Week 6 of NFL and fantasy football action has concluded, which means NFL Week 7 and fantasy football waiver wire claims are upcoming. Teams and managers that played saw some high-scoring games, huge upsets, and the first set of bye weeks. It’s still early, but NFL teams are separating themselves as contenders. We still have one undefeated team standing. Fantasy football teams might be separating themselves as contenders, as well.
Whether you’re undefeated, haven’t won a game, or are somewhere in between (like most of us), waiver wire pickups are the best ways to bolster your team’s roster. In this week’s installment of waiver wire pickups, we have a few players who are returning from injury soon (see Gus Edwards) and some who are filling in for injured players (see Deon Jackson and Tyquan Thornton). These players, and others, have been making the most of their opportunities and are worth giving an opportunity on your squad.
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 7: Running backs
1. Gus Edwards, Ravens
J.K. Dobbins’ knee tightened up during the Ravens’ 24-20 loss to the Giants. This led to Kenyan Drake logging 10 carries and 1 reception for 117 total scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Gus Edwards could see himself in a similar role when activated. He was the team’s second running back before tearing his ACL before the 2021 season.
Only rostered in 2.4% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, now is the time to add Gus Bus. He is close to returning from the PUP list and bruising back who has had multiple 100+ yard rushing games in his career. He is worth rostering in all formats but has more value in STD and .5 point formats and less value in PPR formats.
2. D’Onta Foreman, Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have fired their head coach Matt Rhule, defensive coordinator Phil Snow, and traded away wide receiver Robbie Anderson, all in less than two weeks. The team trotted out P.J. Walker as their starter and had Jacob Eason in relief after sustaining a neck injury.
Available in nearly 99% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, D’Onta Foreman is Christian McCaffrey’s clear handcuff. While McCaffrey isn’t injured, there have been reports that multiple teams have called inquiring about the Panthers trading their feature back. Foreman is worth a stash at the off chance he becomes Carolina’s starting running back.
3. Deon Jackson, Colts
With Colts running backs Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines ruled out of Sunday’s contest with the Jaguars, Deon Jackson lead the backfield for the second week in a row. This time, he turned it into 12 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown and 10 receptions for 79 yards.
Rostered in 17.2% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Jackson was a popular last-minute waiver wire add. The former undrafted free agent might have earned himself some playing time in the future with some impressive performances two weeks in a row. He is worth stashing in PPR formats, in case he cuts into Hines’ playing time.
If he’s recently become available, Darrell Henderson
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 7: Wide Receivers
1. Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants
The Giants have struggled to keep a consistent core of wide receivers healthy. Robinson added to these woes, having a four-game absence earlier this season. In his return, he had a long 17-yard reception and a short 5-yard reception for a touchdown. He finished with a final stat line of 3 targets, 4 receptions, 37 yards, and 1 touchdown.
Only rostered in 1.4% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Robinson stepped into a significant role with other receivers injured and is likely to maintain this status. He is worth rostering in PPR leagues and all formats in deep leagues.
2. Mecole Hardman
The Chiefs’ vertical threat has recorded 7 receptions on 9 targets for 115 yards and 1 touchdown over the last two weeks. He also added 1 carry for 7 yards. These two performances were good for two individual scores in the double digits in PPR formats with 12 in Week 5 and 13.2 in Week 6.
Rostered in 35.9% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, the speedster gets multiple deep targets a game, good for a healthy % of team air yards. He is a boom-or-bust receiver in one of the league’s most high-powered offenses with Patrick Mahomes at the helm. He is worth rostering and has streaming upside with bye weeks upcoming in all formats.
3. Tyquan Thornton
The Patriots have another wide receiver group that has struggled to stay healthy. With Nelson Agholor out with an injury and Kendrick Bourne leaving the game early with an injury, Thornton was thrust into action against the Browns. On the field for 57% of snaps, he recorded a final stat line of 4 receptions, 5 targets, 37 yards, and 1 touchdown.
Available in nearly 99% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, the 2022 2nd-round pick flashed his speed and play-making ability with QB Bailey Zappe leading the offense. When starting QB Mac Jones and WRs Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne’s return will be worth monitoring. He is worth a stash in PPR leagues and all formats in deep leagues.
If he’s still available, Alec Pierce
If he’s recently become available, Allen Robinson
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 7: Quarterbacks
1. Matt Ryan, Colts
If you didn’t pick Matt Ryan in Week 2, you missed out on two different 350+ passing-yard games. In Week 6, he passed for 389 yards and 3 touchdowns in their 34-27 win over the Jaguars. He plays some bottom-of-the-half-ranked defenses down the stretch and doesn’t have a bye week until Week 14.
Only rostered in 11.9% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, has shown that when he has time in the pocket, he is still an effective QB in the NFL and fantasy football. With bye weeks upcoming, he is a fine streamer in one-QB leagues and worth rostering and streaming in two-QB leagues.
If he’s still available, Marcus Mariota
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 7: Quarterbacks
1. Noah Fant, Seahawks
Two weeks ago, I advised you all to pick up Will Dissly, Seahawks. Now, I’m advising you all to pick up Noah Fant, Seahawks. He has seen over 5 targets over the past two weeks. He finished with a final stat line of 6 receptions, 7 targets, and 45 yards in Week 6.
Available in nearly 80% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, the former Denver Broncos tight end involved in the Russell Wilson trade is starting to gain chemistry with new QB Geno Smith. Smith is one of the most productive passers in the leagues in 2022, and it doesn’t appear to be a fluke this far into the season. He is worth rostering and streaming in PPR formats.
2. Daniel Bellinger, Giants
The Giants keep finding unique ways to score and win football games with limited talent. One of these ways was a trick rushing play in Week 5 with starting tight end Daniel Bellinger, which resulted in a touchdown. The tight end scored his second touchdown in two weeks, and third of the season, on a reception in Week 6.
Available in virtually 99% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Bellinger hasn’t seen less than 3 targets a game since Week 3. He’s posted 5 targets a game in this stretch. While those numbers aren’t the most exciting, seldom are tight ends stats outside of the top 10. He is worth stashing in PPR formats.
If he’s still available, Cade Otton
If he’s recently become available, Mike Gesicki