Ranking Every Week 7 Wide Receiver as a Sit or Start

AJ Brown presents a long-term diagnostic challenge for the 2024 season. His final season in Philadelphia showed poor separation stats and raw metrics, but it's unclear whether that decline was environmental (Jalen Hurts accuracy, team fit) or genuine talent erosion. He played only half snaps in Week 1 with 3 catches for 25 yards before injury, so no confirmation of elite-level return has been established. However, with Romeo Dobbs now on IR, target volume should funnel to him by default. The matchup against Chicago is favorable despite his historical struggles against Philadelphia and tough coverage from Quinton Mitchell; the Eagles defense has allowed the fourth most fantasy points per game to receivers and ninth most EPA per pass allowed, though their struggling offense limits field position and time on field for opposing receivers. Ranked as 'feels good' for Week 7 start/sit until he proves otherwise, but long-term outlook remains uncertain.

Returned to limited practice Wednesday and trending toward playing. AJ Brown prefers him over Omar Cooper if he suits up, noting he's not coming off a high ankle sprain and remains explosive with upside. Expected to be a near full-time player if active, though he carries a low floor and has existing ball-catching issues.

Returning from bye after a hot start early in the season; Vegas projects him at 35.5 receiving yards and 2.5 receptions. AJ Brown notes this is the first game where all three Miami receivers (Douglas, Chris Bell, Malik Washington) may be at full strength, but he's cautious about the entire Miami offense, which scores only 13 points per game with Malik Wills throwing for ~150 yards. Douglas is ranked in the 'rather not' category until the receiver room clarifies.

Carnell Tate is a very strong start in Week 7 (dub flex) despite facing Denzel Ward. He has been dominant even in low-volume games: last week when Cam Ward threw for only 100 yards, Tate had 60–70 of those yards and a touchdown. AJ Brown projects him as a developing number-one alpha receiver and believes he could be a third-round pick in fantasy drafts next year if Cam Ward continues to improve or if Cleveland drafts a high-upside QB.

Must-start for Week 7 Monday Night Football against Philadelphia Eagles. Expected to see significant slot and middle-of-field work against a defense allowing the fourth most fantasy points per game to receivers.

Vegas projects Chris Bell at 21.5 receiving yards and 1.5 receptions for Week 7. AJ Brown ranks him below Caleb Douglas and expresses low confidence in both Miami receivers given the weak offensive environment: Miami scores only 13 points per game with ~150 passing yards. Bell is placed in the 'rather not' category until the receiver room clarifies.

Not a full-time player; shaky flex option if Ibuka sits out. AJ Brown notes he is not the same Chris Godwin from previous years; has lost juice and lacks high upside. Would be acceptable flex option only if another option is unavailable.

Christian Kirk returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since day one of training camp after missing two to three months. He was an offseason signing on a one-year, $5 million deal. AJ Brown projects Kirk for approximately four for 40 yards with maybe one touchdown or big play. The 49ers offense will heavily prioritize George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey dump-offs, and McCaffrey/Kalon Black carries. Kirk is an interesting pickup to monitor as he gets healthier, but AJ Brown would feel terrible starting him above most shaky flex options.

Cooper Kupp is ranked as a rather not/shaky flex for Week 7, indicating limited appeal and downside risk for the matchup.

Demario Douglas has been solid the last couple of weeks and presents an interesting flex option in Week 7 against Chicago, with a receiving yards line of 38.5 yards. However, the Patriots offense exhibits extreme target volatility among secondary receivers—this week it's Douglas, last week it was Hunter Henry, next week Kyle Williams, then Effton Chisum, then Eli Riden. With Romeo Dobbs and Matt Collins out, target share should be more condensed, but Douglas carries a very low floor due to the unpredictable distribution pattern. Ranked as 'Shaky Flex' for Week 7.

Must-start for Week 7 despite backup QB Tanner McKee. Has the single best matchup for wide receivers against Cowboys defense: most EPA per pass play allowed, highest success rate per pass allowed, most explosive plays allowed by any defense. McKee will likely drop back and throw more than Jaylen Hurts, though backup QB status provides a low floor for the Eagles offense.

Locked-down cornerback on the outside for Baltimore who may be tasked with shadowing opposing receivers throughout the game. If Tyler Huntley is under center and DJ Turner shadows Zay Flowers, it could be a tough task for Flowers' production.

Shares condensed target tree with Jeremy Bernard in Pittsburgh offense; faces excellent matchup against Saints defense but has shown consistent floor issues in good matchups throughout his Pittsburgh tenure. Expected to combine with Bernard for 50-55% of team targets. Despite the favorable matchup, Metcalf's history of underperforming in supposed breakout spots warrants caution.

Despite being a must-start, Wilson faces inconsistency issues in the Jets offense with low Vegas totals (62.5). AJ Brown notes Wilson has many down games where he doesn't get fed enough targets, lacks sufficient red zone opportunities, and doesn't generate enough plays—a persistent Jets offense concern that limits his ceiling despite elite talent.

Must-start for Week 7 against Baltimore; no questions about his startability.

Williams is not a must-start but will be in lineups if owned, rated as dub flex. He has a very low floor and high ceiling. When Sam LaPorta is on the field, he's the fourth option in a strong passing game. Green Bay has the single highest graded coverage rating per PFF, making it not as easy a matchup as expected, but Williams is game-plan dependent rather than matchup dependent. Aj Brown thinks he belongs in the Denzel Boston conversation for upside.

Aj Brown has completely lost confidence in Waddle despite the matchup against Denver. Waddle is characterized as having a very low floor with a high ceiling, and has shown only one explosive game so far this season. He ranks at the bottom of the dub flex/top of shaky flex tier.

Cleared from hamstring strain with full practice on Wednesday but has shown no consistency this season. AJ Brown rates him as a shaky flex despite returning to full health, indicating the injury recovery does not resolve underlying performance concerns.

Out for Week 7 and making the trip to Paris but not yet ready to play; expected to return to practice field and suit up in the next couple of weeks.

Benefits from Daniel Jones' mobility concerns and potential Tyler Warren absence, giving him slightly more upside than Keenan Allen. However, AJ Brown rates both as extremely shaky flexes in this matchup against Minnesota's elite defense, limiting their appeal despite the favorable circumstance.

Bourne continues to be a pretty high floor player. While Aj Brown doesn't expect his five-for-60 production to be sticky against Denver, Bourne is clearly a big part of the Cardinals' passing offense, especially when other teams focus on Trey McBride or shut down Michael Wilson. He's the next most talented pass catcher, particularly if Jeremiah Love misses another game.

Received limited practice on Wednesday after reports he wouldn't practice, which typically trends in the right direction; however, limited practice does not always suggest readiness after a multi-week injury. Full practice on Thursday or Friday would be needed to confirm he will be under center for the Baltimore-Cincinnati game.

Luther Burden had a big game in Week 6, though he wasn't running full routes and won't be on the field for all two-wide receiver sets. With Caleb Williams hampered by a hamstring injury that limits his running ability, Williams relies heavily on first reads when not scrambling, and those first reads consistently go to Luther Burden. The Chicago offense will continue to establish the run game, but Burden's role as the primary target for a stationary Caleb Williams provides upside in Week 7 against New England.

Malik Washington is the most consistent guy in Miami's receiver room but has shown almost no upside. Against the Jets in Week 7, a good matchup, he can be thrown in for 9–10 points, but AJ Brown would not classify him as a dub flex play due to his limited ceiling.

Showed better chemistry with CJ Stroud in their two quarters together last week than he had with Kyler Murray over the last two years, which is encouraging for his long-term outlook in Houston. However, until he develops into a full-time player, he is not currently startable in fantasy. Vegas projects him at 2.5 receptions and 29.5 receiving yards for Week 7.

One of the tight ends to target against the Rams. With the Rams running 12 and 13 personnel on 86% of plays, featuring minimum two to three tight ends on the majority of plays, Mayer benefits from this heavy personnel, run-heavy game plan.

Wilson has struggled recently and performed worse since Marvin Harrison Jr. left, but Aj Brown doesn't think this trend is sticky. Wilson was an alpha when Marv was off the field last year, and Aj Brown still wants him in the lineup despite the tough Denver matchup with Pat Surtain back. Aj Brown expects explosion games ahead and would start him over Jaylen Waddle, placing him in the dub flex category with potential for a random monster game.

Mike Evans did not practice on Wednesday with an Achilles injury and is expected to miss at least one game, making him unavailable for Week 7 against Atlanta.

Running every route for Houston and is a must-start for Week 7 against the Giants, a much easier matchup than last week against Jacksonville where he faced shadow coverage from Travis Hunter. However, the Texans spread the ball out frequently with multiple playmakers (Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaylen Nowell, Quentin Johnston, Dalton Schultz), so Collins is unlikely to see 10-15 targets per game despite his route participation.

First-round rookie who had an explosive game last week and became a waiver wire target, but AJ Brown urges caution due to Adonai Mitchell's return to practice. Cooper is banged up and plays only in three-wide receiver sets, projecting to 50-65% snap rate, making him a very dicey play. AJ Brown prefers to start AD Mitchell over him if Mitchell is healthy.

Started the week with a DNP due to hamstring injury, putting him on the wrong side of questionable. Coming back from hamstring strain with a tough matchup against Seattle's strong defense and lack of upside shown this year, he would be a dub flex near the middle area, not a confident start.

Limited practice participation on Wednesday after missing previous game. Injury status creates depth chart uncertainty with Jacobe Lane. If Bateman suits up, neither he nor Lane is recommended for lineup; if Bateman remains out, Lane becomes viable flex option in deep leagues.

Out for Week 7, which should condense the target share for the New England offense.

Ranked as a rather not/shaky flex for Week 7, indicating limited appeal and downside risk for the matchup.

Tight end to target against the Rams. With the Rams running 12 and 13 personnel on 86% of plays, featuring minimum two to three tight ends on the majority of plays, Higbee is part of the heavy personnel, run-heavy game plan that benefits tight ends.

Must-start for Week 7 against Cincinnati if Lamar Jackson is under center; moves significantly up rankings with Lamar playing versus Tyler Huntley. Risk if DJ Turner shadows him throughout the game, which could limit upside. Still confident starting Flowers even with Huntley under center.