Four fewer teams were in action this week, which could be part of the reason the top Week 7 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds are so lackluster. The other big reason? Only a handful of notable injuries to skill players. Regardless, ahead of a brutal week of byes, fantasy football owners aren’t going to find a lot of excitement on the wire — unless handcuff RBs like Kenyan Drake, Deon Jackson, and Caleb Huntley or boom-or-bust rookie WRs like Wan’Dale Robinson, Tyquan Thornton, and Alec Pierce get you excited.
Our full Week 7 free agent primer features more players in this vein (Tre’Quan Smith, Rondale Moore, Mike Boone, Robert Tonyan), but our list largely consists of potential QB, WR, TE, and D/ST streamers. Week 7’s depth-depleting set of byes (Rams, Eagles, Bills, Vikings) will force more than a few owners to dig deep for their starters, so we didn’t skimp on the suggestions. All streamer recommendations can be found at the end of the list.
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Given the uncertainty surrounding Baltimore’s and Indy’s RB situations (see below), it doesn’t appear as if anyone is worth a high waiver claim this week. Chances are, Drake will fetch a decent claim/FAAB bid if JK Dobbins (knee) is expected to miss Week 7, but he’s the only one. Jackson (if healthy) and Huntley merit low claims — and the young WRs offer various levels of intrigue — but unless you’re in a deep league, you don’t need to bid too high on them (with the possible exception of Moore).
UPDATE: Latavius Murray will also merit a low waiver claim after taking over Denver’s backfield on Monday night.
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
That said, this should be a busy week on the free agent wire. Plenty of owners will be looking for streamers at QB, WR, TE, and D/ST. Unfortunately, there aren’t many high-ceiling TEs, but there are a host of similar QBs, WRs, and D/STs. You shouldn’t need to use a waiver claim to get someone worthwhile, so unless you’re desperate, be active in free agency and skip the waiver rush.
Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 7
Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues are considered.
