Waiver Wire: Week 7

19th October 202119th October 2021 Jeremy Galtman

The waiver wire article is set up to help give you the best possible players that may still be available on your league’s waivers. The following players are all rostered in under 50% based on ESPN’s leagues. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @JGalt93.

Quarterback

Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders (47% Rostered)

Carr has been better than expected this year and has been a solid streaming option for most of the games so far this season. This week the Raiders have a good matchup against an Eagles defense that has been giving plenty of points to opposing offenses. If you need a bye week fill-in Carr would be my top option if he is available. Carr is a QB1 this week with upside.

Sam Darnold, QB, Carolina Panthers (42.6% Rostered)

Darnold hasn’t been performing at the same level as he did in his first five games of 2021 but that doesn’t mean that he can’t offer streaming ability if the matchup is right. This week the Carolina Panthers should have no problem putting up points against a New York Giants team that was just slaughtered by the Los Angeles Rams. If you need a bye week fill or your QB hasn’t been performing, Darnold is a good option in week 7. He is a high-end QB2 with an upside in week 7.

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins (25.3% Rostered)

Although the Dolphins as a whole look bad, Tua looked good in his first game back from injury. He showed what he is capable of doing and this week faces a great matchup against a porous Falcons defense. If you are looking for upside at the quarterback position, Tua is as good as it gets. Tua is a mid-tier QB2 with plenty of upsides in week 7. He also has a great week 8 matchup against the Texans.

Honorable Mention(s):

Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots
Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Jameis Winston, QB, New Orleans Saints

Running Back

D’Ernest Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns (2.5% Rostered)

Johnson’s value solely rests on whether or not Nick Chubb plays this week. If Chubb is out, Johnson should be the next guy up for the Browns. If that is the case Johnson has plenty of value for someone looking for a short-term running back rental. Johnson would be a low-end RB2/high-end flex this week against the Broncos if he has the lead job.

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots (16.8% Rostered)

Stevenson looked good this past week against the Cowboys. Everyone including myself was surprised to see his usage in the passing game as well as the run game in week 6. Damien Harris is surely the lead back for the Patriots but he is currently dealing with a chest injury. If Harris were to miss this week, Stevenson should be the guy to take over the lead role. Regardless, Stevenson is worth an add this week. He offers low-end flex value on any given week and has tons of upside going forward.

Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks (4.5% Rostered)

Penny is not going to win you a week but if he takes over as the lead back for the Seahawks he will be a flex play whenever he has the lead role. Penny should be added purely as a bench stash until we see his production. He is purely for those who are running back needy or have a bench spot to burn.

Honorable Mention(s):

Devonta Freeman, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Mark Ingram, RB, Houston Texans
Deejay Dallas, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Wide Receiver

Marquez Callaway, WR, New Orleans Saints (43.1% Rostered)

To my surprise, Callaway is still rostered in less than 50% of leagues. There is the chance that Michael Thomas comes off the PUP this week, so it is understandable why some may be hesitant to add Callaway. The thing is that it is not guaranteed that Thomas will be back this week and even if he is, Callaway should still have value. Callaway is a flex play going forward with solid upside. He has a great matchup this week and should be considered a start against the Seahawks.

AJ Green, WR, Arizona Cardinals (42.4% Rostered)

Green has been more boom than bust but he still has bust potential any given week mainly due to how Kyler Murray spreads the ball around. The good thing though is that the Cardinals are playing at an elite level which means Green’s chances of succeeding are decently high. If you need a bye week fill-in Green is a good option. He is a weekly flex with boom/bust potential.

T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts (29.5% Rostered)

Just when we thought he was back, Hilton’s quads said otherwise. It is amazing how efficient Hilton is when he plays but the big issue there is when he plays. Hilton can’t stay healthy but when active he is a viable asset for anyone’s team. If he is active this week Hilton can be put in as a decent flex option against the 49ers defense in week 7.

Honorable Mention(s):

Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Rondale Moore, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Jamison Crowder, WR, New York Jets
Mecole Hardman, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Tight Ends

O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2.0% Rostered)

If you need a tight end this week Howard might just be the top guy available this week. With Gronkowski out last week Howard was bombarded with targets and even found his way into the endzone. If Gronk is out again this week then I would be willing to start Howard against the Bears. Howard is a mid-tier TE2 with solid upside if Gronk were to miss another week.

Mo Alie-Cox, TE, Indianapolis Colts (3.0% Rostered)

Mo has been a great streaming option over the last 3 weeks and I would bet that he will offer the same floor/upside again this week against the 49ers. If you need a streaming option with a safe floor and touchdown scoring upside, Mo would be my choice. He is a TE2 with upside in week 7.

Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers( 4.0% Rostered)

If Pat were playing this week he would most likely be my top option at the tight end position. Big Ben said he wanted to get Pat involved more and he was not lying. Ben hyper-targeted Pat this past week and there is a chance this kind of usage will continue especially with the Steelers being without Juju Smith Schuster being out. If you need tight end help and have the bench space I would definitely add Freiermuth this week.

Honorable Mention(s):

Tyler Conklin, TE, Minnesota Vikings
C.J. Uzomah, TE, Cincinnati Bengals