NFL Waiver Wire: Week 7 Pickups

As we continue through the bye-week gauntlet while also dealing with injuries, let's look at a few waiver-wire options for Week 7. For the most part, we'll target players who are available in at least of half of the Yahoo leagues.

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget.

QUARTERBACK

SECONDARY TARGETS

Jacoby Brissett, IND - It's possible that his 42 percent ownership rate is so low because the Colts were on a bye last week, but Brissett was available in many leagues before that time as well. Whether you need a starter or a reliable backup, Brissett could be the answer. He didn't throw a touchdown pass Week 5 against the Chiefs (though he ran for one) because the Colts smashed KC on the ground, and he didn't need to throw. Otherwise, he has tossed multiple TD passes in every game, and even though the yardage has been inconsistent, he'll continue to provide a solid scoring floor. FAAB: $3-$7

Josh Allen, BUF - Allen hasn't been as strong a fantasy option as expected this year, but that's partly because the Bills' early season schedule included four cream-puff opponents — Allen ranks 20th in the league in attempts. Don't expect Buffalo to keep playing with a lead each week. Once the Bills are forced to abandon their traditional rushing attack, they'll be able to turn Allen loose, and then fantasy owners will be able to reap the benefits of his rushing ability and big arm. We learned last year that he can be the top-scoring QB any week. FAAB: $5-$10

RUNNING BACK

SECONDARY TARGETS

Latavius Murray, NO - It makes sense why Murray is available in more than half of fantasy leagues — he's hardly seen the ball since Teddy Bridgewater took over at quarterback. It's no secret the Saints have leaned more heavily than ever upon Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara to get them through their time without Drew Brees. However, with Kamara limited in Week 6, Murray turned 11 touches into 79 yards. What the box score didn't show was that he had a 40-yard touchdown called back on a holding penalty. When Brees returns, Murray should see increased touches every week, improving his RB value. FAAB: $5-$7

Benny Snell, PIT - Snell is now the backup to James Conner with Jaylen Samuels out with a knee injury. Sunday he showed what he could if give the opportunity, rushing 17 times for 75 yards and catching one pass for 14 yards. More than half of his touches came before Conner left with a quadriceps injury, and he outgained the starter 4.4 to 2.6 yards per rush. The severity of Conner's injury is unclear, but this is just the latest in a number of injuries for Conner this year. The Steelers have a bye Week 7, and even if Conner is ready for Week 8, Snell should get ample opportunity against the Dolphins' atrocious defense. FAAB: $5-$7

HAIL MARY

Mark Walton, MIA - Buried in the demotion of Kalen Ballage is that Walton is now in a timeshare with Kenyan Drake, and as we've seen the last couple years, Miami doesn't plan to make Drake a featured guy. Walton outgained Drake on Sunday with 75 yards on 11 touches, including five receptions. He's definitely worth a pickup in case he takes over the majority of the backfield role. Walton is owned in just four percent of leagues, so it shouldn't take much to acquire him. FAAB:$1-$5

Derrius Guice, WAS - For those who have can stash a player, Guice is close to returning from a knee injury. He's missed five of the minimum eight weeks on IR. The Redskins have a bye Week 10, so Guice's first game would be Week 11, but he could move into a role with double-digit touches in time for the fantasy playoffs.  Even though the Washington offense is bad, Guice is an elite talent, and he could take advantage of favorable matchups down the stretch. FAAB: $1

WIDE RECEIVER

PRIMARY TARGETS

Robby Anderson/Jamison Crowder, NYJ - Anderson is owned in slightly more than half of leagues while Crowder's available in more than half. With Sam Darnold back at quarterback, both should be owned in all leagues. Crowder has more value in PPR leagues because he is a possession receiver who in just a short time has earned Darnold's trust, while Anderson is the Jets' primary deep threat who can go off, especially in favorable matchups. FAAB: (each player) $15-$30

SECONDARY TARGET

Auden Tate, CIN - Tate is owned in just 23 percent of leagues, but since Week 3 he has 255 passing yards, good for 19th in the league. Without A.J. Green and John Ross, he took advantage Sunday with a season-high 12 targets. Green could return Week 7 from his ankle injury, but the 6-foot-5 Tate should continue to be heavily involved in the Bengals' passing attack. If nothing else, he makes for a decent bye-week add this week against Jacksonville (15th in passing yards allowed per game) with Jalen Ramsey dealing with a back injury. FAAB: $4-$6

HAIL MARY

A.J. Brown, TEN - In Week 5, Brown finally saw a jump in snap share, indicating the rookie is becoming a bigger part of the Titans' offensive plans. Hopefully, the coaching staff moves away from Marcus Mariota and lets Ryan Tannehill start, as it'll likely give Brown a boost — any QB willing to throw the ball is an upgrade. In his limited chances, Brown has already shown big-play ability, and he actually had a 40-yard reception called back by penalty. This elite athlete could turn into a WR3 in the near future and provide a boost to fantasy lineups. FAAB: $1- $4

Ted Ginn, NO - While Drew Brees has been on the shelf, Ginn has been useless in fantasy leagues, but when Brees returns, he should slot in as a viable fantasy option once again. With Brees, Ginn caught seven of seven targets for 101 yards in Week 1. Second-year receiver Tre'Quan Smith continues to battle an ankle injury and hasn't had a target since Week 2, missing three games and giving Ginn little competition for the No. 2 role behind Michael Thomas. Brees hopes to return Week 8 against the Cardinals, but with a bye the following week, the Saints could just wait until Week 10 to activate Brees. Once Brees does return, Ginn should see an uptick in targets from the 4.5 per game he's received the last four weeks. FAAB: $1-$2

TIGHT END

HAIL MARY

Ben Watson, NE - Yes, Watson was cut a couple weeks ago by the Patriots, but he was brought back this week. With Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo offering little consistency in the passing attack, it wouldn't be a shock if Watson ended up  stepping in and providing fantasy owners useful production. Hey, there are a lot of owners desperate at TE, and Tom Brady knows what he has in Watson, so why not take a flier? FAAB: $1

DEFENSE

SECONDARY TARGET

Tennessee Titans - If you're not streaming a defense and need to settle on just one, the Titans are that rare team on the waiver wire who is strong against the run and the pass while having a decent pass rush. They're especially useful in leagues that penalize points against, as they rank fifth in the league with 15.3 points allowed per game.  Also, with the pressure they can generate with their front seven, they can have spike weeks with sacks and takeaways. FAAB: $1