FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: Week 7 Lineup Advice — Starts, Sits, Player Debates, and TD Calls (Ep. 1778)
Host: Ryan Wormley (A)
Guests: Jake Seeley (The Athletic) (B), Pat "Fitz" Fitzmaurice (C)
Date: October 16, 2025
Overview
This week, the FantasyPros crew dives into all things Week 7: lineup questions, start/sit dilemmas, waiver wire pickups, player debates, and touchdown calls. As bye weeks bite and injuries pile up, the trio navigates the must-starts and fades, discusses volatile projections for breakout and returning players, and provides tiered analysis to help win your matchups. They bring in their typical humor and personal stories—plus practical advice for competitive redraft and dynasty leagues.
Injury & Personal Updates
- Ryan’s Recovery: Opens the pod with some personal banter about his foot surgery and challenges of getting around on crutches (01:10).
- Fantasy Take: “Nobody cares about my injuries. They care about the injuries to their fantasy team, of which there are plenty.” — Ryan (03:39)
Popular Waiver Adds: Start Immediately, or Stash?
Kymani Vidal (Chargers RB)
- Fitz: “You're starting him if you picked him up. I have him at RB25... Vidal benefited from the matchup, but usage was lead back stuff: 67% snaps, 21 touches, usage in the passing game... you're playing him.” (04:39)
- Jake: Prefers Vidal slightly higher, notes concern if Haskins vultures goal-line work, but overall says, "I think it's his backfield... even in a tougher matchup, he's in that RB2 mix." (05:33)
Bam Knight (Cardinals RB)
- Jake: "No, I honestly don't want to start him unless I'm desperate. I have him behind both Texans RBs... He didn't see much until Carter left the game. It’s a split backfield... I'm not starting either unless I'm desperate." (07:25)
- Fitz: Has Knight at RB34, between Jake and consensus, ultimately says, "Packers giving up a league-low rushing yards per game—pretty tough matchup. You'd have to be desperate.” (08:42)
Kendrick Bourne (49ers WR)
- Two recent WR1 finishes due to injuries in SF receiving corps.
- Fitz: "Not really interested—especially if Ricky Pearsall comes back. Kittle may also return, and McCaffrey will dominate targets. The good news is, if it's Mac Jones at QB, that chemistry’s real, but overall the outlook dims with returning pass-catchers." (10:42)
- Jake: “You need the Charlie Day flowchart for this one... If it’s Mac Jones, better than Purdy. Pearsall playing? That knocks Bourne down... Right now I have Bourne at 26.” (12:11)
- Decision: Keep monitoring injuries—Bourne can be a viable WR2/3 only if key guys remain out.
Plant Your Flag Picks — QB Convictions
Jake: C.J. Stroud (Texans QB)
- “He’s a top streaming QB with a very beatable Seahawks secondary. Yes, the Seahawks were scary on paper but have lost key DBs, giving up lots of passing production. I’m starting Stroud over Justin Fields, and even over a rushing-upside like Jackson Dart this week.” (15:52)
- Fitz: Tempered enthusiasm: "I'm just not excited about a QB with a bad O-line going to Seattle. If the DBs are all still out, I'm okay with Stroud. If they get some back, I fade him." (17:26)
Fitz: Jared Goff (Lions QB)
- “Ford Field is the Coors Field of the NFL—scoring goes up! Great setup facing a pass-funnel Bucs D in a 52.5 Vegas total. I’ve got him QB8, 1 spot behind Mayfield, but could move him up.” (20:23)
- Jake: "Why do you hate Goff? I have him at 6." (20:59)
- General Consensus: Both see high ceiling; not quite over Hurts, but strong weekly play.
Start/Sit and Player Debate Highlights
RB Debates
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Cam Skattebo (Giants) vs. Rachaad White (Bucs):
- Fitz: "Start Skattebo. He's shown more as a runner and pass-catcher. White's only edge is a slightly better chance at scoring, but both are volume-dependent." (25:42)
- Jake: Slightly prefers White for TD upside but agrees it's very close—depends on which offense you trust more.
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Add in J.K. Dobbins (Broncos):
- Both have him behind Skattebo and White. Jake: "Safer floor, but lower ceiling than the other two." (28:46)
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DeAndre Swift (Bears) vs. Kymani Vidal:
- Fitz: Slightly prefers Swift after big post-bye game, but calls it close. “Maybe Ben Johnson worked out the bugs.” (30:14)
- Jake: Gives Vidal the edge but ranks them all close (Vidal, Warren, Swift in that order). Wants to see more consistency from Swift. (31:00)
WR Debates
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Rashee Rice (Chiefs) vs. Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars):
- Fitz: "I'm taking Rice. Kansas City will use him right away and their screen game is his bread and butter." (34:26)
- Jake: "I have Thomas at 11 and Rice at 14. Thomas looks better—could have been wrist injury, but he’s connecting 100% with Lawrence last 3 weeks. Both are WR1 territory this week; play both over Pittman and Olave." (35:31)
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Chris Olave (Panthers) vs. Stefon Diggs (Bills):
- Jake: Both have great matchups, virtually tied (“the Spider-Man meme pointing at each other” (38:35)). Slight lean to Olave for target certainty.
- Fitz: In half-PPR, Diggs slightly ahead for efficiency; in full PPR, Olave gets the nod due to volume. (40:01)
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Jalen Waddle (Dolphins) vs. Jordan Mason (49ers):
- Severe weather warning: possible 50–60mph wind gusts in Cleveland game.
- Both: Fade Waddle in extreme wind—“35+ destroys passing games,” says Jake. Both recommend Mason. (48:36–50:49)
Other Notable Start/Sit Clashes
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Isaiah Pacheco (Chiefs) vs. Patriots RBs:
- Both: Slightly prefer Stevenson; easier matchup, more consistent role, KC too pass-heavy for Pacheco’s ceiling. (40:59–42:56)
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Tony Pollard (Titans) vs. Jakobi Meyers (Raiders, if active):
- Both: Meyers if healthy. Pollard cedes work to Spears, poor match-up. (51:20–52:47)
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Zach Charbonnet vs. Jerry Jeudy (in heavy wind):
- Both opt for Charbonnet; Jeudy has usage but quality of targets and conditions hurt his case. (53:08–54:28)
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Woody Marks vs. Kayshon Booty:
- Fitz: Likes Booty for ceiling, efficient production. (54:40)
- Jake: Marks is safer for floor; Booty is boom/bust—choose based on your team need. (55:09)
QB & TE Sits
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Justin Fields (Bears) vs. Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars):
- Jake: Slight preference for Fields (rushing upside), but "this is the lowest I've ranked him all year" due to lack of weapons, tough matchup. (56:47)
- Fitz: Fading Fields heavily. “If you do play him, you better hope he gives you 10 rushing points because you’re not getting 10 passing points.” (58:01)
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Mason Taylor (Bears TE) vs. Harold Fannin Jr. (Browns TE):
- With weather in Cleveland, slight lean to Taylor for opportunity (Fields has to throw to someone). Fannin has high upside if weather changes. (59:38–61:48)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Weather note on Miami–Cleveland: this could be a 50–60 mph wind game. It destroys passing games.” — Ryan (48:30)
- “I can go out in the backyard and throw the Nerf ball around. 15 mph winds are nothing, but when you see 35+, get the hell away from this game.” — Fitz (50:22)
- “You need the Charlie Day flowchart for this one [Kendrick Bourne decision]…” — Jake (12:11)
- “The Spider-Man meme pointing at each other: Olave and Diggs—these are the same players this week.” — Jake (38:35)
- “Start Skattebo. Rashad White is just not good at football!” — Fitz (26:31)
- “Jared Goff—Ford Field is the Coors Field of the NFL…one of the best setups all season.” — Fitz (20:23)
Touchdown Calls Segment (62:56+)
- RB: Jacory "Crosby" Merritt (Commanders) — Jake: “He’ll get the volume against Dallas and has the best shot to score.”
- WR: Terry McLaurin (Commanders) — Fitz: “Dallas D gives up a ton of WR TDs, and McLaurin scored in both games vs Dallas last year.”
- TE: Mason Taylor (Bears) — Ryan: “No TDs yet, but Panthers can’t guard tight ends. Someone's got to catch a pass.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Start/Sit: Kymani Vidal/Bam Knight (03:39–09:31)
- WR Start/Sit: Kendrick Bourne/Flowchart (10:42–14:45)
- Plant Your Flag (QB conviction picks) (15:52–22:32)
- RB Debate: Skattebo/White/Dobbins (25:17–29:44)
- RB Debate: Swift/Vidal/Warren (30:14–32:33)
- WR Debate: Rashee Rice/Brian Thomas Jr. (34:26–38:14)
- Olave/Diggs (38:35–40:40)
- RB: Pacheco/Patriots RBs (40:40–42:56)
- Deep Flex: Jalen Waddle/Jordan Mason (48:01–50:49)
- Flex: Charbonnet/Jerry Jeudy (52:54–54:28)
- Superflex: Woody Marks/Booty (54:28–56:14)
- QB: Fields/Lawrence (56:47–59:18)
- TE: Mason Taylor/Fannin (59:38–61:48)
- TD Calls (62:39–65:11)
Week 7 Takeaways & Insights
- Lean into players with clear roles and healthy opportunity, especially amid the mounting chaos of injuries and weather.
- Volatile weather (esp. extreme wind) is perhaps the single strongest factor in adjusting lineups for pass-catchers.
- Be aggressive with upside plays for league-winning potential—waiting may leave their breakouts on someone else's roster or your bench.
- Don’t chase last week’s points, but trust trends in usage (e.g., Skattebo, Swift) and context (Rice returning to a needy KC offense).
- Week 7 is shaping up to be one where extra preparation and careful monitoring of late-week news/injury reports is more crucial than ever.
Final Thoughts
The hosts' quick wit and depth of analysis are on full display, balancing risk profiles for even the toughest start/sit and flex choices. Monitor the weather (especially in Cleveland), watch injury news (Niners WRs, Packers WRs, etc.), and trust in-volume and clarity of role—but don’t be afraid to take a ceiling shot if your matchup needs it.
"Good luck in Week 7! Check back for late-week updates and trust the FantasyPros consensus, but add your own context."