Welcome back to my Week 7 Fantasy Football Must Starts! Every week, I highlight four players I love at each position. These aren’t necessarily the four most obvious names at each position, but players that should 100% be rostered everywhere. I’m looking at recent performances, snap counts, opportunities, matchups, and the potential for each player to outperform expectations.
Last week, C.J. Stroud showed why we shouldn’t give up on him; Bucky Irving has an opportunity to bounce back against a favorable opponent; and I’m sticking with Germie Bernard after featuring him in last week’s article. At tight end, I’m rolling with Tyler Higbee, who has an increasingly important role in the Rams’ passing game.
Let’s get into my four favorite starts for Week 7!
Must-Start C.J. Stroud
Stroud is coming off one of his best games of the season, throwing for 312 yards and three touchdowns against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 6. After a slow start to the year, he’s showing signs of getting back to the quarterback we saw in his rookie year, and I’m buying into the turnaround.
What I like most about Stroud right now is the combination of his recent production and the opportunity in front of him. Houston’s running game hasn’t consistently provided a reliable foundation, forcing the Texans to lean more heavily on Stroud’s arm. That means more passing opportunities and more chances for him to put up another big fantasy performance.
The matchup is especially appealing because the Texans face the New York Giants in Week 7. Houston enters the game with an implied team total of approximately 26.5 points, tied for the second-highest mark on the slate. That suggests the Texans are expected to score, and Stroud should be in a good position to benefit.
I’m also encouraged that Stroud’s recent success hasn’t come exclusively against one defense. His recent performances have made a stronger case that this offense is moving in the right direction.
Why I’m starting him:
- Recent production: He threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns in Week 6.
- Passing volume: Houston’s inconsistent rushing attack could put more responsibility on Stroud.
- Scoring potential: The Texans’ projected scoring total gives him an appealing fantasy outlook.
- Upside: If he continues playing at this level, he has the potential to deliver another top-tier fantasy performance.
I’m not saying Stroud is suddenly an automatic top-five quarterback every week, but I love the direction he’s heading. Against the Giants, I’m comfortable putting him in my lineup and betting on another strong performance.
Must-Start Bucky Irving
If you started Bucky last week, you probably weren’t pleased with the results. Against Pittsburgh, he rushed 19 times for just 46 yards and caught two passes for three yards. It was an inefficient outing, but this matchup is much better.
In fact, I think this is a good opportunity to buy back into Irving before he puts together another productive performance.
Carolina has struggled to contain opposing running backs, ranking last in yards per carry allowed in the Week 7 matchup analysis. The Panthers have also allowed an average of 29.1 fantasy points per game to opposing backfields. That’s precisely the kind of matchup I’m looking to attack with a talented running back who should see plenty of work.
Irving’s workload is another reason to remain confident. Through six games, he has averaged approximately 19.5 touches per game, 88 total yards per game, and a 65% snap share. Those numbers point to a running back who remains heavily involved in his team’s offense, even when the results don’t go his way.
His recent workload is particularly encouraging. Irving played 63 snaps in Week 6, accounting for approximately 85% of Tampa Bay’s offensive snaps. Although he managed only 49 total yards on 21 touches, that kind of playing time demonstrates how much the Buccaneers trust him.
I’m more interested in that workload than one disappointing statistical performance.
Why I’m starting him:
- Favorable matchup: Carolina has struggled against opposing running games.
- Consistent opportunity: Irving is averaging nearly 20 touches per game.
- Heavy involvement: He played approximately 85% of Tampa Bay’s offensive snaps in Week 6.
- Bounce-back potential: A better matchup allows him to turn his workload into much better production.
Fantasy managers can sometimes overreact to a bad week, especially when a player fails to capitalize on a strong workload. I’m taking the opposite approach here.
Irving has the volume, talent, and matchup to bounce back. I’m keeping him in my starting lineup and expecting a much better Week 7.
Must-Start Germie Bernard
If you read my Week 6 Must Starts article, you already know I was high on Bernard last week. I’m going right back to him because I believe his growing role makes him a player worth trusting as we move deeper into the season.
Bernard’s recent usage is the biggest reason for my confidence. After playing a limited role early in the season, his involvement has increased substantially. He played 92% of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps in Week 5 and 94% in Week 6, showing that he’s becoming a much more consistent presence on the field.
That progression matters.
When a young wide receiver starts earning a larger percentage of his team’s snaps, it creates more opportunities for routes, targets, and fantasy production. While playing time alone doesn’t guarantee a breakout, Bernard’s increased involvement is an encouraging sign that his role is developing.
He now faces a Week 7 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
The Saints’ pass defense has struggled this season, ranking among the bottom five teams in passing success rate allowed entering the week. The Week 7 matchup analysis also highlights the potential for a high number of offensive plays, which could create additional opportunities for Pittsburgh’s passing game.
That’s a combination I want to target with a receiver whose snap share is trending in the right direction.
I especially like Bernard as a potential difference-maker for fantasy managers who are looking beyond the established names. He doesn’t need to be a household name to provide value if his playing time and opportunities continue to increase.
Why I’m starting him:
- Increasing snap share: He played 94% of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps in Week 6.
- Developing role: His playing time has grown significantly compared with the beginning of the season.
- Matchup advantage: New Orleans has struggled to consistently stop opposing passing attacks.
- Breakout potential: More playing time in a favorable matchup creates an opportunity for a bigger fantasy performance.
I’m not going to abandon Bernard after featuring him last week. If anything, his continued involvement makes me more interested in keeping him in my lineup.
I’m looking for players whose opportunities are increasing before everyone else catches on. Bernard fits that profile, and I’m backing him again in Week 7.
Must-Start Tyler Higbee
Higbee is one of my favorite tight end plays this week because his role in the Los Angeles Rams’ passing game is becoming increasingly valuable.
The biggest development is the hamstring injury to Davante Adams, who is expected to miss an extended period. His absence creates an opportunity for other Rams pass catchers to take on more responsibility, and Higbee is positioned to benefit.
Higbee has already been seeing encouraging usage. In Week 6, he ran 29 routes, compared with 19 for fellow tight end Colby Parkinson. That difference is important because route participation helps show which players are consistently involved in the passing game.
Even more encouraging, Higbee recorded a season-high route participation rate of 83% in Week 6. His target share also reached 13%, his highest mark in a game in which Puka Nacua was active.
Those numbers suggest his role is growing at the right time.
The matchup also works in his favor. The Rams face the Las Vegas Raiders, whose pass defense has struggled to limit opposing offenses. That allows Higbee to turn his increased involvement into meaningful fantasy production.
Tight end can be a frustrating position because so many players depend on a touchdown to deliver a useful fantasy performance. I’m more interested in Higbee because he’s seeing routes and targets that could provide opportunities even if he doesn’t find the end zone.
With Adams sidelined, No Terrance Ferguson still, and now Puka’s status is in question, there is a path for Higbee to become an even more important part of the Rams’ passing attack.
Why I’m starting him:
- Season-high usage: Higbee ran routes on approximately 83% of his team’s passing plays in Week 6.
- Increased opportunity: His 13% target share was his highest in a game with Puka Nacua active.
- More routes than Parkinson: Higbee ran 29 routes in Week 6, compared with Parkinson’s 19.
- Opportunity following Adams’ injury: The Rams need other pass catchers to contribute while Adams is unavailable.
- Favorable matchup: Las Vegas presents an appealing opportunity for the Rams’ passing game.
I’m not expecting Higbee to suddenly become an elite fantasy tight end, but I like his combination of playing time, opportunity, and matchup.
At a position where consistent usage can be difficult to find, Higbee is a player I’m comfortable starting this week.
And on National Tight Ends Day, let’s give the position some love!
