Week 7 tight end starts hinge on three clear matchups: Trey McBride vs Green Bay, Mason Taylor vs Carolina, and Sam LaPorta vs Tampa Bay, with Harrison Jr. status shaping McBride’s upside. Hockenson and Theo Johnson face tougher draws, while Tyler Warren carries risk against Los Angeles. Smart managers lean into target share and matchup flow, not name value, for Week 7 TE decisions.

Buoyed by injury signals and recent usage, McBride could surge if Harrison Jr. sits, Taylor looks to rebound his last London funk, and LaPorta remains a high-slot contributor for Detroit. Avoid the week’s busts in Hockenson and Johnson when ceilings are capped by elite defenses, and tread carefully with Warren in a chargers-friendly matchup.

Week 7 quarterback fantasy storylines center on Baker Mayfield’s MVP-like pace for Tampa Bay, even with injured pass-catchers, and Jared Goff’s high-floor potential as Detroit faces Tampa Bay’s defense-leaning week. Bryce Young offers matchup-based value in a Jets tilt, while Sam Darnold carries risk against Houston’s stingy pass defense. Jalen Hurts remains a top scorer, but Trevor Lawrence faces a tough Rams front. Carolina’s backfield—Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard—could amplify Week 7 value in limited-volume games.