There was more injury attrition across the NFL and fantasy football leagues last week. Justin Jefferson (hamstring), James Conner (knee), De'Von Achane (knee) were among the stars put on ice ahead of the games, and during the action, Christian McCaffrey (oblique), Justin Fields (right hand), David Montgomery (ribs), and Deebo Samuel (shoulder) were the biggest players to get hurt and not return. As a result, the FAAB bids should be flying and there will be plenty of action on the Week 7 fantasy waiver wire.
The fact that six teams are on bye in Week 7 (Bengals, Cowboys, Titans, Jets, Panthers, and Texans) only strengthens the idea that many fantasy owners will be making more pickups than usual this week to find short- or long-term help for their lineups.
But how should you prioritize the pickups, either through the running of waivers running or allocation of your free-agent acquisition budget (FAAB)? Here's your advice and buying guide for the latest week of the fantasy open market:
WEEK 7 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | Trade advice
Week 7 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire QB pickups, streamers
1. Sam Howell, Commanders (Yahoo league availability: 72%). Howell keeps compiling stats while not getting many style points. He dropped 153 yards and three touchdowns on the Falcons in a bad game and gets to go after the Giants' weak pass defense next. Projected FAAB bid: 1-2% of total budget
2. Josh Dobbs, Cardinals (Yahoo league availability: 85%). Call us skeptical the Cardinals will see a healthy Kyler Murray (knee) on the field soon, and there's also the hot trade rumors. Dobbs should keep starting in a decent streaming spot, too, in Seattle. Projected FAAB bid: 0-1% of total budget
3. Derek Carr, Saints (Yahoo league availability: 75%). Carr has taken plenty of dents and not put up pleasing fantasy numbers in most weeks. But he's standing at QB8 for the week despite being roughed up by the Texans' defense. The Jaguars await at home next on Thursday and Carr probably will have volume opposite a red-hot favored visiting offense Projected FAAB bid: 0-1% of total budget
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 7 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire RB pickups, streamers
1. Jordan Mason, 49ers (Yahoo league availability: 96%). Christian McCaffrey's oblique may keep him out at least for the short term, and the 49ers won't take chances with him despite losing in Cleveland in Week 6. They play on Monday night in Week 7 in a good spot vs. the Vikings, but there's a fair chance Mason is leading this backfield for at least a week and looks now like the preferred healthy handcuff. Projected FAAB bid: 10-12% of total budget
2. Craig Reynolds, Lions (Yahoo league availability: 99%). The other Lions' Reynolds is back in the fantasy purview with David Montgomery (ribs) hurt again and Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) also shelved. Detroit couldn't on Tampa Bay's stout front, but depending on how much time either/both will miss, it's more favorable against Baltimore and Las Vegas before a Week 9 bye. Projected FAAB bid: 10-12% of total budget
3. Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins (Yahoo league availability: 48%). Raheem Mostert had a ton of fun as expected vs. the Panthers, but Chris Brooks (before getting hurt) and Salvon Ahmed (who scored) had some nice supplementary production. JWJ (midsection, finger) was close to a Week 6 return. He needs to be added, even with the tough Eagles up next. Projected FAAB bid: 8-9% of total budget
4. Keaontay Ingram, Cardinals (Yahoo league availability: 80%). They weren't lying when they put him atop the depth chart coming off injury while Conner was shelved. The work of the entire backfield wasn't inspiring as a three-man committee vs. the Rams, but Ingram was the lead. The Seahawks can help him produce OK in that role. Projected FAAB bid: 8-9% of total budget
5. Tyjae Spears, Titans (Yahoo league availability: 52%). Spears keeps showing explosiveness behind Derrick Henry and can see a bigger complementary role post-bye for a team needing more dynamic playmakers with a QB change looming. Projected FAAB bid: 7-8% of total budget
6. Elijah Mitchell, 49ers (Yahoo league availability: 72%). Mitchell returned as an active player in Week 6, but the 49ers tipped off that they didn't feel confident about where he's at, giving Mason more touches. Mitchell figures to be in a committee with Mason should CMC miss Minnesota. Projected FAAB bid: 7-8% of total budget
7. Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots (Yahoo league availability: 57%). He still is available in more than half the leagues behind Rhamondre Stevenson, who also scored for the first time in Las Vegas in Week 6. Perhaps the Patriots' rushing attack might have found something even when the passing game stinks. The Bills, Dolphins, and Commanders are manageable matchups over the next three games. Projected FAAB bid: 7-8% of total budget
8. Kareem Hunt, Browns (Yahoo league availability: 64%). Hunt is back in their backfield mix after posting 71 scrimmage yards and a TD against the 49ers. His role is bound to be inconsistent in conjunction with Jerome Ford, but watch out for the Browns pivoting back for an offensive spark.
9. Devin Singletary, Texans (Yahoo league availability: 87%). Singletary wasn't doing anything behind Dameon Pierce until he led the team in rushing with even opportunities against the Saints. He should earn more work for a revived rushing attack after the bye. Projected FAAB bid: 5-6% of total budget
9. Damien Williams, Cardinals (Yahoo league availability: 100%). He also was a thorn in the side of Demercado owners with his sudden usage coming off no role. The well-traveled veteran is a deep-league consideration given Ingram just got back, too. Projected FAAB bid: 2-3% of total budget
10. Zach Evans, Rams (Yahoo league availability: 100%). Here's another rookie back with upside, but he needs Kyren Williams (ankle), who's getting an MRI, to join Ronnie Rivers (knee) in also being unavailable to see a significant role. Projected FAAB bid: 0-1% of total budget
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 7 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire WR pickups, streamers
1. Josh Downs, Colts (Yahoo league availability: 67%). Michael Pittman Jr. and the tight ends woke up in the lopsided loss in Jacksonville, but Downs was still a key target for Gardner Minshew, scoring an early touchdown. He's fully immersed now as a rookie and should keep seeing WR3-level targets. Projected FAAB bid: 9-10% of total budget
2. Jameson Williams, Lions (Yahoo league availability: 51%). The big-play TD came in his second game back playing off a healthy Amon-Ra St. Brown. He has some boom-or-bust value, but he also carries major upside for an offense that will need to pass more soon. Projected FAAB bid: 8-9% of total budget
3. Curtis Samuel, Commanders (Yahoo league availability: 66%). Terry McLaurin got going on the outside, but when Howell goes away from Logan Thomas in the middle of the field, he pivots to using Samuel. Samuel didn't have big receiving totals, but his red-zone results get our attention during a six-team bye. Projected FAAB bid: 8-9% of total budget
4. Rashee Rice, Chiefs (Yahoo league availability: 55%). Rice, for whatever it's worth, has separated a little from a crowded situational committee to serve as Patrick Mahomes' best overall wide receiver. The rookie has a good spot to break out more vs. the Chargers' last-ranked pass defense in Week 7. Projected FAAB bid: 6-7% of total budget
5. Rashid Shaheed, Saints (Yahoo league availability: 68%). The Jaguars present a tough coverage matchup for Chris Olave, and here's also thinking Michael Thomas isn't as favored in big moments as Derek Carr. Shaheed is also padding his numbers with some rushing work. You could do a lot worse for a streaming WR3. Projected FAAB bid: 5-6% of total budget
Week 7 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire TE pickups, streamers
1. Dalton Schultz, Titans (Yahoo league availability: 49%). Schultz is getting into a groove with C.J. Stroud, scoring in three consecutive games. He's been helped by Tank Dell getting concussed and not being available, but overall, he's living up to his preseason sleeper TE1 status and should be owned in 10-team leagues. Don't forget him during the bye. Projected FAAB bid: 8-10% of total budget
2. Michael Mayer, Raiders (Yahoo league availability: 85%). He's seen a steady uptick in work as the team is looking for more impact pass-catchers after Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. The rookie is getting more comfortable with his routes and has shown impressive run-after-the-catch ability,. Projected FAAB bid: 5-6% of total budget
3. Luke Musgrave, Packers (Yahoo league availability: 82%). Musgrave has seen flashy usage early and he's also missed some time. The rookie should be more involved in the second half of the season, and the Broncos give up plenty of points to the position. Projected FAAB bid: 5-6% of total budget
4. Cade Otton, Buccaneers (Yahoo league availability: 97%). Otton has seen inconsistent usage behind their wide receivers, but the Falcons tend to leave the middle of the field open. He can easily find the end zone to be an OK streamer at home. Projected FAAB bid: 3-4% of total budget
5. Taysom Hill, Saints (Yahoo league availability: 93%). He's annoyingly involved just enough to think about a little given the weak back-end of TE1 options. Derek Carr's struggles might allow Hill to see more QB hybrid action, too. Projected FAAB bid: 3-4% of total budget
Week 7 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire D/ST pickups, streamers
(Note: Do not spend any of FAAB budget on D/ST! Get them for $0 after waivers run!)
1. Las Vegas Raiders (Yahoo league availability: 53%). Tyson Bagent might be the latest random starting QB with midseason attrition hitting, given Justin Fields (right hand) was hurt vs. Minnesota. The Raiders were a popular streamer vs. the struggling Patriots, so you should ride 'em if you've got 'em or jump on 'em if you don't.
2. Washington Commanders (Yahoo league availability: 69%). The Commanders let down vs. the Bears but rebounded nicely in Atlanta. Now they get the injury-riddled mess of a Giants' offense to make them viable again.
3. Indianapolis Colts (Yahoo league availability: 90%). The Colts tend to play better defense at home, and there's a good chance they will see the Browns without Deshaun Watson (shoulder) again. They stop the run well, so they can put P.J. Walker in more uncomfortable situations.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Yahoo league availability: 71%). The Falcons are not great when they are contained on the ground and Desmond Ridder faces some pressure. The host Bucs can be that challenge and get some sacks and takeaways.
5. Green Bay Packers (Yahoo league availability: 83%). Their pass defense is darn good, and after a bye with Jaire Alexander and Rashan Gary balling, they can keep frustrating Russell Wilson.
6. Los Angeles Rams (Yahoo league availability: 87%). The Rams have played some good reality defense with youngsters helping Aaron Donald, and they can get some cheap points for you vs. the Steelers.
