Start Efton Chism or Rashod Bateman? Week 7

Our Week 7 call

Start Efton Chism III over Rashod Bateman in Week 7.

Rashod Bateman is listed out on the injury report, so this is not a close call: start Efton Chism III.

What the market projects

Player markets imply 4.8 fantasy points for Efton Chism III, with 100 percent of the markets a WR needs posted.

The market-based projection for Efton Chism III is 21 receiving yards, 1-2 receptions and 0.2 touchdowns (12, 12 and 13 market sources).

No Week 7 player market is posted for Rashod Bateman yet. His market-based projections were 5.6, 4.0 and 4.7 points in Weeks 4, 5 and 6, an average of 4.8, which stands in until his Week 7 market posts.

The market-based projection for Rashod Bateman is 0.3 touchdowns (3 market sources).

That puts Efton Chism III 0.0 points ahead of Rashod Bateman on these projections.

Week 7 matchups

Efton Chism III and NE visit CHI on Thursday at 8:15 PM ET.

CHI allowed 31.5 fantasy points a game to WRs this season over 6 games, the 15th fewest in the league.

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

Rashod Bateman and BAL host CIN on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.

CIN allowed 29.5 fantasy points a game to WRs this season over 5 games, the 9th fewest in the league.

Receivers caught passes for 123 yards and a touchdown a game against CIN.

By points allowed to the position, Efton Chism III has the softer matchup.

Injury status

Efton Chism III is not on the injury report.

Rashod Bateman is listed as out with a shoulder injury.

Usage before Week 7

Through Week 6, Rashod Bateman played 70 percent of BAL snaps, drew 13 percent of the targets, earned 20 percent of the air yards and had 5 percent of the red zone chances.

Rashod Bateman, Week 3 against DAL: 56 of 64 snaps, 3 targets and 2 catches for 37 yards.

Rashod Bateman, Week 4 against TEN: 30 of 64 snaps, 2 targets and 2 catches for 46 yards.

Rashod Bateman, Week 5 against ATL: 61 of 76 snaps, 6 targets and 5 catches for 62 yards.

Rashod Bateman, Week 6 against CLE: 17 of 57 snaps, 1 target and 0 catches for 0 yards.

Their 2025 seasons

In 2025, Efton Chism III played 8 games for NE and scored 16.5 PPR points, 2.1 a game.

He caught 3 of 3 targets for 75 yards and 1 touchdown, with 1 red zone target and 35 air yards.

He was on the field for 14 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

Efton Chism III, Week 18 of 2025 against MIA: 1 target and 1 catch for 35 yards, 4.5 PPR points.

Efton Chism III, Week 17 of 2025 against NYJ: 41 of 66 snaps, 2 targets and 2 catches for 40 yards, 1 touchdown, 12.0 PPR points.

In 2025, Rashod Bateman played 13 games for BAL and scored 55.4 PPR points, 4.3 a game, finishing WR102.

He caught 19 of 38 targets for 224 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 8 red zone targets and 185 air yards.

He was on the field for 69 percent of the offense's snaps in the games he played.

Their other Week 7 calls

• Start Brycen Tremayne over Efton Chism III.
• Start Efton Chism III over Cody White.
• Start Cooper Kupp over Efton Chism III.
• Start Brycen Tremayne over Rashod Bateman.
• Start Darius Cooper over Rashod Bateman.
• Start Isaac TeSlaa over Rashod Bateman.