At this point in the season, we’ve seen enough football to determine which players have solidified roles in their respective offenses. Whether injuries have occurred or unexpected players have stepped up, we must react and make adjustments each and every week.
I’ll help you decide which fantasy football waiver wire pickups you should be making that could benefit your fantasy teams now, later in the season, or just for the upcoming Week 7.
Note: Free-Agent Acquisition Budget dollar bid prices for Week 7 based on a season-long budget of $100. Adjust your percentage and scale accordingly for your league’s unique FAAB allotment and your remaining FAAB dollars.
(Roster % is based on Yahoo! Fantasy leagues information.)
2021 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 7: Top Pickups
Carson Wentz, QB, Indianapolis Colts (35% rostered)
Carson Wentz can no longer be laughed off as a fantasy football option, as he has now passed for at least 223 passing yards and two touchdowns in each of his last three games.
Wentz is getting comfortable with the offensive options on his new team and now has T.Y. Hilton back as well. Hilton returned from the IR to catch all four of his targets for 80 yards in Week 6 against the Houston Texans and will provide a true deep threat for Wentz going forward. T.Y. Hilton (39% rostered) is a wide receiver you should be throwing at least $15 toward to acquire this week.
Wentz was already becoming relevant in fantasy leagues before Hilton returned. Now that he has a talented veteran wideout to throw to, Wentz should be a viable fantasy option the rest of the way.
- Carson Wentz Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: $16
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Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Cleveland Browns (1% rostered)
This is what makes fantasy football amazing: A player you wouldn’t ever bring up as a casual fan is a top waiver wire pickup in Week 7.
With Odell Beckham Jr. back in the Cleveland Browns’ lineup, you’d expect him to command the majority of target share and production. Fortunately for fantasy gamers who need help at wide receiver, Donovan Peoples-Jones has stepped up as well.
Peoples-Jones has enjoyed back-to-back productive games in Weeks 5 and 6, hauling in 9 of his 11 targets for 171 receiving yards and two touchdowns. With Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt both banged up, the Browns will continue to rely on their passing game to move the ball downfield, keeping Peoples-Jones fantasy-relevant.
- Donovan Peoples-Jones Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: $12
NEW — J.D. McKissic, RB, Washington Football Team (42% rostered)
Antonio Gibson is dealing with a shin injury and found himself on the sidelines more than he wanted in Week 6. This injury could carry over into the following weeks, opening up more touches and opportunities for J.D. McKissic.
McKissic was impressive with his touches against the Chiefs. He finished the game with 8 carries for 45 yards and caught 8 of his 10 targets for 65 yards. The receiving game is where McKissic shines.
Looking ahead at the Washington Football Team’s schedule, they can easily find themselves in plenty of negative game scripts. This would obviously benefit J.D. McKissic, especially if Gibson gets limited action in the weeks to come.
- J.D. McKissic Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: $10
Quez Watkins, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (2% rostered)
Quez Watkins hasn’t lit up the scoreboard for the Philadelphia Eagles, but he has been a sneaky asset for their offense all year with at least three receptions in four of six games this season. He’s shown big-play ability and has been a reliable pass-catcher, securing 16 of his 22 targets on the season.
Watkins hasn’t displayed enough production to draw much attention on the waiver wire, but he’s proving to be one of Jalen Hurts‘ most trusted wideouts. Now is the time to grab Watkins and hold until his targets and fantasy football production inevitably increase.
- Quez Watkins Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: $4
O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1% rostered)
O.J. Howard was expected to be more of a blocking tight end while Rob Gronkowski (ribs) is sidelined. That hasn’t been the case, however, as Howard has more targets (10), receptions (8), receiving yards (68), and touchdowns (1) than teammate Cameron Brate (5-4-38-0) over the past two weeks.
I considered listing Howard as a “stash,” but given his involvement while Gronk has been out, he is someone you need to roster now. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are winning football games and will not rush Gronkowski back so long as they continue to get production from the tight end position.
Tom Brady loves throwing to his tight ends, and right now Howard is his preferred option at the position.
- O.J. Howard Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: $2
2021 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 7: Best Players To Stash
NEW – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Las Vegas Raiders (53% rostered)
Henry Ruggs hasn’t wowed from a fantasy perspective on a consistent basis, but he has been consistent. He has 3 or more receptions and over 50 receiving yards in each of his last 5 games. The Raiders have won both games in which Ruggs scores a touchdown (Week 2 and 6).
Derek Carr has targeted Hunter Renfrow the most among Las Vegas wideouts, but he gets more production with fewer targets from Henry Ruggs. It’s only a matter of time before the target share tips in Ruggs’ favor as the season progresses.
- Henry Ruggs III Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: $8
NEW – K.J. Osborn, WR, Minnesota Vikings (8% rostered)
If you miss on Henry Ruggs, you can target K.J. Osborn on waivers. Osborn has 3 or more receptions in 5 of 6 games this season. He’s been underwhelming for half of his games, but is more involved in the game plan with Kirk Cousins is forced to throw a ton.
The Minnesota Vikings have a bunch of high-scoring offenses coming up after their Week 7 bye. These games will present increased opportunities for Osborn. He is a great depth piece to have on your roster to fill in for bye weeks or other injured wide receivers.
- K.J. Osborn Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: $5
2021 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 7: One-Week Streamer Plays
NEW – New Orleans Saints Defense D/ST (40% rostered)
The Saints’ defense has been very good for fantasy purposes this season. I’m surprised to see them rostered in under half of leagues.
They are coming off refreshed from their bye week and get a favorable matchup in Week 7. The Seattle Seahawks are without Russell Wilson and Chris Carson. Alex Collins is now dealing with a hip injury and may not be 100% even if he plays.
Geno Smith hasn’t done anything in Wilson’s absence to cause hesitation here. The Saints’ defense is a safe play with major upside for Week 7.
- New Orleans Saints Defense D/ST Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: $5
NEW – New York Giants Defense D/ST (2% rostered)
Typically, I would stay away from a defense against the Carolina Panthers, but they have given up the 9th-most fantasy points to defenses this season.
The Panthers will be without Christian McCaffrey, and Sam Darnold hasn’t been playing his best football lately. In his last 3 games, Darnold has thrown 6 interceptions and 4 touchdowns.
The Giants do a great job getting at the quarterback. They have 4 sacks, 3 interceptions, and a fumble recovery in their last 2 weeks.
- New York Giants Defense D/ST Waiver Wire FAAB Bid: $3
