Targeting weekly waiver picks is a completely subjective business,
but this column hopes to point out some obvious and not-so-obvious
selections to help your team from week to week while you strive
to collect fantasy wins, reach your league playoffs, and win the
elusive title that your friends say is out of your grasp. While
I’m a big proponent of making trades to bolster your roster,
the waiver wire can be an almost limitless resource when it comes
to discovering fantasy value in strange places. Each week, I’ll
highlight some of the popular (and not-so-popular) players who can
help your squad and may still be available in your league. I’ll
also provide a brief update on the players I covered the previous
week.
Matt Ryan,
ATL – The first two QBs I’m highlighting square off against
each other in Week 7, and Ryan is probably the slightly safer of
the two options. Ryan is only about 30% owned in fantasy leagues
and could be a fine QB2 to fill in if you need him.
Tua
Tagovailoa, MIA – Tua might have
more upside because of what he can do with his legs, but the matchup
is favorable for both QBs. He’s 25% owned and coming off his best
fantasy performance of the season (329-2-1, 22 rushing yards)
despite the loss in London.
Jameis
Winston, NO – The Seahawks pass
defense is trash right now. Winston and the Saints head into Seattle
with a week of rest under their belt and should be able to pile
up a few extra fantasy points in this favorable matchup.
Baker
Mayfield, CLE – His arm is in a
sling after a putrid Week 6 performance (234-2-1, two lost fumbles)
but he plans on playing in Week 7. We’ll see.
Carson
Wentz, IND – Wentz has been solid
and had a serviceable Week 6 with 223-2-0, but the RBs are doing
enough to prevent him from having monster games. That may change.
Davis
Mills, HOU – Mills was back to normal
in Week 6 with 243-0-2. He’s only an option in desperation mode.
Running Backs
Rhamondre
Stevenson, NE – Stevenson (10-15%)
carried the ball five times for 23 yards and a TD and caught all
three of his targets for 39 yards in the overtime loss to the Cowboys.
The rookie had some snafus in pass protection but saw his biggest
usage yet as a receiver. Damien Harris remains the top option in
the Pats’ backfield, but Stevenson is ramping up his role heading
into a Week 7 matchup against the Jets.
Demetric
Felton, CLE – Kareem Hunt’s calf
injury came later in the game, so Felton (3% owned) only caught
two of two targets for 14 yards and returned two punts for 29
yards in the 37-14 loss to Arizona. But, he played a season-high
12 snaps on offense and moved up the depth chart with Hunt out
and Nick Chubb (also sporting a calf injury) inactive. D'Ernest
Johnson and Felton could serve as their top backs next week on
a quick TNF turnaround against the Broncos if Chubb and Hunt can’t
go.
Devontae
Booker, NYG – Booker had 41 rushing
yards and 4-28-0 receiving. He’ll get another start in Week 7
against a tough Panthers defense if Saquon Barkley (ankle) sits
out again.
Darrel
Williams, KC – Williams had a huge
workload Sunday with 21 rushes for 62 yards and two TDs in Sunday’s
31-13 win over Washington. He added three receptions for 27 yards
in the absence of Clyde Edwards-Helaire (knee), who will be out
at least two more contests. Williams needs to be owned in all
formats.
Giovani
Bernard, TB – Bernard brought in
both targets for four yards and did not log a carry during the
Buccaneers' 28-22 win over the Eagles on Thursday night, as he
remains a receiving-only RB without much upside.
Ty Johnson,
NYJ – The Jets continue to give more work to Michael
Carter and Johnson and away from veteran Tevin Coleman, which
should continue after the team's bye in Week 7 against New England.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
Cole Beasley,
BUF –UPDATE: Beasley (60-65%
owned) had been relatively quiet since Week 3 but broke out in a
big way on Monday night with 7-88-1. It’s a reminder that he can
be a huge part of the Bills game plan when called upon to do what
he does best out of the slot in this juggernaut offense. He’s on
a bye in Week 7, but if he’s languishing on the wire in your league,
he’s a great pickup if you have the roster space.
Donovan
Peoples-Jones, CLE – He had a monster
game so we have to talk about him, even if he’ll have a tough time
repeating. Peoples-Jones caught four of five targets for 101 yards
and two TDs in Sunday's 37-14 loss to the Cardinals, taking advantage
of catching a big hail-mary just before halftime. The second-year
WR had just four catches through the first four games of the season,
but has posted 9-171-2 line on 11 targets over the last two contests.
The Mayfield injury could hurt him, too.
TE Hunter
Henry, NE – Henry (55-60% owned) caught both his
targets for 25 yards and a TD in the overtime loss to the Cowboys,
but he’s really emerging as a popular red zone target of Mac Jones
heading into a Week 7 clash with the Jets.
Kendrick
Bourne, NE – Bourne only caught
one pass on Sunday but it was a big one. I really like this guy
and used him in one DFS lineup, which was rewarded when he hauled
in a 75-yard touchdown. Bourne’s inconsistent usage makes him
tough to roster in most formats heading into Week 7, but I do
think he’ll carve out a larger role as the season wears on.
A.J. Green,
ARI – The veteran WR, owned in about 30-35% of fantasy
leagues, caught five of six targets for 79 yards and a touchdown
in Sunday’s 37-14 win over the Browns. He continues to put together
an impressive comeback heading into a potential Week 7 mismatch
against the struggling Texans.
Rashod
Bateman, BAL –UPDATE:
The Ravens offense is damn potent and Bateman, in his NFL debut
after missing the first five weeks with a groin injury, tied for
the team lead in targets and hauled in 4-29-0. Primarily a run-first
offense, the Ravens will still look for ways to get their rookie
first-round pick plenty of targets in addition to TE Mark Andrews
and deep threat Marquise Brown.
TE Ricky
Seals-Jones, WAS – Seals-Jones (20% owned) hauled
in four receptions on six targets for 58 yards and a TD in Sunday’s
31-13 loss to the Chiefs. He’s a fine fill-in TE as along as Logan
Thomas is out.
Kadarius
Toney, NYG – Toney had 3-36-0 before
exiting with an ankle injury. He’s not an option next week but
is a talented WR and should be held if you grabbed him.
TE David
Njoku, CLE – Njoku caught one of two targets for
six yards in Sunday’s 37-14 loss to Arizona. This is what he does
– disappear after big performances.
Chris
Moore, HOU – Moore was involved
but disappointed one week after his breakout with 4-14-0 on five
targets in the loss to the Colts.
