This week's set of byes (Vikings, Eagles, Rams, Bills) is wiping out fantasy football stars across the league, and injuries will further complicate start 'em, sit 'em decisions. Unfortunately, the top Week 7 waiver wire pickups probably won't save you. Guys like Latavius Murray, Kenyan Drake, Wan'Dale Robinson, and Greg Dulcich might be able to provide some immediate relief and be worth moderate waiver claims/FAAB bids, but this is the type of week where you want to save your budget and look to improve with free agent adds as much as possible.
As we'll do every week this season with the help of our friends at Fantasy Alarm, let's break down the top pickups and project how much of your FAAB budget you should bid on them.
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Week 7 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire QB pickups, streamers
By Rah Kuhn, Fantasy Alarm
Matt Ryan (IND). We have gotten more good weeks than bad out of Ryan in his new home, and based on his performance last week, it might be safe to say that he has acclimated himself well to Indianapolis. Game flow was partly responsible last week, as he was in a shootout against Jacksonville, but the credit for that goes to Ryan. The veteran hit Alec Pierce with his third touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to close the books on a 389-yard effort. As Ryan shakes off last year’s struggles, there is still a fantasy-relevant quarterback left here. Projected FAAB Bid: 2-3% of total budget
Marcus Mariota (ATL). The plan was never truly to replace Ryan with Mariota, but instead for the Falcons to look toward the future. That is not to say anything has changed here, but the running aspect of Mariota’s game plays a large part in his fantasy success even if it doesn't tantalize the Falcons for the future. He was at his best last week against a tough San Francisco defense, completing 13-of-14 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns. What really boosted his value, though, was 50 rushing yards and a touchdown on six carries, giving him 206 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the season. That raises his floor every week if you need a streamer. Proj. FAAB Bid: 1-2% of budget
WEEK 7 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | Trade advice
Week 7 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire RB pickups, streamers
Latavius Murray (DEN). We saw on Monday night that Murray was being used as the lead running back for the Broncos, playing 47 percent of the team's offensive snaps and rushing for 66 yards on 15 carries. Melvin Gordon saw just 16 percent of the team's offensive snaps and had three carries for eight yards. Mike Boone saw 36 percent of the offensive snaps but had just one carry and one catch for a total of four yards. If Murray is going to be the lead guy in Denver, he becomes a top add even if the Broncos offense struggles. Projected FAAB Bid: 10-15% of total budget.
Kenyan Drake (BAL). Between JK Dobbins exiting with a knee injury, Justice Hill sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Gus Edwards (knee) still on the PUP list, all that was left in the backfield for Baltimore on Sunday was Drake. Whoever the running back is for the Ravens will always be competing with Lamar Jackson for carries, but we do have to take note of Drake’s performance against the Giants. The veteran had a 30-yard touchdown run among his 10 carries, but he also broke the 20-yard mark on three other runs on his way to a 119-yard day. It was the first real success we saw from Drake this season, and while we cannot bank on continued big plays, this is a situation to watch depending on the health of Baltimore’s other running backs this week. Proj. FAAB Bid: 5-10% of budget
Caleb Huntley (ATL). When looking at backfields, we have to follow the touches, and that brings us right to Huntley and his 16 carries on Sunday. Huntley turned that into 59 yards on Sunday against a difficult San Francisco run defense after gaining 90 yards on 18 carries in his two previous games. It is worth noting that Tyler Allgeier also had 15 carries for 51 yards, but it's clear that Atlanta’s offense is going to be focused on the ground game. With Cordarrelle Patterson out until at least Week 9 because of a knee injury, the opportunity is there. Proj. FAAB Bid: 2-3% of budget
MORE RB CONSIDERATIONS (1-2% bids): Deon Jackson (IND); Gus Edwards (BAL)
WEEK 7 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 7 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire WR pickups, streamers
Robbie Anderson (ARI). Marquise Brown's foot injury and Anderson's sideline blowup couldn't have come at a better time for both the Cardinals and the Panthers, as the two teams quickly came together on a deal that will send Anderson to the Cardinals for a pair of late-round draft picks. After a strong first season in Carolina with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback, things have been bad for Anderson with the Panthers thanks to poor coaching and QB play. He heads to Arizona where he will fill in for Brown, who's out for at least the next six weeks. That said, a returning DeAndre Hopkins will figure to see a large target share, leaving Anderson as more of a field stretcher than someone we should expect to see the same target share that Brown was seeing before this injury. Projected FAAB Bid: 5-10% of total budget
Chase Claypool (PIT). It is no secret that the Pittsburgh offense is limited, at best, but Claypool is a talented receiver who should transcend that. Claypool had his best game of the season on Sunday after catching only two passes for 20 yards in the first half. After Kenny Pickett exited the game with a concussion (his status is unclear for this week), Claypool connected with Mitchell Trubisky for five receptions, 76 yards, and a touchdown. Claypool’s performance came after his second-best week of the season, as he caught five-of-10 targets for 50 yards in Week 5. This is a bet on the talent and momentum; Claypool is simply too good to be on the waiver wire. Proj. FAAB Bid: 5-7% of budget
Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG). Despite their success to begin the season, the Giants are not doing much of it through the air. Part of that has been a direct result of necessity, as New York is not exactly flush with receiving options, but that might begin to change with a healthy Robinson. This past week was really the first time we got to see what the rookie can do, as he caught three of four targets for 37 yards and a touchdown. I would look for his role to continue expanding. Even if it is by default, Robinson is talented, and there is a reason why he was drafted in the second round this past April. Proj. FAAB Bid: 3-5% of budget
Ben Skowronek (LAR). It's clear that the Rams offense is missing at least one piece so far this season, and they won despite that against Carolina this past week. Skowronek carved out a solid role, rushing for a 17-yard touchdown while also catching all five of his targets for 40 yards. This came on the heels of an eight-target day. The fact that the Rams have a bye next week helps to depress his price, but it also makes roster management a little more difficult. Proj. FAAB Bid: 2-3% of budget.
MORE WR CONSIDERATIONS (1-2% bids): Alec Pierce (IND); Tre'Quan Smith (NO); Tyquan Thornton (NE); Josh Reynolds (DET)
WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 7 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire TE pickups, streamers
Greg Dulcich (DEN). The third-round pick made his NFL debut last night and immediately became the Broncos top tight end, playing 71 percent of the team's offensive snaps and finishing with two catches on three targets for 44 yards and a touchdown. Given the state of the tight end position, Dulcich should become a prized waiver wire pickup this week. Projected FAAB Bid: 5-10% of total budget
Robert Tonyan (GB). Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense was a mess this past week, and to be honest, it has not been the best of seasons overall for them. Regardless, Rodgers has to throw the ball to someone (especially if Green Bay is trailing), and last week it was Tonyan. He was targeted 12 times, catching 10 for 90 yards, and I would expect to see that trend continue as Rodgers locks into the veteran. Proj. FAAB Bid: 5-7% of budget
Daniel Bellinger (NYG). It seems odd to target two receiving options from the same team, let alone one that does not boast a prolific passing offense, but the Giants have keyed in on Bellinger, who has developed a level of comfort with Daniel Jones. Bellinger had the best day of his young career on Sunday, catching all five of his passes for 38 yards and his second touchdown of the season. Proj. FAAB Bid: 1-2% of budget
Week 7 Fantasy FAAB Advice: Waiver wire Defense pickups, streamers
As we always caution, you shouldn't spend more than one percent of your FAAB budget on a D/ST. Here are this week's potential streaming pickups:
- New York Jets (@ Broncos
- Indianapolis Colts (@ Titans)
- Tennessee Titans (vs. Colts)
- Arizona Cardinals (vs. Saints)
- Miami Dolphins (vs. Steelers)
- Chicago Bears @ Patriots)
