Six weeks down, we are officially one third of the way through the 2025 NFL regular season. Injuries, upsets, and, surprisingly, blocked kicks have been the story of the year so far, with divisions starting to take shape after some early-season volatility.

The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens are the only two teams on bye this week, leaving us with 15 games to enjoy between Thursday and Monday night. For those in need of a one-week rental at quarterback, tight end, kicker, or defense can check out my streamers article for PFSN here.

Below is a list of 10 players, and my recommendations for how to handle them this week. Some have the potential to be a week-winner, while some are best avoided altogether.

START: Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams has been wildly inconsistent since being drafted first overall in 2024. The former Heisman Trophy winner has flashed his elite potential, but struggled to put it all together on a week-to-week basis.

To start this season, Williams has posted three top-10 fantasy weeks, including a QB!-overall performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3. In Week 6, the Bears quarterback finished 10th at the position in fantasy, throwing for 252 yards and a touchdown, and adding another score on the ground.

This weekend, he faces a New Orleans Saints defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season (21.7). The Saints have given up 15 total touchdowns to quarterbacks in six games, 14 through the air, and one on the ground.

Williams should be able to produce another solid display on Sunday, as Ben Johnson continues to have a positive effect on his young offense.

SIT: Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants

It doesn’t feel great betting against one of the NFL’s feel-good stories, but Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants couldn’t be facing a more difficult challenge this week.

The Denver Broncos are arguably the best defense in the NFL, and bottled up Justin Fields for only 4.9 fantasy points in Week 6. Dart has shown more ability with his arm than Fields has, but Denver is an elite passing defense, with both their pass rush and defensive secondary among the best in the league.

Dart should be able to scramble for some fantasy points, in fact, he’ll likely need to to avoid Nik Bonitto, a DPOY candidate for the second year running. I like Dart, and I certainly wouldn’t drop him, but there are far safer options out there this week.

START: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns

I might be higher on Quinshon Judkins than any other player this week. Despite missing the offseason and The Cleveland Browns’ training camp, Judkins has hit the ground running in his rookie year.

After a disappointing Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Judkins is in the perfect spot to make up for it this weekend. The Browns welcome the Miami Dolphins to Cleveland, a team that has given up over 400 total yards in three straight games.

Two weeks ago, the Dolphins have allowed Panthers backup Rico Dowdle to rush for 206 yards and a touchdown. Then, last weekend, they allowed Kimani Vidal to rush for 124 yards, after he was elevated from the LA Chargers’ practice squad.

Judkins isn’t a backup, and with Dillon Gabriel still finding his feet, could easily see 20+ carries against Miami on Sunday. I expect Judkins to finish in RB1 territory this weekend, with a non-zero chance he could lead all running backs in fantasy.

SIT: Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

Tony Pollard has disappointed to start the year, as has the Tennessee Titans offense as a whole. The former Dallas running back has been consistently stuck in RB3 territory this season, with his only two touchdowns of the year accounting for his two RB2 weeks.

In Week 6, Pollard’s snap share dropped to 46.2%, having once been as high as 91.4% in Week 3. Perennial backup Tyjae Spears took over the primary pass-catching role, which rendered Pollard surplus to requiremtents with the Titans again playing from behind.

That’s unlikely to change this week, as interim head coach Mike McCoy will oversee his first game in charge against the in-form New England Patriots. New England is the league’s third-best run defense in rushing yards allowed per game (3.5), and has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs (17.9).

Tennessee’s schedule doesn’t get much easier down the road, so Pollard may be a season-long flex play, with little opportunity to make a splash.

START: Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals finally got off to a 2-0 start under Zac Taylor, only for it all to fall apart with the injury to Joe Burrow. Jake Browning was atrocious in his place, and has now been replaced by veteran Joe Flacco.

In Flacco’s first game for his new team, he threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns against a solid Green Bay Packers defense. Higgins posted season-high numbers in targets (eight), catches (five), and receiving yards (62) in that game, suggesting things are on the up for the receiver.

Cincinnati’s Thursday Night matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers has shootout potential. With Trey Hendrickson missing, the Bengals will need to put up points to keep up with Aaron Rodgers, who could have all the time in the world to throw.

Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase add explosive potential to any game, and there should be plenty of big plays on both side of the ball. Mike Gesicki is also sidelined, slightly increasing Higgins’ already-high chances of end zone looks.

START: Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers

Despite Cincinnati’s improved offensive display in Week 6, it was the Packers who came out on top at Lambeau Field. Rookie receiver Matthew Golden shone against the Bengals, in his most impressive game yet, but Romeo Doubs is still the team’s go-to receiver with Christian Watson and Jayden Reed both sidelined.

Over the last two games, Doubs has caught 11 of his 17 targets for 113 yards and three touchdowns. The Arizona Cardinals are allowing the fifth-most passing yards per game this season (246), something Jordan Love will be looking to take advantage of.

It’s still unclear whether or not Kyler Murray will return from injury in Week 7, as he continues to be limited in practice with a foot sprain. Either way, the Packers should get the win in Arizona, and Doubs should play a significant part.

SIT: Michael Pittman, WR, Indianapolis Colts

I bought low on Michael Pittman this offseason and have been reaping the rewards, but I’ll be looking for alternative options this week. The Indianapolis Colts have been phenomenal to start the year, and have a good chance to beat the Chargers, but Pittman might not be called upon a great deal.

The Chargers have given up the third-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers this season (26.7). But while their passing defense has been solid, their run defense has been surprisingly generous.

Jim Harbaugh’s men have allowed five yards per rush attempt this season, the fifth-most in the NFL. If the Colts are going to beat the Chargers, it will have far more to do with their elite running back, Jonathan Taylor, than any of their receivers.

Pittman caught just two of his three targets for 20 yards against Arizona, and is a risky flex at best this weekend.

START: Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been cursed with injuries to their wide receivers this season. Chris Godwin’s lower-leg injury could perhaps have been foreseen, after such a serious ankle injury troubling him throughout the summer and into the regular season.

Mike Evans was also unlikely to survive the season unscathed, but his injury again coinciding with Godwin’s was a cruel blow. Rookie Emeka Egbuka has been one of the standout performers across the entire NFL this season, but he too is now struggling with a hamstring injury.

Evans is back in practice this week, albeit in a limited fashion, and with no clear indication as to his availability this weekend. Either way, Cade Otton figures to have a massive role in the passing game.

With Evans and Godwin both out from Weeks 7-10 last year, Otton was the TE1 in fantasy, averaging a whole point more than Travis Kelce in second. At worst, Otton should be a serviceable tight end this weekend; at best, he could be a week-winner.

START: Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders

I included Zach Ertz in my Week 7 buy-low article for PFSN, which was written before Monday Night Football. I expected him to perform against Chicago, which would render his buy-low status null and void, but I included him just in case.

The veteran caught all six of his targets for 43 yards and a touchdown, finishing as the TE5 in fantasy. I fully expect a repeat performance this weekend, if not better.

Dallas has allowed 269.5 passing yards per game, the most in the NFL, and have allowed a touchdown on 7.3% of opposition drop-backs, the third-most in the league.

Ertz is still a trusted, go-to target for Jayden Daniels, and he should be extremely busy in an NFC East shootout.

SIT: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings

The Philadelphia Eagles have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends this season (7.3), which is no surprise. The Eagles defense is faster and more agile than most over the middle of the field, with Zack Baun and rookie DROY candidate Jihaad Campbell manning inside linebacker.

The Vikings will need to throw on Sunday, and would be wise to, as Philadelphia’s cornerbacks are arguably the weak point of its entire roster. That should mean more work for Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor, and less looks for T.J. Hockenson.

Hockenson has been a disappointment to start the year, and is currently the 22nd best tight end in PPR leagues (FPPG). He shares that ranking with Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange, who was a weekly streaming option before getting injured.

That concludes my starts, sits, and streamers for Week 7. Feel free to subscribe, for free, for email notifications whenever a new article is published. You can find me on X at @camsheath_ff and Bluesky at @camsheathff.bsky.social, for all of my fantasy writing, both here and for PFSN.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and best of luck wth your fantasy matchups this weekend.

In-depth stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.

Rankings and fantasy scoring based on PPR scoring, with research done using FantasyPros and Pro Football Reference.