As the fantasy football season rapidly approaches its midpoint, Week 7 presents critical opportunities on the waiver wire. With injuries and bye weeks piling up, understanding which under-rostered players can deliver immediate impact is essential. This week, running back Kimani Vidal and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne headline the priority pickups, offering significant upside for managers navigating roster challenges.
The NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint, and for fantasy football managers, Week 7 marks a pivotal moment. With key players succumbing to injuries and the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills entering their bye weeks, the strategic acquisition of free agents becomes paramount. This isn’t just about filling temporary voids; it’s about identifying talent that can shape the remainder of your season.
Every Monday, seasoned analysts, including Justin Boone of Yahoo Sports, meticulously break down the recommended waiver-wire pickups, focusing on players rostered in less than 50% of leagues with free-agent budget (FAB) allocations based on a $100 salary cap. We’re here to delve deeper into these crucial targets, offering comprehensive analysis to give you the edge.
Navigating the Injury Landscape and Bye Weeks
Injuries have unfortunately been a dominant narrative this season, forcing managers to constantly adapt. As we head into Week 7, here’s a look at some of the key players whose statuses demand monitoring, as their absence directly impacts waiver wire value:
- Puka Nacua (ankle)
- Emeka Egbuka (hamstring)
- Garrett Wilson (hip)
- Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion)
- DJ Moore (undisclosed)
- Calvin Ridley (hamstring)
- Jauan Jennings (ribs)
- Dontayvion Wicks (ankle)
- David Njoku (knee)
- Mike Gesicki (pectoral)
- Emari Demercado (ankle)
Beyond injuries, bye weeks also thin out available rosters, making shrewd pickups even more vital. For Week 7, the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are off. Looking ahead, Week 8 will see a massive six teams on bye: the Cardinals, Lions, Jaguars, Raiders, Rams, and Seahawks. Preparing for these future challenges by adding talent now is a hallmark of successful fantasy managers.
Running Backs: Kimani Vidal’s Explosive Opportunity
Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
Rostered: 27% | FAB: $34
Last week, we highlighted Kimani Vidal as a high-upside pickup, predicting his potential to seize the lead back role for the Chargers while Omarion Hampton was on injured reserve. Our conviction proved prescient in Week 6 against the Miami Dolphins, where Vidal exploded for 138 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 21 touches, playing an impressive 67% of the team’s snaps. In contrast, teammate Hassan Haskins was limited to just seven touches and 23 yards. This performance underscores the Chargers’ “hot-hand” approach and Vidal’s undeniable talent.
Vidal’s college pedigree and the Chargers’ historical struggles with running back injuries have long made him a sleeper candidate in fan communities. His Week 6 outing wasn’t just a flash in the pan; it solidified his standing as the primary ball-carrier until Hampton’s return, which is expected to be at least three more weeks. Against almost any opponent, the degree of difficulty will rise from the Dolphins’ defense, which has given up significant ground yardage this season. However, Vidal’s clear lead back usage makes him an upside RB3 with top-20 fantasy potential in favorable matchups.
Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals
Rostered: 12% | FAB: $6
Despite early reports suggesting he’d be the starter, Bam Knight split work evenly with Michael Carter (55% rostered) in Week 6. Knight edged Carter in snaps (51% vs. 44%) and fantasy production, tallying 12 touches for 54 yards and a touchdown, while Carter had 11 touches for 64 yards. The Cardinals’ backfield remains a highly risky situation for fantasy managers, especially with Trey Benson eventually returning from IR and Emari Demercado battling an ankle injury.
The Cardinals face a stout Packers defensive front in Week 7, followed by a bye in Week 8. While desperate managers might consider Knight for his immediate role, his long-term value is uncertain in this crowded and injury-plagued backfield committee. He’s best viewed as a dart-throw flex option for those truly in need.
Other Running Backs to Consider
For those needing deeper options, consider these flex plays:
- Flex options: Kareem Hunt vs. LV (43% rostered)
- Risky flex options: Kendre Miller at CHI, Kenneth Gainwell at CIN (35% rostered), Tyler Allgeier at SF (34% rostered), Tyjae Spears vs. NE (24% rostered), Isaiah Davis vs. CAR (4% rostered)
- Dart-throw flex options: Bhayshul Tuten vs. LAR (45% rostered), Sean Tucker at DET (8% rostered), Ollie Gordon II at CLE (18% rostered)
- Upside stashes: Brian Robinson Jr. (35% rostered), DJ Giddens (2% rostered), Will Shipley (3% rostered)
Wide Receivers: Kendrick Bourne’s Resurgence in San Francisco
Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers
Rostered: 32% | FAB: $7
The San Francisco 49ers’ receiving corps has been decimated by injuries, and Kendrick Bourne has stepped up magnificently. Over the last two weeks, Bourne has been the team’s de facto number one receiver, posting impressive stat lines of 10 receptions for 142 yards against the Rams and 5 receptions for 142 yards against the Buccaneers. His consistent production has provided a much-needed spark to the 49ers’ passing attack, as detailed by Yahoo Sports in their Week 7 analysis.
The severity of injuries to other 49ers receivers secures Bourne’s role for the foreseeable future. Jauan Jennings is reportedly playing through five broken ribs and multiple ankle sprains, while Ricky Pearsall remains sidelined with a PCL injury and Brandon Aiyuk is nowhere near returning. Fan communities have debated Bourne’s long-term fantasy ceiling once the receiving room is healthy, but for now, his volume and big-play ability make him a strong WR2 or WR3 option, depending on Pearsall’s eventual return. His ability to produce with limited targets speaks to his efficiency.
Buccaneers Wide Receivers: A Deep Dive into Injury Replacements
Sterling Shepard (5%), Tez Johnson (1%), Kameron Johnson (0%) | FAB: $5/$4/$3
Similar to the 49ers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are battling a wave of injuries in their receiving corps, with Mike Evans (hamstring), Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula), and now Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) all sidelined. This has opened the door for deep-threat options like Sterling Shepard, Tez Johnson, and Kameron Johnson to see significant snaps and targets.
In Week 6, Baker Mayfield leaned on his depth, and they delivered: Shepard caught 2 passes for 51 yards, Tez Johnson had 1 catch for 45 yards and a touchdown, and Kameron Johnson hauled in 4 catches for 64 yards and a touchdown. While the return of any starter could impact their value, if these injuries persist, Sterling Shepard emerges as a viable WR3/flex, with both Tez and Kameron Johnson offering risky, high-upside flex appeal for Week 7.
Other Wide Receivers to Consider
- Flex options: Tre Tucker at KC (48% rostered), Josh Downs at LAC (49% rostered)
- Flex options (if healthy): Jalen Coker at NYJ (12% rostered), Darnell Mooney at SF (31% rostered)
- Risky flex options: Kayshon Boutte at TEN (8% rostered), Hollywood Brown vs. LV (43% rostered), Christian Kirk at SEA (27% rostered)
- Dart-throw flex options: Troy Franklin vs. NYG (27% rostered), Malik Washington at CLE (18% rostered), Marvin Mims Jr. vs. NYG (24% rostered)
Quarterbacks: Jaxson Dart’s Dual-Threat Upside
Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
Rostered: 32% | FAB: $9
Rookie Jaxson Dart has been nothing short of a revelation for the Giants, injecting life into an offense that desperately needed it. Since taking over as the starter three weeks ago, Dart has delivered two top-12 fantasy performances, primarily fueled by his valuable rushing ability. His dual-threat capabilities were on full display even against a tough Eagles defense in Week 6, where he posted his best fantasy output of the season, even without Malik Nabers.
Dart’s consistent rushing yardage provides a stable fantasy floor, a trait highly sought after in quarterbacks. While the Broncos will present another significant challenge in Week 7, Dart should be considered a borderline low-end QB1/high-end QB2 regardless of the matchup. His emergence offers a ray of hope for the Giants’ future and a potential season-saver for fantasy managers in need of a reliable signal-caller. NFL.com’s analysis of his college career frequently highlighted his mobility as a key asset, a factor that is now translating to fantasy success.
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Rostered: 38% | FAB: Streaming Option
For those in search of a streaming quarterback, Sam Darnold has quietly put together a solid stretch. In Week 6 against the Jaguars, Darnold completed 16 of 27 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns, tallying 20 fantasy points. He has now thrown for seven touchdowns over his last three games. With several starting quarterbacks either injured or on bye, Darnold offers a dependable floor as the Seahawks prepare to face the Texans in Week 7.
Other Quarterbacks to Consider
- No. 2 QB Add (if available): C.J. Stroud (just above 50% rostered)
- Risky streaming options: Bryce Young at NYJ (22% rostered), Michael Penix Jr. at SF (23% rostered)
- Long-term stashes: J.J. McCarthy (29% rostered), Tyrod Taylor (0% rostered)
Tight Ends: Opportunity Knocks for Fannin and Otton
Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns
Rostered: 27% | FAB: $9
The knee injury sustained by David Njoku in Week 6 opens a significant door for rookie Harold Fannin Jr. Njoku’s multi-week absence, potentially extending through the Browns’ Week 9 bye, positions Fannin for a lead role. In Week 6, with Njoku sidelined for parts of the game, Fannin played 81% of snaps and commanded 10 targets, converting them into an impressive seven receptions for 81 yards.
Fannin has already showcased his playmaking ability this season, and a starting role would unlock his considerable upside. Given his talent and Dillon Gabriel’s tendency to target the short and intermediate areas of the field, Fannin has rare TE1 upside among waiver wire tight ends.
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rostered: 12% | FAB: $5
Cade Otton’s fantasy production directly correlates with the health of the Buccaneers’ receiving corps. His best games in 2024 came when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. were out. With Emeka Egbuka potentially joining them on the sidelines, Otton’s target share has been on the rise, evidenced by his 4-81-0 and 5-51-0 stat lines over the past two weeks.
If the Buccaneers’ starting receivers remain out, Otton could revert to top-12 fantasy tight end value. Keep a close eye on his status as well as that of Raiders TE Michael Mayer (2% rostered), who would see a similar bump if Brock Bowers remains out.
Other Tight Ends to Consider
- Streaming options: Mason Taylor vs. CAR (37% rostered), Oronde Gadsden vs. IND (1% rostered), Tyler Higbee at JAX (1% rostered)
- Risky streaming options: Chig Okonkwo vs. NE (23% rostered), Theo Johnson at DEN (22% rostered)
- Upside stashes: Isaiah Likely (7% rostered), Ja’Tavion Sanders (1% rostered)
Defenses and Kickers: Streamers for Week 7
Defenses (DST)
For Week 7, reliable DST streaming options include teams with favorable matchups:
- Seattle Seahawks vs. HOU (49% rostered)
- Cleveland Browns vs. MIA (38% rostered)
- Chicago Bears vs. NO (6% rostered)
While just above the 50% rostered threshold, the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs would be priority adds if available in your league.
Kickers
Kickers are often overlooked but can be crucial for weekly wins. If healthy, Brandon McManus (16% rostered) is the top kicker add for Week 7. Other solid streaming options include:
- Michael Badgley at LAC (11% rostered)
- Eddy Pineiro vs. ATL (23% rostered)
- Evan McPherson vs. PIT (47% rostered)
Final Thoughts for Week 7 Waiver Wire Success
The Week 7 waiver wire offers a treasure trove of potential difference-makers for fantasy managers savvy enough to capitalize. Prioritizing players like Kimani Vidal and Kendrick Bourne, who have demonstrated clear roles and high upside due to evolving team situations, is paramount. Don’t shy away from rookie quarterbacks with rushing floors like Jaxson Dart, and always be prepared to pivot to tight ends and defenses stepping into expanded roles. Staying proactive and informed on injuries and bye weeks will be your greatest asset as the season progresses.
