Waiver Wire: Week 7
Week six is about concluded and we saw endless injuries and the start of bye weeks. Be aware week seven has the Bills, Chargers, Jaguars, Cowboys, Steelers, and Vikings all on bye, so needless to say it is vital you hit on some of these waiver picks, while also being prudent of who may be waived out of necessity by your league mates next week. Don’t be afraid to get aggressive if needed. I compiled this list off of ESPN's rostered percentage. Also, be sure to check your league based on rostered percentage. Sometimes a stud sneaks on there and nobody is aware.
Running Backs
J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team, 46% rostered, 10 team priority
The big story here is Antonio Gibson is battling a shin and calf injury. Keep an eye on Gibson’s status going into next week. On Sunday, J.D. McKissic took eight carries for 45 yards, but did most of his work through the air seeing ten targets, catching eight for 65 yards. If Gibson were forced to miss any time, McKissic would be elevated. Keep an eye on Jaret Patterson for deeper leagues too.
Demetric Felton, Cleveland Browns, 3% rostered, 12 team priority
Kareem Hunt likely is going to miss time, and Nick Chubb’s status is in question for Thursday night. Expect the Browns to go in a timeshare for running back. Demetric Felton caught his only two targets for 14 yards. It’s not the flashiest add, but the volume could be there for a one-week fill-in.
D’Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns, 1% rostered, 12 team priority
Similar to Demetric Felton, D’Ernest Johnson is likely a one-week fill-in until Nick Chubb is healthy. On Sunday, he only had a carry for two yards, and a catch for seven yards. Expect him to share with Felton if Chubb does not come back Thursday. Johnson could be the early-down running back, with Felton handling the pass-catching plays.
Mark Ingram, Houston Texans, 22% rostered, 10-12 team priority
Mark Ingram is a product of the game script, but with a lot of bye weeks here, and injuries all around, Ingram could fill a hit or miss flex spot. On Sunday against the Colts, he took 18 carries for 73 yards and caught both of his targets for eight yards. In six games for the Texans, Ingram has seen double-digit carries in four out of six games, so the volume is there, and the rostered percentage is very low.
Chris Evans, Cincinnati Bengals, 2% rostered, 12-dynasty priority
A Stack Attack summer favorite, Chris Evans acted as the backup to Joe Mixon on Sunday with Samaje Perine on the COVID list. Evans saw four carries for 18 yards and caught all three of his targets for 49 yards and a touchdown. He took a 24-yard catch to the end zone early. The rookie has shown flashes this year and is a nice deep roster stash.
Baltimore Ravens Backfield, 12 team priority
No need to list three separate sections here. The Ravens' backfield is a true split, and they all got work on Sunday. Latavius Murray seems to be the head of the backfield with nine carries for 44 yards and a touchdown while catching both of his targets for 12 yards, however, he did leave with an ankle injury which is now something to monitor.
Devonta Freeman took nine carries for 53 yards and a touchdown, and saw two targets, while Le’Veon Bell saw eight carries for 18 yards and a touchdown. If Murray is forced to miss any time, this should be a true split here, with rookie Ty’Son Williams possibly getting back into the mix. Also, don’t be surprised if the Ravens can trade someone here.
Deejay Dallas / Travis Homer, Seattle Seahawks, 12 team priority
The news coming out of Sunday night football was Alex Collins was not playing in overtime due to hip and glute injuries. Depending on the status of Collins, we could see Travis Homer or Deejay Dallas get playing time with Chris Carson on IR. Deejay Dallas seems to be the favorite to grab the touches as he saw four carries for 17 yards and caught all five of his targets for 33 yards. Homer took two carries for 27 yards and caught his only target for 27 yards.
Wide Receivers
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens, 15% rostered, 12 team priority
The rookie Rashod Bateman made his debut on Sunday catching four of six targets for 29 yards. It’s a quiet stat line for the rookie, but he did tie the team for the lead-in targets with Mark Andrews in a game that was dominated by rushing touchdowns. Managers will see this stat line and keep scrolling, but I see a player close to breaking out.
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos, 41% rostered, 10-12 team priority
I don’t know how he makes it on here every week and continues to be low-rostered. Tim Patrick does what he does, and produced yet again. He caught three of six targets for 42 yards and a touchdown. He has put up double-digit fantasy points in five out of six games. The issue now is Jerry Jeudy could be returning next week which will put a dent on his numbers, but Patrick has made a case to keep getting looks. For dynasty, I’d keep an eye on him if he is able to sign elsewhere and be an everyday starter.
TY Hilton, Indianapolis Colts, 24% rostered, 10-12 team priority
TY Hilton made his return on Sunday, catching all four of his targets for 80 yards. I expect him to be a popular name in the waiver wire. He did leave with a quad injury, but it seems as if he will be fine for next week. Injuries are a concern for the veteran wideout, but when he is in the lineup, he is a good fantasy option.
Parris Campbell likely suffered a season-ending foot injury on Sunday. While Hilton's best role the last few years is in the slot, where Zach Pascal has prospered, vacated targets are vacated targets. Hilton has the upside and experience to be a WR2 moving forward.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns, 1% rostered, 12-dynasty priority
The breakout of Sunday was Donovan Peoples-Jones. He caught four of five targets for 101 yards and two touchdowns. One touchdown was on a 57-yard Hail Mary, and another was an 11-yard impressive score. With the running back situation full of injuries, the Browns may be forced to rely on passing to their wide receivers more, which could benefit Peoples-Jones, despite Jarvis Landry returning soon.
Nico Collins, Houston Texans, 2% rostered, 12-dynasty priority
Another Stack Attack favorite, the rookie Nico Collins made his return on Sunday catching four of six targets for 44 yards. As we said all summer, Brandin Cooks is the clear WR1 (barring a trade), and Nico Collins should emerge as the WR2 on the outside. Keep an eye on Collins as the season goes on to have an increased target share.
KJ Osborn, Minnesota Vikings, 8% rostered, 12-dynasty priority
KJ Osborn started the season off strong, but the last three weeks has not put up strong fantasy numbers. That changed Sunday. He caught six of seven targets for 78 yards and the walk-off touchdown in overtime. He has seen 6 or more targets in four out of six games, so the deep league value for Osborn is there.
AJ Green, Arizona Cardinals, 33% rostered, 10-12 team priority
I feel like every week it’s a different Cardinal receiver on here. The offense is just that good. AJ Green on Sunday caught five of six targets for 79 yards and a touchdown. He has seen exactly six targets in 5 out of six games. Green has been consistent this season, and while healthy is a good fantasy option. The trade for Zach Ertz could put some of these numbers in jeopardy, but for now, Green is a safe bet.
Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals, 25% rostered, 12 team priority
AJ Green made the list, and now Christian Kirk does as well. He caught five of eight targets for 75 yards and a touchdown. He has put up double-digit fantasy points in four out of six games, and one game was half a point away. As I mentioned with AJ Green, the trade for Zach Ertz will affect someone, but for now, the Cardinals are spreading the ball around in their four-wide receiver sets.
Tight End
Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington Football Team, 20% rostered, 10-12 team priority
With Logan Thomas on IR, Ricky Seals-Jones has stepped up and been fantasy-relevant. He caught four of six targets for 58 yards and a touchdown. He saw nine targets last week, and now six. He is becoming a decent bye week replacement as long as Logan Thomas remains out.
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins, 25% rostered, 12-superflex priority
If you need a fill-in quarterback for a week, Tua Tagovailoa is a nice option. He threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns against the Jaguars in London. The Dolphins are throwing the ball a lot this season, and Tua is not a bad one-week flier against Atlanta next week.