Start DK Metcalf or Jaxon Smith-Njigba? Week 7

Our Week 7 call

Start Jaxon Smith-Njigba over DK Metcalf in Week 7.

Market-based projections have Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 19.5 points and DK Metcalf at 12.8, a gap of 6.7. Drafters take Jaxon Smith-Njigba at ADP 5 and DK Metcalf at 66.

What the market projects

Player markets imply 12.8 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 0-1 touchdowns (4, 5 and 6 market sources).

Player markets imply 19.5 fantasy points for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

The market-based projection for Jaxon Smith-Njigba is 0.6 touchdowns (6 market sources).

That puts Jaxon Smith-Njigba 6.7 points ahead of DK Metcalf on the market projections.

Week 7 matchups

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.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba and SEA host KC on Sunday at 8:20 PM ET.

KC allowed 21.0 fantasy points a game to WRs this season over 4 games, the fewest in the league.

Receivers caught passes for 109 yards and no touchdowns a game against KC.

By points allowed to the position, DK Metcalf has the softer matchup.

Injury status

DK Metcalf is not on the injury report.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is not on the injury report.

Usage before Week 7

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.

Through Week 6, Jaxon Smith-Njigba played 85 percent of SEA snaps, drew 35 percent of the targets, earned 48 percent of the air yards and had 20 percent of the red zone chances.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Week 3 against WAS: 58 of 67 snaps, 14 targets and 10 catches for 128 yards, 2 touchdowns.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Week 4 against LAC: 53 of 60 snaps, 6 targets and 5 catches for 76 yards.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Week 5 against SF: 53 of 63 snaps, 1 carry for 16 yards, 8 targets and 5 catches for 102 yards, 1 touchdown.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Week 6 against DEN: 78 of 85 snaps, 16 targets and 12 catches for 134 yards.

Their 2025 seasons

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.

In 2025, Jaxon Smith-Njigba played 17 games for SEA and scored 359.9 PPR points, 21.2 a game, finishing WR2.

He caught 119 of 163 targets for 1793 yards and 10 touchdowns, with 17 red zone targets and 1265 air yards.

He was on the field for 78 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

Their other Week 7 calls

• Start A.J. Brown over DK Metcalf.
• Start DK Metcalf over Carnell Tate.
• Start Chris Olave over DK Metcalf.
• Start Jaxon Smith-Njigba over Amon-Ra St. Brown.
• Start Jaxon Smith-Njigba over CeeDee Lamb.
• Start Jaxon Smith-Njigba over Chris Olave.