Are you struggling with your week 7 starting lineup decisions? I have been there, and after years of managing fantasy defenses, I can tell you that the real challenge isn’t figuring out which studs like Maxx Crosby, Jordyn Brooks, and Derwin James to start.
Everyone knows to start those players. The actual puzzle lies in identifying which not-so-obvious players deserve your roster spot. You already know to start the Top 10-ranked players, so why waste time there?
What we really need is clarity on that linebacker or edge rusher sitting on your bench who might outperform expectations, or which safety gets the nod this week when all the obvious choices seem equally compelling. The key is recognizing that these not-so-obvious players could be ranked anywhere from #11 to #37, and that’s where your competitive advantage lives.
Meanwhile, don’t forget about the byes affecting teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills who are sitting out this week. I have learned that decide which defensive contributors truly deserve your lineup means looking beyond the flashy names and understanding matchups, trends, and potential breakout performances. The difference between a championship-winning team and a mediocre one often comes down to these nuanced start and sit calls on players the casual manager overlooks.
Week 5 – DL/Edge Starters
Harold Landry – New England Patriots
Looking at this week, I’ve identified three defensive standouts that can transform your lineup strategy. The first player, ranked #14-ranked DL overall and #14-ranked DL in scoring for the season, deserves consideration as a top 10 ranking pick despite his current ranking. Why? He’s posting double-digit scores in 5 of his 6 games with impressive production: 4.5 sacks and 1 fumble recovery already on the board. The matchup is perfect because the Titans represent the worst team in the NFL for defending against points allowed to opposing DE/Edge players. The Patriots journey to Tennessee where chaos reigns with the head coach fired and offensive woes mounting, meaning this defender will see ample opportunities across all defensive snaps.
Charles Omenihu – Kansas City Chiefs
Charles Omenihu from the Kansas City Chiefs has emerged as the #8 scoring DL over the past two weeks. His consistency is remarkable, appearing in 53% or more of defensive snaps throughout all six games, accumulating 6 tackles (including 5 solo), 3 tackles for a loss, 3 QB hits, and 2 sacks lately.
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This week he faces the Raiders, a #24-ranked team in points allowed to opposing DE/Edge players that is tied for 5th in sacks given up, having surrendered pressures six times just in the past two games. Omenihu’s trajectory suggests he’ll crack the top 24 and shake off his current unranked status with authority.
Rashan Gary – Green Bay Packers
Rashan Gary anchors the Green Bay Packers defense with steady defensive snaps ranging from 62% to 70% per game. Though his scoring totals have dipped the past two weeks, the Cardinals matchup changes everything as they rank 28th-worst team in allowed points to opposing DE/Edge players.
Gary’s #16 ranking could improve considerably against an offense featuring a #5 ranking in sacks allowed this season. With Jacoby Brissett operating as the QB again, expect sack totals to rise significantly from the modest two recorded in Week 6, making Gary an excellent bounce-back candidate.
Week 5 – DL/Edge Sits
Brian Burns – New York Giants
Here’s where experience truly matters in fantasy football. Burns sits at #2-ranked DL for Week 7, but don’t let that ranking fool you into automatic selection. Despite his elite pedigree, he will not maintain his #2-ranked DL in scoring status this particular week.
Why? Because he’s traveling to Denver to face the #1-ranked team in points allowed to DE/Edge players. The stingy Broncos aren’t just good at defense; they’re dominant, sitting second in allowed sacks for the entire season.
After years of analyzing matchups, I’ve learned that elite players against elite defenses often disappoint. If you have other options available on your roster, I strongly encourage you to consider them for this week rather than forcing a start that could sink your lineup.
Dorance Armstrong – Washington Commanders
On the flip side, Dorance Armstrong from the Washington Commanders presents a more intriguing puzzle. His #17-ranked DL status is absolutely well deserved based on his overall body of work, and impressively, he ranks as the #8-ranked DL in scoring through 2025.
The matchup against the #14-ranked Cowboys in points allowed to opposing DE/Edge players looks favorable on paper. However, understand that Armstrong doesn’t produce high-volume tackles, having accumulated more than 3 tackles in just half his games.
His points originate almost exclusively from the sack department, where he’s compiled 5.5 through six games. The Cowboys rank third in the league in sacks allowed, which could create opportunities, but Armstrong’s limited tackle floor means boom-or-bust potential this week.
Week 5 – LB Starts
Cedric Gray – Tennessee Titans
Playing at an elite level, Gray dominates 81% of the defensive snaps in virtually every one game this season, and pushes toward 92% or higher in half of his games. His production reflects this consistency as the #8 scoring LB for the entire season, yet even more impressive is his #2 in combined score over the past three games.
Across these 3 games combined, he’s accumulated 41 tackles with 19 solo, along with 2 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hit, and 2 passes defended. This Week 7, facing the Patriots, a #29-ranked team in points allowed to opposing LBs, sets up perfectly for continued dominance.
From my years of analysis, I have seen players hit this stride repeatedly, and Gray fits that pattern perfectly. The #30-ranked LB for Week 7 will crack the top 10 for the fourth week in a row, and you can bank on that projection.
Germaine Pratt – Indianapolis Colts
Consider the narrative of Germaine Pratt from the Indianapolis Colts. After being released by the Raiders, he was quickly signed in Week 6 to address a critical need.
The Colts had been struggling to find the second piece of their starting LB rotation alongside Zaire Franklin, and Pratt made an immediate impact in his first game, posting a #13-ranked scoring week with 11 tackles including 8 solo on an impressive 79% of the defensive snaps.
For the Week 7 game, the Colts travel to Los Angeles to face the #17-ranked Chargers in points allowed to opposing LBs. With momentum building and opportunity knocking, his snap count should increase substantially, far exceeding his current unranked status in Week 7 rank.
Drake Thomas – Seattle Seahawks
Finally, Drake Thomas from the Seattle Seahawks represents an emerging storyline worth monitoring.
It appears Thomas has claimed the LB2 spot from Tyrice Knight over the past week, a transition that began in Week 4 and solidified in Week 6 when Thomas commanded 92% of the defensive snaps.
Compare that to Knight, who saw snap participation decline from 31% to 49% before dropping to just 3% of the defensive snaps over these past three games. Thomas delivered a #7 scoring performance in Week 6 with 9 tackles (2 solo), 1 tackle for a loss, 1 QB hit, 1 sack, and 1 pass defended.
In his Week 7 game, the Seahawks welcome the Texans, a #15-ranked team in points allowed to opposing LBs. This unranked player for Week 7 possesses the tools to provide game-winning statistics that fantasy managers overlook.
Week 5 – LB Sits
Robert Spillane – New England Patriots
Sometimes the numbers tell a deceptive story in fantasy football, and Spillane is a perfect example this week. Over the past 3 games, he’s racked up 29 tackles with 14 solo efforts, which looks impressive on the surface.
However, dig deeper and you will notice he’s recorded only one forced fumble, meaning his points derive almost exclusively from tackle produced.
Here’s where matchup dynamics matter tremendously: the Patriots travel to Tennessee to face the #3-ranked team in points allowed to opposing LBs. Being heavily tackle-dependent against such a tough opponent will severely limit his upside.
His current #9 ranking for Week 7 doesn’t reflect this reality, and I’d confidently sit him this week if you have viable alternatives on your bench.
Demetrius Knight – Cincinnati Bengals
On the surface, Demetrius Knight from the Cincinnati Bengals appears to be trending upward. He just posted his highest defensive snaps percentage of 92% in Week 6 against a tough Packers offensive unit.
But here’s the trap that catches many managers: a higher snap count didn’t translate to a higher stat sheet. In fact, he posted just 7 tackles (4 solo) in Week 6, marking his lowest output over the last 3 games.
The matchup doesn’t improve either, as he faces another tough matchup against the Steelers this week, a #13-ranked team in allowed points to opposing LBs.
With minimal tackle volume expected and a defense built on coverage rather than aggressive attacking schemes, Knight should not even obtain his #41 ranking for Week 7, making him an easy sit for your fantasy lineup.
Week 5 – DB Starts
Tyson Campbell – Cleveland Browns
Here’s a Quick Tip that can save you from having a hard time deciding on your DB selections: when you are trying to start players and a rookie CB emerges as an option against a pass-heavy team, prioritize that matchup.
Campbell was traded from the Jaguars to the Browns last week and immediately stepped right in for 90% of the defensive snaps.
His Week 6 stat line showcased 5 tackles 3 solo, 1 forced fumble, and 2 passes defended, while consistently having scored better than 22 points during his five games with the Jaguars, with his first game with the Browns proving no exception. Looking ahead, Campbell faces the dysfunctional Dolphins who rank #3 ranking in interceptions thrown this year, creating premium scoring potential.
Paulson Adebo – New York Giants
The second CB on the DB start list deserves your immediate attention: Paulson Adebo from the New York Giants stands as the #1 scoring player among all DBs for 2025.
Despite his dominant season, he’s ranked just #12-ranked Week 7 DB, yet he should return to the top of the scoring sheet this week. Remarkably, 5 of his 6 games have produced a minimum of 6 tackles including 5 solo tackles, plus 1 tackle for a loss and 4 passes defended.
Adebo has scored over 20 points in every game this year, and now travels to Denver to face the Broncos with their short passing game, a 21st-worst team in scoring allowed to opposing CBs.
Chamarri Conner – Kansas City Chiefs
Chamarri Conner from the Kansas City Chiefs presents a fascinating contrarian play.
Though he ranks #11-ranked scoring DB for the season, he dropped to #20 for Week 7 after posting 14 tackles (10 solo) and 1 forced fumble last week against the Lions, delivering the top score among all DBs in Week 6.
This week, he welcomes the Raiders to Kansas City, facing a #24-ranked team in points allowed to opposing Safeties, giving him favorable conditions. An additional advantage emerges as Geno Smith leads the league in interceptions thrown, making Conner an excellent addition to your lineup.
Week 5 – DB Sits
Marques Sigle – San Francisco 49ers
Sigle’s fortunes change in a big way during Week 6, marking a dramatic shift from his previous dominance. Throughout the season, he had played 100% of the defensive snaps across all five games before Week 6, establishing himself as a lockdown starter.
However, the situation deteriorated rapidly when Malik Mustapha was activated from the injured reserve for Week 6, while simultaneously Jason Pinnock was benched in favor of Ji’Ayir Brown.
The result? Sigle suddenly played just 60% of the defensive snaps, a catastrophic drop that signals deeper roster instability. From my experience managing these defensive rotations, I strongly advise you to Stay away from 49ers DBs right now until the team achieves stabilization and clarity in their secondary assignments.
Jourdan Lewis – Jacksonville Jaguars
Jourdan Lewis from the Jacksonville Jaguars presents an equally troubling scenario heading into this week. He has been nearly invisible over these past three games, accumulating just 6 tackles 3 solo, 1 tackle for a loss, and 1 pass defended in his last 3 games.
The contrast is striking: he scored 25+ points during his first 3 games, only to collapse into a 5-9 points range in each of his last 3 outings.
This week, he faces Matthew Stafford and the Rams, a team that has thrown just two interceptions for the entire season, providing virtually no opportunity for turnover-dependent production. His current #34 Week 7 ranking remains too high for what you should realistically expect from him this week, making him an obvious bench candidate.