RADIO
Andy's potential Week 7 busts, fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for players who may disappoint. You should consider benching Jaxson Dart, Kenneth Walker III, Michael Mayer, more
Analyzing matchups is the key to winning your fantasy football matchups. While some managers view a performing player as a "set-and-forget" option, this approach will likely lead them down the wrong path, as a player's hot streak can quickly end in a tough matchup.
In this piece, we look at five players who could bust in Week 7, including a breakout rookie QB and a potential streaming option at the tight end position.
Who should fantasy managers consider benching in Week 7? Let's dive in!
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Potential Fantasy Football Lineup Busts
Jaxson Dart (NYG) at DEN
Jaxson Dart enjoyed a breakout showing in Week 6. The Giants took down the reigning Super Bowl champions in demanding fashion as Dart totaled 25.6 PPR points. Since making his first career start in Week 4, Dart has seen his fantasy production steadily increase, as he has tallied 21.0, 23.2, and 25.6 PPR points respectively over these three games.
However, managers viewing Dart as a viable low-end QB1 should consider pivoting towards a streaming option in Week 7. Dart and the Giants will travel to Denver to face the Denver Broncos, who are on a three-game win streak. The Broncos boast one of the top defensive units in football that sacked Justin Fields nine times last weekend.
Through six weeks, the Broncos have allowed the second-fewest PPR points to opposing QBs this season. While Dart's rushing upside should provide him a safe floor, his passing production will be much lower in this matchup. Start with caution.
Kenneth Walker III (SEA) vs. HOU
Kenneth Walker has flashed immense upside at times this season and throughout his career. However, since he is currently in a timeshare with Zach Charbonnet, his ceiling has been significantly lowered. While he still carries low-end RB2 value, this weekend he could fall towards low-end FLEX territory.
Walker will face the Houston Texans, who have allowed the 10th-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs this season. In addition, Walker has also not eclipsed 10.0 PPR points in each of his last two games.
While his 4.7 YPC does open the door for a "boom" game in any matchup, his lower usage and tougher matchup will significantly hinder his upside in Week 7. Given that Charbonnet contends for vulture goal-line touches, Walker falls into the low-end FLEX range in a difficult Week 7 matchup.
Seahawks Plan to Continue Splitting Backfield Work Between Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet https://t.co/1AK5mHVw2c
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 15, 2025
Tony Pollard (TEN) vs. NE
While it seemed Pollard was beginning to turn the corner after eclipsing double-digit points in back-to-back showings, he took another step back in Week 6. During their loss to the Raiders, Pollard tallied just 6.7 PPR points, despite facing a Las Vegas defense that allowed the 16th-most PPR points to the position this season.
In this game, Pollard actually ceded much of his work to Tyjae Spears, who recently returned from the IR. In this contest, Spears logged 59% of the snaps, while Pollard logged only 43%. Given that the Titans will likely be trailing, facing a rising New England team, Pollard will once again lose many of the snaps to the preferred passing-catching option.
In addition, the Patriots are also allowed the fourth-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs.
A.J. Brown (PHI) at MIN
A.J. Brown enjoyed his second-best showing of the season in the Week 6 loss to the Giants. On Thursday, Brown caught six of his nine targets for 80 yards. This was only the second time this season that Brown tallied double-digit PPR points.
While he appears to be finding his footing with QB Jalen Hurts, expect this duo to face a setback in Week 7. On Sunday, the Eagles will travel to Minnesota to face an elite defense that has allowed the fewest PPR opposing WRs this season. With the Eagles needing a victory to snap a two-game losing streak, expect them to lean on Saquon Barkley in this game.
The Vikings have struggled to defend the run, allowing the 12th-most PPR points to the position, which will likely result in a better game script for Barkley than Brown.
Michael Mayer (LV) at KC
Mayer was a solid streaming option for those who took a flyer on him in Week 6 when he caught five of his seven targets for 50 yards and a score. However, even though Brock Bowers (knee) is trending toward missing another game, managers should not look to start Mayer this weekend in standard leagues.
He will face a Kansas City defense that has shut down opposing tight ends, allowing the fifth-fewest PPR points to the position. While the Raiders will be playing from behind in this game, which could benefit Mayer, his ceiling will be significantly limited in this matchup.
Instead, managers should look to stream Harold Fannin Jr. or Mason Taylor, who offer a safer floor with much higher upside.
Michael Mayer Stepping into Starting Role https://t.co/9oKxR1wGJO
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 14, 2025
Read more player news and updates for Week 7
Who Should I Start Tool
Not sure who to start? Check out the Who Should I Start tool:
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Who Should I Start? Who Should I Sit? Some common Week 7 fantasy football lineup decisions are regarding players like Jaxson Dart, Tony Pollard, Kenneth Walker III, A.J. Brown, and Michael Mayer. But not to worry, we are here to help make these decisions and build winning lineups in Week 7. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups for Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season. Our free Who Should I Start? tool will help make your fantasy football lineup decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to start... all free! Get your winning lineups set, and make the right decisions.
Week 7 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players - Jaxson Dart, Tony Pollard, Kenneth Walker III, A.J. Brown, and Michael Mayer. These are some of the most common searches for fantasy football lineups in Week 7.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Start? button to see who the recommended starts are based on weekly fantasy football matchups.
Improvements For Who Should I Start? You may have noticed that our Who Should I Start? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win your fantasy football matchups each week. You'll see NFL player tiles with headshots and bye weeks, enhanced search results with data to compare, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Each week, our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy football rankings and projections based on their research. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked. If someone is out for the week, they will not appear in the search results.
Scoring Formats. Fantasy football managers play in various types of leagues, and this tool allows you to choose whether it's PPR scoring, Half-PPR scoring, or Standard (Non-PPR) scoring. The second thing you want to do is to select the scoring format. There are three small radio buttons (small circles), so click on the scoring format you prefer. The results may vary based on the scoring format you select.
Popular Week 7 Searches. Curious to see some tough lineup decisions for Week 7 (2025)? Below you will find a list of some popular Who Should I Start? searches that RotoBaller readers are looking at this week. Click any of the links to see the result and recommendation.
Popular Week 7 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 7 searches and comparisons from our 'Who To Start' tool for Jaxson Dart, Tony Pollard, Kenneth Walker III, A.J. Brown, and Michael Mayer compared to others:
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