NFL Waiver Wire: Week 7 Deep Dive

Quarterback

Carson Wentz at 49ers (20 percent ESPN)

Wentz has posted at least 17 fantasy points (depending on exact scoring format) in every game. He's a great bye week fill-in and seems to have regained at least some of his past form.

Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Colts (four percent ESPN, 37 percent FFPC)

Garoppolo appears likely to be the 49ers starter in Week 7. The Colts aren't the easiest matchup, but are among a second-tier of pass-friendly defenses that fantasy managers shouldn't be afraid to stream against.

Sam Darnold at Giants (44 percent ESPN)

Darnold has looked more of late like he did with the by turning the ball over seven times in his last three games. The Giants are among the most generous teams to opposing quarterbacks, so this should be a spot for Darnold to bounce back.

Daniel Jones vs. Panthers (35 percent ESPN)

Jones suffered from a miserable outing in Week 6 after returning from a concussion. His appeal comes primarily from his rushing ability, though he may be hesitant to take off due to the recent injury. However, in a week with so many other players on bye, Jones offers some upside for those desperate to fill the position.

Jameis Winston at Seahawks (24 percent ESPN)

Game script isn't likely to be on Winston's side, so his volume could be limited. However, he's provided at least a floor of production in four of his five appearances this season and is a safer alternative to Jones for QB-needy managers.

Deshaun Watson at Cardinals (six percent ESPN, 61 percent FFPC)

Trade rumors surrounding Watson kicked back up Wednesday. Though a deal doesn't appear to be imminent, perhaps he'll return to the field at some point this year. This isn't the best week to stash players, but Watson could be a worthwhile consideration.

Running Back  

DeeJay Dallas vs. Saints (two percent ESPN, 19 percent FFPC)

As it currently stands, Dallas is one of two Seattle backs that fantasy managers know is healthy. Even if one of Rashaad Penny or Alex Collins returns, Dallas looks to have carved out a role as a pass-catcher out of the backfield by running a route on 49 percent of his offensive snaps. If both Penny and Collins remain sidelined, Dallas offers the chance to be a difference maker.

Kenneth Gainwell at Raiders (29 percent ESPN)

There's been a lot of talk about Gainwell's role in the Eagles' offense, but the reality is he's clearly the backup to Miles Sanders when looking at metrics such as snap rates, rush attempt share and routes run share. While saying that, Gainwell could be one of the few players with a guaranteed floor above zero fantasy points on the waiver wire at the position this week.

Rashaad Penny vs. Saints (seven percent ESPN)

It's not clear when Penny will return from injured reserve. Head coach Pete Carroll said he'd be "back to full speed" this week, though Carroll has been known to stretch the truth regarding the health of his players. Speaking of healthy, Seattle's backfield is currently lacking able bodies with Alex Collins battling hip and glute issues while Chris Carson is stuck on IR.  

Trey Sermon vs. Colts (36 percent ESPN)

To this point in the season, Sermon hasn't held a role when the 49ers' backfield is relatively healthy. Coming off the bye week, it'll be interesting to see if that has changed. Sermon is rostered at a relatively high rate and may not be available in more competitive leagues, but it's worth taking a minute to check the wire in your league(s). 

JaMycal Hasty vs. Colts (one percent ESPN, 21 percent FFPC)

Hasty was designated to return from injured reserve. Where exactly he fits in the 49ers' backfield is unclear, though he was effective as both a rusher and receiver in Week 2 prior to going down. Any fantasy value is far from a guarantee, but Hasty is a nice speculation play before he requires significant FAAB to acquire. 

Devonta Freeman vs. Bengals (six percent ESPN, seven percent FFPC)

Le'Veon Bell vs. Bengals (seven percent ESPN, 31 percent FFPC)

Ty'Son Williams vs. Bengals (20 percent ESPN, 53 percent FFPC)

The Ravens' backfield is one to monitor as the week progresses. Latavius Murray was absent from practice Wednesday with an ankle injury and may be in danger of missing this weekend. Murray's absence alone isn't likely to solve the running-back-by-committee issue in Baltimore, but it's possible hints regarding the back's usage emerges during the rest of the week.  

Chris Evans at Ravens (two percent ESPN, 37 percent FFPC)

Joe Mixon appears fully healthy, but Evans did well as his backup in Week 6. Specifically, he commanded 11 percent of the team's targets and worked in long down and distance scenarios. Samaje Perine could return this week, but his status remains uncertain. Evans is more a stash than a viable starter for now, so he's be a luxury to roster.

Wide Receiver

Rashod Bateman vs. Bengals (16 percent ESPN)

Bateman has been scooped up in deeper leagues, but now is the time to grab him in shallow formats. He could share targets with Sammy Watkins in the short term, but recorded a 24 percent target share in his first game as a pro so it seems Baltimore is set on getting him a significant role.

Amon-Ra St. Brown at Rams (14 percent ESPN)

It's difficult to get interested in any member of the Lions' abysmal offense aside from D'Andre Swift. St. Brown has made his best case by commanding at least seven targets in each of his last three contests. After the Rams' defensive performance against Daniel Jones, it's difficult to trust St. Brown this week unless necessary.

Mecole Hardman at Titans (47 percent ESPN)

Hardman received a lot of attention going into Week 6 due to Tyreek Hill carrying a questionable tag. While Hardman is gone in most formats, it's worth noting he's seen at least four targets in four of six games.

Jamison Crowder at Patriots (23 percent ESPN)

Crowder has been a part-time player through two outings, though coming off a bye week may have regained his health. The Jets have had a revolving door at the second wide receiver position to this point, but Crowder should have the chance to take that role starting Sunday.

Elijah Moore at Patriots (15 percent ESPN)

Given the state of the Jets' offense, only one of Moore and Crowder is likely to emerge as a consistent producer. It's possible Moore gets that opportunity coming out of the bye week, though he hasn't displayed an inspiring rookie season so far.

Zach Pascal at 49ers (10 percent ESPN, 44 percent FFPC)

T.Y. Hilton made his season-debut in Week 6, only to be questionable once again entering the weekend. Michael Pittman would take back over as the top receiver if Hilton is out, but Pascal should also be in line for multiple targets in that scenario.

Kenny Stills at Seahawks (zero percent ESPN, zero percent FFPC)

Stills saw a jump of involvement in the Saints' offense in Week 5 that largely went unnoticed because it didn't turn into production. The team comes off a bye week and Stills could take over the second receiver role behind Marquez Callaway. Pass volume is a risk Sunday as the Saints are 4.5-point favorites in most books at the time of writing.

Dante Pettis vs. Panthers (zero percent ESPN, zero percent FFPC)

The Giants' wide receiver room is a mess. Kadarius Toney is likely to miss Week 7 and Kenny Golladay doesn't look particularly likely to suit up either. John Ross and Sterling Shepard seem more likely to play, but their statuses will be worth following as the week progresses. All of that is to say Pettis could see an increased role after producing a 72 percent route participation rate and 22 percent target share in Week 6.

Shi Smith at Giants (zero percent ESPN, zero percent FFPC)

This is a longshot play, but the Panthers are beat up at wide receiver. Both Terrace Marshall and Alex Erickson are listed as questionable with concussions while Brandon Zylstra was placed on injured reserve. Smith was active for the first time in his career in Week 6 and saw 12 percent of offensive snaps. 

Anthony Schwartz vs. Broncos (zero percent ESPN, five percent FFPC)

It's too late to pick up Schwartz in FFPC leagues given the team plays Thursday Night Football and waivers won't run again. Injuries both create the opportunity for Schwartz to produce, but they also raise red flags about just how effective he can be. Odell Beckham could very well be sidelined and Jarvis Landry's status remains unknown. However, starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and several offensive lineman are also banged up. There are worse speculative plays, but there are also likely better ones.

Tight End

Evan Engram vs. Panthers (26 percent ESPN)

The aforementioned injuries throughout the Giants' wide receiver corps also trickles down to Engram. He'll have less target competition and has already gotten at least four looks in all four of his games this season.

Mo Alie-Cox at 49ers (seven percent ESPN, 67 percent FFPC)

Alie-Cox has posted target shares of 16, nine and 17 percent in each of the last three weeks and has delivered several big plays during that span. He's an uncomfortable start, but comfortable options are few and far between at the position.

Anthony Firkser vs. Chiefs (six percent ESPN)

Firkser displayed consistent - albeit, uninspiring - production through his first three contests. He only recorded one catch in Week 6 against Buffalo, but the offensive environment should be excellent Sunday and there are worse strategies than hoping Firkser falls into production given his involvement in the Titans' offense.

Ross Dwelley vs. Colts (one percent ESPN, six percent FFPC)

Dwelley was on the field for 90 percent of the 49ers' offensive snaps in Week 5 with George Kittle sidelined. That didn't turn into a load of production, but he's available in nearly all leagues as a streamer with at least some guarantee of being in the game.  

Pat Freiermuth – BYE (three percent ESPN, 67 percent FFPC)

There are few tight ends currently on the waiver wire I'd be willing to hold through their bye week. Freiermuth has an aDOT of 7.1 yards, which happens to be comparable to the 6.6 mark JuJu Smith-Schuster posted prior to suffering a season-ending injury. Eric Ebron remains in the picture, but has logged a five percent target share on the year compared to Freiermuth's nine percent.