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Offenses are starting to find their stride... finally, and it's certainly made for more entertaining football and less agonizing fantasy football. However, the injuries and bye weeks will not stop, and they show little signs of letting up. Being active on the waiver wire is crucial to your team's success.
Don't stop making waiver wires even if you're likely to be 2-4 after this week. You need to know when you hit on that league-winning player who helps you go on a winning streak. Crazy stuff happens all the time. Two years ago, in one of my 10-team leagues where the playoffs start in Week 16, we had one team start 7-0 and finish 0-8. They finished 7-8 and missed the playoffs, but if that can happen, the opposite can happen, too.
Our rosters should never stay stagnant. There's almost always a spot on our roster that we can improve, and this article aims to help you identify who that upgrade can be. If you want to take advantage of our great premium tools, please use promo code "BOOM" to receive a 10% discount.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Parameters
A few rules before we get started. Every league is different. Different roster formats. Different roster sizes. That makes this one of the more challenging articles because every league’s waiver wire can look dramatically different.
Even what host site you use matters. ESPN has rankings that are different from those of Yahoo!, which have rankings that are different from those of CBS or NFL, and all of that impacts which players are drafted or not drafted. This year, we’ll be using ESPN’s roster percentages.
The vast majority of players use ESPN. It’s a simple numbers game. We’ll only identify quarterbacks and tight ends with a roster percentage of less than 55%. For running backs and receivers, that number will drop to 45%. We won’t be diving into defenses and kickers too much, but I’ll identify a few streamers to target at those positions each week with a roster percentage below 60%.
Each position will be arranged based on who you should prioritize first at that position. In an attempt to cater to leagues of all sizes, you will see many players listed at each position, but remember, they're arranged in the order in which you add them. Hopefully, this makes the article relevant to even those playing in deep 12-team leagues or 14-team leagues.
Quarterbacks - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings - 45.5% Rostered
Darnold was a dud in Week 5, scoring less than five points in their victory over the Jets. The Vikings' struggle against the Jets' secondary is understandable.
The Vikings had a bye in Week 6, giving them an extra week to get ready for their divisional matchup against the Lions. This should be a shootout and will have one of the highest implied point totals. The Lions have a strong run defense but struggle to defend the pass.
Aidan Hutchinson injured his leg in Week 6 and will not be available, making the matchup a bit easier. Before Week 5, Darnold had scored 19 or more points in three straight weeks. He'll be a top-12 quarterback when he returns to action this week.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions - 46.4% Rostered
The Vikings' defense has been elite thus far this season, but Goff has scored over 32 points in his last two games. While we could lower him in our ranks for Week 7 against the Vikings, especially with Minnesota coming out of their bye, Goff has turned it on as of late after struggling early. He should be viewed as a top-15 quarterback for the rest of the season and is an elite QB2. He's worth adding to your bench.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks - 51.5% Rostered
Smith and the Seahawks are operating on a different level than the rest of the league. Not so much on their effectiveness, but based on their pass split. They have four games with over 40 pass attempts and two with more than 50.
That passing volume has helped Smith score more than 17 points in four of their six games. He hasn't scored below 11 and is currently in the top 12 among quarterbacks in PPG.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears - 50.1% Rostered
Williams has scored 23.5 and 28.6 points in his last two games. Those two games came against two dreadful defenses, but he gets another positive matchup in Week 8 when the Bears return to action. The Bears have a Week 7 bye, but then they'll play Washington, Arizona, and New England. He's an excellent player to stash if you need a quarterback starter in Weeks 8-10.
Other Players to Consider: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars - 32.4% Rostered, Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins - 27.0% Rostered, Daniel Jones, New York Giants - 28.0% Rostered, Drake Maye, New England Patriots - 3.8% Rostered
Running Backs - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 7
Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants - 43.9% Rostered
Tracy has 35 carries for 179 yards and a touchdown over the last two weeks with Devin Singletary sidelined. He also caught seven passes for 58 yards in those two games. Tracy's performance in the absence of Singletary assures him a key role in this offense even if Singletary returns this week.
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings - 33.5% Rostered
Aaron Jones suffered a hamstring/hip injury in Week 5. While Week 6 gave Jones an extra week to deal with the injury, it still sounds questionable if he can return in Week 7. Even if Jones can suit up in Week 7, there's a good chance he'll be limited, which would increase Chandler's role.
Chandler should be a priority if you need a running back or flex starter. The Vikings have a tough matchup in Week 7 against the Lions, but the game could be a shoot-out, giving Chandler, if he's the starter, an excellent chance to find the end zone.
Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers - 0.9% Rostered
Jordan Mason was injured in their Thursday night win and was diagnosed with a sprained AC joint. The injury has been described as minor. He attempted to return after half-time, took one carry, and ultimately didn't return to the game. However, he stayed on the sideline with his helmet and shoulder pads on.
49ers RB touches after Jordan Mason (shoulder) left the game:
Isaac Guerendo 10
Patrick Taylor 6Biased towards any player who can break fantasy football like Guerendo — 24 mph during his 4.33 40 (at 6'0/221!) at the Combine — but both are priorities for Saturday waivers.
— John Daigle (@notJDaigle) October 11, 2024
Guerendo finished with 99 yards on ten carries and would've scored a touchdown, but decided to go down inside the 5-yard line so they could run out the clock. It's unknown if Mason will miss Week 7, but the injury could limit him, providing a path for Guerendo to earn a bigger role.
Christian McCaffrey hopes to return in November, so his time to make a fantasy impact is running out, but given the upside that exists with a starting running back for the 49ers, Guerendo needs to be added.
Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders - 35.5% Rostered
Mattison has firmly become the starting running back for the Raiders. His upside isn't very high, but he has a safe weekly touch total and can provide stability to a team's running back position if they're struggling with bye weeks or injuries. Mattison had 14 carries this past weekend while chipping in with five receptions. He finished with 55 scrimmage yards and managed to find the end zone.
Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars - 44.1% Rostered
Travis Etienne Jr. left the game with a hamstring injury and did not return. Surprisingly, and out of the blue, the team decided to utilize D'Ernest Johnson. Johnson played 35 snaps to Bigsby's 17. This could not have been foreseen, given how well Bigsby had run the past few weeks. However, since Jacksonville was getting crushed, the coaching staff decided to utilize Johnson in the pass-catching role.
That'll limit Bigsby's ceiling if Etienne were to miss time, but it shouldn't stop fantasy managers from making Bigsby a priority add. Even if Johnson operates as the team's primary pass-catching back if Etienne misses time, Bigsby would still be in line for 12 or more carries and be the goal-line back.
There's also a chance that Bigsby can earn a more significant role, so make sure to add him with the expectation Etienne misses a week or two with his hamstring injury.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons - 43.0% Rostered
Allgeier is an RB3 with RB2 potential when he finds the end zone. He's routinely getting 10-12 touches, and the Atlanta offense and offensive line are playing well. If you need to start Allgeier in a pinch, you certainly can. On top of that, Allgeier is one of the top three running back handcuffs in fantasy football.
Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins - 9.1% Rostered
De'Von Achane suffered a concussion in Week 5, but he had an extra week because the team had a bye in Week 6. While splitting time with Raheem Mostert in Week 5, Wright had 13 carries for 86 yards. It was his most productive game of the season, and he looked explosive with his touches.
We don't know if Achane will be ready for Week 7, although we can assume he probably will be. However, that doesn't mean Wright can't earn more touches from Mostert. Wright has a high upside if Mostert or Achane were to miss time, but Wright may overtake Mostert as the season rolls along.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers - 44.9% Rostered
Warren played 25 snaps to Najee Harris's 31. That's a good sign for Warren's future fantasy value. He finished with six carries and three receptions on three targets. In his first game back after missing a few weeks due to a knee injury, it was nice to see Warren get back to the same role fantasy managers expected him to have at the start of the season.
It was even better to see him have this kind of utilization in a Najee Harris kind of game. They didn't need to pass much, with Pittsburgh comfortably ahead of the Raiders all game. Warren can be added as an RB4 option with a high contingency value if Harris misses time.
Braelon Allen, New York Jets - 36.7% Rostered
With the Jets' offense struggling, Allen doesn't hold much standalone value, even though he's seeing about ten touches each game. If the Jets' offense were more productive, ten touches would be enough to give Allen some standalone appeal, but right now, it's hard to trust anyone on the Jets' offense except Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall.
Even with them, it's tough. If the Jets' offense can start clicking a bit, and the offensive coordinator change could help, Allen could hold weekly RB4 value. If they don't, Allen is a high-level handcuff to Breece Hall.
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals - 20.1% Rostered
James Conner missed some time this past weekend with an ankle injury and needed to get his ankle taped. Unfortunately, Benson didn't benefit from Conner's absence. However, fantasy managers shouldn't stop stashing him in case Conner misses time.
#Cardinals Week 6 RB Usage
- James Conner: 29% snaps, 7 carries, 6 routes, 5 targets (46 yds)
- Emari Demercado: 53% snaps, 4 carries, 19 routes, 7 targets (64 yds)
- Trey Benson: 18% snaps, 5 carries, 0 targets (26 yds)Ankles taped, fumble - week to forget for Conner
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) October 13, 2024
Benson appears to be the most likely to handle the early-down and goal-line work if Conner misses time. Emari Demercado would be the primary pass-catching back, but it's possible Benson could increase his role if he got more opportunities. He holds little standalone value right now, but he's a strong handcuff.
Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams - 17.4% Rostered
Corum is one of the better handcuffs in fantasy football. If Kyren Williams were to get injured and miss time, it is assumed that Corum would be the biggest beneficiary. He holds no standalone value. He's nothing more than an injury stash, but the upside is high if Corum were to inherit Williams' role if Williams misses time.
Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers - 2.2% Rostered
Vidal was active this past weekend for the first time this season. Gus Edwards is currently on IR and will miss at least three more games. Vidal immediately made his presence felt by catching a 38-yard touchdown.
He finished with four carries for 11 yards, two catches, 40 receiving yards, and the score. J.K. Dobbins still dominated touches and finished with 25 carries, but Vidal now seems to have moved into that No. 2 role. If Dobbins were to miss time, Vidal now appears to be the person who would most benefit.
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears - 17.3% Rostered
Johnson has firmly moved into the No. 2 role for the Bears. He is sharing time as the third-down and pass-catching back with D'Andre Swift, giving him some low-level value from week to week. However, he has established himself as the primary handcuff for the Bears.
Swift has been one of the bigger workhorse running backs the past few weeks, and if Johnson were to inherit that role upon a Swift injury, Johnson's value would skyrocket. Even if he just got 60% of it, he'd be a strong flex play.
Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills - 7.4% Rostered
Davis is James Cook's primary handcuff. Cook was dealing with a toe/foot injury this past week. He didn't practice from Thursday to Friday before getting in a limited practice on Saturday. With Buffalo playing tonight, we don't know what the workload split between Cook and Davis will look like.
However, Davis is a player to keep an eye on based on the outcome of tonight's contest. Davis could climb this list very quickly if Cook is limited or aggravates his current injury.
Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 1.0% Rostered
Tucker was explosive in Week 6, but he's still the No. 3 running back on the depth chart. Rachaad White was questionable earlier in the week before downgrading to doubtful and eventually out. That makes it seem as though the injury isn't overly serious. We don't know when White will return, but there's been no indication it'll be a multi-week absence.
Despite that, Tucker still needs to be mentioned after having 136 rushing yards and a score on 14 carries. Not only that, but he also had 56 receiving yards on three receptions while also finding the end zone through the air. If White were to miss another game, it looks like Tucker has at least earned his way to 8-10 touches in some committee with Bucky Irving.
Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots - 43.2% Rostered
Rhamondre Stevenson sat out this past week, which gave Gibson the start. The Texans punched the Patriots in the mouth, which didn't allow the team to run the ball much. They were in catch-up mode from the start. Gibson led the Patriots' running backs in snaps played, routes run, targets, and carries.
That role indicates that if New England were able to be more competitive, Gibson could have flex value if Stevenson were to miss another week. There's been no indication that Stevenson's injury is serious, and given Gibson's lackluster performance, it'll be hard to trust him moving forward.
Pierre Strong Jr., Cleveland Browns - 0.3% Rostered
Jerome Ford left in Week 1 with a hamstring injury. Strong led the backfield in snaps with 30 to D'Onta Foreman's 20. Foreman handled more carries and the goal-line work, while Strong played on far more third-downs, which led to Strong running 17 routes to Foreman's six. Nick Chubb is expected to return in Week 7, which makes deciphering this backfield even more difficult.
Chubb should be expected to handle the role Foreman held this last weekend. He'll be the primary early-down and goal-line back. He'll lead the team in carries and be the better bet to find the end zone. However, Strong will be the primary pass-catching back.
Given how poorly Cleveland has played this year, that role could still be valuable even with Chubb's return. If they bring Chubb along slowly, which should be the expectation, Strong could give fantasy managers an option in PPR-scoring leagues.
D'Onta Foreman, Cleveland Browns - 3.3% Rostered
Jerome Ford hurt his hamstring in the first quarter and did not return. Foreman played 20 of the team's 57 snaps. Strong played 30. Foreman had the slight lead in carries, finishing with 10 to Strong's eight. However, Strong was the preferred receiving back, running 17 routes to Foreman's six.
They finished with two targets, but Strong's role in the passing game was more indicative of future targets. While hamstrings can be tricky and often lead to missed games, Nick Chubb is expected to return in Week 7, further complicating what this backfield will look like.
If Chubb does return, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if He immediately operates as the team's lead early-down and goal-line back. Considering the split between Foreman and Strong this past weekend, Strong is the better target. Chubb has not historically been used extensively on pass-catching downs, and given the injury he's returning from, we should expect that to continue.
Other Players to Consider: MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers - 8.6% Rostered, Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens - 29.4% Rostered, Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints - 8.4% Rostered, Patrick Taylor Jr., San Francisco 49ers - 0.1% Rostered
Wide Receivers - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 7
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts - 49.1% Rostered
Downs has no business being on the waiver wire in even 10-team leagues. Over the past three weeks, Downs hasn't had a week with eight or fewer targets. He's caught at least seven receptions during that time and has recorded 65 or more receiving yards in each contest.
He's averaging 15.2 half-PPR points during this span, finding the end zone twice. It should be noted that Joe Flacco has started the last two games and played 80% of the snaps in Week 4. Flacco has undoubtedly been the most productive quarterback for the Colts thus far this season.
Head coach Shane Steichen has said their starting quarterback is Anthony Richardson when he's fully healthy. That could come as soon as next week, and fantasy managers should expect Downs' fantasy value to decline with the quarterback change.
Richardson is not anywhere close to the passer that Flacco is at this stage of their careers. Still, Downs' undeniable talent demands he be on fantasy rosters moving forward.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers - 44.6% Rostered
Watson is another player that needs to be rostered, even in 10-team leagues. He's a big play waiting to happen and one of Green Bay's favorite end-zone targets. Due to the number of pass-catchers the Packers employ, he's going to be a boom-or-bust player moving forward, but he's a player who doesn't need a lot of targets to make a fantasy impact.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs - 17.8% Rostered
The Chiefs were on bye in Week 6, but in Week 5, Smith-Schuster was one of Patrick Mahomes' favorite targets. With Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown on IR, Smith-Schuster played 56 of the team's 84 snaps, the second-most among Chiefs' receivers.
He finished with eight targets, second to only Travis Kelce's 10. Smith-Schuster finished with seven receptions and 130 yards. He was the Chiefs' primary slot receiver, and with the Chiefs' offense unable to attack defenses downfield, Smith-Schuster could be heavily targeted moving forward.
Demario Douglas, New England Patriots - 21.2% Rostered
Drake Maye instantly gave New England's passing more life, to no one's surprise. It came with a few more mistakes and turnovers, but that was to be expected in his first start. More importantly, this offense showed life. It showed potential. Douglas was the biggest beneficiary of that.
He finished with nine targets, six receptions, 92 yards, and one touchdown en route to 18.2 half-PPR points. This was his second game in a row with nine targets and six receptions.
Douglas will be more valuable in PPR-scoring leagues, but with Maye at the helm, this passing offense no longer needs to be avoided. Douglas could be ranked as a WR4 with WR3 upside moving forward with Maye under center.
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens - 5.9% Rostered
With Mark Andrews struggling and not commanding nearly the kind of target share fantasy managers expected, Bateman's role and weekly upside have expanded. Through six weeks this season, Bateman has scored over nine half-PPR in three, all coming in the last four games.
Bateman has caught four balls in the previous two weeks and has over 55 yards in back-to-back games. He ran 28 routes on 30 of Lamar Jackson's dropbacks this past weekend and is now a full-time receiver. Don't be surprised if he becomes Jackson's No. 2 target-earner by season's end.
Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers - 28.9% Rostered
Legette was knocked out of Week 5's game early in the first half but returned this week. He found the end zone in Week 4 and did so again this week. In Week 4, he had ten targets, six receptions, 66 yards, and one touchdown. He finished with 16.6 half-PPR points.
This week, he had four targets, three receptions, 23 yards, and another touchdown. He had 9.8 half-PPR points. He's been Andy Dalton's second favorite pass-catcher behind Diontae Johnson. Adam Thielen is on IR for another game, which gives Legette one more opportunity to stake his case for more playing time.
Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals - 14.2% Rostered
Marvin Harrison Jr. left last weekend's game with a concussion and did not remember. Wilson's value increases significantly if Harrison is forced to miss 1-2 weeks. Wilson would be the starting X receiver and could become Kyler Murray's No. 2 target-earner in Harrison's absence.
He has seven or more half-PPR points in four of his six games. He has three games with six or more targets, and that was with Harrison on the field. If Harrison is out, Wilson will be a WR4 with upside.
Ja'Lynn Polk, New England Patriots - 12.6% Rostered
The rookie from Washington only handled one of the four targets that came his way in Drake Maye's debut. We ultimately don't know what his role will look like with Maye, but another full week of practice can only help. Still, four targets is a good number in deep leagues.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers - 29.6% Rostered
He sat out last week due to personal issues but returned this week and caught two touchdowns. Dontayvion Wicks left the game with a shoulder issue, and if he misses time, that could help Doubs garner more targets weekly.
Doubs is a favorite of Jordan Love in the red zone, and while he's unlikely to garner games with seven or more targets, Doubs' chances of finding the end zone are better than most streamable receivers. Love and the Packers' offense is pass-heavy, and he's routinely targeted in that area.
Jordan Whittington, Los Angeles Rams - 8.3% Rostered
The Rams were on bye in Week 6, but Whittington has established himself as one of Matthew Stafford's top two pass-catchers in the absence of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. He had 18 targets, 13 receptions, and 151 yards in Weeks 4-5. He had games of 9.2 and 12.4 half-PPR points.
Kupp is expected to return in Week 7, so fantasy managers must be cautious with Whittington. It'll be interesting to see who has the staying power between Tutu Atwell and Whittington until Nacua returns. His return, however, is still a few weeks away, so it could still be worthwhile stashing Whittington on your benches.
Other Players to Consider: Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders - 19.9% Rostered, Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers - 26.5% Rostered, Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys - 39.4% Rostered, Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals - 1.9% Rostered, Josh Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers - 11.2% Rostered
Tight Ends - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 7
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears - 54.5% Rostered
Kmet's role has steadily grown since Week 1 when the team split the snaps between him and Gerald Everett. Since that game, Kmet has recorded three or more receptions in five straight games. Over the past five weeks, Kmet has gone over 55 receiving yards in three contests.
He has two games with 20 or more half-PPR points, with another game with 7.2 points. He ran 27 routes on 34 dropbacks and is back to the same role he had last season. He should be considered a top-12 tight end for the rest of the season, and a priority add.
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans - 54.3% Rostered
For as long as Nico Collins is out, Schultz can be started in 12-team leagues. He's recorded five or more targets in his last four games. In the past two weeks, where Collins has predominantly not been on the field, Schultz has had four receptions in back-to-back weeks.
The fantasy scoring hasn't been there, but he has yet to find the end zone. At least, with Collins out, Schultz has been earning and has a clear pathway to regular targets.
Other Players to Consider: Tyler Conklin, New York Jets - 40.2% Rostered, Hunter Henry, New England Patriots - 18.3% Rostered, Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams - 34.8% Rostered, Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 24.0% Rostered, Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders - 53.6% Rostered, Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks - 6.2% Rostered
Team Defenses (D/ST) - Waiver Wire Streamers for Week 7
- Buffalo Bills - 36.1% Rostered (vs Tennessee Titans)
- Minnesota Vikings - 62.0% Rostered (vs Detroit Lions)
- Jacksonville Jaguars - 17.0% Rostered (vs New England Patriots)
- Los Angeles Chargers - 38.1% Rostered (at Arizona Cardinals)
- Cincinnati Bengals - 21.2% Rostered (at Cleveland Browns)
Minnesota doesn't have the greatest matchups in Week 7, but it's the season's No. 1 scoring fantasy defense. It also has a fantastic schedule in Weeks 8-11. It'll be licking its chops, starting with the Rams in Week 8, followed by the Colts, Jaguars, and Titans.
The Chargers are in a similar spot. Their Week 7 matchup against the Cardinals isn't as bad as the Lions, but it's not a plus-matchup. However, from Weeks 8-10, they'll go up against the Saints (without Derek Carr), the Browns, and the Titans.
Kickers - Waiver Wire Streamers for Week 7
- Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings - 4.9% Rostered (vs Detroit Lions)
- Matthew Wright, San Francisco 49ers - 3.6% Rostered (vs Kansas City Chiefs)
- Chase McLaughlin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 58.4% Rostered (vs Baltimore Ravens)
- Jake Bates, Detroit Lions - 45.4% Rostered (at Minnesota Vikings)
- Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles - 54.4% Rostered (at New York Giants)
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