The Top Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7 | RB Sleepers, WR Breakouts & FAAB Advice (Ep. 2275)

Aaron Rodgers is the source's top available quarterback streamer for Week 7; he has posted multiple touchdown passes and at least 235 passing yards in four consecutive games, establishing him as an impactful fantasy option going forward.

Adonai Mitchell is expected to return from a finger injury soon, which creates role uncertainty for Omar Cooper in the Jets' passing game. The source cites Mitchell's return as a factor limiting Cooper's ceiling and long-term fantasy value.

Injury status is concerning and unclear; initially reported as possible return in a week or two, then underwent a procedure extending timeline; return timing for Week 7 is uncertain, creating a Wally Pipp risk where his absence allows Omar Cooper to produce and establish role, but his return could immediately displace Cooper to three-wide snaps only and cannibalize target share.

Knight is mentioned as a possible one-week running back opportunity for Week 7 waiver wire consideration.

Rodriguez has no passing game usage and is not a priority waiver wire target; while he received similar carries to Tootin in Week 6, the source has no interest in him as a third running back option.

Darnell Washington received 17 red zone targets in the game discussed, suggesting increased red zone usage in the Steelers offense under McCarthy.

Darnell Washington is characterized as a competent but not explosive tight end in Pittsburgh's passing game, limiting his role in creating plays after the catch compared to Cedrick Bernard's value in the offense.

Deshaun Watson has reverted to poor performance over the past two weeks, generating sacks, interceptions, and turnovers; his offense is falling apart, limiting offensive upside even if the Browns add reinforcements like Quinshawn Judkins.

Singletary actually had more opportunities on the field than Tyrone Tracy in Week 7, despite Tracy getting the bulk of the touches. This suggests the Ravens backfield is highly unpredictable and that touches don't correlate with overall field involvement, making any Ravens back a risky fantasy asset.

Aaron Rodgers has funneled targets heavily to DK Metcalf and Jeremy Bernard as his two primary targets in the Steelers offense. Metcalf is receiving significant target volume alongside Bernard.

DK Metcalf is characterized as an air yards guy who isn't going to do a lot of damage after the catch in Pittsburgh's offense; while he's hard to tackle after the catch, he doesn't create explosive plays like Cedrick Bernard does, positioning Bernard as the more valuable option in the short-passing game.

Sampson is on the verge of returning from IR and could be activated for Week 7, which would limit Jaleel McLaughlin's backfield opportunity.

Garrett Wilson is identified as the Jets' number one wide receiver, establishing the depth chart context for Omar Cooper and Adonai Mitchell's roles in the passing game.

Likely benefited from JJ McCarthy's arrival at quarterback; McCarthy threw a perfectly layered pass to Likely that showcased superior arm talent compared to the previous Ravens quarterback, suggesting Likely could see improved target quality and efficiency with McCarthy under center.

McCarthy took over at quarterback for the Ravens and showed immediate improvement over James Daniels, throwing for over 200 yards in just 11 minutes of football with crisp, accurate passes. The source notes McCarthy made throws—including a perfectly layered pass to Isaiah Likely—that Daniels couldn't make anymore, suggesting McCarthy's arm talent is superior and could improve the Ravens' offensive efficiency going forward.

JK Dobbins was initially thought to have a hamstring injury in Week 3 but turned out to be healthy and played that week; this was part of a Broncos running back situation confusion where Jonah Coleman was actually the injured player.

Jacobi Lane ranks number four on one the source's top-five waiver list, positioned as an upside wide receiver play in a week when the source is targeting receivers for their ceiling potential.

Three catches for 87 yards on five targets in week 7; mentioned among lower-profile waiver wire options.

McLaughlin could be the number one in the Broncos backfield this week if Quinchon Judkins remains unavailable, but his status is uncertain; Dylan Sampson is also on the verge of returning from IR, so McLaughlin could be inactive if both Judkins and Sampson return, making him a one-week possibility with high variance.

Jalen Hurts is out for the year with a blood clot issue, making him unavailable for fantasy purposes and removing a top-10 quarterback option from the waiver wire pool for Week 7.

Jalen Daniels has been mistake-prone through three starts with nine sacks and four interceptions, making him a vulnerable quarterback target for defenses streaming against the Panthers in Week 7.

James Cook is out for Week 7 due to Buffalo's bye week, removing a significant running back option from availability.

Despite frustration over Waddle's recent performance (4 catches for 24 yards in Week 7), the source is holding him with conviction. The reasoning: Waddle faces Arizona this week, and if he produces against the Cardinals, the market will re-rate him favorably due to name recognition and pedigree. The source argues that even if Waddle and a competing option like Jeremy Bernard have identical performances, Waddle will generate more excitement and opportunity cost—making him worth holding over cutting for Bernard. The source also states he will rank Waddle higher in rest-of-season rankings despite the recent slump.

The source ranks Waddle higher than Jeremy Bernard in rest-of-season rankings despite both being on the edge of roster cuts; when forced to choose between dropping Waddle or Roma Dunze, the source would retain Waddle, indicating preference for Waddle's rest-of-season outlook over Dunze.

Jonah Coleman is eligible to come off injured reserve this week and is expected to return immediately after a high ankle sprain; he was previously sidelined in Week 3 when JK Dobbins and RJ Harvey were initially thought injured but turned out healthy.

Jonah Coleman ranks number three on one the source's top-five waiver list, prioritized over Omar Cooper due to positional premium at running back; the source notes that running back is extremely thin this week, making Coleman's positional scarcity a key factor in his ranking.

The source ranks Jeremy Bernard ahead of Jordan Addison in rest-of-season rankings, suggesting Addison may be overvalued relative to Bernard despite being a good player.

The source prefers Cedrick Bernard over Jordan Addison in rest-of-season rankings at this point, despite acknowledging Addison is a good player; Bernard's superior after-catch explosiveness and role in Pittsburgh's offense make him the preferred target.

Jordan Tyson is positioned as a preferred waiver wire target over Omar Cooper for wide receiver-needy teams. The source expresses more confidence in Tyson's role and involvement in a better passing game, though Tyson is expected to return soon from injury. The source prefers Tyson's role clarity compared to Cooper's uncertain role in the Jets' offense.

Eighth overall pick in 2024 draft with strong training camp before mid-August hamstring injury; traveling with Saints to France for Week 7 game vs. Steelers and could return this week, though not yet designated to return from IR; FAAB bid strategy depends on return confirmation: $10 range if confirmed before bids due, $2-4 if status remains unclear and Saints have bye in Week 8 (no return until Week 9); high pedigree and training camp performance support upside if healthy.

Eighth overall pick in 2024 draft with strong training camp before mid-August hamstring injury; Saints have high-volume passing game with fast pace under Kellen Moore. Source recommends aggressive FAAB bidding at 8-14 dollars given potential sell-high trade opportunity if he returns post-bye (week 9 earliest), noting rookie excitement peaks before return game and could present trade chip before potential re-injury risk.

Jordan Tyson ranks number five on one the source's waiver list and number two on another's, positioned as an upside play for teams with immediate roster needs before bye weeks arrive in the next two weeks.

Josh Allen is out for Week 7 due to Buffalo's bye week, removing a top-eight quarterback option from availability.

Kendra Miller is mentioned as a running back waiver wire candidate who could have been among the top end of pickups for Week 7, though the source indicates this player has already been discussed in detail.

Eight targets in week 7 but caught only five for 47 yards; 18 percent rostered. Source was aggressive on him last week but results underwhelming despite target volume.

Kyler Murray is a waiver wire target coming off a bye to face the Colts, who lack No. 1 cornerback L'Jarius Sneed and have a weak secondary and pass defense overall; Murray's tendency to target wide receiver and tight end (rather than wide receiver-wide receiver-tight end) makes him a strong play against Indianapolis's vulnerable pass defense.

The source had to start Laquan Treadwell in their league due to wide receiver injuries and buys, indicating desperation-level usage and lack of preferred alternatives.

Michael Pittman's return from injury could impact Jeremy Bernard's role in the Steelers offense. The concern is whether Pittman's return shifts the offense to two-wide sets, relegating Bernard to three-wide-only usage. However, Pittman is valued as a run blocker, so the team may not shift away from three-wide receiver sets significantly.

Harris exemplifies the Ravens backfield dysfunction under Harbaugh-Roman; he received only two touches before disappearing entirely in Week 7, leaving him frustrated about the lack of volume despite having the lead job. The source uses Harris as evidence that the entire Ravens run game is broken, not just one player, and suggests the scheme is the limiting factor rather than individual talent.

Omar Cooper is 4% rostered on Yahoo with 6 catches on 7 targets for 103 yards and a touchdown in Week 7. The source views him as a waiver wire target who could be fought over in more leagues than Jeremy Bernard, though recommends moderate FAAB spend (6-7% max). Concerns include Adonai Mitchell's return from finger injury and role clarity in the Jets' passing game alongside Garrett Wilson, but Cooper is praised for his after-the-catch ability, toughness, and blocking; the source notes he makes sense as a pickup in 12-team leagues and potentially 10-team leagues depending on roster construction.

First-round talent with upside in 12-team leagues and potentially 10-team leagues if shooting for upside; can play both inside and outside like Romeo Dobbs and Tyler Lockett, which differentiates him from slot-only receivers; risk is Adonai Mitchell's return could limit him to three-wide snaps and reduce production, but if Mitchell's injury lingers another 1-2 weeks, Cooper could establish himself as a long-term starter before being displaced; source willing to take the chance given limited waiver options.

Omar Cooper ranks number three on one the source's waiver list and number four on another's, positioned as an upside wide receiver play in a week when the source is targeting receivers for their ceiling potential.

Parker Washington is out for Week 7 due to Jacksonville's bye week, removing a wide receiver option from availability.

Pat Freiermuth had a frustrating week as Darnell Washington received 17 red zone targets instead. This suggests a shift in target distribution within the Steelers offense under McCarthy.

Pat Freiermuth is described as a competent but not explosive tight end in Pittsburgh's passing game, limiting his role in creating plays after the catch compared to Cedrick Bernard's value in the offense.

Judkins' status is uncertain heading into Week 7; his availability will determine whether Jaleel McLaughlin becomes the lead back in the Broncos backfield or remains a backup.

Suffered injury in week 7 game; significance of absence unknown but creates opportunity window for Jacoby Lane to move up depth chart. Lamar Jackson return timing also factors into Bateman's role uncertainty.

RJ Harvey was initially thought to have a hamstring injury in Week 3 but turned out to be healthy and played that week; this was part of a Broncos running back situation confusion where Jonah Coleman was actually the injured player.

Roman Wilson was essentially benched in the game discussed after giving up a pass that resulted in an interception. Aaron Rodgers, who is known to hate people he doesn't trust, responded by reducing Wilson's role. This suggests Wilson has fallen out of favor with Rodgers.

Johnson could be a one-week possibility at running back if Kyle Mononga misses another game with turf toe, creating a temporary backfield opportunity.

Six targets, caught three for 40 yards in week 7; mentioned among lower-profile waiver wire options.

Terrence Ferguson is not eligible to return from injured reserve until Week 8, limiting his availability for Week 7 waiver wire pickups.

The source argues Henderson should be held despite limited recent usage, citing his historical upside: he was RB3 over a three-week stretch when Ramondre Stevenson was out last year and had multi-touchdown games even with Stevenson playing. The source emphasizes Henderson is one injury away from a lead bell-cow workload and compares him favorably to other handcuff/backup running backs like Tyler Algier and Brian Robinson—players worth holding for potential opportunity regardless of current production. The conviction is strong: 'The upside is just too high to cut him loose' and 'I'm not cutting clear potential bell cow workload running backs.'

Tyler Higbee is the source's top streaming tight end for Week 7; with Devonta Adams potentially injured (non-contact knee injury status unclear), Higbee could become the number two pass catcher for the Rams this week, elevating his fantasy value.

Tracy was the only Ravens back to produce positively in Week 7, but the source notes he's already been benched before his own fumble and has been a game-day inactive, suggesting his role is unstable. He got the touches but had fewer opportunities on the field than Devin Singletary, indicating the backfield is unpredictable and Tracy's Week 7 performance may not signal a locked-in role going forward.