Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Wide Receivers Fantasy Football Week 7: Brandon Aiyuk Will Be a Monster on Monday Night

Injuries to his teammates will make Aiyuk more valuable in what should be a favorable matchup.

Author:
Michael Fabiano
Publish date:
Oct 18, 2023

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Fabs’ Top 10 Wide Receivers

1. Tyreek Hill at Eagles
2. Cooper Kupp vs. Steelers
3. Stefon Diggs at Patriots
4. Keenan Allen at Chiefs
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown at Ravens
6. A.J. Brown vs. Dolphins
7. Davante Adams at Bears
8. Jaylen Waddle at Eagles
9. Brandon Aiyuk at Vikings (Mon.)
10. Chris Olave vs. Jaguars (Thur.)

Complete Week 7 wide receiver rankings

Week 7 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Byes: Bengals, Cowboys, Jets, Panthers, Texans, Titans

Week 7 Start ’Em: Wide Receivers

Start of the Week

49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk — Stan Szeto/USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Aiyuk at Vikings (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Aiyuk has scored fewer than 12 fantasy points in three of his last four games, including two in single digits, but he should rebound against the Vikings. Their defense has allowed the third-most fantasy points to enemy wideouts, and Aiyuk could see more opportunities with Deebo Samuel injured. He could push for top-12 value.

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Start ’Em

DeVonta Smith vs. Dolphins (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Smith has struggled in the last four weeks, scoring fewer than 10 points three times, including one game with just 1.6 points. Still, I’d keep starting him in what figures to be a high-scoring game vs. the Dolphins. The total opened at 53, and Miami has allowed six touchdowns and the 10th-most PPR fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.

Tyler Lockett vs. Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Lockett has been inconsistent this season, scoring single digit PPR points in three of his first five games. Still, he’s had a ton of success in his career against this week’s opponent, the Cardinals. In fact, Lockett has scored 15-plus points in five of their last six meetings including three games with more than 20 points and one where he scored 53 points.

Marquise Brown at Seahawks (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Brown posted a 7.4-point stinker last week, but he’s been mostly reliable with 16-plus points in each of his previous four contests. He should get back in our good graces this week, as the veteran faces a Seahawks defense that’s surrendered seven touchdown catches and the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.

Zay Flowers vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Flowers hasn’t put up massive numbers, but he’s averaged a solid 13.1 fantasy points in his first six NFL games. He should be in the flex conversation this week, as the Ravens face a Lions defense that’s surrendered 10-plus fantasy points to nine different wideouts, including three who have scored 18-plus points and two others who have scored over 20 points.

More Starts

Puka Nacua vs. Steelers (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)
Drake London at Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Rashee Rice vs. Chargers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Marquise Brown at Seahawks ($5,300)
Romeo Doubs at Broncos ($4,900)
Rashee Rice vs. Chargers ($4,700)

Week 7 Sit ’Em: Wide Receivers

Sit of the Week

Indianapolis Colts Michael Pittman Jr — Mark Konezny/USA TODAY Sports

Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Pittman, listed as a start ’em last week, scored nearly 20 points in a loss to the Jaguars. While it’s tough to sit him with six teams on a bye, fantasy fans might want to temper expectations in a bad matchup against the Browns. Their defense has been stellar against wideouts, allowing just one to score a touchdown or more than 11.6 fantasy points.

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Sit ’Em

George Pickens at Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Pickens was a stud in his last game prior to the Steelers’ bye, posting 26.6 points in win over the Ravens. I’d temper expectations this week, though, as Diontae Johnson is slated to return and will no doubt take away targets. Pickens also faces a Rams defense that’s allowed just one touchdown and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts.

Jerry Jeudy vs. Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Jeudy has been a disappointment in fantasy circles, scoring single-digit points in three of his five games while putting up an average of just 8.4 points per game. He’ll be a risk-reward flex option at best this week, as Jeudy faces a Packers defense that’s allowed just four touchdowns and the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.

Kendrick Bourne vs. Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Bourne is coming off a monster stat line, scoring 19.3 points in a loss to the Raiders. I wouldn’t chase the points though, as the veteran had scored single digits in each of his previous four games and has a matchup against Buffalo next. At best, Bourne will be a risky flex starter.

Curtis Samuel at Giants (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Samuel has been on fire, scoring 14-plus points in three straight games with a touchdown in each. That makes him a viable flex option in most leagues, but keep in mind that most of the big-time stat lines the Giants have given up have been to stud wideouts. What’s more, their defense has held CeeDee Lamb, Gabe Davis and Tyler Lockett under 12 points.