As the 2025 fantasy football season unfolds, managers face mounting pressure from bye weeks and an increasing number of injuries. However, there’s optimism on the horizon. Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is set to make his return after a six-game suspension, alongside veteran players George Kittle and Mike Evans who are expected back in Week 7.
This week, the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens are on a bye, which leaves fantasy owners without key players such as Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, James Cook, and Zay Flowers. Replacing these stars or dealing with injuries can be a daunting task, but assistance is available. The USA Today Sports staff has provided valuable insights to help fantasy managers finalize their lineups.
The week kicked off with an exciting “Thursday Night Football” game featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, highlighting several fantasy stars. To offer further guidance, USA Today Sports has prepared recommendations for which players to start or sit in Week 7.
Among quarterbacks, Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears is a compelling option, facing a New Orleans Saints defense vulnerable to passing touchdowns and mobile quarterbacks. Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions also earns a nod as he faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who may lead to an uptick in scoring opportunities due to the injuries in the Lions’ secondary.
On the other hand, Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks and Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants face challenging matchups against the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos, respectively, making them candidates to bench this week.
For running backs, players such as Bill Croskey-Merritt and Rhamondre Stevenson are recommended starts based on favorable matchups and recent performances. Meanwhile, Travis Etienne, who struggled against a tough Seattle Seahawks defense, is advised to be kept on the bench, while Arizona’s Keaontay Ingram may also face an uphill battle against the Green Bay Packers.
Wide receivers like Keenan Allen of the Los Angeles Chargers and Rashee Rice of the Chiefs are expected to thrive in their matchups, particularly Rice, returning to a favorable game against the Las Vegas Raiders. In contrast, A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles and Jauan Jennings of the San Francisco 49ers should be benched due to tough defensive matchups.
At the tight end position, Tucker Kraft of the Green Bay Packers and Mason Taylor of the New York Jets show promise, especially in light of injuries and lack of competition for targets. Conversely, T.J. Hockenson of the Vikings and Theo Johnson of the Giants are advised to stay on the sidelines due to their respective challenges.
Overall, amid the chaos of the 2025 fantasy season, expert insights are available to help managers navigate these tricky decisions. As some stars return, there’s potential for success, providing hope for those struggling through this turbulent season.