Waiver Wire Week 7 Pickups

Waiver Wire Week 7 Pickups

It’s hard to believe we are already approaching week 7. The season is going fast, and with each new week comes new challenges. There is much to consider, whether we have to figure out how to navigate injuries, make difficult lineup decisions, or get through the bye weeks. The good news is that there are only two teams on bye this week (Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears.) The bad news is there is one more difficult and important decision to be made. Who should we target on the waiver wire? If you have a top waiver wire priority or use an FAAB system, knowing who is worth a high waiver pick or a high percentage of your FAAB is not easy. No one wants to be the guy who dumped 50-60% of their budget on Carson Steele or used the No. 1 waiver wire priority on Dontayvion Wicks. Still, if you get it right, a solid waiver wire pickup can be the difference between losing and winning. Here are a few names to consider adding for Week 7.

Drake Maye (QB)

New England Patriots, 15% Rostered

It may be difficult to use a priority waiver pick or spend much FAAB on a quarterback who will be making his second career start this week, especially when he is leading an average (at best) offense. But if you’re in the market for a one-week streamer because your usual starter is on bye or you have been disappointed with the quarterback output in your fantasy lineup, Maye is a possible option. Last week against the Houston Texans, Maye started slowly, but he eventually found his stride, finishing the game with 243 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also added 38 yards rushing on five carries. It wasn’t a perfect game, but it was an encouraging one. In Week 6, he will have a much more favorable matchup when he comes head-to-head with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have given up nearly 24 fantasy points per game to the position. Maye is in a good spot to produce again.

Isaac Guerendo (RB)

San Francisco 49ers, 5% Rostered

This last week, after Jordan Mason suffered a shoulder injury, rookie Isaac Guerendo stepped in and gained 99 yards on 10 carries. His day could have even been better if he hadn’t chosen to pass up a touchdown by sliding late in the game to seal the victory. With Christian McCaffrey still a few weeks away at minimum and Mason’s availability uncertain, Guerendo should be a priority for any running back needy team this week. Mason could be good to go in Week 7, but if he isn’t then Guerendo provides much more than just depth. He becomes someone you can immediately plug into your lineup. He isn’t a complete runner. He has some power and incredible speed for his size (4.33), but he will have to improve his vision to take that next step. But in a Kyle Shanahan run offense that might not matter since the 49ers offensive line is very good at creating wide-open lanes.  If/when McCaffrey returns to full health, Guerendo will fade into obscurity, but until then he could be a nice flex with some upside.

Sean Tucker (RB)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 0% Rostered

This was the week for players you’ve never (or rarely) heard of to look like superstars. Against the New Orleans Saints, Sean Tucker (who is listed third on the depth chart) ran like a man possessed, gaining 136 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries. He was also involved in the passing game, catching all three targets for 56 yards and another score. This was good enough to make Tucker the RB1 in fantasy this week. Those are words no one thought they’d ever be saying. To be fair, Bucky Irving added 105 yards and a touchdown on Sunday, so he is not going anywhere. Tucker may end up being a good one-week story. They happen every year. But if this performance does get him more snaps and opportunities then you’ll be happy you grabbed him off the waiver wire. One caveat to all of this is the upcoming schedule. It is not an easy one for running backs. All three of their next opponents are among the top eight in fewest fantasy points allowed to the position, but White’s stranglehold on the lead duties is disappearing, so snatch up the players who stand to benefit most.

Christian Watson (WR)

Green Bay Packers, 43% Rostered

This past week, Watson had his best game of the season, catching three of four targets for 68 yards and a touchdown. This was the first time Watson finished inside the top 20 at the position. His 68 yards receiving also led the team. The best part is that he looked healthy after missing time for an ankle injury and he was on the field for 60% of the snaps while earning a 12.5% target share. Both numbers could go up after Dontayvion Wicks exited Sunday’s contest with a shoulder injury. Jayden Reed is the alpha in this receiving group, but Jordan Love is firing on all cylinders and he could start looking Watson’s way more now that he’s healthy and producing. In Week 7, Watson will face the Houston Texans and after that, he gets Jacksonville and Detroit. None of those pass defenses are anything to fear. With bye weeks here and injuries piling up, Watson is a good flex with WR2 upside.

Xavier Legette (WR)

Carolina Panthers, 42% Rostered

Coming into the season it was unclear who the No. 2 WR for the Carolina Panthers would be. I think we have our answer. Over his last two full games, Legette has averaged 7.0 targets, 4.5 receptions and 44.5 receiving yards. He also has a touchdown in each of those games. While the Panthers offense is inconsistent, it is performing better now that Andy Dalton is under center. Dalton has only one game with under 35 pass attempts. This should bode well for Legette (and the entire Panthers’ passing offense) in Week 7 when they clash with a Commanders defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. The Panthers should be playing catch up in this one, forcing Andy Dalton to air it out. Legette has already been targeted 10 times once this season, and I would not be surprised to see that happen again.

Hunter Henry (TE)

New England Patriots, 26% Rostered

When it was announced that rookie QB Drake Maye would start against Houston, no one knew what to expect. But after one week, Maye looks like an upgrade over Jacoby Brissett, which could be good for Hunter Henry. Henry has been wildly inconsistent this season with four games of fewer than six fantasy points and two games over 13 points. But now that Maye is under center we could see a more consistent Hunter Henry. If you’re streaming tight ends or yours is injured, underwhelming, or on bye then this might be the week to pick up and play Henry. The Jacksonville Jaguars are a horrible defense that allowed Cole Kmet to go nuclear with five catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns, which was good enough for an overall TE1 finish. Henry’s robust 15.1% target share should allow him to reward his managers in a very friendly matchup. 

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