NFL Waiver Wire: Week 7 Deep Dive

For many a fantasy roster, Week 7 represents the beginning of the make-or-break point of the season. While season-long players have gotten slim on the waiver wire, one-week bandages and upside stashes remain plentiful - including a handful of tempting names that'll see action on TNF. This article represents our second waiver wire piece of the week, intended to give a broad overview of players worth fantasy consideration every Thursday. Every Monday, Kevin Payne's first edition of the Waiver Wire series summarizes the top names.

For add/drop, start/sit, or any other questions relating to fantasy, just comment below or hit me up on Twitter (@ivilloth). 

The list below includes players rostered in no more than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and is listed in order of preference based on half-point per reception scoring and a 12-team league. Depending on your league's scoring and roster settings, certain players might warrant higher consideration than what is listed. Each player's listed roster percentage is based on Tuesday's Yahoo statistics, to give a general sense of availability for a given week.

Quarterback 

Teddy Bridgewater at Saints (45 percent) - Bridgewater is coming off his worst game of the season (0 TDs, two INTs) against Chicago, but gets a substantially better matchup against his former team in Week 7. The Saints have been solid against the run this season but susceptible through the air, so Carolina's offense should need to flow through Bridgewater, Robby Anderson and DJ Moore in order to find success.

Jimmy Garoppolo at Patriots (29 percent) - Coming off a three-score performance against the Rams, Garoppolo finally looks back to full health and solidified as San Francisco's starter. Most of his 268 passing yards came in the form of receivers making things happen after the catch, but that isn't much of an indictment on Garoppolo's fantasy prospects in a Kyle Shanahan offense.

Tua Tagovailoa Bye (7 percent) - Only consider Tagovailoa in multi-QB formats or deep leagues, but the rookie is set to take the Dolphins' starting gig after the bye. He looked fine in his first NFL action against the Jets while running the clock out during Miami's final drive, but Aaron Donald and the Rams will be a tough first game for Tua. 

Andy Dalton at Washington (33 percent) - Monday Night's atrocious loss to the Cardinals didn't instill much confidence in the post-Dak Cowboys' offense, even if Dalton redeemed his fantasy total with a garbage time TD and some yardage. The Football Team has been surprisingly stout against the pass statistically by allowing only 207 yards per game through the air, but weakness against WR and TE in the red zone could provide Dalton the sort of opportunity he needs to produce. On the other hand, Dallas' likely insurmountable O-line struggles will be a missmatch versus Chase Young and company.

Daniel Jones at Eagles (31 percent) - Even 74 rushing yards couldn't boost Jones' fantasy numbers beyond a modest range versus Washington, as he finished the game with just 16.88 points in standard scoring leagues - still his best total since Week 1. Jones also recorded his first passing touchdown in five games, though possibly getting Sterling Shepard (turf toe) back isn't enough to improve my confidence meter - even with a TNF matchup against a middle-of-the-road Eagles' pass defense. On the other hand, Jones was boom-or-bust as a rookie. So if a big game is going to come, he couldn't ask for a better stage than Philadelphia. 

Philip Rivers Bye (18 percent) - Rivers finally put together a strong fantasy performance during Sunday's win over the Bengals by throwing for 371 yards, three TDs and one interception. His blow-up game basically required a perfect setup, with the Colts falling to a flukey 21-0 early deficit against one of the league's worst pass defenses. There's hope Michael Pittman (calf) comes back after the bye, but only desperate teams will have to legitimately consider stashing Rivers. At least he faces a prime matchup against the Lions in Week 8.

Running Back

Boston Scott vs. Giants (26 percent) - With Miles Sanders (knee) not suiting up for Thursday Night Football, Scott looks locked in as Philadelphia's lead back again. Corey Clement (1 percent) and Jason Huntley (0 percent) could also work in to form a committee of sorts, but the Eagles' previous usage suggests Scott will be the clear top option.

Gus Edwards Bye (4 percent) - Edwards' fantasy performance was only salvaged by a seven-yard TD run versus the Eagles, but he received nearly double J.K. Dobbins' snaps after Mark Ingram (ankle) was forced out. It remains to be seen whether Ingram will return after the bye, but it's worth stashing Edwards for the chance of holding Baltimore's top tailback. 

JaMycal Hasty at Patriots (7 percent) - With Raheem Mostert (ankle) expected to miss a few weeks, San Francisco's backfield could be a waiver wire goldmine. Jerick McKinnon (70 percent) is rostered in most leagues, but Hasty - an undrafted rookie who made noise in training camp - got most of the work to end Sunday's contest. He looked good in limited action by picking up 37 yards on nine carries against a worn-out Rams' defense, and could get more shots if McKinnon underperforms again. 

J.D. McKissic vs. Cowboys (22 percent) - McKissic now has three straight games with double-digit points in PRR formats and also managed 84 total yards in Sunday's loss. He now gets a picture-perfect matchup against Dallas' defense. McKissic will get the job done if you simply need points out of your RB position, but may not offer much upside beyond that.

La'Mical Perine vs. Bills (18 percent) - Perine played 58 percent of offensive snaps during Sunday's blowout loss to the Dolphins, but only had seven carries while Frank Gore (32 percent) saw 11. While the Jets were still (kind of) in the game during the first half, Perine was essentially splitting touches with Gore.

Tevin Coleman at Patriots (23 percent) - Coleman isn't expected to return from IR this week, but  might get a few games without Raheem Mostert (knee) blocking his way as long as he comes back in the near future. San Francisco's backfield is crowded, but they'll get a few nice matchups against Seattle, Green Bay and New Orleans after this week's tilt against the Patriots.

Jamaal Williams at Texans (26 percent) - Aside from Aaron Jones' lone score, none of Green Bay's running backs accomplished much during Sunday's blowout loss to Tampa Bay. Williams remains a strong stash and a possible Flex option in favorable matchups, but rookie AJ Dillon also picked up a season-high five carries and could get more involved.

Jeff Wilson at Patriots (5 percent) - A calf injury kept Wilson out Week 6, but could make for a sneaky start if he's able to return in time to face New England. With Raheem Mostert (ankle) out, Wilson would be a low-floor, high-ceiling play as he could see a handful of high-value touches in San Francisco's backfield. And Wilson has previously shown an affinity for the red zone in Kyle Shanahan's scheme.

Sony Michel vs. 49ers (27 percent) - Michel currently resides on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will miss at least one more game. When he returns, he may not even be guaranteed a starting role in one of the league's most difficult-to-define backfields. Michel represents a low-upside stash, but should at least see consistent weekly touches.

Tony Pollard at Football Team (22 percent) - Another week of football, another week of Pollard's rostered percentage dropping. For once I can't find too much fault in that, as the post-Prescott Cowboys have looked totally lost with Andy Dalton at the helm and an offensive line now missing three elite starters.

Giovani Bernard vs. Browns (7 percent) - Bernard managed to scoop a touchdown while Joe Mixon (foot) spent time on the sideline in the second half, but he still barely managed to achieve double-digit PPR points for the first time all season. Even if Mixon ends up forced to miss time, Bernard won't be an every-week starter.

Jeremy McNichols vs. Steelers (1 percent) - McNichols took five carries for 51 yards versus Houston, doing most of his damage late in the game against defenders who had already been worn down by a healthy dosage of Derrick Henry. It's more noteworthy he played the majority of third-down snaps with Darrynton Evans (hamstring) on IR. Unfortunately for the few D'Onta Foreman (0 percent) truthers remaining, it doesn't look like a promotion from the practice squad is imminent. 

Darrel Williams at Broncos (6 percent) - It took the Chiefs calling an absurd 46 rushing plays for Williams to score his first rushing TD of the season, so I still wouldn't have any confidence in him as a Flex option. With Le'Veon Bell now in Kansas City, it's hard to envision Williams even having noteworthy handcuff value.

Rashaad Penny at Cardinals (4 percent) - Penny is only a deep stash at this point, given the ever-optimistic Pete Carroll still won't commit to him making a quick return from the PUP list. And the 2018 first-rounder still hasn't resumed practicing. 

Wide Receiver

Chase Claypool at Titans (49 percent) - Claypool has posted back-to-back weeks with rushing scores that is the sort of flukey thing that isn't likely to keep regularly occurring, but has somewhat surprisingly consistently seeing a few backfield snaps per game. That's in addition to his dynamic work as a deep and red-zone threat, all of which provides reason to think he'll keep producing even if the Steelers get Diontae Johnson (back) on the field again this week.

Laviska Shenault at Chargers (46 percent) - Despite being held to 11 scrimmage yards Week 6, we should be encouraged by Shenault's seven targets and 73 percent snap share. He's now gone four straight games with at least six targets, though he dropped two this past Sunday. The future is bright for Shenault, though teammate Keelan Cole (29 percent) - who just eviscerated the Lions for 143 receiving yards and leads the Jaguars in deep targets - might be a better immediate fantasy option.

Mike Williams vs. Jaguars (45 percent) - Evidently determined to resurrect his boom-or-bust reputation, Williams exploded for his first 100-yard performance of the year in Week 5 on the same night he scored his first two touchdowns of 2020 - including a 64-yard score. If Keenan Allen (back) retakes the field, Williams likely won't serve as the top target for Justin Herbert again. But to see him manufacturing chemistry with the rookie signal-caller is encouraging enough to feel confident in him as a Flex option.

Christian Kirk vs. Seahawks (39 percent) - Kirk's two-TD performance versus the Cowboys unsurprisingly came via his first time over a 65 percent snap share this season, though he still only drew three targets. He still recorded consecutive double-digit fantasy games before blowing up Monday, and Sunday's upcoming tilt against the Seahawks should be a high-scoring affair.

Travis Fulgham vs. Giants (31 percent) - Through three games as a starter, Fulgham has been unquestionably legit by averaging a touchdown and 95 yards per contest against at least two legit defenses in Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The Eagles are set to get DeSean Jackson (hamstring) back Thursday, but I wouldn't expect him to usurp Fulgham at this point.

Sterling Shepard at Eagles (28 percent) - Shepard (turf toe) looks like he'll be a game-time decision for Thursday night's affair. If activated from IR in time to play, he would be in the mix as a WR4 and bye-week replacement candidate.

Preston Williams Bye (25 percent) - Williams has scored three touchdowns in the last four games, but he's been below 20 yards in each of those contests aside from his Week 5 blowup performance. The Dolphins intend to turn to Tua Tagovailoa after the bye, making Williams only worth a stash in deep enough leagues where you can take time to see if the two young players develop chemistry.

Mecole Hardman at Denver (46 percent) - Hardman picked an inopportune day to put up a goose egg, as many fantasy managers rightfully expected him to have a big day against Buffalo while Sammy Watkins (hamstring) sat. The context is important, as the Chiefs ran 46 rush attempts - tied for the most runs called in Andy Reid's coaching career - on an evening where weather made it nearly impossible to accurately fling the ball. 

Tim Patrick vs. Chiefs (18 percent) - Patrick led the Broncos with a 33.3 percent target share while posting a 4-101-0 line against the Patriots, giving him his second straight 100-yard performance. Though Jerry Jeudy is certainly the name that most analysts - myself included - expected to emerge in the wake of Courtland Sutton's season-ending injury, Patrick is currently the top WR for Denver - although Noah Fant (ankle) could return Week 7 and provide strong competition for targets.

DeSean Jackson vs. Giants (23 percent) - The veteran deep threat is on track to suit up against the Giants on Thursday, which would put him in play as an emergency fantasy option for any teams plagued by injuries or bye weeks. 

Zach Pascal Bye (5 percent) - Pascal finally had an explosive game (4-58-1) as Philip Rivers led a wild comeback against the Bengals, but teammate Marcus Johnson (0 percent) nevertheless outshone him with five catches for 108 yards. As a capable wideout possibly locked into a starting gig the rest of the way, Pascal represents a fine streaming option in plus matchups, but he's likely not someone worth holding through a bye. And the Colts hope to get Michael Pittman (calf) back around Week 8.

Cole Beasley at Jets (30 percent) - Beasley turned an otherwise mediocre performance against the Chiefs around courtesy of his second touchdown of the season. The slot man's target share was assisted by poor weather and Josh Allen having to focus on shorter passes, but he's got a stable floor in PPR leagues even without having to score.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling at Texans (28 percent) - Valdes-Scantling missed on another deep shot during Sunday's blowout loss to the Buccaneers, as has mostly been the story of his three-year career. He's seen a stable target floor this season by never dipping below four looks in a single game. If opportunities keep coming, Valdes-Scantling will eventually connect with Aaron Rodgers on big plays. The trouble is predicting when.

Corey Davis vs. Steelers (25 percent) - Now back from the COVID-19 list after back-to-back absences, Davis will resume working as Tennessee's No. 2 WR. He was serviceable through the first three weeks of the season, though A.J. Brown was banged up with a knee injury at the time. 

James Washington at Titans (10 percent) - Washington enjoyed a big game (4-68-1) during Pittsburgh's stop of their division "rival" Browns, and it came more at the expense of JuJu Smith-Schuster than Chase Claypool. When Diontae Johnson (back) returns to the field, it seems likely Washington will be the man phased out of Pittsburgh's three-wide sets. But until such time, he's a fair boom-or-bust Flex play. 

Antonio Brown N/A - (33 percent) - Brown's suspension is set to end Week 8 and a handful of teams - including the high-flying Seahawks - are reportedly already negotiating with him. The former All-Pro boasts the talent to make an immediate fantasy impact if given the chance, but at this point managers are well aware of the risks inherent on using a roster spot on him. Also, the league still has an ongoing investigation into his misconduct. 

Tight End

Logan Thomas vs. Cowboys (17 percent) - The usage has been there for Thomas all season, but Sunday's win over the Giants represented his first game with a quarterback in Kyle Allen who was actually willing to target him in the red zone. As a lock to run 30+ routes per game and now with a QB willing to feed his pass catchers - probably to the detriment of winning games -  Thomas is a more than viable starter against Dallas' exploitable secondary. 

Richard Rodgers vs. Giants (3 percent) - With Zach Ertz (ankle) set to miss a few weeks and Dallas Goedert (44 percent) not yet activated off IR, Rodgers looks set to start at tight end against the Giants. Though not one to consistently make a fantasy impact, Rodgers is a capable pass catcher in a needy receiving corps. The floor is nonexistent, but he's as good as any other one-week streaming option on the waiver wire. If Goedert is available on your waiver wire, I'd consider him the top priority at TE even if it requires keeping him on the bench another week.

Anthony Firkser vs. Steelers (4 percent) - Fresh off exploding for 8-113-1 against the Texans, Firkser may now get a chance to start if Jonnu Smith (ankle) misses any time. The 25-year-old has shown prowess in the red zone in occasional usage throughout his three-year career, but last weekend looked the part of a tight end who made a legitimate leap. However, concerns about Firkser's blocking ability could limit his playing time even without Smith. 

Darren Fells vs. Packers (4 percent) - With Jordan Akins (concussion) out of the lineup, Fells has essentially handled an every-down role at tight end and has been productive for fantasy purposes. If Akins misses another contest, Fells can be fired up with confidence. 

Trey Burton Bye (20 percent) - Burton notched two scores - one receiving and one rushing - in addition to 58 receiving yards during Sunday's catchup win over the Bengals while Jack Doyle (8 percent) also caught one TD. Both tight ends will be in the streaming conversation as long as Mo Alie-Cox (knee) remains out, but the Colts won't begin every game in a 21-point deficit and desperate to rack up scores.