The Bills, Commanders, Chargers, and Jaguars are on a bye this week. Believe it or not, those teams have plenty of highly ranked IDP players. You may need to replace Greg Rousseau, Sonny Styles, Derwin James, Travis Hunter, or someone else in your lineup. Below you’ll find recommendations on who to start and who to sit in IDP in Week 7.
When you are looking for a streaming fill-in, finding a player with an advantageous matchup is of the utmost importance. Look for a linebacker that is going up against a team that is run-heavy. Find a safety facing a team that passes a lot. Identify a defensive lineman who will be rushing against a weak offensive line.
That’s what we try to do for you in this column. We follow the data, identify the best matchups, and recommend the players with high floors.
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Players to Start in IDP in Week 7
David Bailey, Jets DL
The #2 overall pick from this April’s draft has found a groove early in his career. Bailey has five sacks in his first six games, which leads all rookies and puts him in a tie for sixth in the NFL. He’s a game wrecker. Last week against the Patriots, he forced two fumbles.
Not only that, but he is third among all defensive linemen in the league in tackles with 30. That baseline of tackles makes him an attractive IDP option week in and week out.
This week, in particular, Bailey stands out even more. The Jets play host to a Miami Dolphins team that allows a sack on 9.7% of its dropbacks (29th in the NFL).
Bailey is almost a must-start every week at this point, but he is a play-with-confidence option this week against a Miami offensive line that ranks 24th according to Pro Football Focus.
Azeez Al-Shaair, Texans LB
Al-Shaair is the Texans’ leading tackler and will be facing a team that is committed to running the football on Sunday. The Giants are ninth in the NFL in rushing attempts. Among those nine teams, they average the fewest yards per carry (3.9). That bodes well for Al-Shaair’s prospects for success in IDP this week.
The Texans are rounding into form after losing their first four games. They have now won two in a row and have the Giants before their bye week. Their defense has only forced six turnovers so far this season (tied for 23rd) after forcing 29 a year ago (3rd). They have a great chance to get back on track against a Giants team that is tied for 6th in giveaways (11) and perhaps Al-Shaair will be in the middle of it.
Al-Shaair is an easy start this week in IDP.
Jaquan Brisker, Steelers S
Let’s head to Paris for our final recommended start as Jaquan Brisker and the Steelers take on the New Orleans Saints. Brisker is in an excellent spot this week. He is a great tackler (10th among DBs in tackles) and he’ll be up against a Saints’ offense that likes to throw the football (4th in the NFL with 39 passes per game).
Start Brisker against the Saints in Paris.
Check out all of our Week 7 Rankings: Flex Rankings | QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings | MOP Rankings
Players to Sit in IDP in Week 7
Byron Young, Rams DL
Young finished 2025 in a tie for 8th in the NFL in sacks (12) with Will Anderson, Jr. and Josh Sweat. Things were supposed to be easier for him this season with Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald drawing extra blockers. That hasn’t been the case with each of the future Hall of Famers missing time.
Young still leads LA with 3.5 sacks, but he’s not in a prime spot to get any more this week. First and foremost, 2.5 of his 3.5 sacks came in Week 4 against an Eagles team that is going through a whirlwind type of season. Plus, the Rams will be facing a Raiders team that does not give up many sacks. Las Vegas has the 3rd-best sacks percentage allowed in the league (3.5%).
Young has been a top ten recommendation on ESPN for much of the season, but I would sit him this week if you have a pass rusher going up against a weak offensive line.
Jack Campbell, Lions LB
Campbell was the #1 overall player in IDP last season and is a stalwart of many IDP lineups. A core tenet in fantasy football is to play your studs no matter what, so I understand any hesitation about leaving him on the bench. That said, the Packers are not a favorable matchup for him.
Green Bay has the fewest rushing yards in the NFL. And they are reticent to try. Only the Cowboys run the ball less. Tackles will be at a premium on Sunday.
Campbell has a safe floor, but it’s the lower ceiling that concerns me.
Look elsewhere at LB if you can this week. I like a slew of rookies (Jacob Rodriguez, Josiah Trotter, and Anthony Hill, Jr.) more than Campbell.
Tyson Campbell, Browns DB
Even though it’s soup season, I’m sitting another Campbell this week. Tyson Campbell made 87 tackles last season combined with the Jaguars and Browns. That was good enough to finish as the DB #15.
This season he’s barely inside the Top 100 defensive backs in total points, and he does not have a favorable matchup in Week 7. Campbell and the Browns host a Tennessee Titans team that managed just 102 passing yards last Sunday against the Colts. That wasn’t just an aberration, either. The Titans are last in the NFL in passing yards per game.
You can leave Campbell on the bench this week in IDP.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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