Week 7 asks fantasy managers to look past the name on the jersey and focus on the opportunity. Some of the receivers below have been quiet despite big reputations. Others are quietly piling up targets. The defenses they face will either give them room to produce or take it away.
Here is Week 7's Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Wide Receivers:
Week 7 Start ‘Em
Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Coker returned from his quadriceps injury with a statement: six catches, 97 yards and a team-leading 13 targets against Philadelphia. He now has 24 receptions for 319 yards across four appearances, with at least six catches in three of them. Tampa Bay has surrendered 237.7 passing yards per game and nine passing touchdowns, leaving a workable matchup rather than an automatic smash spot. Start Coker as a WR3 with upside; Tetairoa McMillan’s presence hasn’t erased his opportunity.
Germie Bernard, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New Orleans Saints
The rookie’s breakout comes with repeatable volume. Bernard has collected 17 catches for 167 yards on 21 targets over his last two games, including an 11-catch, one-touchdown performance Sunday. Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson remain on injured reserve, preserving his opening alongside DK Metcalf. New Orleans has allowed 256 passing yards per game, 7.7 yards per attempt and 10 passing scores. That makes Bernard a compelling PPR flex—his catches offer a path to production even without another touchdown.
Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots
With Caleb Williams back, Burden caught all eight targets for 95 yards against Atlanta; his season totals stand at 31 catches, 361 yards and 43 targets. New England has permitted a 66.2% completion rate and 7.1 yards per attempt, offering room for efficient receiving production. The caution: Burden ran only 19 routes on 45 dropbacks last week, so don’t mistake him for a guaranteed volume monster. Still, his immediate connection with Williams earns a WR3/flex start, especially in PPR.
Week 7 Sit ‘Em
Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots
Article Continues BelowWilliams’ return lifted Chicago’s offense, but Odunze barely caught the elevator. He managed three receptions for 39 yards on four targets while Williams completed 30 passes for 305 yards. Odunze has three or fewer catches in five of six games and remains touchdown-free. New England has conceded just seven passing touchdowns and 108 total first downs through six games. Against that resistance, his thin weekly workload is harder to excuse. Prefer Burden’s demonstrated involvement over betting on Odunze’s long-awaited eruption.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings
Eight targets sound comforting; four catches for 40 yards do not. That was Downs’ Week 6 return, leaving him with 24 receptions, 289 yards and zero touchdowns on 42 season targets. He has finished below 50 receiving yards four times in six games. Minnesota makes the rebound case especially difficult: opponents have completed only 53.2% of passes, throwing three touchdowns against six interceptions. Downs’ opportunities haven’t translated into dependable scoring, and this defense is an unappealing place to demand a correction. Bench him where alternatives exist.
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
Don’t let recognition substitute for production. Godwin has 23 receptions for 216 yards without a touchdown, and every game has ended between 25 and 46 receiving yards. Carolina has held opponents to a 60.3% completion rate and six passing touchdowns. Baker Mayfield’s possible return warrants monitoring, but Godwin’s modest output has persisted with both Mayfield and Jalon Daniels.