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Andy's running back start 'em, sit 'em picks for fantasy football Week 7 lineups (2025). Read his expert RB start/sit advice for Alvin Kamara, Bam Knight, Kenneth Walker III others.
Welcome back, RotoBallers, to another edition of our weekend start 'em sit' em columns. In Week 6, we saw many running backs who have had minimal fantasy value this season emerge as potential must-start options going forward, like Kimani Vidal.
In this week's edition, we will highlight three running backs who have been trending toward FLEX territory who could be worth considering as solid RB2s and a faster riser in rankings who we should pump the brakes on in a difficult Week 7 matchup.
In this weekly piece, we don't look at those must-start options because if you have them, you start them. Instead, we look at those mid-range RB2/flex options that are on the verge of start territory. Let's take a look at which running backs we should lock into our fantasy lineups and which ones are better off on our bench. Don't see the running back you're looking for? Be sure to check out more running back start 'em sit 'em content, and our Week 7 RB rankings on RotoBaller. Let's dive in!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) rankings
- Quarterback (QB) rankings
- Tight end (TE) rankings
- Defense (D/ST) rankings
- Kicker (K) rankings
- FLEX rankings
- Dynasty rankings
Week 7 Starts - Potential Fantasy Football Booms
Jordan Mason - Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Mason was promoted from his "1B" role to the clear RB1 following Aaron Jones Sr.'s shift to the IR. However, as a starter, Mason has underperformed at times. In Week 3, he looked like a league-winner, tallying 23.6 PPR points against the Bengals. However, in the following week, he would score just 10.2 PPRp itns against the Steelers.
While he somewhat rebounded in Week 5, tallying 14.6 PPR points against the Browns, his day was marred by a three-yard rushing score.
Despite this, managers should feel confident putting him in their RB2 slot this weekend. Coming out of his bye, Mason will face the Philadelphia Eagles, who have dropped two straight games. In addition, the Eagles have struggled defending the run, allowing the eighth-most PPR points to opposing RBs this season.
While Mason's upside could be capped due to Minnesota's subpar QB play, he has a prime matchup to show improved efficiency.
Jordan Mason gives Minnesota the lead! 🇬🇧 @NFLUKIRE
MINvsCLE on @nflnetwork
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/C4uaTHpivm— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025
Rhamondre Stevenson - New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans
With Antonio Gibson (knee) done for the season, the Patriots opted to give Rhamondre Stevenson his largest workload of the campaign. In their Week 6 victory over the Saints, Stevenson logged a hefty 71% of the team's snaps while rookie TreVeyon Henderson was the clear RB2, seeing only 30% of the snaps.
While Stevenson enters this game, catching a modest 3.1 YPC, which is on track to be the lowest mark of his career, managers should feel confident putting him in their lineups. His Week 7 mathcup provides him with a great opportunity to return the RB2 production he averaged from Weeks 2 through 5.
During this four-game stretch, Stevenson averaged 12.4 PPR points per game and punched in two rushing touchdowns. On Sunday, Stevenson will face a Titans defense that has allowed the third-most points to opposing RBs.
Given his project game script, extend Stevenson to be given a heavy workload in the second half.
Alvin Kamara - New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears
My final RB to confidently put in your lineups is Alvin Kamara. Kamara has been one of the major disappointments in this fantasy season as the former top-tier running back is on pace to have the worst season of his career. Through six games, Kamara has averaged just 11.9 PPR points per game, which has put him in fringe RB2 territory on his best days.
However, in Week 6, Kamara showed some solid promise, catching all five of his targets for 45 yards. This was his third straight game seeing at least five targets. For a running back who was never the most efficient on the ground, seeing his passing opportunities slowly increase is an excellent sign. In Weeks 1 through 3, Kamara only saw five or more targets in one game.
This weekend, Kamara seems well-positioned to snap his skid against the Bears. The Bears have surrendered the fourth-most PPR points to RBs this season. With his increased usage as a pass-catcher and elite matchup, do not be surprised when Kamara approaches RB1 territory on Sunday.
Week 7 Concerns - Potential Fantasy Football Busts
Kenneth Walker III - Seattle Seahawks vs. Houston Texans
Kenneth Walker is on pace to have the most efficient season of his career. However, his split usage with Zach Charbonnet has pushed him into the low-end RB2/FLEX territory. This week, managers torn between starting him or similar players in this range, like Mason or Stevenson, should pivot to those instead.
After averaging 16.3 PPR points per game in Weeks 2 through 4, Walker has fallen below the double-digit mark in back-to-back showings. During this two-game stretch, Walker has taken just two rushing attempts from within the 10-yard line, which has dramatically lowered his rushing attempts.
Instead, Charbonnet has logged as many attempts within the 10-yard line, ending with his stretch, but has only been able to convert on one of them.
In addition, Walker has never seen his snap share surpass the 53% mark, which is also why he relies heavily on big plays to raise his fantasy ceiling. Given that he'll face a Houston Texans defense that has allowed the 10th-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs, he is a high-risk RB2.
While Walker has the skill set to break a 50+ yard run at will, his lower usage, lack of red zone opportunities, and difficult matchups provide him with too many obstacles to trust him to overcome.
Seahawks Plan to Continue Splitting Backfield Work Between Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet https://t.co/1AK5mHVw2c
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 15, 2025
Travis Etienne Jr. - Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Los Angeles Rams (London)
After a hot start, Travis Etienne is looking more like his 2024 self than his 2023 self. In his past two games, Etienne has totaled just 76 combined rushing yards and averaged a low 9.2 PPR points per game. During Weeks 1 through 4, Etienne appeared to be on an RB1 trajectory, averaging a stellar 16.6 PPR points per game.
While his outlook should remain stable, he could have another disappointing showing, especially from an efficiency standpoint, on Sunday. This weekend, the Jagars will travel to London to face the Los Angeles Rams. Throughout six games, the Rams have allowed the fewest PPR points to opposing RBs on a per-game basis. While Derrick Henry was able to produce against them last weekend, Etienne could hit another roadblock, given his recent struggles.
While managers may not have a viable alternative, he carries low-end RB2 upside in this matchup.
Bam Knight - Arizona Cardinals vs. Green Bay Packers
The final running back I would keep out of your week 7 lineups was a significant riser over the last week. Shortly before their contests against the Colts, reports suggested that Knight had surpassed Michael Carter on the depth chart, and he would lead the way. While he did end up leading the team in carries, it was more of a committee paradox than many expected.
In this game, Knight took 11 carries for 34 yards and a score while Carter ran the ball nine times. Knight took more snaps, but Carter's role did not decrease as much as expected.
This weekend, the Cardinals will face the Green Bay Packers, who have allowed the fifth-fewest points to opposing RBs. Even though Knight has averaged a solid 10.9 PPR points per game over the last two weeks, he will sit firmly in bust territory due to his unclear workload and very difficult matchup.
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