Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 7: Best Pickups At Every Position
Another slate of NFL games is in the books, and it’s now time for fantasy football owners to turn the page to Week 7 and evaluate how they can improve their roster using the waiver wire.
Thankfully, Sunday’s action didn’t see as many star players go down with injuries as in recent weeks, but there are still many players making a positive impact who should be available on your league’s waiver wire.
Here are some of the best pickups at every position.
Quarterback: Brian Hoyer, Houston Texans
Hoyer has been a dependable fantasy quarterback over the last two weeks with 605 passing yards, five touchdowns and just one interception. As a result, he’s established himself as Houston’s No. 1 quarterback over Ryan Mallett.
Hoyer also has the luxury of a few elite pass-catchers to target, most notably wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and running back Arian Foster. These two players combined for 260 total yards and three touchdowns in Sunday’s 31-20 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Picking up Hoyer is a smart idea if you need a bye week replacement or play in a two-quarterback league and one of your starters is underperforming. He’ll benefit from playing in a weak division all season, too.
Other QBs to consider: E.J. Manuel, Blake Bortles
Running Back: James Starks, Green Bay Packers
Eddie Lacy might still be affected by an injury suffered in Week 2, but whatever the case, he’s not producing at the rate expected of him going into the season. Packers backup running back James Starks received the bulk of the carries in Week 6 and made the most of the opportunity.
He ran for 112 yards on 10 carries (11.2 yards per carry) with one touchdown, in addition to one reception for five yards and a touchdown. Starks should be added in every league and is worth starting in a flex spot until Lacy rediscovers his old form.
Other RBs to consider: Christine Michael, Theo Riddick, Toby Gerhart, Robert Turbin
Wide Receiver: Brandon LaFell, New England Patriots
LaFell is able to return this week after beginning the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a foot injury. He steps into a Patriots offense averaging a league-high 36.6 points per game with 325.2 pass yards per contest (second-highest in the league).
After a slow start to the 2014 campaign — LaFell’s first with the Patriots — he became one of quarterback Tom Brady’s most dependable targets. He finished with 74 receptions for 953 yards and seven touchdowns.
LaFell should be owned in all leagues, but it might be a good idea to not start him this week as he gets re-acclimated to game action.
Other WRs to consider: Michael Floyd, Kamar Aiken, Jamison Crowder, Stefon Diggs, Marvin Jones
Tight End: Benjamin Watson, New Orleans Saints
Watson was unstoppable for the Saints in their “Thursday Night Football” win over the Atlanta Falcons.
He caught 10 passes on 12 targets for 127 yards and a touchdown. This was the first game all season that Watson tallied more than 42 receiving yards, but he’s worth adding and starting each week until Saints quarterback Drew Brees stops targeting him.
The Saints offense has dealt with injuries all season, and No. 1 receiver Brandin Cooks hasn’t enjoyed the breakout campaign many expected from him. As a result, Brees has been forced to target different guys, and Watson has greatly benefited.
Other TEs to consider: Scott Chandler, Colby Fleener
Thumbnail photo via Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports Images
