Start A.J. Brown or DK Metcalf? Week 7

Our Week 7 call

Start A.J. Brown over DK Metcalf in Week 7.

Market-based projections have A.J. Brown at 15.5 points and DK Metcalf at 12.7, a gap of 2.8. Drafters take A.J. Brown at ADP 17 and DK Metcalf at 66.

What the market projects

Player markets imply 15.5 fantasy points for A.J. Brown, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

The market-based projection for A.J. Brown is 70 receiving yards, 5-6 receptions and 0-1 touchdowns (12, 9 and 12 market sources).

Player markets imply 12.7 fantasy points for DK Metcalf, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

The market-based projection for DK Metcalf is 55 receiving yards, 4-5 receptions and 0.4 touchdowns (5, 5 and 6 market sources).

That puts A.J. Brown 2.8 points ahead of DK Metcalf on the market projections.

Week 7 matchups

A.J. Brown and NE visit CHI on Thursday at 8:15 PM ET.

CHI allowed 31.6 fantasy points a game to WRs this season over 5 games, the 15th most in the league.

Receivers caught passes for 160 yards and a touchdown a game against CHI.

DK Metcalf and PIT visit NO on Sunday at 9:30 AM ET.

NO allowed 29.9 fantasy points a game to WRs this season over 5 games, the 12th fewest in the league.

Receivers caught passes for 130 yards and 1.2 touchdowns a game against NO.

By points allowed to the position, A.J. Brown has the softer matchup.

Injury status

A.J. Brown is listed as questionable with a ankle injury.

DK Metcalf is not on the injury report.

Usage before Week 7

Through Week 6, A.J. Brown played 44 percent of NE snaps, drew 23 percent of the targets, earned 24 percent of the air yards and had 19 percent of the red zone chances.

A.J. Brown, Week 1 against SEA: 31 of 71 snaps, 4 targets and 3 catches for 26 yards.

A.J. Brown, Week 6 against NYJ: 10 targets and 3 catches for 27 yards.

Through Week 6, DK Metcalf played 95 percent of PIT snaps, drew 24 percent of the targets, earned 35 percent of the air yards and had 8 percent of the red zone chances.

DK Metcalf, Week 3 against CIN: 59 of 62 snaps, 5 targets and 3 catches for 31 yards, 1 touchdown.

DK Metcalf, Week 4 against CLE: 70 of 72 snaps, 9 targets and 5 catches for 115 yards.

DK Metcalf, Week 5 against IND: 55 of 60 snaps, 1 carry for 11 yards, 4 targets and 3 catches for 12 yards.

DK Metcalf, Week 6 against TB: 15 targets and 11 catches for 93 yards.

Their 2025 seasons

In 2025, A.J. Brown played 15 games for PHI and scored 220.3 PPR points, 14.7 a game, finishing WR11.

He caught 78 of 121 targets for 1003 yards and 7 touchdowns, with 12 red zone targets and 735 air yards.

He was on the field for 91 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

A.J. Brown, Week 17 of 2025 against BUF: 48 of 54 snaps, 7 targets and 5 catches for 68 yards, 11.8 PPR points.

In 2025, DK Metcalf played 15 games for PIT and scored 187.2 PPR points, 12.5 a game, finishing WR26.

He caught 59 of 99 targets for 850 yards and 6 touchdowns, with 13 red zone targets and 436 air yards.

He was on the field for 87 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

Their other Week 7 calls

• Start A.J. Brown over Carnell Tate.
• Start CeeDee Lamb over A.J. Brown.
• Start A.J. Brown over Chris Olave.
• Start DK Metcalf over Carnell Tate.
• Start CeeDee Lamb over DK Metcalf.
• Start Chris Olave over DK Metcalf.