Scott Engel is in his 14th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and weekly fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com and he is also a host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.

Scott finished as a top 15 player ranker in Fantasy Football Week 5 and as a top 10 ranker in Week 2 on FantasyPros.com. He was the No. 1 tight end ranker for Week 5.

Only two teams are on a bye in NFL Week 7, as the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are off. Still, injuries are playing much havoc with fantasy football lineups.

We help you find good lineup replacements and highlight emerging must-start options for Week 7. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has ascended as a fantasy player that can simply never be benched in any week. He is the No. 2 Fantasy WR overall so far this season in PPR leagues, and even against a tough Houston defense, he cannot be reserved.

The best fantasy producers can certainly win out in games vs, top defenses. That is what puts them among the elite at their position, and JSN has now entered such lofty territory.

The analysis in this article is primarily based on PPR formats. Players are listed in order of starting preference at their respective positions.

NFL Week 7: Running Backs To Start

START Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Those who drafted Croskey-Merritt as a preseason sleeper can now reap the rewards. He came through with a breakout game in Week 5 and is set up for another smash spot in NFL Week 7 vs. Dallas. The Cowboys rank 30th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs. Croskey-Merritt carried 17 times last week and appears here because he is a must-start vs. Dallas. Only established top-level RBs should start over him.

START Jordan Mason: The first reflex from some fantasy players is to bench players who face the Eagles when considering close decisions. Plus, game script might also take Mason out of the game. The Minnesota offense just cannot be trusted with Carson Wentz at QB. But Wentz can perform well as he faces his former team, and Mason will help him. He should be started against an Eagles defense that ranks 25th in rushing yards allowed to RBs.

START David Montgomery: We should be expecting a lot of offensive fireworks in the Detroit-Tampa Bay matchup in NFL Week 7. Lions-Buccaneers should be one of the most entertaining and fantasy-friendly game of the week. This is a spot where both Detroit RBs can be quite productive for fantasy purposes. Montgomery could register more than one TD in this game and he also has a tendency to break off occasional long gains.

START Treveyon Henderson: This could be the week where Henderson breaks out for fantasy purposes. Yes, we have heard this for a few weeks already, but the matchup is so fantasy-friendly this week that he could build a quality stat line even if he shares a good amount of carries. Tennessee has allowed an NFL-high nine rushing TDs to opposing RBs, and 29th in rushing yards allowed to the position. Henderson is a tempting upside play for Week 7.

NFL Week 7: Wide Receivers To Start

START Quentin Johnston: The Chargers' WR was seemingly starting to build much momentum towards becoming a regular fantasy starter before he missed Week 6 with a hamstring injury. Now he can resume what could be a true breakthrough campaign. Johnston is no longer on the Los Angeles injury report.

Most times, you should not be concerned about starting a player coming back from an injury when he is fully cleared to play by his NFL team. Indianapolis ranks 28th in FFPG allowed to WRs.

START Chris Olave: Fantasy players don't seem to get excited about starting Olave, because he is more of a dependable real-life WR. He's not the type of guy who is going to explode statistically in most weeks. Yet he is very valuable to the Saints, and I rarely take him out of my own lineups.

For a quality statistical floor, Olave is an ideal fantasy WR3 who will deliver respectable starting fantasy totals every week. He has totaled double figures in PPR fantasy points in every game this season. He won't hurt your fantasy team and complements the top producers well. Chicago ranks 24th in FFPG allowed to WRs.

START Xavier Worthy: Fantasy players have been eagerly anticipating the return of Rashee Rice, and he will finally be back in action this week. From a fantasy perspective, those who start Worthy may be concerned that Rice being back may cut into the Worthy output. Actually, Rice's presence might open up more downfield opportunities for Worthy.

This week, all of the top Kansas City pass-catchers can perform well in a matchup vs, the Raiders. Worthy is a prime candidate to catch a TD pass vs. Las Vegas. The Raiders rank 27th in FFPG allowed to WRs.

START Matthew Golden: This is a deeper play for those needing a lineup plug-in for Week 7. Fantasy leaguers find the Green Bay WRs to be unpredictable statistically. Golden, however, may be on the verge of the first impressive fantasy performance of his career. The Packers' rookie has three receptions of 30-plus yards in his last three games. Arizona ranks 21st in receiving yards allowed to WRs.

NFL Week 7: Quarterbacks To Start

START Jared Goff: He is a top 4 fantasy QB for NFL Week 7. The only QBs I would start over Goff this week are Jayden Daniels, Dak Prescott and Patrick Mahomes. Tampa Bay ranks 22nd in FFPG allowed to QBs. Goff often puts up better fantasy totals in home games. In his last game played at Ford Field, he threw five TD passes in a win over Chicago.

START Caleb Williams: There have been real signs of progress from Williams in the beginning of the Ben Johnson era this year. It is reflected in three of his five fantasy outings so far this season, as he has finished as a top 10 fantasy QB three times in five games. Chicago is aiming for a fourth straight win as it takes on New Orleans, which ranks 29th in FFPG allowed to QBs.

NFL Week 7: Tight Ends To Start

START Cade Otton: The Buccaneers are continuing to deal with injuries at WR, and even if Mike Evans is able to return this week, Baker Mayfield must spray the ball around to his other targets while attempting to keep up with Goff. The Tampa Bay QB has done a fine job of finding multiple pass-catchers while working through the WR injury issues.

Look for Otton to be more involved in the flow of the passing game. Tampa Bay ranks 18th in FFPG allowed to TEs. Mayfield will be involving many of his targets in the high-scoring Monday Night battle.

START Mason Taylor: Garrett Wilson is out for the Jets this week, and Justin Fields truly needs his rookie TE to step forward and play a larger role in the passing game. The Jets drafted Taylor in the second round to eventually emerge as a key contributor on offense. This is the week for Taylor to start making his mark more. Carolina allows the most FFPG to TEs among NFC teams.

NFL Week 7: Defenses to Stream

Cleveland should be a lock vs. Miami, as that game may be heavily affected by weather. If that is the case, the Dolphins' defense also becomes useful, for potentially a low amount of points scored and some turnovers.

Carolina is a nifty play against the Jets without Wilson. Chicago is a viable option vs. New Orleans. And of course, the Seahawks' defense is a top 5 fantasy unit for Week 7.

After registering seven sacks at Jacksonville, more good sack totals are ahead for fantasy purposes vs. Houston on Monday night. C.J. Stroud has been sacked at least twice in every start this season. If Devon Witherspoon is back in action, we may see him join the sack party.