Waiver Wire Week 7 | Fantasy Football 2023

This is Waiver Wire Week 7!

Byemagedon is here. This week will be an important week for fantasy managers looking to add new players and improve their rosters to fill the gaps and ensure they have the strongest lineup possible in Week 7. With six fewer teams playing this week, everything will be tighter, and FAAB money will be aggressively spent.

While your league mates panic, sit back and profit. Hopefully, you have been reading this column weekly and preparing for this dreaded set of bye weeks. But if this is your first time here, welcome. We have you covered.

One significant factor to keep in mind is the potential players cut. Some fantasy managers will have to let go of players who can be helpful to your team. Keep an eye out for this in your leagues.

Week 7 Bye Weeks

Carolina

Cincinnati

Dallas

Houston

New York Jets

Tennessee

NOTE: Our threshold is players roster in 25% or less of Yahoo leagues. If a player is over this number, he is listed as a SHALLOW LEAGUE ADD.

Quarterbacks

SHALLOW LEAGUE ADD: Sam Howell | Washington (38%)

I know, I know, I know. “Not in my LEAGUE BRO!” But for 62 % of Yahoo league managers, Howell is still available. He is QB10 on the season. After this week’s waiver wire run, he should be 50% plus rostered.

SHALLOW LEAGUE ADD: Daniel Jones | New York (44%)

Tyrod Taylor | New York Giants (2%)

Jones may have been cut last week. Taylor passed for 200 yards in New York’s near upset of Buffalo while adding a disappointing 24 yards on the ground. Am I excited about Jones long term? No. But this week, I will use him if he plays, and I will even consider Taylor despite his mediocre output this past week. The Giants face off against Washington. There has not been a better friend to QB streamers than the Commanders. In five straight games, they have given up five consecutive 300-yard passing performances.

Derek Carr |New Orleans (25%)

Carr passed for a season-high 353 yards in New Orleans’ loss to Houston. Besides Week 5’s win over New England, The Saints offense has cracked 20 points only once. Still, the next four games are all strong fantasy matchups: Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Minnesota. Carr and the Saints have a chance at some increased production.

SHALLOW LEAGUE ADD Baker Mayfield | Tampa Bay (28%)

Look for Mayfield to rebound from his worst performance of the season as Tampa Bay faces off against a beatable Atlanta Falcons defense. I was bullish on Mayfield this week, and he and the rest of Tampa Bay were thoroughly dominated from start to finish. Still, on the season, Mayfield has a 7-3 TD-to-interception ratio and better days should be ahead.

Desmond Ridder | Atlanta (8%)

Ridder has now passed for 300 yards in back-to-back games. A week after he passed for a career-high 329 yards in Atlanta’s win over Houston, Ridder topped the 300-yard mark once again and added two TD passes in Atlanta’s loss to Washington. Ridder did throw three interceptions, and he is far from perfect.

The next two matchups against Tampa Bay and Tennessee on the road will also be difficult. But Ridder’s strong play cannot be ignored. It also helps when he has young talent like Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts to choose from.

Joshua Dobbs | Arizona (15%)

Dobbs continues to provide mid-QB2 numbers, buoyed by his rushing floor. For the fourth time this season, Dobbs rushed for over 41 yards. He also added 235 passing yards and a TD. Dobbs has exceeded all expectations, and he is a locked-in Superflex starter.

Gardner Minshew | Indianapolis (8%)

Minshew had a poor performance with three interceptions against Jacksonville, but he did finish with 329 passing yards. He is a Superflex starter moving forward. In single QB leagues, leave him on the bench for the next two games against Cleveland and New Orleans.

Tyson Bagent | Chicago (0%)

Superflex managers may be in a real jam this week, and Bagent could be a desperation streamer. Bagent, a UDFA, had a storied college career at DII Shepherd. He is a huge downgrade from Justin Fields (thumb injury), but Chicago has two enticing matchups in Las Vegas and The LA Chargers in the next two weeks.

Running Backs

NOTE: Tyjae Spears – Tennessee (48%) is a NO BRAINER ADD IF AVAILABLE

Craig Reynolds | Detroit (2%)

At first, I thought I was out, but they pulled me back in. Detroit is No. 4 overall in the NFL in PPG with a sizzling 28 PPG. Reynolds now has the opportunity to control the Lion’s share (see what I did there?) of the backfield touches with David Montgomery (ribs) and Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) injured. Zonovan Knight is also injured.

This is a mess for Detroit, but Reynolds is a potential back end RB2 volume play based on the number of touches he could see in this high-quality offense. In 2021, Reynolds had two RB2 or better weeks. History could repeat itself.

SHALLOW LEAGUE ADD Elijah Mitchell | San Francisco (28%)

The 49ers used Mitchell sparingly because it was his first game back from a knee injury. Mitchell has had more fantasy success in the Kyle Shanahan system and was playing ahead of Jordan Mason before his knee injury. Reports out of San Francisco indicate Mitchell will be the lead back this weekend if Christian McCaffrey were to miss time.

Jordan Mason | San Francisco (6%)

Mason has scored a TD in back-to-back weeks as the handcuff to Christian McCaffrey. Mason had five carries to Mitchell’s two in Sunday’s loss to Cleveland, and he has scored in back-to-back weeks. Even if Mitchell is the lead back this week, Mason has done enough to turn this into somewhat of a committee. We want 49ers in our lineups. San Francisco is averaging 30 PPG- No. 2 in the NFL only to Miami.

SHALLOW LEAGUE ADD Kareem Hunt | Cleveland (36%)

In Cleveland’s first game post-bye week, Hunt saw a significantly increased role. Hunt had 12 carries for 47 yards, including a 16-yard toss play from Harrison Bryant that led to Cleveland’s only TD of the day. Hunt also equaled a season-high with three targets and caught all of them for 24 receiving yards.

Jerome Ford played well and is the best Cleveland back to roster in fantasy, but Hunt will carve out a weekly role. You can flex him this week if you are in bye-week hell. Look for the Browns to lean on their RBs, especially if PJ Walker has another start at QB.

Zach Evans | Los Angeles Rams (1%)

The Evans hive was buzzing this summer, and the seventh-round rookie RB had a number of fantasy analysts excited about his potential to carve out a role behind Cam Akers. That prediction turned out to be a terrible one, as Kyren Williams dominated the Rams RB touches. Akers, of course, was traded for Minnesota, and Evans again had fantasy managers adding him. I included him in this article at one point, but Ronnie Rivers ended up seeing the work behind Williams. Evans finally saw his first action of the season this past Sunday, as Rivers left the game with a knee injury.

Both Williams and Rivers are set to miss at least a game or two, and Evans now has a MASSIVE opportunity. Evans was a productive player at both TCU and Ole Miss. He will now be thrust into a flex-worthy start. If he plays well, he could move ahead of Rivers. He is a strong add and is available everywhere.

Devin Singletary | Buffalo (13%)

The Texans radically changed their RB usage, as Singletary saw the most work he has had in any game this season. This new coaching staff has no allegiance to Dameon Pierce. This could be an actual changing of the guard. It is likely an ugly usage split, but Singletary will have the more high-value touches.

Pierce’s futility has opened a path for the veteran RB. Singletary had a season-high 12 carries for 58 yards and two targets. Singletary has finished as RB30 and RB24 the past two seasons in fantasy PPG. If he continues to earn carries in this underrated offense, he could provide flex appeal for the rest of the season.

Latavius Murray | Buffalo (14%)

James Cook managers look away (including me). Murray’s role is a lot more prominent than anyone could have anticipated, and it is set to grow after Damien Harris‘ neck injury. Murray had a season-high of 12 carries and 45 yards. Murray has also seen a significant amount of third down snaps and ran 13 routes to Cook’s 15. Cook is still a fantasy starter, but his upside is capped by the veteran Murray.

Keaontay Ingram | Arizona (10%)

Ingram dominated Cardinals RB touches, and Emari DeMercado- a top 10 Waiver Wire add for me last week was an absolute zero. DeMercado played behind 42-year-old (OK, I lied, 31-year-old) Damien Williams.

Ingram’s output was nothing special. He had ten carries and caught two passes, but both were season highs. Ingram is more of a depth piece and desperation dart throw start, but with this many teams on bye, you may have to use him.

Kendre Miller | New Orleans (16%)

Miller’s production sharply declined from Week 5, but he remains a high-end handcuff RB to Alvin Kamara.

Salvon Ahmed | Miami (21%)

Jeff Wilson is not fully healthy, and De’Von Achane is on the IR. Ahmed played well and had one of the best fantasy performances of his career, finishing with 23 rushing yards and a TD to go along with five receptions. Do not overpay for Ahmed, as Wilson should make his season debut against Philadelphia, but Ahmed should be rostered. He has receiving ability and contingent upside, and we want to roster Dolphins. If Wilson misses, Ahmed will have flex consideration.

Tank Bigsby | Jacksonville (17%)

Bigsby is a high-end handcuff to Travis Etienne. If Etienne (four rushing TDs over the past two games) were to miss time, Bigsby would be an RB2.

Ke’Shawn Vaughn | Tampa Bay (0%)

Vaughn has passed Sean Tucker by and is the handcuff in Tampa Bay to Rachaad White. Over the past two games, Vaughn has 18 touches.

Rico Dowdle | Dallas (7%)

The direct handcuff to Tony Pollard. Lottery ticket.

Royce Freeman | LA Rams (0%)

The contrarian play to Zach Evans. He is a boring journeyman add that could see touches this week.

Wide Receivers

NOTE: If available, Rashee Rice – Kansas City (45%) is a NO BRAINER ADD.

SHALLOW LEAGUE ADD Curtis Samuel | Washington (35%)

Samuel made me look smart last week, as I featured him in the Waiver Wire and Sleepers article. But how on earth is he STILL available in 35% of leagues? Samuel has now scored in three straight games. He has scored 14 or more PPR points for three straight weeks. Jahan Dotson is one of the biggest disappointments at ADP in all of fantasy, and Samuel is dominating him in scoring. Samuel is second in receiving yards and receptions to only Terry McLaurin on the entire team. Add him.

SHALLOW LEAGUE ADD Rashid Shaheed | New Orleans (32%)

Shaheed had his best performance since Week 1. He finished with 85 receiving yards and a TD and also had two rushing attempts. Shaheed is an explosive player with big play potential.

His 34-yard TD reception was not his biggest play of the day, as he added a 51-yarder in the 4th quarter. His usage is inconsistent, but he can be thrown into your lineup anytime you want an upside flex. The upcoming schedule is very fantasy-friendly for Saints pass catchers.

SHALLOW LEAGUE ADD Josh Downs | Indianapolis (33%)

Downs continues to produce. He caught his first TD of the season and had eight targets. Over the last two games, he has 11 catches. Both Downs and Michael Pittman will see even more work as Alec Pierce suffered a shoulder injury. Downs is a must-add if he is available in your leagues.

SHALLOW LEAGUE ADD Quentin Johnston | LA Chargers (33%)

The Chargers and Cowboys are yet to meet at the time I am writing this, but Johnston could see a big boost in usage coming off of a bye week. The first-round pick has a big opportunity to develop and carve out a role catching passes from Justin Herbert.

Michael Wilson | Arizona (23%)

Wilson rebounded from his worst game of the season in Week 5 to finish with 62 yards in Week 6. He has now had 56 or more receiving yards in four of his last five games. Wilson has a contingent upside as his role should grow. He would be Arizona’s WR1 if they traded Marquise Brown (contract season) before the trade deadline.

Kendrick Bourne | New England (17%)

Bourne made me look smart, as I had him in my Sleepers column. He had his best fantasy performance since Week 1, finishing with ten catches for 89 yards and a TD in New England’s loss to Las Vegas. Bourne tied a season-high in targets with 11. You will never be excited to start him, but he has 44 targets on the year, and the Patriots are desperate for playmakers.

Wan’Dale Robinson | New York Giants (18%)

Robinson had season highs with eight targets, caught all of them, and added 62 receiving yards. It has been a slow drip, but Robinson is getting healthier and displaying some traits that made him a 2021 second-round pick.

He has flex appeal against a Washington Commanders defense that has been getting shredded.

Jayden Reed | Green Bay (20%)

Green Bay could self-scout additional work for Reed during their bye week. Reed was cut in many leagues, as he had his worst game of the season in Week 5’s loss to Las Vegas. Reed is more of a depth piece right now, but he is a talented player, and this offense is still developing.

Darius Slayton | New York Giants (2%)

Slayton led New York in receiving yards in Week 6 with a season-high 69. He is a desperation flex with an appealing matchup this week.

Jalin Hyatt | New York Giants (5%)

Consider stashing the speedy Hyatt. He had a season-highs in targets and catches this past weekend. He is a burner, and the Giants are desperate for playmakers.

Tre Tucker | Las Vegas (0%)

Tucker, Las Vegas’ third-round draft pick, brings much-needed speed to the Raiders offense. He played ahead of Hunter Renfrow, and caught two passes for 57 yards. Renfrow is rumored to be traded, and Tucker should see his role grow.

Nelson Agholor | Baltimore (1%)

Agholor outproduced Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman again. He is the second biggest threat among all Ravens WRs behind rookie Zay Flowers. He is a stash to see where this is going.

Tight Ends

Michael Mayer | Las Vegas (5%)

Mayer is my favorite addition at the TE position, along with fellow rookie Luke Musgrave. He is a must-add player for TE Premium managers in FFPC Leagues. Mayer was the third TE selected in the NFL draft behind Dalton Kincaid and Sam LaPorta. The second-round pick had a storied career at Notre Dame. After only two targets in the first four weeks of the season, Mayer has seen a significant uptick.

Michael Mayer Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile

Mayer caught two passes in Week 5 and finished with 39 receiving yards. Week 6 was even more promising, as Mayer led Las Vegas with 75 receiving yards and had career highs of six targets and five receptions. His snaps have been steadily increasing, and he could have a rookie-year impact like we saw from Pat Freiermuth in 2021 or Chig Okonkwo in 2022. This is a second-half-of-the-year bet that Mayer will continue to see his role evolve and grow.

Luke Musgrave | Green Bay (19%)

Musgrave could see a post-by-week bump in usage. The rookie headed into the bye coming off of a seven-target, six-catch game. He has now had two games with six catches, and he is oozing fantasy potential.

If you prefer him over Mayer, I cannot argue against it- I have them neck and neck. They are both strong additions this week and have unknown upside for the rest of the year.

Jonnu Smith | Atlanta (19%)

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the TE9 overall in PPR: Jonnu Smith—bizzaro world vibes. Despite back-to-back strong weeks of Kyle Pitts, and a Drake London outburst, Smith remained relevant. His targets were his lowest of the past few weeks, but he found the end zone. Smith has caught at least four passes every game for five weeks straight. This may fade away, but Smith is a high-end TE2 for now.

Taysom Hill | New Orleans (7%)

Juwan Johnson missed another game with a calf injury, and Hill saw a dramatic increase in targets and catches. Hill finished with seven catches for 49 yards on eight targets. He has had three or more rushing attempts in five out of six games this season. He is a player to stash to see if this role can sustain. If Hill offers anything in the receiving department with his threat as a runner, he could be a fun plug-and-pray TE option.

Trey McBride | Arizona (1%)

McBride ate in garbage time, leading Arizona with 62 receiving yards. The 2021 second-round pick has played behind Zach Ertz, but for the first time this season, they tied in the number of targets. McBride has several outs to fantasy viability this season: Arizona could utilize him more and see that they have, and there is a chance that Ertz could get traded to a contender. McBride was a popular prospect for dynasty managers, and he should be prioritized if he is available in shallow dynasty formats like the FFPC.

Tyler Conklin | New Yor Jets (10%)

Break glass in case of emergency TE floor play. At least four targets in every game with Zach Wilson as a starter. His upside is limited and further damaged due to Breece Hall‘s recent uptick in touches.

Kylen Granson | Indianapolis (1%)

Granson flashed in Week 6 with a season-high 67 receiving yards. He is in the concussion protocol, but if he plays, he could provide low-end TE2 production. All Colts pass catchers get a bump-up with Minshew.