NFL Waiver Wire: Week 7 Pickups

Week 6 was a quiet week for injuries with Miles Sanders' knee likely the biggest concern. In a few instances this week, I've highlighted teammates for reasons that will be stated. There might be a diamond in the rough here; remember no one was talking about Mike Davis or James Robinson during preseason.

This columns is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and remaining budget.

Quarterback

PRIMARY TARGETS

Justin Herbert, LAC - Herbert is 54 percent owned in Yahoo leagues, and that number should be much higher by the end of the week. For starters, he's now past his bye week, so that won't be an issue as it will for most quarterbacks. Herbert has a great rapport with Keenan Allen and a healthy Mike Williams would be a No.1 wide receiver on some teams. Herbert has scored at least 22 fantasy points in each of the four games he's started this season, showing he has a solid floor. FAAB: $8-$16

SECONDARY TARGETS

Gardner Minshew, JAC - If you have Ryan Fitzpatrick or Lamar Jackson you may need to check your waiver wire to see if Minshew is available. He's out there in approximately half of Yahoo leagues and has a nice matchup against the Chargers this week. The Chargers allow the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, including nearly 285 passing yards per game. Minshew has a decent 10:4 TD:INT ratio this season and isn't afraid to spread the ball around. Realize in most formats he's a one-week rental. FAAB: $3-$6

Running Back

PRIMARY TARGETS

Boston Scott, Corey Clement, PHI - Miles Sanders' knee injury was the big news of the weekend. He's likely going to miss Thursday's clash with the Giants. During preseason, Scott was expected to carve out a role in the offense but that never really came to fruition. After Sanders left Sunday's contest, Scott was the only other running back to get any touches, so he should be the biggest beneficiary of the Sanders' injury. It's tough to tell if he'll get the short-yardage and goal-line work or if that will go to the bigger Corey Clement. Adjust your bid accordingly if we get an accurate timetable for Sanders' injury. FAAB: Scott $10-$20, Clement $4-$8

SECONDARY TARGETS

Jeff Wilson, JaMycal Hasty, SF - The 49ers announced they likely will place Raheem Mostert on IR Monday, meaning he'll miss at least the next three games. That leaves Jerick McKinnon to handle most of the running-back duties, but coach Kyle Shanahan typically uses multiple running backs throughout games. Wilson missed Week 6 with a calf injury but appears to be ready to return this week. Hasty got nine carries for 37 yards in relief of Mostert on Sunday night, and Tevin Coleman should return from IR at some point as well. Wilson has more upside than Hasty, but, again, it'll be McKinnon's backfield for the most part. FAAB: Wilson $4-$8, Hasty $3-$6

La'Mical Perine, Ty Johnson, NYJ - The Jets are making a wise move by rebuilding their team around cornerstone Frank Gore. Seriously, it seems like a matter of time (or an Adam Gase firing) before the Jets see what they have in their younger running backs rather than wasting touches with Frank Gore. Perine had nine touches Sunday in Miami while Johnson looked explosive, gaining 42 yards (including the Jets' longest run of the season of 34 yards) on only three carries. Perine appears to be second to Gore in the pecking order, though Johnson has the ability to leapfrog him on the depth chart.  FAAB: Perine $2-$4, Johnson $1-$2

Wide Receiver

PRIMARY TARGET

Keelan Cole, JAC - Cole has touchdowns in three games this season, and while he didn't score  Sunday he recorded six catches for 143 yards. He's had at least five targets in every game with his lowest-scoring game in full-point PPR leagues being 8.3 fantasy points. Look for Cole to continue to be a weekly favorite of Gardner Minshew. FAAB: $5-$10

SECONDARY TARGET

James Washington, PIT - It seems a new receiver emerges every week in Pittsburgh, unless you have a hyphenated last name. Washington had a nice day Sunday with four catches for 64 yards and was wide open for a easy 28-yard touchdown. The problem is Washington had three consecutive games of 3.6 or fewer fantasy points entering Week 6. JuJu Smith-Schuster is still the No. 1 receiver and Chase Claypool has established himself at least as the "1B" option. FAAB: $2-$4

HAIL MARY

Marcus Johnson, IND - Only in 2020 would Johnson be the first Colts wide receiver to break the 100-yard barrier, six games into the season. Johnson was elevated from the practice squad less than 10 days ago, so this was likely a flash in the pan for him. He and the Colts also have a bye this week; he's only a stash at this point. FAAB: FCFS or $1

Tight Ends

SECONDARY TARGETS

Dallas Goedert, Richard Rodgers, PHI - Word came Monday that Zach Ertz's high ankle sprain likely will cost him at least 3-4 weeks. This leaves a vacancy at tight end for the Eagles, which will benefit Goedert or Rodgers. All things being equal, Goedert has the higher upside with Rodgers best suited for a blocking role. However, Goedert is still on IR and while he's eligible to come off it prior to Thursday night's game, there's no guarantee he will. Therefore it's Rodgers who should be the main guy for at least this week with Goedert likely to return much sooner than Ertz. FAAB: Goedert $4-$8, Rodgers $3-$6

Darren Fells, HOU - The absence of Jordan Akins has allowed Fells to be the lone option at tight end for the Texans. He's scored 11.7 and 17.5 fantasy points in each of the last two weeks now that he's been lifted of the Bill O'Brien curse. The only problem is Akins could be back as soon as this week, clouding the tight end picture for Houston. If Akins is out, look for Fells to be involved once again with the offense. FAAB: $3-$6

Anthony Firkser, TEN - Jonnu Smith left Sunday's game early and is reportedly dealing with only a "minor" ankle injury. It's unclear if he'll miss time, but Ryan Tannehill showed a penchant for continuing to throw to the tight end with Firkser finishing with 9-8-113-1. Should Smith not miss  time it would render Firkser as a non-pickup. Also, this week the Titans play the Steelers, who have been stingy in allowing tight end fantasy points. FAAB: $2-$4

Defense

PRIMARY TARGETS

Philadelphia Eagles - Are the Eagles the frontrunner to win the NFC East? They'll take a big step forward with a win Thursday night against the Giants. This game has the lowest over/under of the week and the Giants have been dormant on offense since the Saquon Barkley injury. Darius Slay should slow down Darius Slayton even though there's a ton of difference between them. This may be more than a one-week add as the Eagles get the Andy Dalton Cowboys next and then the Giants again in Week 10 after their bye. FAAB: $5-$10