As we head into Week 7 of the fantasy football season, injuries continue to pile up, leaving managers scrambling to patch up rosters and find replacements. While the Week 7 waiver wire might not overflow with flashy, must-add names, there are still a few gems out there to help you navigate the chaos.
Whether you’re dealing with the fallout from another injury or just looking for solid streamers to give you an instant edge, this week’s waiver wire offers some solid options to keep your fantasy team competitive. Don’t overlook the potential value hiding in plain sight.
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 7 WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS
TAKE A FLIER
10. Drake Maye (6% on Yahoo, 14% on Sleeper)
Drake Maye showed promise in his NFL debut, scoring over 20 fantasy points (QB10) despite facing a tough Houston defense that sacked him four times and forced four turnovers. However, Maye bounced back impressively, throwing three touchdown passes and rushing for 38 yards.
With a favorable Week 7 matchup against an abysmal Jags defense, Maye is a strong streamer candidate and could be a valuable fantasy option moving forward, especially given the team’s favorable upcoming schedule. His dual-threat ability and elite arm talent make him a potential fantasy sleeper, especially in plus-matchups.
That said, fantasy managers should approach with some caution. Now that opponents have their first bit of film on Maye, there could be some growing pains as he adjusts to more complex defensive schemes. While he has the upside to thrive in plus matchups, there’s always the risk of inconsistency as a rookie quarterback. Still, his ability to make plays with both his arm and legs gives him sneaky upside as the team will likely be playing from behind for much of the season.
STREAMERS AND STASHES
9. Isaac Guerendo, RB San Francisco 49ers (4%, 5%)
A left shoulder injury halted Jordan Mason’s Week 6 in the second quarter. Although he briefly returned for one carry in the second half, he was forced to exit the game again, leaving rookie RB Isaac Guerendo as the primary ball carrier.
Guerendo shared snaps with Patrick Taylor (17 to 16), while Deebo Samuel and Kyle Juszczyk also had touches out of the backfield. Initially, Guerendo handled most of the rushing duties, but he struggled to maintain efficiency, which led Kyle Shanahan to give Taylor more opportunities. However, Guerendo ultimately sealed the game with a highlight-reel 76-yard run, strategically sliding at the five-yard line.
If Mason is sidelined, Guerendo is expected to step up as the 49ers’ lead back, though he will likely share carries with Taylor, Samuel, and Juszczyk. With Christian McCaffrey’s future status uncertain, Mason dealing with injury, and Shanahan’s scheme, Guerendo becomes a valuable Week 7 streamer and handcuff moving forward.
8. Ty Chandler, RB Minnesota Vikings (28%, 35%)
With Aaron Jones sidelined due to a hip injury in Week 5, Ty Chandler stepped in as the team’s RB1 for the remainder of the game. While C.J. Ham continued to handle some third-down duties, and Myles Gaskin saw limited snaps, Chandler took the lead role.
Chandler should be a top waiver target, especially if Jones’ injury lingers. The Vikings had their bye in Week 6, giving Jones extra time to recover, but if he remains sidelined, Chandler could see significant opportunities in the coming weeks, making him a valuable streamer and future handcuff.
7. Kimani Vidal, RB LA Chargers (11%, 16%)
If you are a loyal RSJ reader, Kimani Vidal is stashed already. If not, he’s still available in over 85% of leagues.
With Gus Edwards (ankle) on IR for at least four weeks, the Chargers’ backfield behind starter J.K. Dobbins has opened up, making rookie Kimani Vidal an intriguing fantasy stash. Dobbins has been highly effective, but with the depth chart thinned, Vidal could see meaningful opportunities to contribute.
In Week 6, JK Dobbins dominated the workload with 25 rush attempts, accounting for 80.6% of the team’s running back rushes. He also ran 18 routes compared to Vidal’s ten and played three times as many snaps. However, Vidal made an incredible play on his first NFL touch, taking a Justin Herbert 38-yard dime to the end zone.
While Dobbins remains the clear lead back, Vidal’s involvement in the offense could grow, making him a stash-worthy option in deeper leagues, especially if Dobbins’ heavy usage and injury history become a concern down the stretch.
6. Ray Davis, RB Buffalo Bills (13%, 19%)
Ray Davis stepped up for Buffalo’s offense in Week 6, filling in for James Cook, who was a late scratch due to a toe injury. Cook had been limited in practice throughout the week and ultimately did not suit up despite being listed as questionable. While Ty Johnson got the start, Davis quickly took over Cook’s usual workload, with Johnson primarily handling third-down duties.
Davis made an impact with 20 carries for 97 yards and added three receptions for 55 yards, including a 42-yard grab. He came close to scoring twice on the same drive, reaching the one-yard line before Josh Allen vultured the rookie. With Cook potentially missing more time, Davis is a valuable waiver wire pickup, and even when Cook returns, Davis could maintain a more significant role moving forward.
5. Tyler Allgeier, RB Atlanta Falcons (30%, 40%)
Another week and another solid game for Tyler Allgeier. He’s not the flashiest back, but he gains positive yardage and has some standalone value alongside and behind Bijan Robinson. In Week 6, he racked up 105 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, boosting his carry percentage up to nearly 40% on the season. Arthur Smith is no longer in town, but Tyler Allgeier is still making a fantasy impact, which further annoys Bijan managers.
FLEX CANDIDATES
4. DeMario Douglas, WR New England Patriots (7%, 14%)
DeMario Douglas has emerged as the clear WR1 in the Patriots’ offense, showing consistent rapport with Drake Maye despite Kayshon Boutte leading the team in routes run in Week 6. Douglas led the team with a 29% target share, marking his third game in the last four with a target share above that number. Over his past four games, he’s seen target shares of 37.5%, 9.4%, 30.0%, and 29.0%, indicating his growing role as a go-to receiver.
In Week 6, Douglas found the end zone for the first time, adding to an already productive outing with nine targets, six receptions, and 92 receiving yards. His consistent performance and ability to get open make him a strong fantasy option moving forward as the top receiver in the Patriots’ passing attack with Maye at the helm.
3. Romeo Doubs, WR Green Bay Packers (35%, 51%)
After pouting like a child for a week, Romeo Doubs bounced back with a 12.5% target share, 49 receiving yards, and two touchdowns, reestablishing himself in Green Bay’s offense. While the Packers’ wide receiver group can be unpredictable from week to week, Doubs’ ability to find the end zone makes him an intriguing Flex option. With Jordan Love playing at a high level, this group of receivers have plenty of upside, even in a sometimes volatile distribution of targets.
2. Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB NY Giants (45%, 56%)
Tyrone Tracy Jr. received a significant opportunity over the past two weeks and made the most of it, while Devin Singletary (groin) was sidelined. We knew the former wideout could do it through the air, but what he’s done on the ground is impressive for a player who’s relatively new at the running back position.
In Week 6, he had 50 yards and a score on 17 carries and an 84% snap share. As a pass-catcher, he secured six of six targets for 57 yards, showing he’s a valuable three-down asset even when Singletary returns, which could be next week; Tracy should be in line for a sturdy role, making him a rest-of-season Flex option.
WHAT YEAR IS IT?
1. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR Kansas City Chiefs ( 33%)
With no clear “blow the FAAB” waiver wire option this week, the ‘No. 1 spot’ belongs to new Chiefs WR1, JuJu Smith-Schuster. JuJu, who is coming off a seven-reception, 130-yard MNF explosion as Patrick Mahomes’ No. 1 target, is still available in nearly 70% of leagues.
Smith-Schuster saw a 20.5% target share and should get a significant boost in route share (59%), with Rashee Rice on IR and Xavier Worthy operating as a gadget player. As weird as it may seem, Travis Kelce is the only other true pass-catcher on the team who will command a significant target share, making the old veteran (he’s still only 27!!!) the leader in the clubhouse among his receiver room.
If you’re hurting for receiver depth, Smith-Schuster is a viable WR2/WR3 option with some real upside moving forward.
Others to consider: QB Tua Tagovailoa , QB Daniel Jones, RB Jaylen Warren, RB Ty Chandler, RB Audric Estime, RB Tyler Goodson, RB Blake Corum, RB Sean Tucker, RB Braelon Allen, RB Trey Benson, WR Christian Watson, WR Xavier Legette, WR Allen Lazard, WR Rashod Bateman, WR Jordan Whittington, WR Jalen Tolbert, WR Darius Slayton, TE Zach Ertz, TE Cade Otton