Antonio Brown is really good. He continues to separate himself from other wide receivers based on volume and ability.
He’s constantly the No. 1 target for defenses to take away; yet he still goes out and demands double-digit targets each week.
He’s recorded double-digit fantasy points in four of six games and even with a tough matchup in week 7 against Cincinnati, he still has to be considered one of the best bets among wide receivers. For the rest of the question marks, here’s the week 7 wide receivers start ’em, sit ’em guide.
Start
Demaryius Thomas vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Thomas finally broke out in week 6, even though his team fell flat. He totaled 10 catches on 14 targets, gaining 133 yards.
It was by far his most productive day this season and week 7 looks even more appetizing. Emmanuel Sanders has already been ruled out for week 7, so the Broncos will have to lean heavily on Thomas.
And while the Chargers have put up decent numbers against the pass, ranking fourth in that category, they haven’t done well limiting wide receivers from achieving fantasy points. The Chargers are ninth from the bottom in points allowed against wide receivers. That will loom large as Thomas will demand double-digit targets in this week 7 matchup.
Eric Decker vs. Cleveland Browns
Welcome back to the NFL Eric Decker. He finally showed some life in week 6, just in time for a nice matchup against the Browns.
Decker was targeted nine times in week 6 against the hapless Indianapolis secondary. He was constantly used as a safety valve for Marcus Mariota, so I expect that to continue. We knew it would take some time for Decker to get acclimated in his role for the Titans, and it appears he’s starting to get more comfortable.
He went for six targets in week 5 and nine in week 6. I’d expect him to hover more toward that nine mark in this matchup against a Cleveland team allowing 7.9 yards per pass attempt, the fifth-worst in the NFL. Decker has solid value as a WR3 and could creep into the WR2 discussion.
Terrelle Pryor vs. Philadelphia Eagles
This game is going to be all about the passing game. The Eagles are going to expose Washington’s injury-riddled secondary, and the Redskins are going to have to pass to stay alive.
That should help Pryor, who has been a massive disappointment this season. After seeing 11 targets in week 1, he’s combined to garner 18 targets from weeks 2 to 6. He’s tough to trust since Washington spreads the ball around, but Pryor is still my best bet on the Redskins for wide receivers. He’s squaring off against a defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers and allows the fourth-most yards per game through the air in the NFL.
Pryor has been a disappointment, but he has some value in week 7.
Sit
Martavis Bryant vs. Cincinnati Bengals
You already know what I think about Antonio Brown. And against Cincinnati, there’s not room for two fantasy wide receivers.
Bryant has been another one of those colossal disappointments in fantasy this season, failing to reach the 50-yard mark in five of six games. Maybe even more disappointing is that he has only one touchdown.
So against a Bengals team that ranks third in points allowed to wide receivers and second in passing yards allowed per game, I’m fading Bryant’s stock. This game will be about establishing a running game and going with trusted wide receivers. Bryant isn’t in that category yet.
DeSean Jackson vs. Buffalo Bills
This has more to do with the quarterback and the back-to-back road contests than Jackson’s overall season value.
It’s becoming likelier by the day that starter Jameis Winston will not play in week 7, making way for the roller coster ride that is Ryan Fitzpatrick. Jackson’s been a decent play this season, registering around six targets a game and producing two touchdowns. However, the team is in the middle of back-to-back road trips from west to east, and the Bills are one of the best in the NFL against the pass.
Buffalo is hounding quarterbacks to a QBR of 66.5, which is only eclipsed by Jacksonville’s opposing QBR numbers. I don’t trust Fitzpatrick, so I can’t hang my hat on Jackson.
T.Y. Hilton vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Hilton is hot and cold, and in week 6, he was really cold. He was targeted only four times against a beatable defense in Tennessee. Jacoby Brissett isn’t bad, but he’s not anywhere near Andrew Luck.
That poses a major problem in week 7 against a Jacksonville defense that is giving quarterbacks and wide receivers a hard time on a weekly basis. The Jaguars give up the fourth-fewest passing yards in the NFL and are allowing a little more than 20 fantasy points a game to wide receivers, also the fourth-best mark.
It’s at home, so there is some chance Hilton has a solid outing. That’s the only place he’s been good this season. This matchup should be avoided, so if there’s a better option on your roster, I’d sit Hilton.
