Week 7 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Ranks: DeVonta Smith set to BOOM vs. the Cowboys

Ranked as WR19, Ian Hartitz believes this is too low for AJ Brown and projects a potential blowup game against the Bears. While Brown's recent drop issues are noted, Hartitz argues that high drop counts often correlate with elite target volume and that Brown remains a top-tier receiver who excels against man coverage, which the Bears run frequently.

Ian Hartitz notes that Adonai Mitchell's health status is a factor that impacts Garrett Wilson's target share in the Jets' offense when Mitchell is active.

Ian Hartitz notes that Amari Cooper's health status is a factor that impacts Garrett Wilson's target share in the Jets' offense when Cooper is active.

Ranked as WR4, Amon-Ra St. Brown is a must-start despite recent modest yardage against Green Bay. He plays in the game with the highest total of the week (53.5) and is playing indoors. Hartitz also uses him as a statistical benchmark for elite target per route run rates.

Ranked as WR5, CeeDee Lamb faces the Eagles, whose defense has allowed the second-most PPR points per game to slot receivers. Hartitz is not worried about the matchup against Quinyon Mitchell and uses Lamb as a benchmark for elite target per route run rates.

Charlie Jones was the target of a 60-yard heave from J.J. McCarthy while in tight coverage, highlighting his role as a deep-threat target in the offense.

Ranked as WR8, Chris Olave remains a strong play against the Steelers despite back-to-back games under 50 yards, as he is still the WR7 in PPR points per game on the season.

Ian Hartitz ranks Christian Watson as a top-tier wide receiver option, noting his current standing as the WR5 in PPR points per game. Additionally, Hartitz highlights that Joey Porter Jr. only covered Watson on 24% of his routes last week.

Ian Hartitz notes that the return of DJ Moore is expected to create a more difficult environment for other Bills receivers, potentially limiting the target share and production consistency for teammates like Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman.

Ian Hartitz ranks DeMario Douglas as WR35, arguing that this ranking feels too low given his recent production. Douglas has been the WR5 in PPR points over the last two weeks, and Hartitz highlights his ability to work downfield and his role as the best receiver in New England. With Drake Maye playing well, Douglas is a strong start in a potential shootout against the Bears.

Ian Hartitz ranks Denzel Boston as the WR29 for Week 7, characterizing him as a boom-or-bust WR3 option. While Boston is seeing significant downfield opportunity—ranking third in team air yards behind Carnell Tate and Jaxon Smith-Njigba—the Browns' offense is projected to score under 20 points, and the matchup against Jeffrey Simmons and the Titans' defense is tougher than expected. Hartitz acknowledged a previous miss on his expectations for Boston's production.

Ranked as WR13, DeVonta Smith is featured as a true WR1 by the Eagles with a 29.9% target per route run rate, which ranks sixth in the NFL. He is the WR10 on a per-game basis when healthy. Hartitz identifies Smith as a target in a bad offense where volume is highly concentrated, making him a viable fantasy option despite the team context.

Ian Hartitz warns that DJ Turner is a shadow cornerback who moves around the field to cover opposing WR1s, creating difficult matchups for receivers like Zay Flowers, DK Metcalf, and Emeka Egbuka.

Ranked as WR24, DK Metcalf has seen significant volume with 40 targets over the last two weeks alongside Jalen McMillan. He is one of four receivers with over 400 unrealized air yards and remains the primary deep-threat option in the offense, though he is also seeing more short-area usage than credited.

Ranked as WR9, Drake London is due for a touchdown after 47 targets without one. Ian Hartitz highlights his 3.24 yards per route run, the fourth-highest mark among wide receivers, as evidence of his elite play.

Ian Hartitz ranks Emeka Egbuka as a WR3, noting his high target volume (25 targets over the last two weeks, third-most in the NFL) but criticizing his lack of efficiency (3.3 yards per target). Hartitz expresses uncertainty regarding the quarterback situation with Baker Mayfield returning from a thumb injury.

Ian Hartitz ranks Garrett Wilson as WR14, viewing him as a top-15 option with double-digit target upside. While Hartitz believes in Wilson's talent, he notes that Wilson's target dominance has been less consistent when Adonai Mitchell and Amari Cooper are healthy. Recent struggles are attributed to a difficult matchup against Christian Gonzalez rather than a decline in role, and Hartitz notes the Dolphins' defense struggles in EPA allowed per dropback.

Ian Hartitz ranks George Pickens as WR20 for the week against the Eagles, noting the Eagles allow the fifth-most PPR points per game to wide receivers. While Pickens' season has been volatile, Hartitz maintains him as a top-20 option when healthy and paired with a healthy quarterback. Expect significant coverage from Quinyon Mitchell, who primarily plays outside right corner, as Pickens lines up outside more than CeeDee Lamb.

Ian Hartitz expresses significant concern regarding J.J. McCarthy's performance, noting that the sample size of his play has been 'really, really, really bad.' While McCarthy showed improvement in the final 15 minutes of Week 6, his inconsistency poses a risk to the fantasy outlook of his pass-catchers.

Ranked as WR3, Jamar Chase is expected to have a breakout 100-plus yard or multi-touchdown game against the Ravens. He has historically performed well against Baltimore, posting three of his top eight career fantasy games against them.

Ranked as WR16, Jalen Coker is a key part of the Panthers' passing game. Ian Hartitz emphasizes that his production is not fluky, citing his 2.53 yards per route run, which ranks as the ninth-highest mark among all wide receivers this season.

Ranked as WR25, Jalen McMillan is a recommended waiver wire pickup. Hartitz notes he and DK Metcalf are neck-and-neck in usage, with both seeing significant underneath targets. However, Hartitz also cautioned that he expects McMillan's recent three-week hot streak to likely regress soon.

Ian Hartitz ranks Jaylen Nailor as WR36, viewing him as a high-upside talent bet. Despite inconsistent route volume, Nailor leads all wide receivers in yards per target and boasts a 2.53 yards per route run, the 10th-highest mark in the NFL. Hartitz suggests that despite the role uncertainty, Nailor's efficiency makes him a compelling risk in the WR3/WR4 range.

Ian Hartitz ranks Jameson Williams as WR23. Williams leads all wide receivers in average depth of route (12.7) and is viewed as a boom-or-bust player who is highly startable in a high-scoring Lions offense with a quarterback willing to target him downfield.

Ian Hartitz views this week as a 'last chance' for Jaylen Waddle, projecting a breakout performance against a Cardinals defense that ranks in the bottom three in EPA allowed per dropback. Hartitz remains optimistic about Waddle's talent, noting he is a high-level player who has not received enough target volume to date.

Ranked as WR6, Justin Jefferson is a must-start against the Colts, who run the fifth-most man coverage in the league. Ian Hartitz expects a big day as Jefferson historically benefits from man-heavy defensive schemes, noting that most quarterbacks have been able to successfully get him the ball.

Ian Hartitz notes that Kendrick Bourne is actively impacting the target distribution in the Cardinals' offense, making things difficult for Michael Wilson and complicating the fantasy outlook for the group.

Ian Hartitz notes that Lamar Jackson's ongoing ankle injury is a significant factor negatively impacting the fantasy outlook of Ravens wide receivers like Zay Flowers.

Ian Hartitz ranks Luther Burden as WR22, highlighting his efficiency as a 'man-beater' with superior yards per route run (2.05) and target share (25%) compared to Rome Odunze. Hartitz expects a massive boom game soon, especially if Christian Gonzalez shadows Odunze instead of Burden.

Ian Hartitz expects Malik Nabers to finish the year as a WR1, likely near WR12, despite ongoing concerns regarding quarterback play. Nabers has looked healthy following a shoulder issue and benefits from a favorable schedule from weeks 7 through 12. He is a high-volume target in a concentrated offense, making him a player Hartitz is willing to roster despite the team's offensive struggles.

Ian Hartitz views Matthew Golden's production as impressive despite him leading the league in drops, unrealized air yards, and defensive pass interference penalties. Hartitz expects better days ahead against a weak Lions secondary, though he notes that Golden's two dropped touchdowns previously hurt the Cowboys' box score.

Ian Hartitz ranks Michael Wilson as WR21 against the Broncos, noting that Kendrick Bourne has outperformed him in target share over the last two weeks. Hartitz expresses concern regarding a potential shadow matchup with Pat Surtain II and the overall struggles of the Cardinals' offense, though he remains the only player from that tier he is interested in rostering.

Ranked as WR7, Nico Collins faces a man-heavy Giants defense. Ian Hartitz notes the Texans have high team implied totals and that Collins has significant scoring upside in the current C.J. Stroud-led offense.

Ian Hartitz ranks Omar Cooper as the WR30 and considers him a strong waiver wire target. Cooper leads the NFL in yards per route run (minimum 25 routes) and is the clear-cut number two pass-game option in a productive Geno Smith-led offense. He faces a favorable Week 7 matchup against a Dolphins defense that ranks second-worst in EPA allowed per dropback.

Ian Hartitz cites Parker Washington as an example of a receiver who was shadowed by DJ Turner.

Ranked as WR1, Puka Nacua has a limitless target ceiling following the departure of Davante Adams. He is coming off an 80-yard game and faces a Raiders defense that has allowed the most points in the league over the last three weeks.

Ian Hartitz ranks Rome Odunze as WR36, noting his consistent yardage floor but limited ceiling. Odunze maintains an 11.5-yard average route depth, a top-four mark in the NFL, which Hartitz compares to Marvin Harrison Jr.'s role. However, the matchup against Christian Gonzalez and the Patriots defense presents a challenge.

Ian Hartitz does not expect Tank Dell to play many snaps in his return, noting he will not be ranked in the top 60 wide receivers for the week.

Ian Hartitz advises keeping Tee Higgins in the top 20 wide receiver rankings, contingent on his health and the health of his quarterback.

Ian Hartitz ranks Trey Tucker as the WR30, viewing him as a boom-or-bust WR3 who he would consider moving even lower. Despite averaging 13.1 PPR points per game, Hartitz notes that Tucker faces a very tough matchup against the Rams, who have only allowed one wide receiver (Khalil Shakir) to gain more than 50 yards against them all season. Hartitz also expressed concern regarding potential regression for Tucker.

Ian Hartitz identifies Treylon Burks as the engine of the Titans' passing game, commanding 48% of the team's air yards. Despite this high volume, Hartitz expresses concern regarding Burks' struggles against man coverage (5-of-9 targets for 60 yards) and the team's low scoring projection.

Ranked as WR15, Xavier Legette is a strong fantasy option within a high-volume, fast-paced Panthers passing attack. He is highlighted alongside Jalen Coker as a key beneficiary of the team's offensive scheme.

Ian Hartitz ranks Xavier Worthy as the WR33 for his Sunday Night Football matchup against the Seahawks. Hartitz defends Worthy against recent social media criticism regarding his route running, suggesting that the negative sentiment is piling on and that Worthy's recent performance was actually one of his better games of the season. Hartitz notes that while Worthy showed speed and made two diving catches previously, repeating that performance is unlikely with Rashee Rice still sidelined.

Ian Hartitz ranks Zay Flowers as WR17, noting he would be a top-10 play if Lamar Jackson were healthy. His production is currently hampered by the quarterback downgrade to Tyler Huntley. Flowers should avoid a shadow matchup with DJ Turner, as Turner rarely plays in the slot where Flowers runs most of his routes.