As we turn the page on Week 6 of the 2022 NFL season, the upcoming week will see another four teams on bye, leaving fantasy owners even more reasons to scour the fantasy football waiver wire in Week 7.
While players on the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Detroit Lions and Houston Texans will all be returning to action after their Week 6 bye, the following four teams and star-studded list of players will be at home:
Buffalo Bills: QB Josh Allen, RB Devin Singletary, WR Stefon Diggs, WR Gabe Davis, WR Isaiah McKenzie, TE Dawson Knox, Bills D/ST
Los Angeles Rams: QB Matthew Stafford, RB Darrell Henderson, RB Cam Akers (?), WR Cooper Kupp, WR Allen Robinson, TE Tyler Higbee, Rams D/ST
Minnesota Vikings: QB Kirk Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook, WR Justin Jefferson, WR Adam Thielen, TE Irv Smith, Vikings D/ST
Philadelphia Eagles: QB Jalen Hurts, RB Miles Sanders, WR A.J. Brown, WR DeVonta Smith, TE Dallas Goedert, Eagles D/ST
Why the question mark next to Akers? Well, he has reportedly played his last snap with the Rams, leaving his future very much up in the air. Owners should still be holding, though.
Now, a look at the best fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 7.
QB Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts
Admittedly, rolling Matt Ryan out there is always a major roll of the dice, as you simply don’t know what you’re going to get from the veteran single-caller, and more importantly, from his shaky offensive line.
However, he is coming off his best game of 2022 when he threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns in a rare, 34-point outburst by the Colts in Week 6.
Ryan’s other best game? Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans when he threw for 356 yards and two touchdowns to one pick.
Ryan’s Week 7 opponent? The Titans, who remain very vulnerable through the air and sport a defense giving up the third-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
Matty Ice should eat as long as his offensive line can keep him upright, something that isn’t a guarantee.
Priority level: High (streaming option, potential long-term solution)
QB Marcus Mariota, Atlanta Falcons
Like Ryan, Marcus Mariota is coming off his best fantasy performance of the 2022 campaign after he tallied 129 yards and two scores through the air to go along with 50 rushing yards and another score.
It’s a perfect example of why Mariota can be such a great fantasy asset. With his ability to run the football, he doesn’t need a ton of passing yards to have success for owners who start him.
We aren’t ready to call Mariota an every-week starter just yet, but we do trust him as a streaming option in Week 7.
Granted, he draws a tough matchup against a Cincinnati Bengals defense ceding the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to signal-callers, but his rushing ability and the potential for the Falcons to have to keep up with Cincy’s explosive offense makes Mariota a definite streaming option.
Priority level: Medium (streaming option, potential long-term solution)
QB Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy G usually isn’t going to win you a week with massive numbers, but he can provide safe, stable production from week-to-week, making him a solid streaming option for Week 7.
Garoppolo has tallied 15 or more fantasy points in each of his last three games, and in four of five contests overall.
He also draws a matchup against a Kansas City Chiefs defense allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. And, with the 49ers banged-up on defense in a matchup against an elite Chiefs offense, San Francisco might be playing catch-up in this game.
Priority level: Medium (streaming option)
QB Bailey Zappe, New England Patriots
The Patriots officially have a quarterback controversy, as Bailey Zappe has come on very strong since Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer went down to injury, leading to victories in both of his starts.
Zappe was particularly impressive against a tough Cleveland Browns defense in Week 7, as the rookie signal-caller completed 70.5 percent of his passes for 309 yards and two scores.
On paper, Zappe’s Week 7 matchup isn’t great, as the Chicago Bears are tied for the ninth-fewest fantasy points allowed per contest to quarterbacks, but part of that has to do with the fact that teams have been running all over them.
Don’t be afraid to start Zappe this week, and he could end up being a long-term solution, although the jury is still very much out on that.
Priority level: Medium (streaming option, potential long-term solution)
RBs Caleb Huntley and Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
One week after Allgeier led the way in touches, Huntley saw a slightly bigger workload, garnering 16 touches to Allgeier’s 15. While neither back has done much with their increased opportunities, volume alone makes both not only roster options, but flex options as well.
One thing to keep an eye on here is the potential return of Damien Williams, who is eligible to come off injured reserve once again this week. Williams would throw a wrench into this already messy situation, so consider that before making a move.
Also of note, Patterson is eligible to come off injured reserve after Week 8, which would render Huntley, Allgeier and Williams (assuming he has a role upon his return) irrelevant.
Priority level for Huntley and Allgeier: Medium
RB Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders
Robinson got the start over Antonio Gibson in Week 6 and saw a significant workload with 17 carries, which he turned into 60 yards and a touchdown.
Robinson should continue to see a heavy dose of carries, but the concern here is that he hasn’t gotten any passing game work in two contests, with that going to Gibson and J.D. McKissic.
The volume makes Robinson a must-add and flex option moving forward, but his overall workload and production will greatly depend upon game script until he starts seeing more work in the passing game.
Priority level: High
RBs Kenyan Drake and Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens’ running back situation is a total mess. J.K. Dobbins has struggled this season and did so once again in Week 6, paving the way for Kenyan Drake’s season-best performance.
Drake carried the rock 10 times for 119 yards and a touchdown, while also reeling in one of two targets for eight yards.
Potentially making this situation even messier is the fact that Drake and Dobbins will soon be joined by Gus Edwards, who is “getting close” to returning from the PUP list.
In reality, you don’t want to start any of these guys until this situation clears up, but it wouldn’t hurt to add Edwards and/or Drake as handcuffs if you own Dobbins, or for speculative purposes if you have a need at RB.
Priority level for both if you have Dobbins: Medium
Priority level for both if you don’t have Dobbins: Low
RB Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams appear to be down a running back, as philosophical differences with head coach Sean McVay and Cam Akers reportedly has the 2020 second-round pick with one foot out the door.
That leaves Darrell Henderson as the starter in Los Angeles, but also opens the door for a new handcuff, with Malcolm Brown looking like the man for the job.
Brown only had eight touches for 28 yards in Week 6, but now he’s an injury away from being the starter — that is, until the Rams make a move at the position, which could very well happen before the Nov. 1 trade deadline.
Priority level if you have Henderson: Medium
Priority level if you don’t have Henderson: Low
RB Deon Jackson, Indianapolis Colts
For those fantasy owners who grabbed Jackson in the wake of Jonathan Taylor being ruled out, kudos to you!
Jackson was a monster in Week 6, tallying 12 carries for 42 yards and one score to go along with a whopping 10 catches on 10 targets for 79 yards.
Jackson’s fantasy value moving forward will greatly depend upon how soon his teammates get back from injury. Taylor and Nyheim Hines, both of whom were ruled out on Sunday, could return as soon as this week.
If Hines returns and Taylor doesn’t, Jackson would likely split work with him but would still offer some flex appeal. If Taylor returns, Jackson isn’t a viable starter, but if Taylor and Hines sit again, Jackson becomes a must-start RB2.
We’ll put Jackson’s priority level at medium for non-Taylor owners because of the uncertainty with his status, but it will fall to low if Taylor returns this week. It will immediately go to high if he doesn’t, though.
Keep an eye on those injury reports, folks.
Priority level if you have Taylor: High
Priority level if you don’t have Taylor: Medium
WR Dante Pettis, Chicago Bears
Pettis is the definition of a boom-or-bust player. Sandwiched in between two performances of 12.1 fantasy points in Week 1 and 15.4 in Week 6 are four games of donuts (not the good kind).
Despite those zero-point performances, Pettis is the No. 2 receiver on the team in terms of yardage, which just goes to show you how bad things are with Chicago’s passing attack.
Pettis isn’t a guy you’re inserting into your lineup on a regular basis, but with bye weeks here he could be a spot starter if you’re absolutely desperate.
Aside from that, he’s a “I have an extra spot on my roster” kind of add.
Priority level: Low
WR Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants
We’ve been beating the drum on Robinson for weeks now, and you saw exactly why that was the case in Week 6.
Despite playing just 15 snaps in his first game since Week 1, Robinson was tied for the second-most targets (four) and reeled in three of them for 37 yards and a touchdown.
Part of the reason we’ve been beating the drum for him is because he’s talented, but also because the Giants have a wide-open situation at wide receiver and desperately need a consistent No. 1.
Robinson has all the tools to be that guy, and we think he’ll become just that as he sees his snaps inevitably increase after being eased in his first week back.
Granted, Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay should return soon, but who cares? Neither has proven they’ll be a threat at all, leaving Robinson as the new best bet in New York’s receiving corps.
Priority level: High
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns
Peoples-Jones is still No. 2 in the wide receiver pecking order behind Amari Cooper, but he has posted consistent production in each of the last three weeks, with 12.1, nine, and 11.1 fantasy points.
Granted, that’s certainly not eye-popping production you should be dying to add, but decent, consistent production is welcomed when the bye weeks hit.
Priority level: Low
WR Tyquan Thornton, New England Patriots
Thornton found the end zone twice in Week 6, once through the air and once on the ground, making him the first Pats rookie wide receiver to do so in a game since 2004 (Deion Branch). He also added four catches for 37 yards and had three carries for another 19 yards.
Thornton’s explosiveness and ability to impact the game in multiple ways makes him an intriguing player, but I have doubts about his ability to consistently produce.
I don’t think the Pats’ offense is as good as it has looked the past few weeks, and Thornton is realistically a No. 3 or 4 option at best, and that’s not including the tight ends, who are now getting involved, also.
Thornton can be added if you have a roster spot to use, but he’s more of a player to keep an eye on than anything else.
Priority level: Low
WRs Parris Campbell and Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
Pierce has now posted three decent to solid performances the last three weeks, while Campbell finally put himself on the fantasy radar in Week 6 with seven catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.
Neither of these players are every-week options but can be added as handcuffs to Michael Pittman.
Also, with bye weeks in full effect they could provide some relief at the flex position, especially with a Week 7 matchup against a Titans defense ceding the second-most fantasy points per contest to the position.
Priority level for both if you have Pittman: Medium
Priority level for both if you don’t have Pittman: Low (streaming options)
WRs Robbie Anderson and Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
Marquise Brown is reportedly on verge of missing the rest of the season with a foot injury. Luckily for Arizona, DeAndre Hopkins is set to return from suspension in Week 7.
Anderson is getting a much-needed change of scenery after being traded from the Carolina Panthers to the Cardinals following multiple run-ins with Carolina’s coaching staff in Week 6.
It’s conceivable Anderson could eventually be the No. 2 behind Hopkins as long as Brown is out, but chances are he’ll remain the boom-or-bust player he has always been.
The bigger name to watch is Moore, who already has a history with Kyler Murray and is now thrust into the No. 2 role with Brown out. Not only should Moore be rostered, he’s also a flex option for Week 7.
Priority level for Moore with or without Brown: High
Priority level for Anderson with or without Brown: Medium
WR Tre'Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints
Smith led the Saints in receiving yards with Michael Thomas and Chris Olave ruled out, and he found the end zone, but he also saw just three targets despite playing 51 snaps.
Smith is only a viable lineup option in Week 7 if both Olave and Thomas sit again, something we don’t expect to happen, so don’t go crazy trying to bring him in.
Priority level: Low
WR Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers
Claypool has posted back-to-back double-digit performances, including a season-best 23.4 in Week 6.
Claypool’s recent surge falls in line with the insertion of rookie Kenny Pickett under center, but the rookie is now dealing with a concussion that leaves his status up in the air for Week 7.
I like Claypool as an add this week regardless, but clearly he’s in a better spot as long as Pickett is under center. Still, he could provide some bye-week relief moving forward, even if Mitch Trubisky is starting.
Priority level: Medium
TEs Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, New England Patriots
Since Bailey Zappe has been under center, the Patriots are actually using their high-priced tight ends for once!
Henry has eight receptions on 12 targets for 115 yards and one score the past two weeks, which is mouth-watering production for fantasy owners who are struggling at the position.
Even Smith, who has done less than Henry since signing with the team last year, produced two catches for 61 yards.
I like Henry much more moving forward, but as we saw in Week 6, the potential is there for both to have a big role moving forward.
Priority level for Henry: High
Priority level for Smith: Low
TE Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
With the lack of trust Aaron Rodgers has with his receiving corps., the thought was that Tonyan, who has a history with Rodgers, would have a breakout season in 2022.
That had not been the case through the first five games, but perhaps Tonyan is on the cusp of breaking out after having his best game of the 2022 campaign in Week 6 with 10 catches for 90 yards.
Not only should Tonyan be rostered, but he’s a potential every-week starter for the rest of the season if he can even sniff the kind of production we saw Sunday.
Priority level: High
TE Daniel Bellinger, New York Giants
As we stated with Wan’Dale Robinson, the Giants are desperate for someone, anyone to make a consistent impact in the passing game.
Bellinger did just that in Week 6, hauling in a season-high five receptions on a team-high five targets for 38 yards and one score. His yardage output was tops on the team, also.
Bellinger has now found the end zone twice this season and has a few decent performances under his belt. Not exactly an exciting option, but he’s on the radar for those in desperate need of help.
Priority level: Low
TE Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Engram has posted 11 receptions on 16 targets for 109 yards in the last two games. Nothing great, but it’s enough to warrant roster consideration and a potential start as a bye-week fill-in for Week 7.
Priority level: Low
TE Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
Just when fantasy owners started giving up on Gesicki, he goes off for 69 yards and two touchdowns in Week 6, but that was with Skylar Thompson and Teddy Bridgewater under center.
Chances are we’ll see the return of Tua Tagovailoa in Week 7, but Gesicki did have a solid Week 2 showing with Tua under center, and he remains a supremely-talented playmaker who simply isn’t being utilized enough.
Gesicki’s snap counts and overall production will likely be inconsistent, as we saw over the first five games, but the kind of ceiling he offers is just too good to pass up at such a difficult position to fill.
Priority level: High
TE Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks
After a quiet start to the season, Fant has posted back-to-back double-digit showings, including a season-high 11.5 fantasy points in Week 6. Hopefully Fant is turning the corner in Seattle and his talents are on the verge of finally being realized. At the very least, he’s a starting option moving forward.
Priority level: Medium
D/ST: New England Patriots
Not only do the Pats draw a juicy matchup against the Chicago Bears in Week 7, a team that is ceding the second-most fantasy points per game to D/STs, the Pats are quickly becoming an every-week option.
New England is currently DST3, and the team has matchups against the Bears, New York Jets (two), and Indianapolis Colts over the next four contests, although there is a bye week in between.
Priority level: High
D/ST: Las Vegas Raiders
For those of you in deeper leagues, consider the Raiders this week. Yes, they have a pair of negative performances this season and have been lackluster overall, but the Week 7 matchup against the Houston Texans is a safe one.
Houston is giving up the 12th-most fantasy points per game to D/STs and are scoring just 17.2 real points per contest through five games.
Priority level: Medium
