100-dollar budget the rest of the way. Percentages at this time of the year are tougher given remaining budgets, and you know your league best. If it’s an aggressive league, you may have to spend more or vice versa.
Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups: QBs – Quarterback Streamers
Tyrod Taylor, BUF (36%) – The Buccaneers pass defense is among the worst in the league… evidence: Carson Palmer last week. They have allowed a minimum of 283 yards and at least one touchdown and 19.1 Fantasy points in each game. Taylor hasn’t been terrific this year (putting it lightly) but this is a thin week for streaming quarterbacks, especially with the ownership percentages and Jacoby Brissett facing the Jaguars.
Josh McCown, NYJ (8%) – McCown has a higher ceiling and low floor than Taylor, but the floor is a bit safer against the Dolphins. He’s actually faced the Phins already and threw for 249 yards and a touchdown. The Dolphins have allowed a touchdown in each game, but they have also kept everyone in check. McCown wouldn’t be on the radar if not for the limited choices.
Brett Hundley, GB (0%) – Tough blow with Aaron Rodgers potentially lost for the season.
But, Hundley steps into a great offense with plenty of weapons. You can see how risky Hundley is with the three interceptions after stepping in for Rodgers against the Vikings, but the Saints provide a better opportunity. Just know that the Saints also get after the quarterback, as seen against the Lions, and Hundley could mimic Matthew Stafford with multiple touchdowns and turnovers.
DON’T: Ryan Fitzpatrick, TB (0%) – Even if Jameis Winston is out, Fitzpatrick isn’t worth the risk. Most of Fitzpatrick’s damage was done in garbage-ish time and with Patrick Peterson on the sideline. The Cardinals defense has been shredded this season outside of Peterson, so just imagine what it looks like without him… or just look at Fitz’s numbers. The Bills are coming off the bye having allowed just two touchdowns with eight interceptions this season and would have made it a tough matchup even for Winston.
Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups: RBs
LAST CHANCE: Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris, DAL (50%, 54%) – We’ve discussed this ad nauseam on Fantasy Sports Radio, but just to double down since neither Ezekiel Elliott backup is at the threshold, pick both up wherever possible! Yes, Zeke could still play this entire season, but on the off chance that the suspension happens, McFadden and Morris must be owned, and my bet is on McFadden being the lead option. The team used and groomed DMC as the backup in the preseason, he’s the better PPR option and Morris sees some special team work (why he’s seen snaps to date).
FAB Dollars: $20-40
Adrian Peterson, MIN (83%) – Obviously, Peterson is way over the 60-percent threshold, but he’s worth mentioning just in case you made the same mistake I did and wrote him off already. Well… was I wrong or what? I know, don’t fall out of your chair in shock that I admitted that. Truthfully, no one saw that coming, as Peterson looked dead in the water with the Vikings and again with the Saints, plus the Cardinals offensive line is among the worst at run blocking. Well, never count out Peterson apparently. Peterson just put himself back in the RB2 conversation.
FAB Dollars: $40
Orleans Darkwa, NYG (10%) – Speaking of being shocked, we all certainly saw that coming, right?
The Giants were among the worst in rushing, passing the ball 70 percent of the time, and the Broncos run defense was the best in the league. Yet, here we are with Darkwa having a big game, as the Giants ran 60 percent of the time. Because… football. I still don’t trust the Giants offensive line, and if you were watching the game, you heard Cris Collinsworth say multiple times that Darkwa runs where he’s supposed to, and he’s right. The downside is that Darkwa could struggle if the Giants line reverts back to its woeful ways, as he isn’t adept at finding new lanes/creating his own. Nevertheless, for now, Darkwa is a must-add with the Giants looking to go run-first the rest of the way.
FAB Dollars: $25-30
Matt Forte, NYJ (21%) – The Jets might have Bilal Powell back as soon as next week, but Forte is going to remain the lead option as long as he’s healthy. Even though Forte was just like Peterson (looking 50 years old) before this week, the Jets turn to him first no matter what Powell does, and Elijah McGuire was uninspiring in Week 6.
FAB Dollars: $10
Matt Breida, SF (21%) – I said it in the preseason, I reiterated it over the first few weeks and reminded everyone once again last week, as the timeshare and trade talks increased. Breida didn’t see much work against the Redskins, but that offense misfired all day. It’s doubtful that Carlos Hyde gets traded, but his injury prone-ness is still real, as is the fact that Kyle Shanahan likes Breida. Even if Hyde isn’t traded, he’s a free agent and the 49ers could start using Breida more to see if he has a future.
FAB Dollars: $10
Dion Lewis, NE (57%) – Haha! I accidentally hit a key or two and ended up with “F Dion Lewis” to start this. If that’s not fitting for the Patriots running backs, I don’t know what is. I don’t know how many times I have to say, “Avoid Patriots running backs” for people to listen, but then again, people are still playing with kickers. Lewis looks to be Bill Belichick’s current favorite, but we all know that could change… next week even!
FAB Dollars: $10
Samaje Perine, WAS (36%) – With Rob Kelley continually battling injuries, Perine is the tough-yardage option. Week 6 saw Chris Thompson become the lead back, but Perine had value with a surprising receiving touchdown. Perine is still worth a stash and could push for the lead and tough-yards role.
FAB Dollars: $5-10
Theo Riddick, DET (42%) – Riddick has been disappointing this season, as he had been a rock solid RB2 in PPR over the years. The Lions-Saints game was a high-scoring affair with Riddick position a mediocre game, but the good news is that Riddick was tied for third in targets with Golden Tate. With Tate missing time, Riddick could get back to the workload that made him a solid RB2 in PPR.
FAB Dollars: $5-10
Chris Ivory, JAX (4%) – Ivory isn’t going to have standalone value, but he’s showing that there’s enough left in the tank to provide value if Leonard Fournette were to miss time or even if the Jaguars are running out the clock late and resting Fournette.
FAB Dollars: < $5
OR THE FUTURE: Handcuffs – Malcolm Brown is the clear backup to Todd Gurley, Damien Williams would be the lead in Miami, Austin Ekeler is still the one behind Melvin Gordon and Marlon Mack remains just a fallback to Frank Gore. If you have the room, start stashing as we near the midway point.
Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups: WRs
LAST CHANCE: John Brown, ARI (43%) – Not much left to say, and that’s why Brown is here. So, one more time for everyone: Brown has the most all-around talent if he’s 100 percent, and he looks to be there, or getting close. While healthy, he’s a must-start, as Larry Fitzgerald has his second-half fade coming.
FAB Dollars: $20-30
Nelson Agholor, PHI (54%) – Moving to the slot has done wonders for Agholor. It’s like magic.
Never the most athletic of receivers, Agholor was a great route runner coming out of college, arguably the best in his class, and has good hands. With Carson Wentz having his breakout season, Agholor is following suit.
FAB Dollars: $20-25
Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay, DET (55%, 16%) – Back to Tate, the Lions need options with him out. Jones is the obvious one and the player too many are overlooking for the shiny new toy. Remember Jones’ start last year? I’m not telling you Jones will be a Top 10 receiver, but the increased volume is going to put him in the weekly WR3 conversation. As for Golladay, he has flashed his touchdown potential twice already, and if he’s healthy, we could see significant value in all formats. Don’t be surprised if Jones goes for less though.
FAB Dollars: $10-20, depending on need
Kenny Stills, MIA (19%) – As long as DeVante Parker is out, Stills is in the low-end WR3 conversation. After all, Stills outplayed Parker last year, as many have forgotten.
FAB Dollars: $5
Josh Doctson, WAS (6%) – It’s appears as if Jamison Crowder isn’t happening this year. Maybe it’s the injury, maybe it’s the loss of DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. Whatever it is, Crowder isn’t getting it done, even in a game where Jay Gruden wanted to “get him more involved.” Doctson is a risky option with his snaps and targets being less than ideal, but he could find himself as the No. 1 receiver if Terrelle Pryor keeps disappointing too.
FAB Dollars: $5
Ted Ginn Jr., NO (43%) – Even with Willie Snead back, Ginn still had an impact. Snead is going to steal value from Coby Fleener (nice 0-fer) much more than Ginn. In fact, Snead’s presence gives defenders another concern, which can actually boost Ginn’s value a tad.
FAB Dollars: < $5
Robert Woods, LAR (8%) – Woods now has at least five receptions and 66 yards in three of the last four games. The 2-for-17 and no touchdowns on the season is the downside to Woods, but he’s been more reliable and useful than Cooper Kupp and Sammy Watkins. How about that?
FAB Dollars: < $5
Benny Fowler, DEN (2%) – Emmanuel Sanders is already out for the next game, making Fowler the next man up. He did score twice in Week 1 and has a 55-yard yard game in Week 3, so there is some hope for potential here, albeit only in deep leagues and as a bye week option.
FAB Dollars: < $5
Ricardo Louis and Kasen Williams, CLE (4%, 0%) – There is no telling which Browns receiver is the best option, and there might not even be a good option here. This is like shopping at Goodwill for underwear.
FAB Dollars: < $5
FOR THE FUTURE: JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT (14%) – And the future might be next week. Martavis Bryant is reportedly frustrated and requested a trade. JJSS has already been out-playing Bryant, and while Ben Roethlisberger is partly to blame, there are several home games upcoming for the Steelers.
FAB Dollars: $5
DON’T: Jeremy Kerley, NYJ (3%) – That was Kerley’s first touchdown since Week 10 of 2016, and it just might be his last one of 2017.
Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups: TEs
LAST CHANCE: Evan Engram, NYG and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, NYJ (69%, 62%) – Engram is the Giants top receiver… yes, I mean receiver, as in all pass-catching options. Shame on you if you dropped him after his off-game last week.
As for ASJ, it’s tight ends and Josh McCown = match made in heaven. If it wasn’t clear already, it should be after Week 6 that Seferian-Jenkins is a TE1 going forward.
FAB Dollars: $25+ for Engram, $15 for ASJ more so in PPR
Austin Hooper, ATL (50%) – Hooper might take a hit when Mohamed Sanu returns, but he now has two straight games of increased targets and production. He’s a talented receiver in an offense looking to bounce back after a disappointing Week 6 showing.
FAB Dollars: $10-15
George Kittle, SF (8%) – C.J. Beathard might be the quarterback going forward for the 49ers, and that might actually be a boost to Kittle, as inexperienced quarterbacks favor tight ends. Beathard is a rookie to boot, and Kittle has come on of late. He’s still going to be volatile though.
FAB Dollars: $5-10
Week 7 Buy Low and Sell High, and Droppables
Buy Low – They’re Definitely Better
Matt Ryan, ATL
Julio Jones, ATL
Keenan Allen, LAC
Amari Cooper, OAK
Buy Low – Could be a Bust, but Potential Reward
Derek Carr, OAK
C.J. Anderson, DEN (workload concerns with Devontae Booker)
Willie Snead, NO
Sammy Watkins, LAR
Sell High
Cam Newton, CAR – Poor decisions, didn’t look 100 percent last game (could be due to short week)
Mark Ingram, NO – Only if getting Top 10 RB value
Jerick McKinnon, MIN – Only if Top 15 RB value
James White, NE – Patriots running back; Rex Burkhead could muddy more
Aaron Jones, GB – Healthier Ty Montgomery gets, the more he’ll eat back into Jones’ touches
Will Fuller, HOU – Eight catches, five touchdowns… you tell me if you think that’s sustainable
Cameron Brate, TB – To clarify, I’m a fan, but I can see O.J. Howard pushing him in the second half – more if you were able to grab him along with another strong option like Jimmy Graham or Evan Engram
Droppable
Eli Manning, NYG
Elijah McGuire, NYJ
Paul Perkins, NYG
Jonathan Stewart, CAR
Jamison Crowder, WAS
Tyrell Williams, LAC
Martavis Bryant, PIT
Eric Ebron, DET
Martellus Bennett, GB
Main Image Credit: AP Photo/Bill Kostroun
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