Week 7 is one of, if not the, most dense weeks with players on a bye. Fantasy football managers will be without their studs from the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, and Philadelphia Eagles. As a result, players on the waiver wire may be in high demand.
Tread lightly. While some of the players I’m recommending could serve as quality, one week fill-ins for your team, be careful you’re not dropping players with more season-long value in order to add them. Unfortunately, with a large amount of top-tier players unavailable this week, there aren’t a ton of high-quality options to scoop up and play. Hopefully your bench is formidable enough to make it through. If not, the players below are the best of what’s out there.
You may be dealing with injuries, bye weeks, or just need to cycle out players from your bench. Whatever the case may be, the waiver wire is there to help. There’s not always a need to put in a claim for players each week, but if you do, make it count. Below, we’ll look at players at each position, who are on 50% or less of most fantasy football rosters, that could be considered on the Week 7 waiver wire.
Week 7 Waiver Wire By Position
Running Back
Eno Benjamin, Arizona Cardinals
It’s a lighter week on the waiver wire for the running back position. I’m leading off with Eno Benjamin just in case he’s still available in your league. I’m also curious to see if he’s a drop candidate for some managers after scoring just 9.5 points in Week 6. Sure, the performance could have been better, but the usage was elite and better than most week-to-week starters.
Benjamin’s 87% of snaps played is higher than any percentage James Conner has played this season and more than all but two games from 2021. With both Conner and Darrell Williams out in Week 6, Benjamin barely left the field. He handled 15 of 18 running back carries, ran a route on 83% of Kyler Murray’s dropbacks, and logged 18 total touches.
The Cardinals are playing Thursday night. I’m not expecting Darrel Williams to play as he continues to work through a knee injury. James Conner could also miss the home matchup against the Saints as well with his rib injury. If so, Benjamin is worth picking up and starting as an RB2 with volume-based RB1 upside. Kyler Murray is always a threat to steal rushing production, but Benjamin is worth holding on to if he continues to see opportunities as the cleat-cut starter.
Deon Jackson, Indianapolis Colts
The overall RB1 for Week 6 is Deon Jackson. That’s even with an early exit due to a quadriceps injury. Jackson tweeted out that he’s going to be fine which is good news for fantasy football managers. His usage is a bit of surprise totaling 121 total yards on 22 touches including 10 receptions. Both Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines were absent in this one, but it’s hard to believe Jackson is a true one-and-done play.
As far as his rest of the season value is concerned, he is bench stash. Not only do we need to monitor his quad injury, we are also keeping tabs on Taylor’s ankle injury. If Taylor is back as soon as Week 7, Jackson slips closer toward irrelevancy. Taylor’s injury, though, could plague him periodically moving forward. We’ve more than likely seen Jackson’s 2022 ceiling, but there’s a slight chance he produces as an RB2 with upside if he gets the opportunity to start again at any point this season.
Kenyan Drake, Baltimore Ravens
The reports out of Baltimore are that J.K. Dobbins’ knee tightened up during the Ravens’ Week 6 loss to the New York Giants. That’s not what you want to hear for a guy who tore his knee up in more ways than one ahead of the 2021 season. He disappeared in the second half opening the door for Kenyan Drake to carry the load.
Drake’s 10 carries led all Ravens and account for 58% of the running back carries and 61% of the position’s total opportunities. He looked healthy and fast running for a 30-yard, second quarter touchdown, as well.
There are a few things that stack against Drake in Baltimore. Not only is Lamar Jackson one of the most dangerous, and frequent, rushing quarterbacks in the league, but Dobbins isn’t a sure-thing to miss any time. We will need an update on his knee status sooner than later to know for sure. Additionally, it sounds like Gus Edwards is ramping up to make his 2022 debut, possibly in Week 7.
I’m not prioritizing Drake nor Edwards on the Week 7 waiver wire. They’re both stash-worthy, especially in deeper leagues. If Dobbins does miss Week 7, or an extended period of time, Drake is presumably the back to start in a home matchup with Cleveland in which the Ravens open as 6.5-point favorites.
Other Running Backs to Consider:
Rachaad White continues to be one of the more valuable handcuffs in fantasy football. Leonard Fournette’s 95 carries rank sixth across the league. He also has 55 more snaps played through Week 6 this season than this time last season. If Fournette were to go down, White will slide into an RB1 role with a good bet to log 20+ touches per week. He’s already averaging nearly seven per game with Fournette on the field. Stash him if he’s available on the Week 7 waiver wire.
D’Onta Foreman is only worth adding if you believe Christian McCaffrey is going to get traded before the November 1st deadline. He would be the beneficiary of such a move, though I believe it to be unlikely. While none of McCaffrey’s 2023 and beyond contract is guaranteed, the Panthers are reportedly looking for multiple first-round picks. Foreman will likely serve as CMC’s handcuff for the remainder of 2022.
Kyren Williams is a rookie back on the Los Angeles Rams who spent the first six weeks on Injured Reserve with an ankle/foot injury. Cam Akers is not going to play another snap for the Rams. That leaves Darrell Henderson, Malcolm Brown, and Williams, once he’s back, to split the workload. Williams is a deeper league add whose value could disappear if this team adds another player via trade.
Wide Receiver
Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
This Arizona speedster is my top waiver wire add at all positions ahead of Week 7. After missing the first three weeks with an injury, Moore continues to see a massive boost in playing time. He’s played at least 86% snaps since Week 4 playing all but one in Week 6. He’s logged 18 total targets in the last two weeks resulting in back-to-back double-digit point fantasy performances.
The key here is Marquise “Hollywood” Brown’s six-week minimum absence due to a foot injury suffered in Week 6. Brown’s 95% of snaps played and 64 targets lead all Cardinals. His 26.3% target share is completely up for grabs. Yes, DeAndre Hopkins is due back from his PED suspension. However, he’s now 30 years old and won’t completely, and immediately, takeover Brown’s target vacancy.
Ahead of Week 7, Rondale Moore is the most likely candidate to lead Cardinals wide receivers in targets. Hopkins will likely ramp up his playing time as the weeks go on. New addition, Robbie Anderson, acquired through trade, will also need some time to learn the playbook and develop a rapport with Kyler Murray. Taking everything into consideration, I foresee Moore, out of the slot, as the team’s top wide receiver, specifically over the next few weeks. He should hold flex value for the rest of the season, at a minimum.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
Gallup is one of many players returning in 2022 from a 2021 soft tissue injury. His comeback is nothing short of spectacular. It’s also crucial to the Cowboys’ offensive success. In his first game back, Gallup’s three targets tied both Tony Pollard and Dalton Schultz for third amongst all Dallas players in Week 4. Since then, though, Gallup is second in targets in both Weeks 5 and 6 behind only Ceedee Lamb with five and seven in his last two games respectively.
With Dak Prescott returning from a thumb injury, Gallup should remain the second option in the Dallas passing attack. He and Lamb have the most familiarity with Prescott. In eight fully healthy games played in 2021, Gallup saw at least five targets in every game with an average of 7.25 per. There is a chance Gallup is available on your league’s Week 7 waiver wire. There’s also a chance a manager drops him ahead of Week 7 after just two catches for 18 yards in Week 6. Whatever the case, Gallup is a must-add in all formats if he’s available.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
The rookie is a hero! With just 17 seconds left in a Week 6 divisional rematch against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pierce hauled in his first career NFL touchdown to put the Colts ahead and secure an eventual win. It’s Pierce’s second week in a row on the waiver wire column. This will likely be his last.
It’s worth noting that Paris Campbell is also a waiver wire consideration this week. He’s played just four fewer total snaps than the Colts’ WR1, Michael Pittman Jr., this season and logged a season-high 11 targets in Week 6. While Campbell’s playing time is that of a team’s WR2, Pierce is seeing a better rate of targets per route with far fewer snaps played. Matt Ryan’s decision to look Pierce’s way with the game on the line is hard to ignore, as well. Pierce and the Colts head to Tennessee in Week 7 to take on a Titans team allowing the second-most points to wide receivers.
Other Wide Receivers to Consider:
Wan’Dale Robinson is back on the field for the New York Giants. In just his second NFL game, his 15 snaps are a career-high. On just his 15 snaps, 35% of them were passing plays. He also saw a target on 26.6% of them. He caught three of his four targets for 37 yards, finding the end zone for the first time in his young career. Robinson’s role should expand as he becomes further removed from a Week 1 knee injury. Outside of Saquon Barkley, Robinson looks like he has the highest ceiling on the Giants.
Terrace Marshall, Jr. is only somewhat fantasy relevant after the Panthers traded away Robbie Anderson. Carolina is struggling to get the ball to D.J. Moore so it’s hard to imagine Marshall breaking out all of the sudden. His expected increase in playing time could result in an increase in targets and therefore an increase in fantasy points. He is a deep league stash in the event that happens, but don’t get your hopes up just yet.
Tight End
Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
It’s another week of talking about Robert Tonyan on the waiver wire column. His 12 targets in Week 6 are the most among all tight ends. His high-volume day resulted in 19.0 points from 90 yards on 10 receptions. He continues to be a bright spot and trustworthy target for Aaron Rodgers, who’s been a dud, so far this season.
While Green Bay’s Week 7 opponent, the Washington Commanders, are tougher than most against tight ends, the Packers are in desperate need of a win. They are 5.5-point road favorites against a Washington team that is likely to start Taylor Heinicke at quarterback in the wake of Carson Wentz’ finger injury. With Randall Cobb out dealing with an injury of his own, Tonyan will remain high in the Packers’ passing pecking order. He is the top tight end to pick up on the Week 7 waiver wire and is more than just a weekly streamer.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
The Saints are playing on a short week in Arizona against the Cardinals this Thursday night. Based on Monday’s practice report, it looks like it will be another week with Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry. Additionally, Andy Dalton is dealing with a back injury suffered in Week 6. Lastly, tight end, Adam Trautman, is also likely to miss Week 7 with a non-contact ankle injury from Sunday.
As discussed on last week’s waiver wire, Taysom Hill’s value lies in the ability to plug him in as a tight end in your fantasy lineup, but with expectations of scoring points as a passer and running the ball. On a short week, with a large handful of injuries amongst the Saints, I fully expect a heavy dose of Taysom against the Cardinals.
If both Jameis Winston nor Andy Dalton can play, Hill will get the start under center. He is one of the more mobile players at the position when given a chance to play quarterback. Even if Winston or Dalton go, Hill could actually slide in as a tight end. He’s always a threat to carry the ball in the red zone, as well. In a week where Dallas Goedert, Tyler Higbee, Dawson Knox, and Irv Smith Jr. are on bye, Hill is another low-floor, high-ceiling off of the waiver wire to stream at tight end.
Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals
Hurst is now a top tight end recommendation for Week 7 after making my Week 6 Hate List. It’s nothing against Hurst. His matchup with the New Orleans Saints is a big reason why I was so low on him this past week. They are one of the toughest teams for tight ends to matchup with, evident by his measly three catches for 21 scoreless yards.
In Week 7, though, Hurst gets a major fantasy-friendly matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. They’re allowing the fourth-most points to the position. In Week 6, they allowed George Kittle to haul in eight of his 10 targets for 83 yards. The week prior, David Njoku caught five of his seven targets for 73 yards.
Hurst has at least seven targets in half of the Bengals’ games this season. Even in a crowded, talented offense, Hurst is still able to carve out a role worth streaming in fantasy football. HIs Week 7 matchup with the Falcons is as good as it gets to do so.
Other Tight Ends to Consider:
Greg Dulcich ran 15 routes on 18 snaps for the Denver Broncos in the first half of his NFL debut on Monday Night Football. In that half, he caught two of three targets for 44 yards and scored a touchdown. The one target he didn’t catch was an end zone target that he had to dive for just before halftime. He finished third in routes amongst all Broncos, though he didn’t see any targets in the second half.
Dulcich’s next game is a home matchup against the New York Jets. Though they have yet to allow a touchdown to a tight end, they are allowing the fifth-most receiving yards to the position. The sample size is small, but Dulcich is a sneaky, though still risky, streaming option for those in need.
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy G. is uncharacteristically averaging 18.48 points in his last two starts. He has exactly two passing touchdowns and over 250 passing yards in each. Up next is a home date with the Kansas City Chiefs who are allowing the third-most points to quarterbacks this season. That’s thanks to a league-high 15 passing touchdowns allowed. Kansas City is also allowing the fourth-most passing yards. It’s also worth noting the Chiefs have just one interception in 2022.
I really love Deebo Smith and Brandon Aiyuk in Week 7. Adding and starting the guy throwing them the ball off of the Week 7 waiver wire isn’t a bad idea if you need quarterback help, especially in 2QB or Superflex leagues. You can probably make do without Garoppolo in 1QB leagues.
Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts
It’s hard to believe, but Matt Ryan is leading the league in pass attempts. That directly correlates to his fourth-overall ranking in passing yards per game (294.2). His yardage alone is an 11.7-point floor contributing to just a 15.08 points-per-game average. It hasn’t always been pretty, but Ryan will enter Week 7 after a season-best 27.16-point performance on Sunday.
Up next is another AFC South rematch. Ryan and the Colts are heading to Tennessee to take on the Titans following their Week 6 bye. In Week 4 against the Titans, Ryan threw for 356 yards and two touchdowns. Even with a fumble, a pick, and negative rushing yards, his 18.84 points that week are his second-highest total in 2022. The Titans are allowing the fifth-most points to quarterbacks. Starting Ryan can leave your stomach in knots, but all signs point to a safe floor with a potentially high ceiling in Week 7 given the matchup.
Other Quarterbacks to Consider:
Marcus Mariota and the Falcons are heading to Cincinnati in Week 7. The Bengals are 6.0-point favorites and the game has an Over/Under of 47.5 points. This should lend to a negative game script for Mariota, albeit against a tough Cincy defense. Though he’s averaging just 175 passing yards and one passing touchdown per game, Mariota has at least 50 yards rushing and/or a rushing touchdown in four of six games this season. If you’re starting Mariota, you’re chasing the rushing upside. He has 15.44 points or more in five games this season, eclipsing the 20.0-point mark just once, in Week 6.
Justin Fields, like Mariota, presents a fantasy-friendly rushing upside at the quarterback position. He has four-straight games with at least 47 rushing yards. His Week 7 matchup against Bill Belichick’s Patriots in New England is not one I’m thrilled about. If you’re desperate in 2QB leagues, Fields’ legs could provide a safe floor to get you through Week 7.
Also make sure to check out our Week 7Rankings when they are released on Wednesday morning: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex Rankings