NFL Week 7 PPR Rankings: Bye-Pocalypse Leaves Fantasy Managers Scrambling

Some in the fantasy football world have referred to week 7 of the NFL season as Bye-Pocalypse or Bye-Mageddon, given the staggering number of crucial players who will not be taking the field this week. The Bills, Cowboys, Chargers, Vikings, Steelers, and Jaguars are on bye this week, meaning such crucial players as Ezekiel Elliott, Mike Williams, Dalvin Cook, and Najee Harris will be unavailable for your lineups. In addition, big-time players in Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Antonio Gibson, and Julio Jones, among others, are injured. You’re likely facing some difficult lineup decisions in fantasy this week, so allow these rankings to serve as a guide for those start-sit questions. As always, hit me up on Twitter if you need further clarification on any specific players.

NFL Week 7 Quarterback Rankings

Some of the top quarterbacks in fantasy football face some remarkably easy matchups this week. Patrick Mahomes should feast against the Titans, who allow the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs and have one of the worst secondaries in the NFL. Kyler Murray may not need to throw much to beat the Texans, but he’s still a top-3 option in such a great matchup. Lamar Jackson and Tom Brady remain in the top five despite matchups against defenses who have been top-ten in many respects this season. While Jalen Hurts has struggled to maintain consistent passing production in real life, he has maintained his standing as an elite fantasy option thanks to his tremendous rushing production. Matthew Stafford should light up a poor Lions’ defense as he faces his former team. At the same time, Aaron Rodgers remains an elite option against the brutally bad Washington defense that has surrendered the most fantasy points to QBs. Ryan Tannehill is my favorite streamer of the week in a plus matchup against Kansas City, while Matt Ryan isn’t far behind against the Dolphins. Derek Carr is also a very viable play against the Eagles this week. Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Fields, and Carson Wentz are also viable streamers if you’re without your starting quarterback this week.

NFL Week 7 Running Back Rankings

Derrick Henry is the runaway fantasy football player of the year, and it’s hard to imagine how he doesn’t finish as the RB1 overall this week against what many consider to be the worst run defense in the NFL. Aaron Jones, Alvin Kamara, and D’Andre Swift are elite options with their heavy involvement in the passing game. Darrell Henderson and Leonard Fournette are breaking into that group, as well. I have Josh Jacobs well-rated in a plus matchup against the Eagles while Jonathan Taylor and Joe Mixon remain some of the best options at the RB position. Cordarelle Patterson and Mike Davis are viable plays as the Falcons face the Dolphins, who have allowed the most fantasy points to RBs and generally have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Damien Harris is also a top option assuming he can play as the Jets have fielded a poor run defense this season. The same is true for Chuba Hubbard, as the Giants have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to RBs. De’Ernest Johnson and Demetric Felton are in the starting conversation with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt out this week, and Johnson is particularly interesting as he should be the bell cow with Felton in more of the scat-back role. James Conner is also a viable starter against the Texans’ poor run defense as he continues to score tons of touchdowns, and he is available in many leagues. Devonta Freeman, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Khalil Herbert will all see enough touches to make them decent plays if you need a deeper option.

NFL Week 7 Wide Receiver Rankings

There is a clear-cut top three at the wide receiver position with Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, and Cooper Kupp locked-and-loaded every-week top options regardless of matchup or surrounding circumstances. Deebo Samuel, D.J. Moore, and Ja’Marr Chase are attempting to break into that tier. DeAndre Hopkins’s declining target share is an ongoing concern, but he should have a big game against his former team in the Texans. I also see this week as a phenomenal bounce-back opportunity for Calvin Ridley against the Dolphins, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to WRs, and for A.J. Brown against the Chiefs. They have allowed plenty of passing production. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown should all be in your starting lineup every week regardless of matchup. Brandin Cooks, D.K. Metcalf, Sterling Shepard, and Jaylen Waddle are talented receivers who see enough volume to produce high-level fantasy numbers despite each having subpar quarterback play supporting them. Terry McLaurin is a bit lower in my rankings for the time being as his health is still a question mark, but he could feast against the Packers without Jaire Alexander. Michael Pittman Jr., Devonta Smith, and Christian Kirk should all be in your starting lineup, and each presents a high upside. If you need deeper options with so many players on bye, Tim Patrick, Mecole Hardman, Hunter Renfrow, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Quez Watkins are likely available in your league.

NFL Week 7 Tight End Rankings

Travis Kelce is the class of the tight end position, and the difference between him and the second-best tight end is massive. That positional discrepancy made it very much worth the first-round investment managers had to make to secure Kelce in drafts. Darren Waller hasn’t quite lived up to expectations as he’s averaging just 11.3 PPR points over the past three weeks. George Kittle is also on Injured Reserve now. Mark Andrews has been on fire with double-digit PPR points in five straight weeks, including a 42-point explosion in Week 5. I’m anxious to see what rookie Kyle Pitts has in store for an encore after he blew up for 27 PPR points before the team’s bye week. T.J. Hockenson and Mike Gesicki may not have the elite upside of some of their tight end counterparts, but they belong in your starting lineup every week. Dallas Goedert has an excellent opportunity for a big game with Zach Ertz now in Arizona as he faces the Raiders, who allow the most fantasy points to TEs. Speaking of Ertz, he’s likely a viable every-week starting tight end with touchdown upside with his new team. Ricky Seals-Jones is a solid starter as long as Logan Thomas is out. Hunter Henry has established great chemistry with rookie quarterback Mac Jones and should be very solid moving forward. In deeper leagues, keep an eye on Mo Alie-Cox, Ross Dwelley, Cole Kmet, and C.J. Uzomah if you need a spot starter.