Welcome to the Positional Matchups Report, aka POSAFPA. In this article, I provide an easy-to-use positional matchups table and highlight potentially exploitable matchups. If you’re curious about the process you can find a full introduction HERE where I lay out the methodology.
How to Use the Positional Matchups Table
First, find YOUR PLAYER’S TEAM in the first column. Next, follow that line to THEIR POSITION’s column. That percentage is how much better, or worse, you can expect them to do compared to what they typically score.
Example: Let’s say you’re deciding between Rashid Shaheed (WR-NO) and Rhamondre Stevenson (RB-NE). For Shaheed, find NO in the first column. Follow that row over to the WR column, and you’ll see his positional matchup is -31%. That’s an extremely negative matchup. Next, for Stevenson, find NE in the first column. Follow that row over to the RB column, and you’ll see his positional matchup is 24%, which is a very positive matchup. Given both players are averaging around 13.5 points per game, I’d lean Stevenson.
Offensive Positional Matchups to Target
Drake Maye did very well in his first start last week, finishing at QB10. This week he has a very advantageous matchup against the Jaguars. He had 20 completions on 33 pass attempts with 3 passing touchdowns. Moreover, he rushed 5 times for 38 yards which is very encouraging for fantasy. In Week 7, you can start him with confidence.
The Panthers wide receivers have a particularly enticing matchup this week against the Commanders. Their positional matchup is moderately positive at 14%, but with a 52-point over/under there will be touchdown upside for all. Diontae Johnson is a must-start, but don’t overlook Xavier Legette as an upside flex play. Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders ate into Legette’s target share last week. That’s largely due to Carolina utilizing a positional matchup advantage. This week I expect him to bounce back.
Tony Pollard could be a game-winner in Week 7. He has an excellent positional matchup against the Raiders who have allowed 33% more points on average to opposing running backs. Tyjae Spears hurt his hamstring on Sunday and is week-to-week. If Spears misses time, Pollard will likely be a workhorse.
The Vikings’ defense has been exceptional in bringing pressure often this year. That pressure is causing dump-offs from the quarterback, benefitting tight ends more than any other position. Sam Laporta faces off against the Vikings this week and should see an increase in targets from Week 6. He’s averaged an 11% target share over the last several weeks. Even that could pay off in this 52-point over/under game.
Offensive Positional Matchups to Avoid
Anthony Richardson is the starter for Week 7 against the Dolphins. Richardson is returning from a hip injury that kept him sidelined for the last 2 weeks. This could limit his mobility and make coaches more hesitant to call designed runs for him. The Dolphins have been a tough matchup for quarterbacks, limiting them to 37% fewer points than average. Richardson is a high-ceiling, low-floor, risky play for Week 7.
Chris Olave left Week 6 early with a concussion. Afterward, Spencer Rattler spread the ball around quite a bit, with Bub Means seeing the team’s highest target share. Olave could be back in Week 7, but if he does, he’s in for a tough matchup against the Broncos. Denver is the second toughest matchup for wide receivers. The game has a paltry over/under of 37 but is expected to stay competitive. Olave can be started in a pinch, but all other Saints wide receivers should be avoided.
As expected, Josh Jacobs has been commanding about two-thirds of Green Bay’s rush attempts, and a handful of targets per game. He goes against Houston this week who has been tough against opposing running backs. While his volume guarantees a modest floor I wouldn’t expect much more than a low-end RB2 performance from Jacobs.
Fellow Packer Tucker Kraft has been as good as any other waiver tight end through the first six weeks. His ceiling is nice, but his floor has been low—even for tight ends. His positional matchup against Houston is an intimidating -29%. He’s unlikely to crack the top 12 at tight end in Week 7.
IDP Matchups
IDP Positional Matchups to Target
The Colts’ and Bills’ starting linebackers have great matchups, but should already be in your lineups every week. The Jets linebackers are a deeper option with a good positional matchup this week. Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams are both LB1/LB2 options this week. If you’re desperate, C.J. Mosley is worth considering. He has a lower floor but could come through as a flex.
The Rams defensive linemen are in for a fantastic matchup in Week 7 against the Raiders. Kobie Turner is a must-start, while Jared Verse and Braden Fiske could be used in an IDP flex spot. Consider both high-floor options in Week 7.
Andy Dalton once again proved himself to be a good target for opposing defensive backs. This week, Mike Sainristil and Benjamin St-Juste are excellent starts. Jeremy Chinn is a high-upside flex plays. Percy Butler and Noah Igbinoghener could be used as a desperation play in deeper leagues.
IDP Positional Matchups to Avoid
The entirety of the Commanders’ defensive line. This season, no Washington defensive lineman has played more than 75% of snaps in a game. The only two to break 60% are Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, the latter of which is now out with a pectoral injury. Plenty of guys could see a bump in work, but in a tough positional matchup, it’s not worth spinning the roulette wheel this week. That said, keep an eye on snap counts. While fantasy output could be low, snaps could signal who you should target moving forward.
Miami linebackers David Long and Jordyn Brooks have likely been bouncing around benches and the waiver wire this season as they produce minimally usable weeks. This week they get a -18% matchup against the Colts. Both can be avoided, and Chop Robinson can safely be left on your taxi squad until he starts seeing more work.
- Emmanuel Ogbah has dual eligibility in some leagues and should not be considered part of the above group. Given his role, you can treat his positional matchup as mildly negative. It’s less than ideal but not bad enough to avoid him.
While the Titans’ defensive backs have given you solid performances, you might want to reconsider this week. Opposition quarterback Josh Allen is no stranger to turnovers, but the implied game script has the Bills up early. Should that happen, they will look to burn up the clock with their run game, reducing the ceiling of the Titan’s DBs. Amani Hooker can be started despite being riskier than usual, but both Quandre Diggs and L’Jarius Sneed can be benched for more appealing streamers.
For additional IDP waiver adds I’d recommend checking out Jon Glosser’s IDP Fantasy PLAYERS YOU NEED to Add for Week 7:
Positional Matchup Team Trends
Notable Rush Funnel Teams: The Colts, Jaguars, Saints, and Titans are the current rush funnels of the league.
Pass Funnel Teams: The Ravens, Packers, Seahawks, and Buccaneers are currently forcing opponents to pass.
IDP Targets: The Seahawks remain an extremely pass-heavy offense, making them the top matchup for opposing defensive backs. The Browns are a safe bet for nearly any opposing defensive linemen or linebackers. The Jaguars are a top target for DLs as well.
Final Word
The NFL draft deadline is 3 weeks away and we’ve just seen our first big moves of the year: Davante Adams to the Jets, and Amari Cooper to the Bills. Likewise, now is the time to evaluate your fantasy teams and see whether it’s worth pushing for the playoffs or looking forward to next year’s draft.
Thank you for reading the Week 7 Positional Matchups. If you are in a rebuild and need running backs (who doesn’t?) I’d recommend reading fellow Nerd Tristan Cook‘s Rankings for Top Running Backs of the 2025 NFL Draft class:
