FAAB Waiver Wire Bidding - Fantasy Football Pickups to Target for Week 7 (2025)

October 15, 2025

Nick Mariano's fantasy football waiver wire FAAB bidding guide for Week 7 (2025) -- how many FAAB dollars (free agent acquisition budget) to spend on waivers.

We're effectively nearing the halfway mark of many fantasy football regular seasons, which means you have a strong idea of FAAB resources, needs, competition, and bye-week squeezes. Some of you may opt for safer adds, such as clear handcuffs for your studs or holding an extra defense for weeks ahead, versus taking pure upside swipes. Give yourself the best chance at success with our famous waiver wire pickups list and our fantasy football waiver wire columns by position -- specially tailored for leagues using FAAB.

Remember that these FAAB prices do not indicate how much these free-agent players will go for, and you should know how many other big bankrolls remain to contend with as you go. Week 7 sees the Bills and Ravens on bye, but Week 8 is a monstrous six-team bye for the Cardinals, Jaguars, Lions, Raiders, Rams, and Seahawks. If you want to prepare for that early and have a solid record in the books, then go for it.

As always, I cannot know your specific league outlook, so please try to leverage historical data and personal knowledge whenever possible. We're going to cap the rostered rate at 40% on Yahoo!, but you can adjust if someone is dropped or remains on the wire above that threshold. Be mindful of your funds against your opponents, especially the early contenders, but even teams rocking a 5-1 record can't get too cozy near the top.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Quarterbacks

Jaxson Dart (QB, NYG) - 30% rostered

FAAB Bid: 7-10%
Aggressive Bid: 10-15%

I understand that playing in Denver is the toughest test imaginable for most signal-callers, but the rookie needs to be stashed regardless. Any QB who is averaging 10 carries with over 50 rush yards per game gets a fantasy spotlight, even if his receiving corps is in shambles.

Jaxson Dart joins Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson as the only QBs with 50+ rush yards in each of their first 3 career starts in the Super Bowl era 🔥@Giants | #NYGiants pic.twitter.com/7crEz32d1i

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) October 10, 2025

Philadelphia was supposed to be too difficult, and he answered the call, so what will he do at altitude against Nik Bonitto and company before a rematch in Philly?

Sam Darnold (QB, SEA) - 35% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1-3%
Aggressive Bid: 3-5%

Those pushing through Josh Allen’s bye week should consider Darnold, who will host a stingy Houston defense with serious wind in his sails. After his four-touchdown Week 5, he stood tall with 295 yards and another two scores on just 16 completions in a 20-12 win over Jacksonville on Sunday.

That’s enough to make him a top-12 weekly QB in three of the last four weeks. This writer was worried that the offensive line would torpedo Darnold’s chances of getting comfortable in Seattle, but he’s proven the preseason doubts wrong, and the chemistry with Jaxon Smith-Njigba is in the stratosphere.

Joe Flacco (QB, CIN) - 8% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Aggressive Bid: 2-4%

With less than a full week to prepare, Flacco stepped up and rode high volume and quick throws to provide 219 yards, two touchdowns, and a two-point conversion in a loss to Green Bay.

The veteran found Ja'Marr Chase for 94 yards and a score on 10 catches (12 targets), while Tee Higgins had five catches for 62 yards (eight targets), falling one yard short of a TD himself. Flacco is capable of feeding the playmakers and had 45 pass attempts out of the gate, which could yield a similar ugly, yet useful, line in Thursday’s home game with Pittsburgh.

Before facing Dillon Gabriel and Flacco’s old team in Week 6, the Steelers had allowed over 20 fantasy points to all four opposing QBs faced. After that, Flacco will finally have some extended time to settle in before facing the Jets and Bears, both plus matchups, ahead of a Week 10 bye.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Running Backs

Kimani Vidal (RB, LAC) - 28% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 30-40%
Aggressive Bid: 40-55%
Desperation Bid: 55-75%

Vidal cruised to a career-best day with 18 carries for 124 yards, and then 14 yards and a receiving TD on three catches. It took nearly a season and a half, but Vidal’s intriguing prospect profile finally got to shine. Hassan Haskins only had 6-14-0 rushing and a nine-yard catch, which backs up how we highlighted Vidal as the preferred add last week!

Some of Vidal’s success is due to facing Miami’s run D, but they limited Haskins, so some of it has to be KV. The Colts are a far better run unit, and LAC’s offensive line is still beaten up, so temper expectations here.

Bam Knight (RB, ARI) - 13% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 5-8%
Aggressive Bid: 8-12%
Desperation Bid: 12-15%

Adam Schefter dropped word that Knight was slated for starting duties over Michael Carter on Sunday. This preceded Knight seeing 11 carries for 34 yards and a TD plunge, and a 20-yard reception in a 31-27 loss to Indianapolis.

He got the score, though Carter had 9-34-0 rushing and 2-30-0 receiving on five targets. After last week’s ugly fumble, Emari Demercado only had one carry before exiting with an ankle injury suffered on special teams.

If it’s a 50/50 split between Knight and Carter, then both can provide TD-dependent flex value against a tough Green Bay front seven. Be prepared to absorb Arizona’s Week 8 bye, but then they get Dallas’ soft defense in Week 9.

Tyjae Spears (RB, TEN) - 22% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 2-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-6%
Desperation Bid: 6-10% (PPR)

Spears took advantage of hurry-up situations and a negative gamescript to outplay Tony Pollard, turning nine touches into 50 yards to Pollard’s 47 yards on 12 touches. It was a (relatively) strong showing for Spears after just four carries and zero targets in his Week 5 season debut.

#Titans Week 6 RB Usage

- Tyjae Spears: 59% snaps, 5 carries, 22 routes, 4 targets (50 yds)
- Tony Pollard: 42% snaps, 10 carries, 12 routes, 2 targets (47 yds)

— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) October 12, 2025

Will the new coaching regime keep the split going? For the most part, Pollard and Spears render each other useless for us until the offense can generate more volume and scoring. But Spears has a PPR avenue to flex value with the team trailing often.

Jarquez Hunter (RB, LAR) - 0% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Desperation Bid: 3%

Blake Corum is day-to-day with an ankle injury, which could crack the door open for Hunter to get meaningful practice reps and start earning trust. While Corum has looked good as a rusher, he’s already got two drops on seven targets and couldn’t secure a pitch in the San Francisco game.

The Rams traded up to get Hunter in the fourth round and shouldn’t be forgotten on the wire in case Corum’s ankle doesn’t progress well. Going for upside with the Hunter and Sean Tucker’s of the wire is a good use of a buck, if needed.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Wide Receivers

Kendrick Bourne (WR, SF) - 35% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 4-6%
Aggressive Bid: 6-8%
Desperation Bid: 8-12%

Bourne is crushing it with Mac Jones amidst several receiver injuries over the last two weeks. After tallying a 10-142-0 line in Week 5, he matched the 142 yards on just five catches (nine targets) against Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Jauan Jennings was active, but only had one catch as he battled through broken ribs and both high and low ankle sprains. The Niners may have Brock Purdy (toe), George Kittle (hamstring), and Ricky Pearsall (knee) back for Sunday night’s Week 7 game against the Falcons, but Jennings’ injury status could keep the door open for Bourne.

We’ll most likely look back on this similarly to Noah Brown’s Week 9-10 from 2023 (6-153-1, 8-172-0) when Houston’s WR room was thin. But let's see how the team's health looks around Bourne by the time next weekend rolls around!

Sterling Shepard (WR, TB) - 5% rostered
Tez Johnson (WR, TB) - 1% rostered
Kameron Johnson (WR, TB) - 0% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 4-6% / 3-5% / 2-3%
Aggressive Bid: 6-8% / 5-7% / 3-5%
Desperation Bid: 8-12% / 7-10% / 5-7%

Tampa Bay once again nabbed a win despite losing a top wide receiver, as Emeka Egbuka was forced out with a hamstring issue. This left Shepard and the Johnsons as Baker Mayfield’s WR trio. PFF charted T. Johnson with 21 routes run on 38 snaps, while Shepard’s usage of 20 routes on 26 snaps was more consolidated.

K. Johnson ran 12 routes on 26 snaps, catching all four targets for 64 yards and a score as the clear entrant for Egbuka. Tez had the highlight 45-yard TD strike that showed strong hands on his speedy frame. Shep’s 2-51-0 line on three targets is middling, but not off from the others except for a TD. Shepard and TJ being in the game earlier gives them a slight lean.

Cade Otton actually led the Bucs in routes run (24) and targets (6), playing all 53 offensive snaps (more on him later).

Kayshon Boutte (WR, NE) - 7% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-8%
Desperation Bid: 8-12%

Boutte reminded us that he’s a baller after four quiet weeks following the 6-103-0 line in Week 1. He caught all five Week 6 targets for 93 yards and a pair of TDs to give him 18 catches for 301 yards and three scores in six games.

This offense has a high ceiling with Drake Maye, but it also spreads the ball around for a low floor. However, until Rhamondre Stevenson or TreVeyon Henderson becomes reliable, at least this offense will go through the air. Next week against Tennessee could become quite the lopsided affair.

Elic Ayomanor (WR, TEN) - 25% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 2-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-6%
Desperation Bid: 6-8%

The fourth-round rookie had another quiet day (3-27-0) despite Calvin Ridley missing most of the game with a hamstring injury. He had a leg wrap on the bench and after the game, so his chances to play in Week 7 against New England appear low.

While Van Jefferson (4-75-0) stepped up on Sunday, there’s little long-term ceiling there compared to Ayomanor. Same with Tyler Lockett.

Michael Wilson (WR, ARI) - 3% rostered
Zay Jones (WR, ARI) - 0% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 2-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-5%
Desperation Bid: 5-8%

Jacoby Brissett led a valiant effort in a 31-27 loss to Indianapolis, with the headline being seized by Marvin Harrison Jr.’s concussion. He could miss Week 7 against Green Bay, with Kyler Murray’s foot injury possibly also leaving Brissett in for a tough defensive assignment.

Jones had been questionable with a knee injury, but was frequently on the field even before MHJ’s head injury. He stayed on the field while Wilson dealt with a brief injury, which he returned from practically as MHJ exited.

On the whole, Jones put up 5-79-0 on eight looks while Wilson had 4-44-0 on five targets. Greg Dortch caught a short touchdown but remains a non-factor.

Jones could be the preferred add if Brissett remains under center in a tough game, while the script could flip if Murray comes back and shows more chemistry with Wilson. Stay ready, deep-leaguers, because Brissett isn't afraid to sling it:

Jacoby Brissett's Week 6 passing chart:

1. Bam Knight +20
2. Marvin Harrison Jr. +21
3. Zay Jones +21
4. Elijah Higgins +24
5. Zay Jones +24
6. Trey McBride +26
7. Michael Wilson +30

7 Big Play passes (20+), Cardinals had 7 the previous 5 games combined @PHNX_Cardinals pic.twitter.com/Z1hnXsO87a

— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) October 13, 2025

Jordan Whittington (WR, LAR) - 1% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 2-4%
Aggressive Bid: 4-6%
Desperation Bid: 6-8%

Even before Puka Nacua’s foot/ankle injury, Whittington was nearly an every-down player with Tutu Atwell sidelined by a hamstring issue. Then Nacua’s reps went to Xavier Smith and Konata Mumpfield

This all comes down to Nacua’s likely unavailability (or at least being limited) for Week 7 in London. Atwell could be ready to create an annoying platoon at WR2 behind Davante Adams., but a good matchup with Jacksonville’s run-oriented defense makes Whittington a decent dart throw.

Josh Reynolds (WR, NYJ) - 1% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Desperation Bid: 3-4%

Garrett Wilson’s knee injury is set to keep him out for “a couple of weeks,” which takes away one of the few reliable target-earners in a horrendous offense. Among the historically terrible day for Justin Fields in London, Wilson commanded eight of the 15 team targets.

Now Reynolds, who led the team in snaps (49) and routes run (27), could absorb several looks alongside Mason Taylor and Arian Smith. On paper, the potential target share is fantastic, but only the most desperate folks should go panhandling with Gang Green against Carolina.

Tre' Harris (WR, LAC) - 3% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Desperation Bid: 3-4%

Harris effectively stepped in for Quentin Johnston (hamstring), running in two-wide sets alongside Ladd McConkey and leading the WR room in snaps (53) as the “X.” The target share predictably favored McConkey and Keenan Allen, but Harris did catch four balls on five looks for 27 yards. The lack of downfield opportunities underscores how limited the appeal is here.

*If they're still available, I'd rather have a couple of bucks to use on a stash of Jalen Coker or Christian Watson. Also, Luther Burden III just led the Bears' WRs with four catches for 51 yards on Monday night, and DJ Moore was admitted to the hospital overnight with an undisclosed issue. But I've talked about them in earlier columns, so we'll focus on others here.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Tight Ends

Behold, a group of TEs who all enjoy fantasy-relevant value due to injuries around them. As information surfaces between this being published and you finalizing your bids, you can prioritize them according to the Week 7 opportunity.

Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, CLE) - 25% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 7-10%
Aggressive Bid: 10-15%
Desperation Bid: 15-20%

The rookie started 2025 hot, but hadn’t topped 25 yards in three consecutive games coming into Week 6, which left hope dwindling. However, David Njoku’s knee injury narrowed the target tree enough to make Fannin pop on Sunday.

Fannin brought in 7-of-10 targets for a career-best 81 yards, with half of his looks coming in a garbage-time fourth quarter. If Njoku cannot go for a strong Week 7 matchup at home with the Dolphins, then Fannin will surely be in my top-12 for PPR TEs on the week.

Michael Mayer (TE, LV) - 2% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-7%
Desperation Bid: 7-10%

Mayer got his first start of the season after missing time due to a concussion. He was rarely rotated out on passing downs, turning seven targets into a 5-50-1 receiving line in the win.

Michael Mayer and the @Raiders capitalize on the turnover 😤

TENvsLV on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/Zxu8owbGd8

— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2025

It seems likely that Brock Bowers’ knee issue will hold him out of Week 7’s game against Kansas City through the Week 8 bye, meaning Mayer should have significant work in a game where the Raiders are likely playing/throwing from behind. And Bowers’ knee may require more rest beyond the break as well.

Cade Otton (TE, TB) - 2% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 3-5%
Aggressive Bid: 5-7%
Desperation Bid: 7-10%

Otton is typically an afterthought in this offense, but Tampa’s injuries have pushed the TE up in the pecking order. And with Bucky Irving’s unavailability and other woes on the offensive line, Rachaad White’s ground game isn’t pulling them through any games.

Otton’s put up lines of 4-81-0 and 5-51-0 in their last two contests, and crushed it last year between Weeks 7-10 when Evans and Godwin were both out (Jalen McMillan also missed Weeks 9-10). In those four games, Otton saw 39 targets for 30 catches, 293 yards, and three TDs.

Oronde Gadsden (TE, LAC) - 1% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Aggressive Bid: 2-3%
Desperation Bid: 3-5%

Even with Will Dissly back in action, Gadsden was the clear receiving TE, which became more evident in a tight game with no Quentin Johnston (hamstring). Alongside Vidal’s breakout game, Gadsden’s usage rose as a safety valve in the face of myriad offensive line injuries.

Let’s see if the trend continues in Week 7 against the Colts, who had dodged strong receiving TEs throughout the year, but just yielded 8-72-1 to Trey McBride.

Tyler Higbee (TE, LAR) - 1% rostered 

FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Aggressive Bid: 2-3%
Desperation Bid: 3-5%

Much like the Gadsden/Chargers circumstance, Higbee saw more work as Puka Nacua dealt with an ankle injury. Davante Adams couldn’t get going in windy Baltimore, which left Higbee to lead the Rams with 40 receiving yards and a score on four catches.

The 4-2 Rams may play it safe with their superstar WR for Week 7’s game at Jacksonville, with a Week 8 bye on the horizon, which will demand more of Higbee and the rest.

FAAB Waiver Wire Pickups - Defense/Special Teams

New England Patriots Defense (at TEN) - 48% rostered

FAAB Bid: 2-3%
Aggressive Bid: 3-4%
Desperation Bid: 4-5%

The Patriots held New Orleans to 19 points while logging two sacks and a fumble recovery in a third straight win. They’ll now travel to Tennessee and be the next to beat up on the stumbling Titans, who just allowed six sacks and three turnovers to the Raiders.

As noted last week, the Pats will then face the Browns after that. They are a strong multi-week add.

There are a couple of other options around 50% rostered if you can snag them. The Chiefs are 54% rostered and face the Raiders at home, while the Seahawks host the Texans. I’d go NE, KC, and SEA if all are available.

Chicago Bears Defense (vs. NO) - 5% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1-2%
Aggressive Bid: 2-3%
Desperation Bid: 3-4%

It’s not ideal to target a team coming off a short week (Chicago just played on Monday night’s doubleheader), but the Bears now get the Saints. And frankly, they did pretty well for themselves against Washington on MNF, punching three sacks and three turnovers into their ledger. As far as widely available D/ST's go, Chicago is worth an extra buck against the pack.

Cleveland Browns Defense (vs. MIA) - 37% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Desperation Bid: 3%

The Browns remain a risky proposition, as their strong defense is usually limited by the offense’s shortcomings. But they’ll face a spiraling Miami team that just saw Tua Tagovailoa picked off three times in a loss to the Chargers, only to call out “leadership” for the team’s woes in the postgame presser. We aren’t ashamed to pick on low morale. Of course, you can certainly play the other side as well!

Miami Dolphins Defense (at CLE) - 2% rostered

FAAB Bid: 1%
Aggressive Bid: 2%
Desperation Bid: 3%

The Dolphins will have to commit everything to Quinshon Judkins and force Dillon Gabriel to beat them. Cleveland hasn’t scored more than 17 points and has given up multiple sacks in all six contests thus far, surrendering a season-worst six sacks in Week 6 against Pittsburgh.

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