Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Wide Receivers to Start
Chris Olave NO
Chris Olave should be firmly on your start radar in Week 7. He’s been a steady producer, scoring at least 12.4 PPR points in four of six games, including back-to-back solid outings against the Giants and Patriots. His volume has been outstanding, with 21 targets across his last two games and a season-high 98 receiving yards in Week 6. Olave is commanding a 29.5% target share and a 38.5% air-yard share, which firmly places him as the focal point of the Saints’ passing attack. The Bears are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, with five different pass-catchers surpassing 13.6 PPR points against them this season.
This matchup sets up well for Olave to deliver another top-20 fantasy performance. Chicago’s secondary has allowed the 14th-most PPR points per target to perimeter wideouts, where Olave does most of his damage. Olave has been producing at his floor with his current volume and can turn into a consistent 18+ point producer in favorable matchups. In PPR leagues especially, Olave carries WR2 value with upside for more. Fantasy managers should keep him locked into lineups this week.
Xavier Worthy KC
Even with Rashee Rice returning, Xavier Worthy belongs in fantasy football starting lineups in Week 7. He’s posted either 100 total yards or a touchdown in two of his last three games, showing his ability to generate explosive plays and fantasy points. Over his last three contests, Worthy has earned a 70.2% route share and a 19.4% target share while averaging 48.3 yards per game. His chemistry with Patrick Mahomes is strong, and the Chiefs continue to scheme him both downfield looks and red zone opportunities. Against the Raiders, who have surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, Worthy projects as a strong WR2 option.
This week’s matchup is particularly appealing because the Raiders run zone coverage at the second-highest rate in the league (87%), and Worthy has been highly effective against zone. Since Week 4, he’s posted 3.13 yards per route run against single-high coverage, and the Raiders have utilized single-high shells on over half their defensive snaps. That bodes well for Worthy’s ability to get behind defenders for splash plays. The Raiders also allow the second-most yards and third-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers, which aligns with Worthy’s role. With Mahomes feeding him opportunities, Worthy has a legitimate chance to post his best fantasy game of the season. Start him with confidence.
Ladd McConkey LAC
Ladd McConkey has come alive over the past two weeks and should be considered a start this week. He finished as the WR20 two weeks ago and exploded as the WR6 last week, showcasing his playmaking ability in a featured role. In those two contests, McConkey has drawn five red zone targets and found the end zone twice, a clear sign that Justin Herbert trusts him in high-leverage situations. His current 19.5% target share and 21.6% first-read share indicate that he’s carving out a more consistent role within the Chargers’ offense. The Colts have been vulnerable against receivers, giving up the fourth-most fantasy points and seventh-most receiving yards per game to slot options, where McConkey has lined up for 60% of his snaps.
The arrow is pointing up for McConkey’s fantasy outlook. Even if last week’s 23-point eruption was aided by Quentin Johnston’s absence, it’s also possible it was the start of a breakout. Herbert has missed him on open routes in previous games, so regression may finally be catching up positively. Meanwhile, Keenan Allen has had three straight quiet weeks, suggesting McConkey could reemerge as Herbert’s most reliable target moving forward. The Colts’ defense struggles against both slot and perimeter receivers, giving McConkey multiple pathways to success. In PPR formats, he profiles as a strong WR2/FLEX play with upside for another top-15 finish.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Tetairoa McMillan CAR
Tetairoa McMillan finally found the end zone in Week 6, scoring twice against Dallas, but Week 7 presents a much tougher test. Despite finishing with 17.9 PPR points, his production came on just three catches for 29 yards, highlighting his reliance on touchdowns. Now he faces the Jets, who allow the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers. More importantly, McMillan will likely draw shadow coverage from Sauce Gardner, one of the league’s premier shutdown corners. While receivers like Mike Evans and George Pickens have found the end zone against Gardner, none have surpassed 57 yards in his coverage.
McMillan’s underlying role remains encouraging; he has a 22.4% target share, an elite 42.3% air-yard share, and ranks top-15 in both deep and red zone targets. However, this is the exact type of matchup where fantasy managers should temper expectations with the Sauce Gardner matchup. While McMillan could still sneak in a touchdown if targeted in the red zone, his yardage floor looks dangerously low, and he had not scored a touchdown until last week. Unless you’re desperate in a three-receiver format, it’s best to sit McMillan this week and avoid the Sauce matchup.
DeVonta Smith PHI
DeVonta Smith is a talented receiver, but he’s a sit candidate this week in fantasy football lineups. Smith has been boom-or-bust all season, scoring over 19 fantasy points in two games but posting single-digit outings in four others. His production is heavily big-play dependent, as he’s topped five targets only twice this season. The Vikings present an especially concerning matchup; they’ve allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, surrendering only two completions on deep passes all year. While A.J. Brown’s consistent volume makes him difficult to bench, Smith has not shown the same stability.
Statistically, Smith ranks as the WR38 in fantasy points per game, with just five deep targets and five red zone looks. On top of the early struggles this season for Smith and the Eagles’ passing game, the matchup is tough this week. The Vikings have also allowed the tenth-fewest receiving yards to slot receivers and the fifth-fewest PPR points per target. Unless Smith breaks a long play, his chances of a strong fantasy day look slim. If you have safer options with volume, benching Smith this week is the smart move.
Jordan Addison MIN
Jordan Addison has been productive since returning, finishing as the WR21 and WR19 in his last two games, but Week 6 is shaping up as a difficult spot. The Vikings’ quarterback situation is uncertain, with Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy both battling injuries, and that instability lowers Addison’s floor. Philadelphia has allowed multiple big games to WR1s like CeeDee Lamb and Puka Nacua, but secondary options have struggled. Davante Adams is the only No. 2 receiver to top 14 PPR points against them. Addison has been efficient, averaging 77.5 receiving yards per game with a 2.04 YPRR, but his target share remains modest at 16%. Given the matchup, volume, and quarterback play could all be issues this week.
Philadelphia’s defense also presents schematic challenges. They use single-high coverage on more than half of their snaps, and against that look Addison’s target share drops to just 14% with a 0.72 YPRR. Their pass rush is another concern, ranking 13th in win rate against a Vikings line that sits 24th. When Minnes
