Our NFL Week 7 Monday slate features six early games and four in the late window. With elite offenses on bye weeks (Ravens, Bills) and several fantasy studs in independent timeslots (Rams, Jaguars, Falcons, 49ers, Bucs, Lions, Seahawks), constructing a winning Draftstars roster requires precision.
Standout matchups for fantasy value are in the late window: Colts @ Chargers (48.5 total) and Commanders @ Cowboys (54.5). The early window’s Eagles @ Vikings game offers competition, but correlation and stacking potential is strongest in those late pairings.
Draftstars is once again running a $30,000 guaranteed prize pool with $3,000 to first. With ownership likely to gravitate toward these two high-total games, leveraging off the chalk and locking in unique pivot spots is key.
NFL 2025-26 Daily Fantasy Tips: Week 7 Monday
Quarterbacks
Jayden Daniels — $17,850
Daniels faces a potent environment: indoors in Dallas with a 54.5-point total. His dual-threat skills give him rushing upside even if the passing game slows. He’s shown the ability to produce when pressured, and in a game environment likely to trade scores, he carries unmatched ceiling. Primary pairing should be with Samuel or McLaurin (keep an eye on Injury Report); deeper correlation with Croskey-Merritt is also viable for stacking ground + air upside.
Drake Maye — $15,750
Maye’s 2025 trajectory suggests a growing floor and ceiling. His matchup in Tennessee is intriguing — while the Titans’ defence is stingy in raw QB fantasy points allowed, that often reflects game scripts and run-heavy opponent game plans. If New England pushes pace, Maye has a path to 20+ fantasy points via efficient passing and scrambling. Stack him with Stefon Diggs or Kayshon Boutte or use him as a tournament pivot away from Daniels in this slate.
Slate Strategy (QBs)
Daniels is expected to be the chalk, but the best strategy is not to shy away — instead, pick your spots for differentiation. Use correlated stacks: Daniels + WRs in his game, or Maye + WRs in his game, and hinge your RB/TE picks around that anchor. For tournaments, other options like Jordan Love or Justin Fields (if starting) may be sleepers, but prioritize QBs tied to shootouts and rushing equity.
Running Backs
Josh Jacobs — $16,660
Jacobs continues as the feature back in Green Bay’s offense, handling both ground and receiving duties. His current tally of six touchdowns through six games underscores his role as the team’s red zone engine. In Week 7 he travels to Arizona — a matchup with opportunities for sustained runs and scoring chances in a likely positive script. He’s one of the best premium RB pivots beneath Taylor.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt — $12,960
Washington appears committed to him as lead back, and his significant volume last week — including goal line carries — positions him well in Dallas. The Cowboys’ run defence has shown cracks in recent weeks, especially against inside zone runs. Croskey-Merritt’s floor is strong, and his ceiling rises if he sees even modest work in the passing game. He fits beautifully as a mid-tier RB with correlation to Daniels lineups.
Tyjae Spears — $8,000
Spears remains volatile, but his pass-game involvement gives him a path to breakouts. In Tennessee, if game script pushes them into throw mode, his target share can spike. He’s best used as a FLEX or salary relief option in lineups where you’ve already committed to premium WRs or QBs. His ceiling is there; floor is shaky.
Slate Strategy (RBs)
This slate rewards balance. Jacobs gives you a high floor and ceiling; Croskey-Merritt offers controlled risk with volume upside; Spears gives salary flexibility with volatile upside. If you choose not to chase Jacobs, ensure your RB2/FLEX is well-equipped to handle spikes. Avoid stacking two high-priced RBs that kills your ceiling elsewhere.
Wide Receivers
Rome Odunze — $12,320
The Saints have surrendered explosive WR production, and Chicago’s passing game funnels heavily to Odunze when Moore is limited. He’s already seeing elite target share and air yard metrics. Expect a bounce-back week with 8–12 looks and red-zone access. He anchors a “main game” stack against New Orleans’ vulnerable secondary.
Quentin Johnston — $10,920
The Colts-Chargers game shapes toward a passing duel, and Johnston is already a focal point in L.A.’s vertical scheme. His deep speed and dependable usage on intermediate paths make him a high-ceiling mid-tier option. Pair with Herbert or use him as a bring-back in Taylor stacks.
Matthew Golden — $8,190
Golden’s route efficiency and explosiveness are underutilised — but that may change with injuries hitting Green Bay’s WR room. He offers major salary relief and a lightning ceiling when paired with Jacobs. In games where Arizona is expected to try to keep pace, Golden could stretch the defence and force the air game early.
Slate Strategy (WRs)
WR is deep but the real edges come from correlation and contrast. You’ll see heavy field exposure toward the Commanders–Cowboys and Colts–Chargers games. To diverge, take strong mid-tier plays (Odunze, Johnston) plus salary-efficient hopes like Golden. Avoid punting with little usage certainty.
Tight Ends
Harold Fannin Jr. — $9,150
Fannin’s TE usage has surged, and he’s seeing a big share of middle-of-field targets. With the Dolphins allowing consistent TE production and a less-than-stout linebacker structure, his path to 7–8 catches and 60–80 yards is very realistic, and a touchdown adds upside. He’s a solid mid-priced pivot off the chalk TEs.
Mason Taylor — $7,980
Taylor’s dip last week might suppress ownership, but the matchup is juicy: Carolina has allowed tonnes of TE points, and with key WRs out or limited, Taylor should see a high volume of short and red-zone looks. He’s a strong tournament play, especially when combined with quarterbacks with upside.
Slate Strategy (TEs)
Most lineups will gravitate toward high-floor chalk TEs, so using Fannin or Taylor as pivots allows you to spend up elsewhere while maintaining upside. In tournaments, diversify TE tiers: one team with a premium option, another with a contrarian mid-range TE. Don’t overinvest at TE unless it frees ceiling elsewhere.
D/ST
Denver Broncos — $6,510
Denver’s defence has been dominant in pressure and turnovers. They face rookie QB Jaxson Dart and a Giants offense that’s shown cracks in pass protection. In altitude and with an aggressive pass rush, this is one of the slate’s strongest D/ST plays for sack and turnover upside.
Cleveland Browns — $5,820
At home, Cleveland is a different beast, especially with potential weather impacts. The Dolphins’ timing offense could struggle, and if the Browns get early momentum, they can force mistakes. Their pass rush and coverage splits merit D/ST attention as a leverage play.
Slate Strategy (D/ST)
Broncos will draw attention, so if you pivot, aim at Browns or even Packers in specific scripts. Always favour defences with pressure + turnover paths. When fading Broncos, stack your DST with undervalued games or counteractive stacks to stay differentiated.
Slate Strategy & Construction
Week 7 gives you two mega matchups to build around. Start with your anchor: Daniels + McLaurin / Croskey-Merritt or Herbert + Johnston. From there:
- RB: lean Jacobs or a combination of mid + value.
- WR: include at least one mid-tier alpha (Odunze or Johnston) and a salary-flex (Golden).
- TE: pivot off chalk with Fannin or Taylor.
- D/ST: Broncos in cash, Browns for differentiation.
In tournaments, don’t be afraid to zig when the field zags: pivot your TE and DST aggressively.
Game stacking is key: choose your 2–3 man stacks that give you flexibility elsewhere. Local stacking (QB + multiple WRs from the same game) is most effective in this slate structure. Use correlation early and pivot late to pick your lines apart.
Final Thoughts
Week 7 slates tend to reward boldness — Daniels, Jacobs, Odunze, Johnston, Fannin, Broncos — those are your core plays. But the real difference will come from pivots and differentiation in TE/WR/DST spots.
Watch late injury news and defensive matchups carefully, and don’t fear leaving a little salary unused if it buys you uniqueness. Stack smart, stay flexible, and good luck — the podium is in play.
Suggested NFL Draftstars Lineup
