-0.45 and 1.6-1.3-8-0.03 = 8.0

Sermon missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury and may miss an opportunity to start with Jonathan Taylor also still out. But even if Sermon makes it back for Sunday, you likely have better options for your fantasy lineups. The former Day 2 pick may be a nominal starter, but he’s seen just a 60/40 snap share split with his teammate Tyler Goodson the last two weeks. And Anthony Richardson’s presumed return to play in Week 7 could rob Sermon of his temporarily preferred red zone role.

33. Devin Singletary, NYG vs. PHI

9.3-39-0.26 and 2.3-1.9-13-0.05 = 7.9

Fantasy players are undoubtedly ready for a featured Tyrone Tracy Jr. after the rookie bested 100 yards from scrimmage each of the last two weeks with Singletary on the sideline. But what would be best for fantasy players may not be best for the Giants. Singletary has outperformed his modest 3.9 yards per attempt with a 35.7% avoided tackle rate this season that is second highest among backs with 50 or more carries. I expect a new Giants time share in Week 7. And with 36.0% and 33.5% respective projected carry shares, neither Tracy nor Singletary looks like a fantasy starter this week.

34. Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG vs. PHI: 8.9-39-0.21 and 2.3-1.8-14-0.05 = 7.8
35. Jaylen Warren, PIT vs. NYJ: 6.5-30-0.15 and 3.2-2.7-17-0.06 = 7.3
36. Austin Ekeler, WAS vs. CAR: 5.1-23-0.16 and 3.1-2.5-23-0.08 = 7.3
37. Antonio Gibson, NE at JAX: 7.2-31-0.14 and 2.6-2.1-18-0.06 = 7.2
38. Sean Tucker, TB vs. BLT: 7.0-36-0.20 and 1.6-1.3-11-0.05 = 6.8
39. Zach Charbonnet, SEA at ATL: 5.4-22-0.17 and 2.9-2.4-16-0.06 = 6.4
40. Tyler Allgeier, ATL vs. SEA: 7.4-34-0.22 and 1.4-1.2-9-0.03 = 6.4
41. Miles Sanders, CAR at WAS: 6.1-24-0.17 and 2.8-2.0-13-0.05 = 5.9
42. Justice Hill, BLT at TB: 3.1-14-0.08 and 3.2-2.6-21-0.09 = 5.8
43. Jerome Ford, CLV vs. CIN: 6.1-27-0.13 and 2.3-1.9-11-0.05 = 5.8
44. D’Ernest Johnson, JAX vs. NE: 6.7-25-0.16 and 2.2-1.7-12-0.04 = 5.8
45. Ty Chandler, MIN vs. DET: 7.5-30-0.17 and 1.6-1.3-9-0.03 = 5.8
46. Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN at NO: 5.4-22-0.14 and 2.4-2.1-10-0.07 = 5.5
47. Dameon Pierce, HST at GB: 7.2-30-0.22 and 1.1-0.9-6-0.02 = 5.4
48. Samaje Perine, KC at SF: 2.5-11-0.08 and 2.8-2.2-18-0.07 = 4.8
49. Emanuel Wilson, GB vs. HST: 5.8-27-0.12 and 1.4-1.0-7-0.03 = 4.8
50. Ameer Abdullah, LV at LA: 2.9-13-0.09 and 2.7-2.2-13-0.06 = 4.7
51. Braelon Allen, NYJ at PIT: 5.6-24-0.15 and 1.3-0.9-7-0.03 = 4.7

Wide Receivers

16. George Pickens, PIT vs. NYJ: 8.3-4.9-74-0.33 = 11.8
17. Tank Dell, HST at GB: 7.7-5.0-61-0.39 = 11.5
18. Mike Evans, TB vs. BLT: 7.4-4.4-62-0.51 = 11.4
19. DeVonta Smith, PHI at NYG: 7.2-5.2-67-0.35 = 11.4
20. Zay Flowers, BLT at TB: 7.9-5.4-66-0.31 = 11.4
21. Darnell Mooney, ATL vs. SEA: 8.2-4.9-65-0.37 = 11.1
22. Terry McLaurin, WAS vs. CAR: 7.5-4.9-62-0.38 = 11.0
23. Brian Thomas Jr., JAX vs. NE: 6.8-4.2-64-0.36 = 10.9
24. Garrett Wilson, NYJ at PIT: 8.5-5.2-55-0.38 = 10.5
25. Deebo Samuel Sr., SF vs. KC: 5.6-3.5-51-0.26 = 10.3
26. Brandon Aiyuk, SF vs. KC: 6.6-4.1-63-0.30 = 10.1
27. Josh Downs, IND vs. MIA: 7.1-5.2-53-0.31 = 9.9
28. Ladd McConkey, LAC at ARZ: 7.6-4.6-54-0.35 = 9.9
29. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA at ATL: 7.5-5.2-52-0.33 = 9.8
30. Jakobi Meyers, LV at LA: 6.8-4.6-53-0.32 = 9.5
31. JuJu Smith-Schuster, KC at SF: 6.5-4.5-55-0.29 = 9.5
32. Courtland Sutton, DEN at NO: 7.8-4.0-52-0.33 = 9.2
33. Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG vs. PHI: 8.1-5.3-45-0.29 = 9.1
34. Jaylen Waddle, MIA at IND: 5.8-4.0-55-0.22 = 9.0

35. DeAndre Hopkins, TEN at BUF

6.4-3.9-51-0.29 = 8.8

It may be easy to lead your receiver room when your teammate can’t catch any of his eight targets. But the veteran Hopkins has earned fantasy consideration on his own merits with his playing time increase from between 32-46% in Weeks 2-4 to 71% in Week 6. Hopkins may finally be healthy after his preseason MCL tear.

36. Jerry Jeudy, CLV vs. CIN

6.6-3.9-52-0.27 = 8.7

After the Amari Cooper trade, I am projecting Jeudy for a boosted 21.5% target share that is tied for 32nd among wide receivers this week.

37. DeMario Douglas, NE at JAX

6.6-4.5-50-0.22 = 8.7

Rookie Ja’Lynn Polk teased a potential role as the No. 1 Patriots receiver with a 100% snap share in Week 5. But last Sunday, Polk slipped to a 65% share and then saw his coach Jerod Mayo tell reporters he needed to clear a mental hump. I think it’s safe to say the slot receiver Douglas remains the best bet to lead the team in targets. And with what Drake Maye teased as a passer in Week 6, I am comfortable starting Douglas in Week 7.

38. Romeo Doubs, GB vs. HST

5.7-3.6-47-0.35 = 8.6

The Packers have one too many talented outside receivers to keep all of them happy. Hence Doubs’ complaints and subsequent Week 5 team suspension. But the team may have stumbled into a solution to their problem in the form of Dontayvion Wicks’ shoulder injury. Jordan Schultz reported that injury has Wicks week-to-week. And if he is out this Sunday, you can start Doubs with confidence. Just note that Wicks practiced at least to some extent on Wednesday. And if the sophomore receiver makes a surprise early return, Doubs may lose his flex value.

39. Jameson Williams, DET at MIN

5.3-3.0-50-0.25 = 8.6

Williams is difficult to rank above the flex tier with his 19.5% target share that is tied for just 44th among wide receivers with three or more games played — and excluding the games that they missed. But Williams is too explosive to leave on your fantasy benches. His 2.5 yards per route run is tied for ninth highest among receivers with 100 or more routes run this season.

40. Jordan Addison, MIN vs. DET

5.7-3.6-48-0.30 = 8.6

Addison has scored 12 touchdowns in 20 career games. He’s bolstered that total with an unsurprising 3.75 expected touchdown surplus. But I still wouldn’t bench the explosive sophomore even if Sam Darnold is trending pumpkin.

41. Michael Wilson, ARZ vs. LAC

5.7-3.9-48-0.27 = 8.4

With normal No. 1 receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. poised to miss Week 7 after a concussion, I am projecting Wilson for a boosted 18.5% target share that is tied for 47th highest at his position. Feel free to start him at flex this week. But don’t have too high of expectations. He’ll have new company from veteran outside receiver Zay Jones, who just finished a suspension.

42. Christian Kirk, JAX vs. NE

6.2-3.9-49-0.25 = 8.4

Kirk has had open separation on 48.7% of his routes this season, the seventh-highest rate of high-volume wide receivers. If the Jaguars can ever get their offense figured out, then Kirk should return to his traditional WR3 fantasy standard.

43. Jauan Jennings, SF vs. KC

5.1-3.4-50-0.28 = 8.4

I’ve been beating the “positive Brandon Aiyuk regression” drum for close to a month now. But I’m starting to wonder if he’s lost his preferred 49ers receiver role because of an age-27 Jennings breakout. Jennings has always contributed a Shanahan-worthy average yards after the catch. But the veteran receiver has excelled more broadly with 3.1 yards per route run this season, tied for second highest among receivers with 100 or more routes run. I’m listing Jennings as a fantasy sit. But his projected 8.4 fantasy points are the same as Michael Wilson and Christian Kirk above the flex starter baseline. Feel free to start him.

44. Tyler Lockett, SEA at ATL

5.9-3.9-47-0.28 = 8.3

Locket may not have to sweat his demotion to No. 3 receiver behind DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba if Geno Smith continues to lap the field in pass attempts. But if Smith does eventually regression, Lockett could finally lose his fantasy starter status. The veteran has played just 71% of snaps this season, down from his 79-90% standard from the last six seasons.

45. Xavier Worthy, KC at SF

5.1-3.1-42-0.26 = 8.2

With Rashee Rice out for the season, Worthy may be the No. 1 Chiefs receiver by default. But despite the public excitement, Worthy has yet to best six targets in a game this season. He should beat the league average scoring rates with his ridiculous speed. But if Worthy suffers any regression from his 2.42 expected touchdown surplus, he won’t look like a fantasy starter.

46. Quentin Johnston, LAC at ARZ

5.9-3.6-43-0.32 = 8.2

Johnston may owe his modest total of four targets in Week 6 to a leg injury that limited him to a season-low 41% snap share. But Johnston has still trailed his rookie teammate Ladd McConkey in targets in four of five Chargers games this season. Johnston looks like the team’s best touchdown bet. But his fantasy value seems to rely on them. You may have better options in Week 7.

47. Calvin Ridley, TEN at BUF

6.7-3.3-44-0.25 = 7.8

Ridley suffered a now-famous 0-for-8 performance in Week 6. But I’m fearful it wasn’t an isolated incident. Ridley has seen a distressing 26.8% catchable air yards rate the first six weeks, and no other high-volume wide receiver is below 30%. Ridley may have miscalculated when he tethered his career to Will Levis, and he may have lost his fantasy starter status because of it.

48. Jordan Whittington, LA vs. LV

5.5-3.9-46-0.19 = 7.8

The sixth-round rookie Whittington emerged as the temporary No. 1 Rams receiver with increasing snap shares from 50% and 38% in Weeks 2 and 3 to 97% and 92% in Weeks 4 and 5 before the team’s bye. I have him below the flex starter benchmark projecting Cooper Kupp to return in Week 7. But if Kupp needs more time, Whittington would become an appealing flex option.

49. Ray-Ray McCloud, ATL vs. SEA: 5.8-3.9-45-0.17 = 7.8
50. Gabe Davis, JAX vs. NE: 5.5-3.0-43-0.29 = 7.5
51. Christian Watson, GB vs. HST: 4.7-2.8-42-0.31 = 7.5
52. Khalil Shakir, BUF vs. TEN: 4.0-3.3-44-0.20 = 7.3
53. Xavier Legette, CAR at WAS: 5.1-3.2-38-0.24 = 7.1
54. Elijah Moore, CLV vs. CIN: 5.8-3.6-35-0.21 = 6.7
55. Michael Pittman Jr., IND vs. MIA: 5.3-3.4-37-0.21 = 6.6
56. Darius Slayton, NYG vs. PHI: 4.7-3.0-41-0.17 = 6.6
57. Amari Cooper, BUF vs. TEN: 5.7-2.8-39-0.22 = 6.6
58. Greg Dortch, ARZ vs. LAC: 5.1-3.5-36-0.18 = 6.6
59. Rashod Bateman, BLT at TB: 4.6-2.9-39-0.19 = 6.5
60. Joshua Palmer, LAC at ARZ: 4.5-2.9-38-0.20 = 6.4
61. Noah Brown, WAS vs. CAR: 4.2-2.7-38-0.17 = 6.2
62. Bub Means, NO vs. DEN: 4.9-2.9-35-0.19 = 6.1
63. Allen Lazard, NYJ at PIT: 4.0-2.4-32-0.23 = 5.8
64. Tre Tucker, LV at LA: 4.0-2.5-31-0.16 = 5.8
65. Cedrick Wilson Jr., NO vs. DEN: 4.3-2.6-32-0.18 = 5.5
66. Keon Coleman, BUF vs. TEN: 3.7-2.3-31-0.19 = 5.4
67. Tutu Atwell, LA vs. LV: 3.5-2.2-32-0.13 = 5.3
68. Demarcus Robinson, LA vs. LV: 3.7-2.2-30-0.19 = 5.2
69. Tyler Boyd, TEN at BUF: 4.0-2.7-30-0.14 = 5.2
70. Zay Jones, ARZ vs. LAC: 4.2-2.5-27-0.19 = 5.2
71. Devaughn Vele, DEN at NO: 3.6-2.5-29-0.15 = 5.1
72. Andrei Iosivas, CIN at CLV: 3.6-2.2-25-0.21 = 4.9
73. Alec Pierce, IND vs. MIA: 3.0-1.7-32-0.14 = 4.9
74. Cedric Tillman, CLV vs. CIN: 4.1-2.3-26-0.16 = 4.8
75. Ja’Lynn Polk, NE at JAX: 4.4-2.3-25-0.16 = 4.7

Tight Ends

5. David Njoku, CLV vs. CIN: 7.6-5.1-54-0.33 = 9.9
6. Evan Engram, JAX vs. NE: 7.2-5.6-52-0.32 = 9.9
7. Sam LaPorta, DET at MIN: 5.3-4.0-45-0.30 = 8.3
8. Tucker Kraft, GB vs. HST: 5.3-3.7-43-0.28 = 7.9
9. Dalton Kincaid, BUF vs. TEN: 5.7-4.1-41-0.22 = 7.5

10. Dalton Schultz, HST at GB

6.0-3.8-37-0.26 = 7.1

Schultz looked like the early loser of the Texans’ trade for Stefon Diggs. But with Nico Collins injured, the veteran tight end saw eight targets in Week 6, two more than his previous season high. I am projecting Schultz for an 18.5% target share in Week 7 that is eighth at his position. And I would start him in fantasy this week.

11. Kyle Pitts, ATL vs. SEA

5.1-3.2-41-0.21 = 7.0

Pitts ranks sixth among tight ends with 263 yards this season. I recommend you start him in fantasy and not watch his games.

12. Pat Freiermuth, PIT vs. NYJ

4.9-3.7-37-0.23 = 6.9

Russell Wilson may represent a net loss for fantasy since it costs us Justin Fields. But I am projecting the veteran quarterback for 31.5 pass attempts in Week 7, 4.8 more than Fields averaged in the first six weeks. That’s good fantasy news for Freiermuth and the other Steelers pass-catchers.

13. Colby Parkinson, LA vs. LV

5.8-3.7-35-0.25 = 6.8

Parkinson has run 88.5% of the Rams’ routes this season, the fourth highest rate among tight ends. He’s likely much closer to fantasy starter status than you realize.

14. Cade Otton, TB vs. BLT

5.2-3.4-32-0.25 = 6.3

Otton has run 96.1% of the Bucs’ routes this season, the highest rate among tight ends. But his run of between 44-52 yards from Weeks 3-5 likely owed a lot to his Broncos, Eagles, and Falcons opponents, the former two which allowed top five DVOA rates to tight ends and the latter which allowed the third most targets to tight ends in 2023. Otton has just 20 yards in his other three starts this season and likely belongs on your fantasy benches.

15. Isaiah Likely, BLT at TB

3.9-2.8-32-0.28 = 6.3

Likely misses the top 20 at the position with a 64.1% route participation rate. The Ravens are designed to promote their running game, and that renders Likely a fantasy TE2 despite his talent and touchdown proficiency.

16. Juwan Johnson, NO vs. DEN

4.8-3.1-32-0.20 = 6.0

With Taysom Hill, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed all poised to miss tonight’s game, I am projecting Johnson for a boosted 14.5% target share that is tied for 17th among tight ends. He’s not quite a season-long starter. But he’s at least an intriguing DFS play.

17. Hunter Henry, NE at JAX: 4.3-2.8-31-0.22 = 5.8
18. Zach Ertz, WAS vs. CAR: 4.3-3.0-30-0.19 = 5.6
19. Will Dissly, LAC at ARZ: 3.9-3.1-30-0.16 = 5.5
20. Mark Andrews, BLT at TB: 3.5-2.5-30-0.20 = 5.5
21. Noah Fant, SEA at ATL: 3.7-2.9-31-0.12 = 5.3
22. Mike Gesicki, CIN at CLV: 3.1-2.3-23-0.14 = 4.3
23. Jonnu Smith, MIA at IND: 3.1-2.2-23-0.11 = 4.1
24. Grant Calcaterra, PHI at NYG: 2.8-2.1-23-0.11 = 4.0
25. Erick All Jr., CIN at CLV: 2.9-2.3-20-0.14 = 4.0
26. Foster Moreau, NO vs. DEN: 2.5-1.9-21-0.15 = 4.0
27. Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN at BUF: 3.0-2.2-20-0.13 = 3.9
28. Tyler Conklin, NYJ at PIT: 2.9-1.9-19-0.09 = 3.5
29. Tommy Tremble, CAR at WAS: 2.5-1.8-17-0.12 = 3.3
30. Noah Gray, KC at SF: 2.2-1.7-18-0.10 = 3.2
31. Austin Hooper, NE at JAX: 2.5-1.6-16-0.11 = 3.1
32. Johnny Mundt, MIN vs. DET: 2.3-1.7-16-0.11 = 3.1
33. Theo Johnson, NYG vs. PHI: 2.0-1.4-15-0.09 = 2.7
34. Josh Oliver, MIN vs. DET: 1.7-1.3-12-0.10 = 2.5
35. Ja’Tavion Sanders, CAR at WAS: 1.9-1.3-12-0.09 = 2.5