Best Fantasy Waiver Wire Pickups Week 7: Jordan Mason, Craig Reynolds take over after injuries

Matt Lutovsky

Best Fantasy Waiver Wire Pickups Week 7: Jordan Mason, Craig Reynolds take over after injuries image

When someone like Christian McCaffrey gets hurt, the entire fantasy football world stops. Those with CMC mourn their loss, while every other owner tries to figure out who to claim on waivers. Unfortunately, we're not exactly sure, which is why both Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell will be among the top Week 7 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds. 

Our full waivers list has a lot of familiar names -- familiar because they were on it last week, too. Apparently, none of you were overly excited about Josh Downs, Curtis Samuel, Rashee Rice, and Dalton Schultz, but maybe now you'll start paying attention. We also have several more breakout handcuffs (Kareem HuntEzekiel ElliottDamien WilliamsKeaontay IngramDevin Singletary, Craig Reynolds), boom-or-bust WRs (Jameson WilliamsRashid Shaheed, Kendrick Bourne), and intriguing TEs (Taysom Hill, Michael Mayer). Of course, we also have our usual array of potential Week 7 streamers at QB (slim pickings), TE (slimmer pickings), and D/ST (options aplenty), which can all be found at the end of the list. They'll be especially important this week with six teams (Panthers, Cowboys, Bengals, Texans, Jets, Titans) on bye.

Normally, we'd advise going all-in on the 49ers' handcuff when McCaffrey gets hurt, but with the uncertainty surrounding not only CMC's health but also his primary replacement, it's tough to recommend using a high claim on either Mason or Mitchell. We'd slightly lean toward Mitchell despite Mason's busier Week 6, but both merit at least low-end claims. It's likely someone with a top-four claim with pick them up, but ask people who used similar priority on Emari Demercado last week how that can turn out.

UPDATE: With Kyren Williams (ankle) trending toward not playing in Week 7, Zach Evans vaults to the top of the pickup list.

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You can make a case for Hunt, Reynolds, Williams, Ingram, and Wilson Jr. to be worthy of low-end claims, but most of the other players on our list are best suited for free agency. If you're desperate for live bodies because of injuries and bye-week issues, you can take the plunge on someone like Rice or Samuel with a low claim, but there's no need to give up a prime place in the waivers' pecking order. 

WEEK 7 FANTASY: FAAB budget planner | Trade advice

Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 7

Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues are considered.

Zach Evans, RB, Rams. Kyren Williams (ankle) is hurting and Ronnie Rivers (knee) is set to miss a few weeks, paving the way for the talented rookie to start getting some touches. If Williams is healthy, Evans is nothing more than a top handcuff, but if Williams is out, too, Evans will be a must-start against Pittsburgh in Week 7. (UPDATE: It's sounding like Williams will miss at least one game.)

Jordan Mason & Elijah Mitchell, RBs, 49ers. Christian McCaffrey suffered an oblique injury in the second half against the Browns, opening the door for San Francisco's backups to take over. Mason operated as the "next man up," turning five carries into 27 yards and a TD. Mitchell, who was playing his first game since Week 3 because of a knee injury, was limited to -3 yards on just two carries. If McCaffrey isn't ready for Week 7's Monday night tilt in Minnesota, it's unclear which back will receive the most touches. Mitchell was viewed as the primary handcuff all preseason -- and we lean toward him getting that job back as he gets healthier -- but based on what we saw on Sunday, Mason can't be ignored. Both need to be picked up, but we'd prioritize Mitchell. 

Craig Reynolds, RB, Lions. Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) missed his second-straight game and David Montgomery (ribs) exited early, opening the door for Reynolds to take over as Detroit's primary back. He responded with just 43 total yards on 12 touches, but he'll still have value if he's asked to shoulder the load next week against the Ravens. Consider him a flex if he's pressed into a starting role.

WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns. Hunt wound up with five fewer carries (17 to 12) and 37 fewer rushing yards (84 to 47) than Jerome Ford, but he had the lone TD between the two. All told, Hunt had 15 touches for 71 total yards -- an impressive number considering it came against San Francisco's dominant defense. It's unlikely that Ford will simply go away, but Hunt clearly has value in Cleveland's run-heavy system. He's a solid flex next week against Indianapolis.

Damien Williams & Keaontay Ingram, RBs, Cardinals. So much for Emari Demercado. Last week's waiver-wire darling (two touches, 11 yards) was a distant third behind Williams (nine touches, 44 yards) and Ingram (12 touches, 51 yards) in the RB pecking order, with Ingram technically leading the way. This still looks like a committee backfield, making both backs tough to play most weeks, but they still deserve to be owned in 12-team-or-deeper leagues. 

WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Curtis Samuel, WR, Commanders. Samuel hauled in all four of his targets for 42 yards and scored in his third-straight game. At this point, it's tough to argue that he's not Washington's No. 2 receiver, and given his frequent use on gadget plays in the red zone, it's even tougher to argue that he shouldn't be used as a flex most weeks. That includes next week in a favorable matchup against the Giants.

Josh Downs, WR, Colts. Downs continued his rapid rise with five catches (eight targets) for 21 yards and a TD against Jacksonville. It's the third time in the past four games in which he's had at least six targets, and with the Colts likely to be trailing more often than not most weeks, that should continue. Consider Downs a potential PPR flex next week against Cleveland.

Jameson Williams, WR, Lions. Williams is slowly but surely picking up speed in the Lions' offense, and he had his best game as a pro in Week 6, catching two-of-three targets for 53 yards and a score. He's currently a boom-or-bust option, but he's also a good investment for later in the season, as he could soon start seeing more regular targets. He's owned in roughly half of fantasy leagues, but that number should be much closer to 75-80 percent ahead of next week's game in Baltimore.

Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs. Rice continues his gradual (and seemingly inevitable) ascent up the Chiefs' WR hierarchy. He caught all four of his targets for 72 yards against Denver, giving him at least 11.2 PPR points for the second-straight week. He'll likely continue that trend in Week 7 in a highly favorable matchup against the Chargers' league-worst pass defense.

Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, Dolphins. Wilson Jr. (finger, midsection) is 52-percent owned in Yahoo leagues, but it should be much higher ahead of his impending return in Week 7 against the Eagles. De'Von Achane (knee) is out until at least Week 11 and Raheem Mostert is notoriously injury-prone, so Wilson Jr. has major upside. Even if he remains the primary handcuff, he'll likely see close to 10 touches per game in one of the league's top offenses.

Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Patriots. With Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) in and out of the game in the second half, Elliott got a chance to look like vintage Zeke, running seven times for 34 yards and a TD. Stevenson (2.8 ypc before Week 6) has disappointed all year, and while Zeke hasn't been much better (3.8 ypc), it's possible he eventually could take over as New England's lead back even when Stevenson is fully healthy. He's owned in just 43 percent of Yahoo leagues, making him a smart add ahead of next week's game against Buffalo's vulnerable run defense.

Devin Singletary, RB, Texans. Singletary looked like more than a mere handcuff on Sunday, rushing 12 times for a team-high 58 yards. Dameon Pierce still had one more carry, but he averaged just 2.6 yards per tote, which is only slightly below his season average entering the game (2.9). Clearly, Pierce isn't cutting it, and if this truly becomes a split, Singletary will have flex upside most weeks. It's not even crazy to think the veteran can flat-out take over this backfield after Houston's Week 7 bye.

Latavius Murray, RB, Bills. Murray continues to poach key carries from James Cook, and with Damien Harris (neck) likely out for at least the next several games, Murray's outlook gets even more positive. He's a potential flex in standard leagues against the Patriots in Week 7.

Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, Giants. Robinson had been quietly piling up a decent number of catches and targets without much to show for it the past three weeks (14 catches, 17 targets, 79 yards), but he finally had a fantasy-relevant day in Week 6, hauling in all eight of his looks for 62 yards. That's still not earth-shattering, but it seems clear that Robinson has a high PPR floor regardless of opponent. A highly favorable matchup against Washington in Week 7 awaits, so now's the time to scoop Robinson up.

Kendrick Bourne, WR, Patriots. Bourne had his monthly high-target game in Week 6, catching 10-of-11 looks for 89 yards. It was the third time this season he's had at least nine targets, but in his other three games, he saw just 13 targets. Clearly, he's not a reliable weekly play, but you could do a lot worse for a bench WR in deep leagues. He'll be a potential PPR flex next week against Buffalo. 

Rashid Shaheed, WR, Saints. Shaheed has been equal amounts "bust" as "boom" this year after his two-catch, 85-yard, one-TD effort on Sunday against the Texans. To be fair, he did have a respectable six targets, so the upside is there for steadier numbers, but for now, he's a boom-or-bust play who can be a week-winner if you play him at the right time. At the very least, he's worth stashing ahead of next week's neutral matchup against Jacksonville.

Brandin Cooks, WR, Cowboys. Cooks finally showed some signs of life, catching all four of his targets for 36 yards and a TD and adding a 14-yard run on Monday night. Cooks has upside if Dallas' offense hits its stride, and he's worth stashing ahead of the Cowboys' bye.

Dalton Schultz, TE, Texans. Schultz caught four-of-seven targets for 61 yards and his third TD in as many games despite a brutal matchup against the Saints. He's put himself in the discussion as an every-week TE after a slow start to the season, and he should definitely be owned in more than 51 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Michael Mayer, TE, Raiders. Mayer took a while to get involved, but it appears he will be a relatively big part of the Raiders' offense going forward. He caught a season-high five-of-six targets for 75 yards against the Patriots, and he should continue seeing close to a similar workload most weeks. He'll be worth starting in 12-team leagues in favorable matchups, like next week against the Bears.

Taysom Hill, TE, Saints. We're never sure what to make of Hill when he has a decent game, as the Saints seem to use him differently every week. This week, he was pretty much just a traditional tight end, and he responded with seven catches and 49 yards on eight targets. He also had one carry for two yards and one pass for four yards. He might revert to his usual gadget role once Juwan Johnson (calf) returns, or he could continue operating as an uber-athletic TE who also doubles as a goal-line back. Either way, we're intrigued enough to stash him in deep leagues ahead of Thursday night's matchup against the Jaguars.

Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans. Spears had just five touches in Week 7, but he turned them into 63 total yards and nearly took a short pass over 50 yards to the house, showcasing just how explosive he is. Derrick Henry is in no danger of losing his job as long as he stays healthy, but Spears should still be owned in more than 48 percent of Yahoo leagues. Look for his role to continue to expand after Tennessee's Week 7 bye.

Top fantasy QB streamers for Week 7

Derek Carr, Saints (vs. Jaguars in Week 7). Carr has been beyond mediocre this year, but the Jaguars have been especially giving to QBs, entering Week 6 allowing the second-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to the position. They looked good against Gardner Minshew and the Colts last week, but don't let that fool you into thinking they're a lock-down pass defense. If you're not going to stream Carr in this matchup, then you'll never stream him.

Sam Howell, Commanders (@ Giants). Howell is never a "safe" play, but he's the type of gunslinger who can pile up stats thanks to heavy volume and timely TDs, as we saw last week. The Giants are below average in terms of passing yards allowed and FPPG allowed to QBs, so Howell makes for a solid streaming option.

Josh Dobbs, Cardinals (@ Seahawks). If Kyler Murray (knee) isn't back, Dobbs makes for an excellent streamer against a Seattle defense that entered Week 6 allowing the seventh-most FPPG to QBs. Dobbs has quietly had a decent fantasy season, showcasing both a high floor and high ceiling (last week notwithstanding), and that should continue in this plus matchup.

Top fantasy TE streamers for Week 7

Luke Musgrave, Packers (@ Broncos in Week 7). In his past two full games, Musgrave has caught 12-of-15 targets. It's tough to find a TE on the waiver wire who gets that kind of workload. That already makes Musgrave appealing, but a matchup against a Broncos' defense in the top five in FPPG allowed to tight ends only sweetens the deal.

Cade Otton, Buccaneers (vs. Falcons). Otton has disappointed in some favorable matchups before (like last week against Detroit), but only the Jets entered Week 6 allowing more FPPG to TEs than Atlanta. In a week short on viable, matchup-based TE streaming options, Otton is about as good as you're going to find.

Top fantasy defense streamers for Week 7

Las Vegas Raiders (@ Bears). The Raiders were already a good streaming option given the Bears' propensity to give up sacks and turnovers, but with Justin Fields (right wrist) hurt, they're arguably a top-10 play overall. At just 53-percent owned, they should be scooped in every league.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Falcons). Desmond Ridder has suddenly started making mistakes, and fantasy owners need to take advantage. Tampa posted multiple takeaways in each of its first four games, and it will likely do the same in this matchup.

Washington Commanders (@ Giants in Week 7). Even if Daniel Jones (neck) is back, the Giants will be giving to D/STs. Washington has choked in a few favorable matchups this season, but they came through last week against Desmond Ridder and can come through again here.

Green Bay Packers (@ Broncos). Denver's offense is a mess, giving up eight sacks and six takeaways while scoring just 29 offensive points in its past two games. Green Bay's D/ST hasn't been consistent, but it's well-rested and good enough to rack up fantasy points in this plus matchup. 

Indianapolis Colts (vs. Browns). Indy will face either a hurting Deshaun Watson (shoulder) or the turnover-prone P.J. Walker. Indy hasn't been anything special on defense this year, but this matchup is too good to ignore.

Los Angeles Rams (vs. Steelers). Pittsburgh has eased up on the turnovers since Week 2, but in its past two games, it's allowed six sacks while scoring just 21 offensive points. Even the Rams can make some hay against that inept of an offense. 

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.