As we head into Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season, fantasy managers are starting to see clear separation between true breakout players and early season mirages. Injuries, offensive shifts and matchup volatility are reshaping fantasy value every week. This column highlights players who are trending up or down, and how to adjust your roster accordingly. For a deeper look at evolving player roles, check the RotoWire NFL team depth charts.
Fantasy Football Risers
Quarterback
Jaxson Dart 
Even though Dart has yet to throw for over 200 yards in any of his three appearances, he's quickly proving to be a useful fantasy asset. The rookie has tossed a touchdown in every game and added major production on the ground, rushing for between 54 and 58 yards in each contest with two rushing scores. His dual-threat ability has him producing QB1-type fantasy numbers in recent weeks. As we've seen for years, rushing quarterbacks are gold in fantasy football.
Running Back
Cam Skattebo
Since taking over as the Giants' lead back in Week 2, Skattebo has been a revelation. He hasn't posted fewer than 90 scrimmage yards in his last four games and has scored in four of his last five, including three touchdowns in an upset win over Philadelphia. He's also averaged five targets per game during that span, consistently gaining yards after the catch. At this point, Skattebo looks every bit like an RB1.
Josh Jacobs 
Jacobs was solid but unspectacular through three weeks, hovering between 70 and 84 yards per game. Over the past two weeks, he's exploded for two touchdowns and at least 150 scrimmage yards in each. The Packers are feeding him as their offensive centerpiece, and even if the monster games taper off, Jacobs remains a locked-in RB1 every week.
Wide Receiver
Tee Higgins 
Aside from one decent outing in Week 2, Higgins had been stuck in fantasy purgatory thanks to poor quarterback play. Joe Flacco's arrival changed that immediately, with Higgins averaging nine targets and producing 81 yards with one touchdown in Weeks 6-7. Flacco's quick-trigger, shotgun-heavy style should keep Higgins involved as a strong WR2 moving forward.
Wan'Dale Robinson
With Malik Nabers lost for the year, Robinson has stepped into the WR1 role, responding with six catches for 84 yards and a touchdown in the Giants' blowout win over the Eagles. Expect New York to be trailing often, giving Robinson steady volume as Dart's top target. His ability to rack up yards after the catch further enhances his appeal.
Tight End
Evan Engram 
Engram's season started slowly, but his recent usage has been encouraging: over the past three games, he's logged 6-7 targets and 4-5 receptions each week, with yardage steadily increasing. His 42-yard showing in Week 6 signals he's trending toward weekly TE1 consideration in 12-team formats.
Fantasy Football Fallers
Quarterback
Justin Fields 
Fields has flashed upside with three strong fantasy games, but his volatility remains a concern. Against defenses with strong pass rushes, such as Denver and Buffalo, he's cratered. Tyrod Taylor could be waiting in the wings, making Fields a risky fantasy hold going forward.
Running Back
Kenneth Walker 
Walker's best outings come when Zach Charbonnet is sidelined and when opponents can't contain outside runs. But against disciplined run defenses, his production plummets. He's totaled just 14.3 PPR points over his last two games, making him a boom-or-bust option reliant on touchdowns and favorable matchups.
Saquon Barkley 
After a solid start, Barkley's production has fallen sharply, totaling only 88 rushing yards and no rushing scores across his last two games. In Week 5, he was bailed out by a long receiving TD. Philadelphia's offensive line isn't the dominant unit it once was, and the coaching staff hasn't found ways to get Barkley space. Until that changes, his ceiling is lower than expected for a first-round fantasy pick.
Wide Receiver
Jauan Jennings 
Jennings has battled through injuries, including broken ribs and ankle sprains, and has been ineffective even when active. Despite heavy snap shares, he's managed just three catches for 31 yards over his last two appearances. Until he proves he's healthy and productive, Jennings belongs on fantasy benches.
Keenan Allen 
Allen opened the year hot with three straight games of 60-plus yards and a touchdown, but he has cooled dramatically. Over his last three games, he's averaged just 41 yards with no scores. At age 33, Allen may be slowing down, and he now profiles more as a PPR flex play than a must-start option.
Tight End
Mason Taylor
Taylor's rise has stalled after a one-catch, two-yard outing against Denver despite playing 96 percent of snaps. When the Jets' offense collapses against strong pass rushes, everyone suffers. He still carries future upside, but unless Tyrod Taylor replaces Justin Fields, Taylor is too risky to trust outside of deep leagues.
Conclusion
Week 7 brings major shifts in player value as roles evolve and injuries reshape fantasy depth charts. Whether you're chasing breakout players or cutting struggling veterans, understanding usage trends is key to winning now and later. Stay ahead of the curve with the RotoWire weekly projections to track the next wave of fantasy football risers and fallers as we approach midseason.
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