Best Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

Where’s Sherlock Holmes when you need him? Only the most eagle-eyed detectives will be able to find just where all the points went this week. If you finally got to start Davante Adams again, you were probably disappointed. A top-heavy week makes for bad football and disappointed fantasy players. Still, we move on and head into week 7. I hope your teams are in good shape. Regardless, here’s how I did last week and who you need to add and avoid this week!

Good Adds: Kirk Cousins (23.7), Chase Claypool (18.1)

Good Fades: Baker Mayfield (5.3), La’Mical Perine (5.6)

Misses: Add Alexander Mattison (4.0), Fade Darren Fells (20.5)

D’Andre Swift, RB Detroit Lions

Swift was a touchdown dependent player for the first few weeks of the season and was generally a risk in your lineup. Finally, the Lions gave him significant rushes and he produced. 114 yards and two scores despite Adrian Peterson’s 15 carries and a score of his own is tremendous. If the Lions ever treat him like a true bell cow with a big lead, this may only improve. That is a big ‘if’, though, with the Lions. There’s not a great chance he’s available in 12+ teamers, but if you play with 10 or fewer teams, he should be the top add of the week.

Verdict: What are you waiting for? Add him!

Jerrick McKinnon, RB San Francisco 49ers

McKinnon may not be on the waiver wire in most leagues, but if he is you need to add him. After a streak of 13 or more points in four straight weeks, McKinnon returned to a backup role with the return of Raheem Mostert. Unfortunately, Mostert now looks like he’s heading back onto the IR. Check if McKinnon is available in your league. This week may be a back matchup but the more weeks Mostert misses, the more value you can get.

Verdict: Add in all formats

Boston Scott, RB Philadelphia Eagles

Miles Sanders capped off another great game on the ground with an injury. This is now the second week in a row that the sophomore has broken off a 74-yard run, both times to an AFC North opponent. Scott steps into a role that may not be the bell cow role people expect. The main concern for Sanders heading into the season was an RBBC, and that seems much more likely with Scott. Still, a Thursday night game against a Giants defense that has been especially vulnerable to RBs through the air should prove to be an ideal matchup. Don’t expect Wentz to want to throw it a ton on a short week, still missing receivers.

Verdict: Add in all formats

Russell Gage, WR Atlanta Falcons

Gage had less than five points for three straight weeks, but finally returned that low-end WR2/3 production we expected from him. A matchup against Detroit seems great but after that his schedule gets difficult again. Carolina, a bye week, New Orleans twice, Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, and Kansas City. Not exactly the nicest to opposing receivers. Gage had a great matchup last week and got a solid 10 points out of it. I like him this week but I’m not sure he’s your guy long-term compared to Tee Higgins, Keelan Cole, or Corey Davis.

Verdict: Stream this week, but don’t hold on for too long

James Washington, WR Pittsburgh Steelers

With everyone scrambling to get their hands on Chase Claypool, it was James Washington who Ben looked to the most. Claypool still outscored him thanks to a rushing touchdown, but there’s enough room for multiple receivers to succeed. Unfortunately for Washington, this all came during a game where JuJu Smith-Schuster did not produce much and Diontae Johnson was out. With Johnson likely returning next week against the Titans, Washington may be regressed to his usual role as an uninspiring flex play who gets the occasional big game.

Verdict: Fade

Dallas Goedert, TE Philadelphia Eagles

Who has Goedert in your league? Quickly, check. He may be on the waiver wire after getting injured early in Week 3. Now eligible to return, he is taking over for an injured Zach Ertz. I might as well throw Travis Fulgham and any other Eagle with a pulse onto this list, but for the sake of team diversity this will be the last Eagle you see. There is no overthinking here.

Verdict: Add in all formats

Anthony Firkser, TE Tennessee Titans

Jonnu Smith only had a single catch before leaving the game on Sunday. Firkser exploded in his place, gaining 113 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions. A daunting Steelers defense awaits in a 5-0 showdown that will decide the top seed in the AFC. Still, the Steelers have been beatable enough and if you’re desperate, you can bet the Titans will need to throw. If Jonnu continues to miss time, A.J. Brown could attract enough attention to get Firkser a solid game.

Verdict: Add as a streamer, but only if Jonnu Smith can’t play

Others to consider: QB Joe Burrow, RB J.D. McKissick, WR Adam Humphries, WR Keelan Cole Sr., TE Darren Fells

Others to fade: QB Carson Wentz, RB JaMycal Hasty, WR Jerry Jeudy, TE Trey Burton

Why are they still on the waiver wire?: QB Justin Herbert, RB James White, WR Tee Higgins, TE Robert Tonyan