Fantasy Football Week 7 Waiver Wire
By Brandon Lane
QUARTERBACK
Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
*Roster Percentage: 39%
The 49ers want to be a run first offense but with their defense riddled with injury they have been forced to be more pass heavy. In Week 6 Garoppolo completed 29-of-41 attempts for 296 yards, two touchdowns. In Week 7 the 9ers go up against the high powered Chiefs which will likely lead to Jimmy G airing it out this week. We also don’t mind that the Chiefs defense is giving up the 3rd most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season making Garoppolo a solid streamer this week.
Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts
Roster Percentage: 29%
This week the Colts will once again go up against a Titans team who in Week 4 led Matt Ryan to throw for 356 yards and two touchdowns. While Ryan has not been a quarterback we want to rely on week-to-week we did see him throw 58 times for 385 yards and three touchdowns in Week 6. I expect the Colts to once again attack the Titans defense who have given up the 5th most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Ryan can be worthy of streaming for those in need this week.
Marcus Mariota, Atlanta Falcons
Roster Percentage: 14%
The Falcons took advantage of the 49ers depleted defense in Week 6 which allowed them to not rely so heavily on the passing game. Mariota completed 13-of-14 attempts for 129 yards and two touchdowns. But what we have learned to love about Mariota’s game for fantasy are his legs where he padded his stats rushing six times for 50 yards and another touchdown. The Falcons travel to Cincinnati in Week 7 which could be a match-up where Mariota is forced to throw a bit more against a Bengals squad who is finally starting to find their mojo.
Others to Consider:
Justin Fields (38% @ New England), Daniel Jones (30% @ JAX), Bailey Zappe (2% vs Chicago), Taylor Heinicke/Sam Howell (1/0% @ Green Bay)
RUNNING BACK
Latavius Murray, Denver Broncos
Roster Percentage: 15%
Two weeks ago when the Broncos signed Latavius Murray I mentioned he could be the back to own in this trifecta due to the Broncos souring on Melvin Gordon’s ball security issues. After sitting out last week’s performance he was activated for Week 6 and acted as the lead back rushing 15 times for 66 yards. At this point I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gordon’s name pop up in trade rumors and if that happens Murray’s roll would lock him into a solid Flex option moving forward.
Kenyan Drake/Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens
Roster Percentage: 6/15%
Starter J.K. Dobbins exited Week 6 early with a knee injury. That led the path for Kenyan Drake who exploded rushing 10 times for 119 yards and one touchdown. When Drake joined the team at the start of the season he looked pedestrian but has gained some steam putting him as a solid waiver this week.
Gus Edwards could also return from IR as soon as this week. This would muddy the waters a bit but Edwards has been a flex-worthy option in the past and if Dobbins is forced to sit Edwards could immediately step into a solid workload.
Deon Jackson, Indianapolis Colts
Roster Percentage: 43%
Deon Jackson SMASHED in Week 6 filling in for Jonathan Taylor (ankle) rushing 12 times for 42 yards and a touchdown but where he surprised was via the air where he caught all ten of his targets for an additional 79 yards. If Taylor returns this week Jackson will of course take a back seat but he may have shown enough to hurdle Hines for the number two position on the depth chart.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Roster Percentage: 8%
It sure seems like we might have seen the last of Cam Akers in a Rams uniform. The solution could very well be rookie Kyren Williams to slide in next to Darrell Henderson. Placed on injured reserve in mid-September with a high ankle sprain Williams could return after the Rams Week 7 Bye. Williams became a starter for the Fighting Irish as a red shirt freshman who compiled back-to-back 1000 yard rushing seasons. Not the biggest nor the fastest back (4.65 40-yard dash) but a very efficient runner who carried the rock 204 times for 1002 yards and 14 TDs in 2021. But it is his pass-catching skill set that bolsters his NFL stock. In his final season at Notre Dame he was dynamic as a pass catcher hauling in 42 catches for 359 yards and 3 TDs. Thought to be one of the most complete prospects coming into the draft his stock fell after a disappointing NFL Combine. He could immediately step in as a complimentary back for the Rams in the mold of a James White style player.
Others to Consider:
Rachaad White (33%), Mark Ingram II (23%), Jaylen Warren (11%), Caleb Huntley (7%), D’Onta Foreman (5%), Damien Williams (4%)
WIDE RECEIVER
If available: George Pickens (60%), Darnell Mooney (54%)
Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
Roster Percentage: 46%
The Cardinals pass catchers will look significantly different this week after losing Marquise Brown to injury but gaining DeAndre Hopkins returning from a six week suspension. The kicker here is the Cardinals traded for disgruntled Robbie Anderson from the Panthers. While that may complicate the target share the team is using Moore creatively and last week he saw 10 targets and caught 6 of those for 49 yards. While you might not see huge yardage totals on a weekly basis it might not take long for Moore to break one of those wide open. Recommend more highly in PPR leagues than not but should still be rostered in most leagues
Robbie Anderson, Arizona Cardinals
Roster Percentage: 12%
As mentioned in the previous write-up the Cardinals acquired WR Robbie Anderson from the Panthers. While he was wasting away on the Panthers he now gets the benefit of going to a much more explosive offense. He offers big play ability and as we’ve seen in previous seasons should have some big days ahead once he gets acclimated.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
Roster Percentage: 39%
The Colts are starting to show signs of life in the passing game and Pierce is part of the reason why. The rookie caught 3-of-7 targets for 45 yards and a touchdown. The Colts have a plus match-up in Week 7 against a Titans defense that has given up the second most points to fantasy receivers.
Josh Reynolds, Detroit Lions
Roster Percentage: 33%
Many may have forgotten how productive Reynolds was prior to the Lions Bye but he could very well keep it going moving forward. In Week 5 Reynolds caught 6-of-10 targets for 92 yards. This week the Lions take on the Cowboys in what could be a high-scoring affair.
Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants
Roster Percentage: 8%
Many in the industry are higher on Robinson than I. While I do think he is worth considering off waivers I don’t see him as a game-changer for most fantasy rosters. In his first game back the rookie was the most electric of the Giants pass catchers who are starving for play makers. He caught three of his four targets for 37 yards and a touchdown and his snap and target count should continue to rise as he works his way back to 100% health.
Tre’Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 0%
The Saints are coming into Week 7 on a short week for Thursday Night Football. And it sounds like the Saints will be without veterans Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry. If that is the case they will likely ramp up the usage of Tre’Quan Smith who in Week 6 caught 3-of-3 targets for 43 yards and a touchdown. Smith could be a worthy stream this week as the Saints take on Cardinals.
Others to Consider:
Corey Davis (39%), Jameson Williams (32%)
TIGHT END
Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
Roster Percentage: 42%
Tonyan’s snap count went up to 62% this week and along with that came the target share where he hauled in 10 of his 12 targets for 90 yards. That almost doubles the largest number of targets he has seen in a game this year so, while it might be hard to expect this volume moving forward, he has certainly moved into the weekly back-end TE1 conversation. This week the Packers take on a Commanders defense who have given up the 3rd fewest points to tight ends.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Roster Percentage: 36%
Zappe is making Hunter Henry “Happe” for the second week in a row. He caught 4 of his 7 targets for 61 yards and a touchdown. It seems as though the Rookie QB has an eye for Hunter and as long as he continues to be under center Henry can be started in most leagues.
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Roster Percentage: 6%
After breaking onto the scene in Week 5 Otton went back into a timeshare scenario with veteran tight end Cameron Brate. Brate missed Week 5 with a concussion only to return and suffer a neck injury in Week 6. If Brate is out it makes rookie Cade Otton a roster consideration for most fantasy teams. Otton caught 2-of-3 targets for 23 yards but we expect that to target share to rise if Brate is out.
Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos
Roster Percentage: 2%
Making his NFL debut Dulcich (playing 71% of snaps) caught 2 balls for 44 yards and a touchdown in Week 6 loss. One of the fastest and most athletic TEs entering this year’s draft, Dulcich caught 42 passes on 65 targets for 725 yards and five TDs for the Bruins in 2021. Dulcich led the Bruins with 17.3 YPC in 2021 and earned first the All-Pac12 honors. In addition, his Senior Bowl performance opened some eyes where his entire skill set was on display. While rookie TEs often take a while to mature in the NFL he has more of a WR makeup which he showed could make an immediate impact.
Others to Consider:
Noah Fant (11%) Daniel Bellinger (3%), Juwan Johnson (1%)
DEFENSE
Miami vs PIT
Tennessee @ IND
Arizona vs NO
New York Giants @ JAX
*Roster percentages based on Yahoo
