After a chaotic Week 6 redefined traditional fantasy projections, Week 7 brings new opportunities. This comprehensive guide breaks down the unexpected risers and must-add sleepers at every position, providing crucial insights for your PPR, Half-PPR, and Standard league roster decisions.
The 2025 fantasy football season continues to deliver the unexpected, and Week 6 was a prime example of its unpredictable nature. Backups, rookies, and reclamation projects unexpectedly rose to prominence, shifting the landscape of many fantasy leagues. With a new week upon us, it’s time to adapt and make informed decisions to secure your roster’s success.
For those still finalizing their lineups or scouring the waiver wire, understanding the emerging talents and their potential impact is paramount. These rankings will change significantly throughout the week as new information becomes available, so constant vigilance is key.
The Shifting Tides: Week 6’s Unconventional Stars
Week 6 saw some truly surprising names at the top of the fantasy charts. Among quarterbacks, Jaxson Dart, Daniel Jones, and Jacoby Brissett cracked the top six. The running back group was equally wild, featuring Rico Dowdle, Cam Skattebo, Kimani Vidal, Rachaad White, Asthon Jeanty, and Zonovan Knight. Wide receivers were no different, with Kayshon Boutte, Marquise Brown, Kendrick Bourne, and Tetairoa McMillan making significant impacts. Interestingly, tight end was the most predictable position, with seven of the top nine finishers already ranked within the consensus top 10.
This volatility underscores the importance of staying ahead of the curve, especially when it comes to identifying players who are poised for a breakout or an increased role.
Quarterback Risers and Sleepers for Week 7
Keep a close eye on these signal-callers who could provide unexpected value:
- Giants QB Jaxson Dart (30% rostered): Since taking over as the starter in New York, the rookie has been a fantasy revelation, finishing as QB11, QB16, and QB3 (with Monday Night Football pending). His mobility is a major asset, having accumulated 162 yards on 30 rush attempts in the last three weeks, giving him a surprisingly safe floor in most formats.
- Seahawks QB Sam Darnold (35% rostered): After a slow start with just 5.4 fantasy points in Week 1, Darnold has consistently delivered over 16 fantasy points in each of his last five games, ranking as fantasy’s QB6 during this impressive stretch.
- Texans QB C.J. Stroud (51% rostered): While Stroud dominated in 2023, his 2024 and early 2025 seasons were quiet in fantasy. However, before Houston’s bye, he posted 18.4 and 28.8 fantasy points, hinting at a return to his elite 2023 form. He’s a worthwhile addition if still available in your league.
Running Back Risers and Sleepers for Week 7
The running back position is often dictated by opportunity, and these players are seeing theirs expand:
- Chargers RB Kimani Vidal (27% rostered): Vidal quickly silenced any talk of a running back by committee in Week 6. He commanded a 67% snap share, ran 22 routes, and logged 22 opportunities (18 carries, 4 targets), converting this workload into 138 total yards and a touchdown. He’s unequivocally the top waiver wire addition of the week.
- Texans RB Woody Marks (54% rostered): Despite a Week 5 setback, Marks out-snapped (27 to 24) and out-ran (12 to 9 routes) Nick Chubb in Week 6. A strong showing in Week 4 demonstrated his potential with a larger role, and a post-bye rookie bump could make him a valuable asset.
- Titans RB Tyjae Spears (22% rostered): In Week 6, Spears surpassed Pollard in snaps (36 to 26) and routes (28 to 14), finishing with only two fewer touches (10 to 12). Given the Titans’ likely negative game scripts moving forward, Spears is primed for continued involvement.
Wide Receiver Risers and Sleepers for Week 7
Injuries and increased target shares are creating new opportunities for these wideouts:
- Giants WR Wan’Dale Robinson (56% rostered): With Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton sidelined, Robinson dominated targets on Thursday Night Football, playing all but two snaps and earning a 28% target share. His 84 yards and a touchdown position him for his second WR1 finish in five weeks, making him a strong flex option, especially in PPR formats.
- 49ers WR Kendrick Bourne (32% rostered): Even with Jauan Jennings‘ return, Bourne led the 49ers in snaps (55), routes (40), and targets (9). With Jennings reportedly battling numerous injuries, Bourne’s significant role in the offense appears secure for the foreseeable future.
- Colts WR Josh Downs (51% rostered): Downs was third among Indianapolis wide receivers in snaps (30) and routes (20) in Week 6, yet he led the team with an impressive 23% target share. He turned seven opportunities into 42 yards and a score. Downs has proven capable with strong quarterback play, and his increasing role makes him a compelling add.
- Raiders WR Tre Tucker (45% rostered): Is Tucker the Raiders’ true WR1? His usage suggests yes. He has garnered 22 targets over his last four games, narrowly edging out Jakobi Meyers‘ 21. In Week 6, Tucker surpassed Meyers in snaps (56 to 55), routes (24 to 23), and targets (5 to 4). With three performances over nine half-PPR points in his last four games, and a WR1 overall finish in Week 3, Tucker offers considerable flex upside.
Tight End Risers and Sleepers for Week 7
Tight ends can be a frustrating position, but these players are stepping into expanded roles:
- Buccaneers TE Cade Otton (12% rostered): After Emeka Egbuka exited with a hamstring injury, Otton commanded a 33% target share for the Buccaneers. Last year, in the three games Mike Evans missed, Otton averaged a remarkable 18.8 half-PPR points per game. He could be a top-seven tight end in Week 7 if Egbuka, Evans, and Godwin are all out.
- Raiders TE Michael Mayer (2% rostered): In his first game without Brock Bowers, Mayer had an elite workload, playing 92% of Las Vegas’ snaps and leading the team with a 32% target share. This translated into 50 yards and a touchdown. With Bowers reportedly unlikely to play in Week 7, Mayer is an elite streaming option.
- Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr. (25% rostered): With David Njoku dealing with injuries, Fannin became a crucial part of the Cleveland offense. The rookie was third on the team in snaps (66) and routes (44), while ranking second in targets (10), and first in receptions (7) and yards (81). Fannin is worth adding even if Njoku returns, especially considering Njoku is a prime candidate to be traded before the 2025 trade deadline.
Navigating the Week 7 Rankings
To make the best decisions for your specific league, it’s essential to understand the different scoring formats. Whether you play in a Standard, Half-PPR (point per reception), or Full-PPR league, player values can fluctuate significantly. Always toggle between formats to get the most accurate picture for your team.
For a complete breakdown and continuously updated projections, consult expert consensus rankings. These aggregations offer a broad view of how professionals value players for the upcoming week. Our team at USA TODAY Sports provides ongoing content to assist with waiver wire and roster decisions, including player news and detailed analysis. You can also find comprehensive 2025 Fantasy Football Rankings powered by FantasyPros Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR).
Remember that fantasy football is a dynamic game. Player situations, injury statuses, and game scripts can change rapidly. Always check back for final updates on Sunday morning before setting your official lineup.
