Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds

October 15, 2019

Pierre Camus' fantasy football waiver wire pickups, adds and sleepers ahead of Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season. Running backs (RB), wide receivers (WR), quarterbacks (QB) and tight ends (TE) to target or bid on.

All of a sudden, the Chargers look like one of the worst teams in football and the Jets look like a playoff contender. Maybe things won't shake out that way in the end but it goes to show how quickly things change in the "Not For Long" NFL. For that reason, we advise looking at the waiver wire as a short-term fix rather than a long-term solution. There may not be any league-winners on this list, at least not as far as we know, but that doesn't mean you can't benefit from streaming or stashing some of these players.

Each week, we will advise you which players to consider picking up on waivers that are owned in approximately 35% or fewer of Yahoo leagues so that you can make an educated decision about how to improve your fantasy football team. This list is NOT meant to be exclusive of all add-worthy players. For a more comprehensive list, check out our weekly Waiver Wire Lightning Round by position, ordered by priority. If higher-owned players not listed here are available in your league, feel free to treat them as priority pickups before these players.

As always, keep checking back here for updated waiver recommendations and always keep tabs on our NFL Player News feed. Be sure to also check out our weekly rankings and analysis columns, with in-depth analysis for all options heading into Week 7.

Quarterbacks - Waiver Wire Options

Daniel Jones, New York Giants - 29% owned

We knew he couldn't possibly live up to the expectations set by his amazing debut in Week 3. Not only has he not snifffed 300 passing yards in the four games since, but his yardage total has gone down in every week. His most recent game marks a low point of 161 yards with three interceptions. Granted, it was against the Patriots and their record-setting defense to start the season, but the trend is clear. Jones is hard to trust but he should bounce back against the Cardinals, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks after six weeks of play

Sam Darnold, New York Jets - 15% owned

What a difference a quarterback makes. The winless Jets took it to the Cowboys, claiming their first victory of the year. Darnold was largely responsible, throwing for 338 yards and a pair of scores. The only thing that prevents him from being a must-add for QB streamers is the god-awful matchup he gets in Week 7. The Jets must face off with division foe and bane of their existence, New England, who happens to have the best defense in the known universe. Darnold is still worth stashing because of the delicious second-half schedule the team will enjoy against the likes of the Redskins, Giants, Bengals, and Dolphins (twice).

Joe Flacco, Denver Broncos - 8% owned

It looks like Emmanuel Sanders could be good to go in Week 7, which is great news because they'll need him. The Broncos face off against the Chiefs this Thursday night, so needless to say Joe Cool will be chucking the ball quite a bit. Flacco's passing numbers have been down the last two weeks but that is due to the fact he just hasn't needed to throw much. Denver faced two largely ineffective offenses but that clearly won't be the case this time. By sheer volume alone, Flacco is a high-end QB2 with great appeal as a streamer.

Others to consider: Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders- 20% owned; Teddy Bridgewater, New Orleans Saints (11% owned)

Running Backs - Waiver Wire Options

Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals - 34% owned

Speculation that David Johnson might sit out made Edmonds a priority pickup last week. Even with DJ playing, Edmonds proved to have value anyway. He turned seven touches into 67 total yards and a touchdown, proving he can be an effective weapon in the Air Raid offense. His value still lies mainly as a handcuff because he's not guaranteed consistent touches as long as Johnson is active. You might be tempted to flex him this week with the Giants on the schedule though - they've allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs this season.

Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings - 22% owned

He was already a high-end handcuff but could Mattison now be moving into a timeshare with Dalvin Cook? The numbers from Week 6 could suggest so, as Mattison saw just two fewer rush attempts as Cook (14-16) and came away with more rushing yards (63-41). The short answer is no, this was a case of Cook struggling against the Eagles' tough run defense and Mattison becoming a change-of-pace option that the defense wasn't keying on. That doesn't change the fact that Mattison has looked excellent when given the chance and is averaging 5.25 yards per carry on the year. He should be stashed in all leagues of 12 teams or more.

Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers - 13% owned

Many Aaron Jones truthers believe that Williams is no threat to his workload but what took place on Monday Night Football may raise some eyebrows. In his return from injury, Williams outrushed Jones 104-47 and took more touches on the night. He was also the one scoring a touchdown while Jones had ball security issues, fumbling once and dropping an easy touchdown with no defenders around him. This will continue to be a timeshare as long as both are healthy but Williams proved he does have standalone value and should be owned nearly everywhere.

Ryquell Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguars - 1% owned

Who's giving up the most points to running backs this year? The Bengals of course. Armstead is invisible most weeks but figures to be a sneaky flex play based on matchup. Cincinnati has allowed a QB to run for 152 yards (Lamar Jackson), a converted tight end go for 83 scrimmage yards and TD (Jaylen Samuels), and a third-string RB go for 151 scrimmage yards and a TD (Raheem Mostert). Armstead may not need to see the field much in order to generate points.

Others to consider: Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams (29% owned); Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys (23% owned); Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons (14% owned); Nyheim Hines Indianapolis Colts (16% owned); Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles (0% owned)

Wide Receivers - Waiver Wire Options

Auden Tate, Cincinnati Bengals - 23% owned

Even if he isn't traded, as Zac Taylor insists, A.J. Green's return is not imminent. Auden Tate has cemented a starting job and may even be competing with Tyler Boyd as the WR1 in Cincy. Tate saw 12 targets in Week 6 and has a total of 34 in the past four games, compared to 38 for Boyd in that span. He had a team-high 91 yards and has turned into a solid WR3 for fantasy purposes. He's a solid add everywhere and can be started against the Jags unless Jalen Ramsey miraculously heals his ego back and returns for this matchup.

Dante Pettis, San Francisco 49ers - 17% owned

Slowly but surely, Pettis is working his way back into the forefront of San Fran's offense. His six targets were just behind George Kittle's eight for the team lead in Week 6. He nearly had a touchdown against the Rams but couldn't keep both feet in bounds. Ultimately, his value will fluctuate on a weekly basis but his upside is strong enough to make him a streaming option at WR4 or Flex spots.

Cole Beasley, Buffalo Bills - 15% owned

Beasley has been a high-floor PPR option all season. This week, he's a high-ceiling play too. The Dolphins roll their tank into Buffalo with their terrible pass defense that should make Beasley a safe WR3 at the very least.

Adam Humphries, Tennessee Titans - 5% owned

This is more of a gut call than anything, seeing as how the Titans made a switch at quarterback mid-game and still came away with zero points on the scoreboard in Denver. We don't know who will start Week 7 when the Titans take on the Chargers at home but logic dictates that Tannehill would get a shot based on his efficiency in relief (13-of-16 passing). If so, Tannehill's tendency to favor interior receivers, mostly due to his inability to hit the deep pass, should make Humphries a high-priority target. For what it's worth, he led the team with six catches for 47 yards in their recent loss and saw five targets in the fourth quarter alone with Tannehill behind center.

Demaryius Thomas, New York Jets - 4% owned

You want to add Robby Anderson and Jamison Crowder pronto, but they're probably already owned in your league. The buy-low window on both slammed shut as the Jets offense finally looked like an NFL-caliber unit with the return of Sam Darnold. DT was involved too, catching four of his five targets for 62 yards. Like all other Jets, he can't be trusted in Week 7 against the Patriots' stifling pass defense. He may be worth a stash in deeper leagues though.

Zay Jones, Oakland Raiders - 4% owned

The leader in targets for Oakland is TE Darren Waller with 43. Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow follow with 23 apiece and rookie TE Foster Moreau checks in next with 11. It's clear that Derek Carr is more comfortable keeping the ball in the middle of the field to his tight ends and slot receiver, even if they are rookies. Jones, recently acquired via trade from Buffalo, may give Carr a viable option on the outside or take over the slot role. If the latter should occur, he immediately has value in PPR leagues. He's simply someone to watch for the moment unless you are in a 14+ team league with roster space to spare.

Duke Williams, Buffalo Bills - 1% owned

With Jones out of Buffalo and last year's late-year sleeper, Robert Foster, getting zero run in this offense, Williams suddenly becomes the WR3 after being recalled from the practice squad. The former CFL star scored to go with his four receptions the week before their bye and could get plenty of opportunities in Miami this coming week. He is a sleeper to target this week if you want to add some depth at WR but don't want to pony up any FAAB.

Tavon Austin / Cedrick Wilson, Dallas Cowboys - 0% owned

Amari Cooper burned a lot of fantasy teams by leaving the contest with New York early due to a quad injury. Randall Cobb was already ruled out with hip and back issues, so it was up to Tavon Austin and Cedrick Wilson to make their first real positive contributions this season. Each receiver caught five passes, with the vet Austin gaining 64 yards and rookie Wilson gaining 46. If Cooper and Cobb both miss Week 7, it could be a smash spot for each of these receivers against the Eagles' terrible secondary. Monitor injury updates in Dallas to see if either is worth grabbing as a free agent late in the week, but don't pony up any FAAB for a one-week flier - Dallas has a bye in Week 8 and the starting wideouts should be back by then.

Others to consider: Geronimo Allison, Green Bay Packers (30% owned); Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (23% owned); A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans (19% owned); Albert Wilson, Miami Dolphins (2% owned)

Tight Ends - Waiver Wire Options

Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills - 8% owned

The argument in favor of adding Knox could begin and end with the fact Buffalo faces Miami this coming week. That aside, Knox has been developing a rapport with Josh Allen and is the most appealing TE pickup of the week. It's hard to believe, but if you remove injured players who are no longer fantasy-relevant, Knox is in the top 20 for TE targets this year. He may never be more than a streaming option but he figures to be a strong one this particular week.

Darren Fells, Houston Texans - 1% owned

Neither Jordan Akins nor Darren Fells has been reliable enough to start in fantasy leagues despite their TD upside. Fells might be separating himself a bit as Watson's preferred target though. He didn't score in Week 6 but he did catch six passes for 69 yards on seven targets. You could still pick either one of these players and have a decent chance for a score seeing as how their Week 7 opponent, Indianapolis, allow the third-most points to the tight end. Right now, Fells has a slight edge based on recent production.

Luke Willson, Seattle Seahawks - 0% owned

Let's take a moment of silence to mourn Will Dissly's once-promising 2019 season as it comes to an end.... The Seahawks traded Nick Vannett just a week ago to Pittsburgh so Willson is the last TE standing in Seattle. He won't be the second coming of Dissly, as six mostly inconspicuous seasons have proven, but he does now have a chance to get some red-zone looks, if nothing else.

Others to consider: Noah Fant, Denver Broncos (13% owned); Jeremy Sprinkle, Washington Redskins (1% owned)

Team Defense - Waiver Wire Options

Disclaimer: normally this article keeps the ownership threshold around roughly one-third of fantasy leagues or less but there are simply no DST options I feel remotely confident recommending under 50% this week. Even these streamers aren't strong options so hopefully you've already got a top-12 option at DST on your roster.

Seattle Seahawks Defense - 53% owned

The defense struggled early in Cleveland but recovered to make Baker Mayfield look like, well Baker Mayfield. They picked him off three times and recovered a fumble too on the way to a 5-1 record. Having a team that doesn't usually play from behind and prioritizes the running game tends to help a defense out. They face a similar foe in Week 7 as the Ravens come to town. It's not an ideal matchup but Lamar Jackson had thrown five INT in the previous two games before getting a reprieve against Cincinnati. There is some potential here, especially with the 12th man as a factor.

Green Bay Packers Defense - 52% owned

We've yet to see how this unit rebounds from the past two weeks in which they've allowed 58 points. We might see something closer to their early-season performance when they didn't allow an opponent above 16 points for three straight weeks; the Raiders may have pulled off consecutive upsets before their bye week but they are far from an offensive juggernaut. Oakland ranks 18th in points scored and has to go on the road to Lambeau for this one. Bet on a bounce back effort from the Packers and prioritize them in formats where points against matter.

Tennessee Titans Defense - 51% owned

The offense is officially a mess but the defense remains solid. Don't blame this DST for the Titans' 2-4 record, as they still haven't allowed more than 20 points to an opponent this year. The Chargers are suddenly struggling to do anything despite getting Melvin Gordon back and Philip Rivers can be prone to multiple turnovers and/or sacks at times. Regardless of who plays QB for Tennessee, expect them to slow the game down, keep the ball on the ground as much as possible, and try to win with their defense.

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Advice