October 20, 2015

Ed Gorelik analyzes Week 7 sleepers available on your 2015 fantasy football waiver wire. These NFL running backs (RBs), wide receivers (WRs), tight ends (TEs) and quarterbacks (QBs) are fantasy football sleepers.

Waiver Wire Adds for Week Seven

The sixth Sunday of the season is through, and the wackiness continues. Carolina did what few have been able to do in recent years and completed a comeback win against the Seahawks in their own stadium, while the Chargers fell just short of stopping the Packers win streak. And there's still another big matchup on tonight's Monday Night slate.

Week 5 saw the Marshawn Lynch and Alshon Jeffery finally come back to action, the surprising flip in usage from Eddie Lacy and James Starks, and the hottest waiver wire pickup from last week, Charcandrick West, crash and burn in his first start.

Below are some waiver wire pickups and sleepers for Week 7 who can have a potential impact for your teams. My piece won't cover all waiver wire adds and targets each week, as there are just too many with all the league types out there, but I'll be highlighting and prioritize the biggest impact players. Additionally, be sure to check out many more great RotoBaller articles and waiver wire analysis pieces at each position throughout the week, including risers/fallers, deeper league sleepers, rankings and more.

Week 7 Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups

Brian Hoyer (QB, HOU)

13% Owned on Fleaflicker

I had Brian Hoyer listed here last week, along with his Week 7 opponent Blake Bortles, and both players finished amongst the top 10 scorers in standard QB scoring. Hoyer's going to be up here for another week as he's facing the Dolphins next. DVOA has yet to be updated, but the Dolphins thus far have been the 31st ranked passing defense in the NFL and the 30th defense overall, including a horrendous average of 100 yards and 8 catches per game allowed to opposing WR1s. That bodes very well for Hoyer's main target, DeAndre Hopkins, and a great matchup for Hopkins means a good matchup for Hoyer. Hoyer once again sits amongst the top waiver options for a QB stream.

Landry Jones (QB, PIT)

0% Owned on Fleaflicker

Landry Jones viability as a waiver pickup obviously lies in whether or not Ben Roethlisberger is ready to return this week. If not, here's all that needs to be said about Jones: he plays on an offense that has Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, and Martavis Bryant. In just a two quarters of play, Landry Jones managed eight completions on 12 attempts for 168 yards and two touchdowns. He'll be facing the Chiefs this week who offer no shortage of pass rush, but have some of the worst coverage against WRs in the league. Against a group as talented as the Steelers' receivers, there's a good chance the coverage continues to look bad. Landry Jones is worth giving some thought in a 2QB or deep, deep league as a high upside, incredibly low floor option.

Other Quarterback Options: 

• SF QB Colin Kaepernick - 47% owned - Playing better than expected, there's a chance Kaepernick can continue his luck against a familiar foe that's been getting beat up.
• JAX QB Blake Bortles - 51% owned - He's playing against the Bills in London, so this is a big but manageable risk as Bortles has had some impressive outings the last two weeks.
• CLE QB Josh McCown - 26% Owned - No one's surprised that McCown failed against the Broncos, but he's facing a somewhat easier Rams team this week.
• TB QB Jameis Winston - 30% owned - An easy matchup against an injured Redskins team. However, it's on the road and Winston has already been very volatile.

Week 7 Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups

James Starks (GB, RB)

20% Owned on Fleaflicker

Even without this big game from Starks, only 20% ownership is insanely low for the handcuff of a RB that plays on one of the best offenses in the NFL. He's literally one injury away from being an RB1. Except in the case of Week 6, where he didn't even need an injury and managed to put up 117 yards and two touchdowns. Simply put, James Starks needs to be owned. Whether Lacy's nursing an injury, or his near game-costing-fumble causes the Packers to re-evaluate their options and carry splits, Starks has value. Worst case scenario, leave him on your bench in case the situation improves for him.

Branden Oliver (SD, RB)

8% Owned on Fleaflicker

Melvin Gordon has had a rough start to his career. Suffering from indecisiveness and fumbles, he's going to take his time coming into his own in the NFL. However, as surprising as it was that the Chargers moved up to pick him to begin with considering other pressing issues, what made it even more surprising is that they were giving up on Branden Oliver who had shown to be capable in his starts. Although Oliver is far from the physical talent that Gordon brings to the table, he's a three-down capable RB and plays with a lot of effort. It doesn't make him an outstanding back, but it gives him the opportunity for some outstanding production. With Gordon potentially seeing the bench this upcoming week, Oliver's in line to see some real carries against the Raiders. Oliver has season-long upside if he can manage to have a good game this week and keep Gordon as the third option in this backfield, making him the perfect pickup for a team looking to stash a player.

Christine Michael (DAL, RB) - 34% Owned on Fleaflicker

Over the bye week, the Dallas Cowboys gave Christine Michael a look with the first team offense and all signs are pointing to something positive. They reportedly haven't been happy with Randle's output as the starter and want to see if the uber-athlete can do something special behind this line. With Romo still sidelined, they kinda need a spark like Michael to bring them back to NFC East relevance. So, that makes Christine Michael a must own pickup this week. He's expected to get a real shot during game-time - and behind the Cowboys incredible offensive line, there's a chance for him to play well just because he might be asked to think less. Michael should be owned in all leagues.

Other Running Back Options: 

• DEN RB Ronnie Hillman - 67% owned - He's owned in most leagues but if he's not owned in yours, pick him up. He's coming off two games in a row of outplaying C.J. Anderson.
• STL RB Zac Stacy - 9% owned - Bilal Powell is injured on a team that heavily relies on it's running backs. Stacy's already been playing decently, and might gain some steam as the second punch in this backfield.
• DET RB Theo Riddick - 25% owned - In PPR Leagues Riddick has yet to have a game under 8 points. He gets plenty of use up and down the field and is the featured back in 2 minute drills.
• JAX RB Denard Robinson - 33% owned - T.J. Yeldon may still miss more time but Robinson should carve out a role as the second half of this rushing attack. At least that's what they had planned for him before his injury.
• WAS RB Chris Thompson - 13% owned - He's carved out a niche as the passing back in the Redskins offense although it's questionable how much work he'll get with Matt Jones return.
• IND RB Ahmad Bradshaw - 16% owned - Only a few snaps in his first game back as a Colt, he might be able to re-gain the role he had last year since Gore isn't exactly young enough to handle a constant full-time role.
• TEN RB David Cobb - 34% owned - There's still a chance that when he returns from injury he'll gain the starter role in this offense. That's still two weeks away though.

Week 7 Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Pickups

Stefon Diggs (MIN, WR)

8% Owned on Fleaflicker

In two games starting for the Charles Johnson-less Vikings, Stefon Diggs has amassed 13 receptions for 216 yards. Those numbers might not be exciting, but the consistent usage and high yardage is promising. Diggs might not have the talent on his own to be a WR1 for the Vikings but sometimes fate forces it's hand - and with neither Charles Johnson or Mike Wallace being able to step up into the role, Diggs has introduced himself and left an impression. He's already had a knack for making tough catches and gaining separation, and it's possible with more time to build a rapport with Teddy Bridgewater that he might build even more on his strong start. Either way, Diggs is looking like he has a chance to be the 2015 version of 2013 Keenan Allen, so I'm putting him down as a must own in all sized fantasy leagues. Bridgewater is too good of a quarterback to be unable to create a high-end WR2, and Diggs is quickly becoming his most reliable target.

Jeff Janis (GB, WR)

4% Owned on Fleaflicker

Ty Montgomery suffered an injury in the middle of his matchup and had to be carted off the field. That doesn't bode well for his chances to suit up the next time the Packers play in Week 8, making his replacement very valuable. At least potentially. It doesn't take much to perform in the Packers offense, just a few targets a game can make you an every week starter - so when a new player joins the Packers offense they shouldn't be ignored. In relief of Montgomery, Jeff Janis posted two catches for 79 yards. Not bad. In the next two weeks Janis may be practicing with the first team, giving the highly touted receiver (at least in some draft circles) a chance to develop chemistry with Rodgers. He has an opportunity to earn some real value in an offense that's currently relying nearly entirely on James Jones, ever since Randall Cobb suffered a shoulder injury that's kept his production low. Janis should be owned on teams that lack an upside receiver on their bench.

Other Wide Receiver Options: 

• CIN WR Marvin Jones - 47% owned - I can't believe we live in a world where Marvin Jones is owned this little. The 2013 breakout is breaking out again and must be had.
• KC WR Albert Wilson - 2% owned - Maclin's injury might keep him sidelined for a week or two. Wilson's got some YAC talent but will be limited by Alex Smith.
• SD WR Dontrelle Inman - 2% owned - Keenan Allen's injury opens a door for Inman to step through if he can't play or is limited next week.
• SD WR Malcom Floyd - 13% owned - The same can be said for Floyd.
• MIA WR Rishard Matthews - 52% owned - Surprisingly only owned in half of all the leagues, Matthews has carved out a consistent role as one of the main pass targets in this offense.
• JAX WR Bryan Walters - 0% owned - Walters has seen significant action in two straight weeks and Allen Robinson may be injured. He's showing a lot of PPR value as well.
• TEN WR Dorial Green-Beckham - 30% owned - He'll be here every week until the near end of the season. The upside is too worthwhile to let him sit on the waivers.
• NO WR Willie Snead - 48% owned - This number needs to be at 80% minimum. Snead has been Brees most efficient target and has been the best receiver on the field every week.
• BAL WR Kamar Aiken - 21% owned - A limited player, Aiken only really draws interest in deep leagues.
• NE WR Brandon Lafell - 43% owned - Lafell will be returning soon to the Patriots but it's hard to know what his usage will be like when he does.

Week 7 Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups

Benjamin Watson (NO, TE)

10% Owned on Fleaflicker

Honestly, there aren't good tight end options appearing on the waiver this week. However, for people looking at tight ends, your current options probably aren't very good either. Watson is coming off one of his best games as a pro and has two straight games with a touchdown. If you're looking for a punt at tight end, this is a week to try out Watson with the momentum he's got going. The Colts haven't been particularly strong against the tight end position either.

Jordan Reed (WAS, TE)

44% Owned on Fleaflicker

Reed's still two weeks away from returning (supposedly) but he presents the highest upside on the waivers. If he's available in your league and your desperate for a tight end to start, stashing him now might be your best option since this isn't a position with a lot of new breakouts every year.

Other Tight End Options: 

• SD TE Lardarius Green - 39% owned - Losing snaps and value to Antonio Gates was expected, but he still managed to match his fantasy output in standard scoring. With Allen's injury, maybe Green is the one who sees more time on the field. Everyone knows he deserves it.
• MIA TE Dion Sims - 0% owned - He's seen draftnik hype for some time and managed to outscore Jordan Cameron, who's been inefficient since joining the Dolphins. He's a leap of faith.
• DET TE Timothy Wright - 3% owned - It wasn't long ago that Wright was fantasy relevant. He's also one of the few actual starting tight ends still left on a majority of waivers.

Week 7 Defense (D/ST) Waiver Wire Pickups

Washington Redskins - 7% Owned on Fleaflicker

The Redskins will face the Buccaneers at home in a game that promises to have two turnover prone quarterbacks turning the ball over and over again. I wish I was a stronger writer that could make reading that sentence as tumultuous and bumpy as this game will probably be, because it will likely be an ugly game to watch. Still, the Redskins have the better defense of the two teams and with Winston's inexperience, he's got a higher chance for turnovers than Cousins.

Other Defense (D/ST) Options:

• Pittsburgh Steelers - 29% owned - The Chiefs will be without Jamaal Charles and possibly Jeremy Maclin. I have no idea what they plan to do on offense and I doubt they know either.

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]