By mid-October, your fantasy roster probably looks like a medical ward. We've hit that brutal stretch where the "sure things" from August are either on IR or stuck in a soul-crushing timeshare. Honestly, Week 7 is usually when the pretenders start looking for next year’s draft sleepers. But you're here because you're still in the hunt.
Rankings are tricky. They aren't just a list of who is "best"—they’re a map of opportunity. Week 7 in the 2025 season is particularly chaotic because we’re dealing with some massive bye-week holes. With the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills both off, you’re missing guys like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. That’s a massive chunk of top-tier production gone.
If you’re staring at a lineup featuring a backup quarterback or a waiver-wire running back, take a breath. It's fine. Basically, everyone else in your league is hurting too.
Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings: The High-Stakes Calls
Look, I’m not going to tell you to start Christian McCaffrey against Atlanta. You know that. He’s the RB1 whenever he’s breathing. The real drama is in the messy middle where games are won or lost.
Quarterbacks: The Streamer's Paradise
Without Lamar and Josh Allen, the QB landscape is a bit of a desert. Brock Purdy is high in the rankings for his date with the Falcons, mainly because Kyle Shanahan’s system is essentially a cheat code. But have you looked at Matthew Stafford? He’s playing the Jaguars in London, and their secondary has been getting roasted like a Sunday dinner. Even without Puka Nacua (ankle), Stafford is a top-8 lock this week.
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Then there’s the C.J. Stroud situation. He’s traveling to Seattle. Usually, that’s a "start your studs" situation, but the Seahawks' defense under Mike Macdonald is starting to look legit. I’d still rank Stroud as a QB1, but the ceiling is lower than usual. If you’re desperate, Daniel Jones (now with the Colts) is actually a viable play against the Chargers. Yeah, I said it.
Running Backs: Volume Is Everything
We need to talk about Jacory Croskey-Merritt. If you picked him up as a sleeper, this is your "smash spot." He’s facing a Dallas Cowboys defense that is currently 30th in fantasy points allowed to RBs. He had 17 carries last week. Honestly, in a week with so many injuries, 15+ carries against a bad defense makes him a top-12 play.
- Christian McCaffrey (SF vs ATL) - The undisputed king.
- Kyren Williams (LAR at JAC) - London games love a workhorse.
- Josh Jacobs (GB at ARI) - Coming off a two-TD game; he’s healthy despite the "Q" tag.
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt (vs DAL) - Believe the hype for this matchup.
- David Montgomery (DET vs TB) - The goal-line role is too good to ignore.
Don't sleep on Jaylen Warren either. The Bengals are giving up more fantasy points to RBs than almost anyone. Even in a "boring" Arthur Smith offense, Warren has a high floor this week because he catches passes.
The WR/CB Matchups You Can't Ignore
Wide receiver is where things get weird. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has officially ascended. You cannot bench him. Not now. Not ever. He’s the WR1 in Seattle, and against Houston, he’s going to see double-digit targets.
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But what about the "bust" potential? Jaylen Waddle is facing the Browns. Usually, that’s fine, but the weather in Cleveland is projected to be miserable. Plus, Tua Tagovailoa has historically struggled when Myles Garrett is in his face. I have Waddle ranked as a low-end WR2, bordering on WR3 territory. If you have a high-upside rookie like Luther Burden III (Chicago), I might actually take the gamble there if D.J. Moore stays sidelined.
The Giants secondary is also a mess. They give up the most receiving yards in the league. This makes Troy Franklin a sneaky-good play for Denver. Bo Nix is starting to trust him, and half of Franklin's snaps come from the slot, which is where the Giants are most vulnerable.
Tight End: A Total Wasteland
It’s grim. It’s always grim. Colston Loveland is the top play because the Bears literally have nobody else to throw to in the red zone. If you don't have a top-3 guy, you’re basically praying for a touchdown. Dalton Schultz is a safe "safety valve" play for Stroud in Seattle, but don't expect 20 points.
Injury Fallout: Who Benefits?
The Jayden Daniels hamstring injury is a massive blow. He’s likely out for Week 8, but for Week 7, Marcus Mariota is a name you have to consider if you’re an Allen or Jackson manager. He put up 36 points in a spot start earlier this year. He’s not Daniels, but he runs. In fantasy, rushing yards are gold.
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In Tampa Bay, the Mike Evans injury (fractured clavicle) is devastating for the Bucs but opens a massive door for Kameron Johnson. He’s the waiver add of the week. With Chris Godwin also out, Baker Mayfield has to throw to someone. Johnson is the first look, followed by Sterling Shepard.
Over in Arizona, the backfield is a graveyard. Zonovan "Bam" Knight is the guy right now with Trey Benson sidelined. He’s not going to win you the week with a 50-yard run, but he’s the goal-line hammer. If you need 10 points to survive, he’s your guy.
Winning the Week
Week 7 isn't about finding the perfect lineup. It's about avoiding the zeros. Check the weather in Cleveland. Keep an eye on Nico Collins and his concussion protocol—if he’s out, Tank Dell moves into the top 15.
Stop overthinking the "big names" who aren't producing. If a guy like Rico Dowdle is outperforming a struggling veteran, play the hot hand. The Cowboys' defense is bad enough that you can start almost any RB1 or RB2 playing against them with confidence.
Go through your roster right now and identify which players are "volume-safe." If they're guaranteed 12+ touches or 8+ targets, they stay. If they're "big play dependent" and the matchup is tough, bench them for a boring floor play. That’s how you survive the Week 7 gauntlet.
Make sure you've placed your waiver claims for Kameron Johnson or Marcus Mariota before the Saturday deadline. Check the final injury reports three hours before the London kickoff to ensure Kyren Williams and the Rams' offensive line are good to go. If the wind in Cleveland tops 20 mph, pivot away from the passing game and look for a heavy-run script.