FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 7 WAIVER WIRE: START, STASH, AND STREAM
We thought things couldn’t get worse after losing Justin Jefferson last week, but now we could be without Christian McCaffrey and David Montgomery for a period of time. We truly can’t have nice things in fantasy football anymore.
But, as usual, we will pick ourselves up off the mat, dust ourselves off, and move forward with an early look at the fantasy Week 7 waiver wire.
EARLY FANTASY WEEK 7 WAIVER WIRE
JORDAN MASON, RB SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5% ROSTERED)
ELIJAH MITCHELL, RB SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (28%)
The never-ending injury nightmare continued on Sunday when Christian McCaffrey left the game with an oblique injury after scoring his 15th consecutive touchdown. McCaffrey still played 36 of 61 snaps, but it appears Jordan Mason, not Elijah Mitchell, is the more polished and efficient runner at the moment and is now this week’s top Week 7 waiver wire target.
It’s an intriguing backfield with CMC out of the lineup, as Mitchell is returning from a knee injury and played the RB2 role until McCaffrey exited with injury. After the injury, Mason played 15 snaps to Mitchell’s two and scored a touchdown. Mason has looked good over the last three weeks and looks like the priority over Mitchell at the moment. But, Shanahanigans.
KAREEM HUNT, RB CLEVELAND BROWNS (36%)
Kareem Hunt turned back the clock on Sunday, carrying 12 times for 47 yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions for 24 yards. He still worked behind Jerome Ford (38 snaps to 28 snaps), but made the most of his time on the field. Although Ford had a terrific fourth quarter (52 yards on five carries), Hunt will be a factor in Kevin Stefanski’s offense moving forward. It shouldn’t surprise fantasy owners if Hunt eventually takes over the early down and short-yardage role.
CRAIG REYNOLDS, RB DETROIT LIONS (1%)
Another top running back got injured on Sunday when David Montgomery exited the game with a rib injury and did not return. According to Lions beat writer David Birkett, Montgomery is set to “miss some time,” meaning Craig Reynolds will take over the early-down and maybe even the workhorse duties if Jahmyr Gibbs continues to be sidelined.
In Montgomery’s absence, Reynolds out-snapped Devine Ozigbo 43 to six and is a top streamer for at least Week 7 and potentially beyond. Even if/when Gibbs returns, Reynolds will be a high-volume rusher with goal-line duties as long as Montgomery is out of the lineup.
JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA, WR SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (48%)
JSN did not break out this week, but he did catch four of five targets for a career-high 48 yards in Week 6 against the Bengals. On the bright side, Smith-Njigba also set career highs in snaps (52) and routes run (39), while the team played more 11 personnel (3 WR sets). It was also nice to see Geno Smith targeting the rookie past the line of scrimmage, as highlighted by his 18-yard reception. JSN is a high-upside stash who could absolutely ball out if DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett misses time.
MICHAEL MAYER, TE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (5%)
The rookie class’ most complete tight end finally had his coming out party on Sunday, notching career highs in receptions (5), targets (6), and receiving yards (75) against the Patriots. Michael Mayer was considered the most well-rounded tight end in a class that featured Sam LaPorta, Dalton Kincaid, and Luke Musgrave.
Although he’s had a slow start to his career, the upside is massive. Plus, he has very favorable matchups coming up with the Bears, Lions, Giants, Jets, and Dolphins — four of which are top 10 defenses to stream tight ends against.
WE’LL TOUCH ON THESE LATER: RB Keontay Ingram (10%), WR Rashid Shaheed (30%), WR Michael Wilson (23%), WR Josh Downs (32%), TE Trey McBride, TE Jonnu Smith (19%), QB Gardner Minshew (8%)
