RADIO
Welcome to Week 7 of the NFL season. Hopefully, you're on your way to being 6-0 in your fantasy football league and just looking to make marginal changes around the edges. However, if you're not and you need to make big changes to your roster, this article will help you figure out who to target. I'll be looking at all the best players fantasy managers should be considering adding to their roster this week. It's challenging to make this article relevant to all the different kinds of leagues out there. There are different league sizes, scoring settings, and roster requirements, which can make things difficult. As a general rule of thumb, I'll only be looking at players with a rostership percentage of 50% or lower, according to Yahoo! rostership percentages.
One thing I'll be adding this year is a category distinction for all players. This should help you figure out which players to add based on what your waiver wire goals are. Keep in mind that players can qualify for multiple distinctions. Those distinctions will be as follows:
- BC: Breakout Candidate – This is a player who may not be startable yet, but has a good chance of breaking out and becoming a weekly starter at some point in the season. If you're not in need of a starter this week, these are the players you should be targeting off the waiver wire.
- WS: Weekly Streamer – This is a player who is not a weekly starter or even someone you cannot drop, but rather they are someone you can target if the matchup is right or if you're desperate for a one-time starter. This is likely to be a quarterback or tight end.
- DP: Depth Player – This is a player who reminds me of a quote from Bad Santa, "They can't all be winners, now can they?" Obviously, we'd all love to have breakout players, but it's also important to have quality depth players who can be started during bye weeks and be decent injury-replacement players.
- DL: Deep League Add – This is for competitive 12-team leagues or larger.
- IF: Injury Fill-In – This is a player who will be a weekly spot starter during the starter's absence due to injuries.
- MA: Must Add – This is a player who due to any number of circumstances, now finds himself as a weekly fantasy starter and is someone fantasy managers should be adding to their teams.
- UH: Upside Handcuff – This is reserved for our running backs who could become prominent players if the primary starter gets hurt.
If you have any specific waiver wire questions, give me a follow on X @RobFFSlayer, and don’t be afraid to reach out. I’ll be completing the waiver wire column all year here at RotoBaller and I hope to help as many of you as possible win your fantasy football league.
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
Quarterbacks - Waiver Wire Options
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals – 23% Rostered
The Cardinals have been surprisingly competitive through six weeks with Joshua Dobbs at quarterback. Arizona made Murray one of their team captains this season, an act that would seem to indicate he's likely to play in 2023. You'll find few players who have a higher ceiling than Murray on your waiver wire.
We are currently playing fantasy football in the age of the quarterback. Years ago, the strategy of waiting on a quarterback was excellent because there were so few that were true difference-makers. Those days are gone. Quarterbacks are putting up video game numbers and they’ve never been as valuable as they are today. Murray is one of those quarterbacks.
It's no mystery why he wasn't drafted and remains a free agent in so many fantasy football leagues. He’s recovering from a torn ACL. He's currently on the PUP list but is eligible to return at any time. The team understandably seems to be taking a cautious approach with him, but it still seems unlikely he will sit out for the whole season.
When he does return, he may not run as much as he used to right away. As a waiver wire add, I’m not so much adding him for Week 7, but rather for Week 15. The previous tweet (what do we call them now?) showcased his weekly upside. Simply put, he’s been one of the best fantasy quarterbacks of all time on a PPG basis.
If your league has an IR, Murray needs to be there. He’s got top-five upside and is one of the few quarterbacks who can compete with the Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, and Lamar Jacksons of the world. He was named a team captain, solidifying the belief he'll return and play this season.
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders – 38% Rostered (WS)
Howell is criminally underrated. Through five weeks, he has four top-15 finishes, which includes one week where he finished in the top five. He scored 15 or more points in five out of six games, which consists of three games above 19 points. The Commanders will face off against the Giants in Week 7, who have been one of the worst teams through six weeks. Howell is currently on pace for 4,250 yards and 26 touchdowns. Through five weeks, he is averaging 17.6 points per game, good enough for QB15. He should be viewed as an elite-level streamer.
Others to consider: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 29% Rostered, Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints – 25% Rostered, Joshua Dobbs, Arizona Cardinals – 15% Rostered, Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts – 8% Rostered, Jimmy Garoppolo, Las Vegas Raiders – 16% Rostered, Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons – 8% Rostered, Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers – 19% Rostered, Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers – 11% Rostered
Running Backs - Waiver Wire Options
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears – 52% Rostered (MA, WS)
Johnson missed Week 6 due to a concussion, but that shouldn't stop fantasy managers from making him a priority add this week. Starting running back Khalil Herbert was placed on IR prior to their contest this past weekend, meaning he'll miss at least the next three games. D'Onta Foreman received 15 of the 26 running back carries this past weekend. With Justin Fields possibly out for Week 7, the Chicago offense could become very run-oriented.
Prior to Herbert's injury, Johnson worked ahead of Foreman. This likely means that once Johnson is healthy, he'll operate as the 1A in the Chicago backfield. The loss of Fields, while it could mean the Chicago offense becomes more run-oriented, the offense could also become less effective. As long as Johnson returns to the field in Week 7, he should be viewed as an RB3 and should be a priority add for any team hurting at running back.
Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers – 4% Rostered (UH, IF)
Starting running back Christian McCaffrey suffered an oblique injury, which forced him out of the game. While many viewed Elijah Mitchell as CMC's primary backup, it was Mason who played more snaps (15-2) and received more carries (5-2) than Mitchell after CMC exited the game. Mitchell missed the last two weeks with a knee injury, so it's possible Mason played ahead of Mitchell after CMC got hurt because Mitchell still wasn't 100%.
It's also possible that Mitchell's inability to stay on the field since his rookie season in 2021 opened the door for Mason to move ahead of Mitchell. Who technically qualifies as the team's top back if CMC doesn't play in Week 7 may not matter as much as fantasy managers might think.
It's likely neither player would receive a CMC-like workload. In that sense, both players will likely receive between 40-60% of the running back touches. That would likely give each player 10-12 touches. In San Francisco's offense, that would be enough to give them both RB3 value with RB2 upside.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers – 28% Rostered (UH, IF)
Prior to the season, Mitchell was widely viewed as the primary handcuff to Christian McCaffrey. Before CMC arrived in San Francisco, Mitchell had shown himself to be a very capable runner. In his rookie season back in 2021, Mitchell finished with 1,110 scrimmage yards on 226 touches in 11 games with the 49ers. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry. Last season, Mitchell was hampered by injuries and only appeared in five games.
Mounting injuries have lowered his value. This past weekend, McCaffrey suffered what was described as an oblique injury and was ruled out of the game. Mitchell had been inactive for the past two weeks due to a knee injury. After CMC left the game, Mason played 15 snaps and Mitchell played just two. Mason played more snaps, ran more routes, and received more carries than Mitchell.
It's hard to know if that was because Mitchell still wasn't 100% or if his lack of availability allowed Mason to leapfrog him on the depth chart. Either way, both running backs should be added this week. Based on the utilization after CMC was hurt, fantasy managers might want to prioritize Mason, but it's likely this backfield would be a committee if CMC can't go. Even if Mitchell sees just 40-50% of the running back touches, he'd still have RB3 value.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns – 35% Rostered (WS, DP)
Following Cleveland's bye in Week 5, the Browns clearly wanted to get Hunt more involved. He ended up playing 28 of the team's 76 snaps. Assumed starter Jerome Ford played 38 snaps. Ford received 17 carries to Hunt's 12. Ford was more effective with his carries, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt compared to Hunt's 3.9 average. However, Hunt was the player who ended up finding the end zone on a 16-yard scamper. Both players ran 13 routes, but Hunt received one more target (3-2) than Ford. They both caught all of their respective targets, but Hunt finished with 24 receiving yards to Ford's seven.
If this utilization continues, Hunt should be viewed as an RB3. Ford handled more of the team's third-down plays, but Hunt played on more short-yardage plays. If Ford were to get hurt, Hunt would be the biggest beneficiary.
Latavius Murray, Buffalo Bills — 14% Rostered
Fellow veteran running back Damien Harris left the game following a neck injury. He was transported out on a stretcher. Murray had been playing more snaps than Harris in recent weeks. This past weekend, Murray handled all of the goal line snaps and the majority of third-down work over James Cook, as well.
Cook is likely going to continue to dominate touches between the 20s, but Murray could become a high-value touch sponge. Cook’s passing involvement in recent weeks has decreased. With Harris out of the picture, Murray is likely to continue seeing 8-10 touches per game and if a Buffalo running back finds the end zone, it is most likely it’ll be Murray. Also, with Cook’s declining role, it’s possible Murray could work this backfield into being a 50/50 split.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans – 48% Rostered (DP, UH)
Spears isn't just an elite handcuff, although he is that without question. Spears is quietly becoming a player that fantasy managers should be valuing as an RB3 on a weekly basis. He's played over 50% of the snaps in five out of six games. He has four games this season with at least four targets, giving him good value in any PPR scoring league.
In fact, Spears has registered at least three catches in half of his games this season. He is currently on pace for 57 targets, 43 receptions, and 315 receiving yards. Considering how poorly the Titans have played this season and that it's likely they find themselves behind on the scoreboard most weeks, Spears should continue to see excellent utilization in the passing game.
His role as a receiver and the fact that he's received 5-8 carries per game gives him flex status during upcoming bye weeks and due to injuries at the running back position. Providing RB3 value with top-15 contingency value if Derrick Henry gets hurt or traded makes him one of the more appealing waiver wire additions.
Craig Reynolds, Detroit Lions – 2% Rostered (IF)
David Montgomery left the team's Week 6 win early due to a rib injury. At this time, there's been no injury update. Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs has missed the last two weeks due to a hamstring injury. If Monty and Gibbs can't go next week, Reynolds would be the next man up. Zonovan Knight is currently on IR, so all of a sudden the Lions' backfield is a mess.
Reynolds played 43 snaps compared to Devine Ozigbo's nine. Reynolds isn't a special talent, but the Lions have a top-five offensive line and are one of the best overall offenses in the NFL. Even if Gibbs were to return, based on his early season utilization, Reynolds would still play a sizable role in Week 7, especially considering Gibbs could very well be on a snap count following a two-week absence.
If fantasy managers are in a pinch at running back, Reynolds could provide a 1-2 week stopgap option. However, it's also possible Monty is able to play through his rib injury, which would leave Reynolds irrelevant.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens – 42% Rostered (DP, UH)
There isn't a ton of upside with Hill, especially with him sharing snaps with Gus Edwards, but Hill is still a decent enough bench player in deeper leagues. Edwards has operated as the primary runner for the past few weeks, but Hill has still touched the ball at least 11 times in three out of four weeks since Week 1 when J.K. Dobbins tore his Achilles.
The one week where Hill failed to reach at least 11 touches was in Week 4 when he played just 12% of the snaps due to exiting early because of an injury. Hill was also inactive in Week 3, but in Weeks 2 and Weeks 5-6, Hill had at least 11 touches in all three contests.
He shouldn't be viewed as anything more than a low-end RB3, but if you're looking for a bye-week replacement at running back, Hill can solve that problem. There are worse ways to use a bench spot than on a running back getting 10-12 touches on a top-12 offense.
Devin Singletary, Houston Texans – 13% Rostered (DP)
What in the world happened with the Houston backfield in Week 6? Singletary finished with 34 of the team's 63 snaps. Assumed starter Dameon Pierce played just 21. Singletary also finished with 12 carries to Pierce's 13. Singletary ran 18 routes and Pierce ran only seven. Singletary ended up out-targeting Pierce, 2-0. It wasn't just the snaps and the number of touches. Singletary also finished with 58 rushing yards to Pierce's 34 despite receiving one fewer carry. Was this just a one-week blip? Is this a sign of things to come? Fantasy managers really don't know.
The Houston running game has been one of the most ineffective attacks in the league. Most assumed that was due to the insane number of offensive line injuries the team has sustained, but maybe the Houston coaching staff felt Pierce had more to do with the inefficiency than fantasy managers were led to believe. Either way, this backfield looks like a 50/50 split, which makes Singletary a quality add. If Pierce were to get hurt, Singletary would turn into one of the biggest bell-cows in the NFL.
Others to consider (Pure Handcuffs): Ronnie Rivers, Los Angeles Rams – 2% Rostered, Damien Williams, Arizona Cardinals – 0% Rostered, Keaontay Ingram, Arizona Cardinals – 20% Rostered, Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles – 42% Rostered, Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars – 17% Rostered, Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks – 51% Rostered, Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs – 44% Rostered, Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens – 21% Rostered
Wide Receivers - Waiver Wire Options
Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs – 45% Rostered (MA, BC, WS)
Rice should be added in all leagues. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore have struggled mightily through six weeks of the season. Moore is averaging just 3.5 targets, 1.8 receptions, and 24 yards per game. MVS is even worse, averaging 2.0 targets, 1.1 receptions, and 19 yards per game. These two receivers lead the team in snaps played and routes run. Rice on the other hand is averaging 4.6 targets, 3.5 receptions, and 41 yards per game. Rice has accomplished this on roughly 33% of the team's dropbacks through six weeks. MVS and Moore have had over double that level of opportunity. What happens when head coach Andy Reid flips the playing time between Rice and Moore?
In Week 6, Rice's route participation finally started moving in the right direction, climbing above 50%. Rice's role may not fully expand until Week 11 following the team's Week 10 bye, but considering his level of production on such a limited snap count combined with how poorly MVS and Moore performed, it seems to only be a matter of time before Rice is given a chance to showcase what he can do. Based on what we've seen in a limited sample, fantasy managers should be excited about that prospect.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts – 33% Rostered (BC, WS, DP)
Downs has been very impressive through six weeks of the season. He has back-to-back games with at least 10 half-PPR points and has scored nine or more points in three out of his last four games. He's currently on pace for 94 targets, 65 receptions, and 723 yards. That may not sound overly impressive, but remember, rookies tend to get better as the season goes along. The fact that he's already been so good is a huge positive. Downs, for as good as he's been, has actually been even better with quarterback Gardner Minshew under center. That's important because rookie starter Anthony Richardson is currently debating having season-ending surgery.
Downs will face off against the Browns next week, which means fantasy managers will not be able to use him. Cleveland has been the best defense in the NFL through six weeks. He has another tough matchup in Week 8 against the Saints, who have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to receivers this season. Still, despite the difficult upcoming stretch of games, Downs is a player to target.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders – 34% Rostered (WS, DP)
While many expected Jahan Dotson to be Washington's WR2 through six weeks, the reality is that Samuel has been the clear second option. Samuel has very easily been the best fantasy football value among the Commander pass-catchers. Samuel is coming off of three straight weeks where he's scored a touchdown. He finished as the WR1o in Week 4 and WR15 in Week 5 in half-PPR scoring.
This past weekend, he scored 14.2 half-PPR points. From Weeks 4-5, he scored 36.7 points. He's scored over six points in five out of six weeks and finished as a top-40 receiver in four out of six weeks. He has four weeks with at least four receptions or more and 50 or more receiving yards. He's been remarkably consistent despite being viewed as the Commanders' third receiver. Fantasy managers should view him as a weekly streamer and a player who can easily be started with bye weeks well underway. Washington plays against the Giants in Week 7, who have given up the 11th-most fantasy points to receivers this season.
Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants – 17% Rostered (DP)
Since returning to action in Week 3, Robinson has seen at least five targets in four straight contests. He's also had at least four receptions in all four contests. He's a slot receiver and because of this, his volume is better suited for PPR leagues because in Weeks 3-5, he had not gone over 40 yards. However, Robinson is quickly becoming the Giants' top receiver.
While most expected tight end Darren Waller to lead the team in targets, Robinson looks like he's going to have something to say about that, at least from the weeks he's been active. Due to his average depth of target, lack of air yards, and his team's putrid offense, Robinson doesn't have much upside, but he appears to have a consistent and stable role. He's someone fantasy managers can depend on for 6-8 targets per game with 4-5 receptions. The yardage won't be very high and his touchdown chances are low, but he's a decent PPR bench player asset.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers – 32% Rostered (BC, MA, DP)
Mike Williams is on IR. Joshua Palmer was just added to the injury report with a groin injury. Such a late addition is never a good thing. It's possible Palmer won't play tonight against the Cowboys. If you have room on your roster right now and can add Johnston before kickoff tonight, I'd highly recommend doing so. Johnston very well could see a post-bye week increase in his role and utilization.
Johnston is somewhat of a physical freak and is the closest thing the team has to Mike Williams. While he's a raw prospect, the overall strength of the offense could carry Johnston to being a quality bench player over the second half of the season.
Considering his draft pedigree, talent profile, and the fact that his quarterback is Justin Herbert, it wouldn't be entirely surprising if Johnston were to break out the second half of the season. He hasn't done much to elicit confidence from fantasy managers, but this is a first-round rookie who is now being thrust into a starter's role on a top-10 offense with an elite quarterback. He's certainly worth a speculative add in order to see how the team utilizes him moving forward.
Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions – 48% Rostered (BC, DL, DP)
Williams only played 16 of the team's 70 snaps (fourth on the team among receivers) and ran just nine routes on 48 dropbacks (fifth on the team among receivers), but made a big splash catching two of his three targets for 53 yards and a touchdown. This Detroit offense could desperately use an X receiver and Williams profiles as someone who could fulfill that role. The question is if the coaching staff gives him the opportunity to do so.
Williams missed most of last season due to a knee injury he suffered late in college. He was suspended from the first four games of his sophomore season. He hasn't been available to the Lions all that much so adding him now is merely a bet on talent. That's not the worst thing. He was insanely productive in his final season at Alabama and he's splashed both last season and now this year in very limited playing time.
If the Lions ever do decide to unleash Williams, with most defenses being so preoccupied with the team's rushing attack and star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, he could become a very fun boom-or-bust WR3. Right now, he's barely even on the streaming radar, but it's hard not to be enamored with the upside he possesses if he's ever allowed to run 75% of the team's routes.
Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars – 30% Rostered (DP)
Jones didn't play in Weeks 3-4 and also did not play this past weekend. However, in two of the other three games that he's played in, he finished with 14 and 9.8 half-PPR points. He found the end zone in both contests. In the other game he played in, he registered a goose egg but ultimately did not finish the contest, leaving early due to injury.
In three games, or more accurately, two and a half games, Jones has earned 18 targets, eight receptions, 78 yards, and two scores. While many expected Jones to be the odd man out with Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, and Evan Engram, he has done well to hold his own and continue to stay involved in the offense. Jones has been active in the red zone in the three weeks he's played and appears to be a trusted Trevor Lawrence target in that area of the field. He has WR2/3 value on any given week, but fantasy managers will need to check on the status of Jones' injury and Trevor Lawrence's as well.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks – 48% Rostered (BC, DP)
It's been a slow rookie season for Smith-Njigba. While he has seen at least five targets in four of Seattle's five games, JSN has just 110 yards on 16 receptions. That amounts to just a 6.9-yard-per-reception average. His average depth of target is just 3.2 yards, which makes it virtually impossible for him to have much fantasy value.
He hasn't found the end zone yet this season and has yet to score more than seven half-PPR points in any contest this season. Why is he a waiver wire addition option then? It really just amounts to a bet on talent. JSN was viewed as an elite rookie prospect. He was drafted in the first round and was an elite college producer, even with star receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave at Ohio State.
While some rookies are able to walk onto an NFL field and dominate from Week 1, this is not typical. With that said, it's not abnormal that JSN has started slow. We often do not talk about handcuffs when it comes to receivers, but JSN possesses massive contingency upside if either starter D.K. Metcalf or Tyler Lockett were to get hurt and miss time. Metcalf has been banged up multiple times throughout the year already and if any of his dings and dents were to keep him out, JSN would be viewed as a weekly WR3 with WR2 upside.
Kadarius Toney, Kansas City Chiefs – 27% Rostered (DP, WS)
It's hard to get too excited about Toney due to the little production he's had over his first two seasons in the league. However, some of that was due to injuries and a midseason trade. Still, Toney's been a lot of flash and not a whole lot of substance. However, as previously mentioned, Moore and MVS have been dreadful this season. The tweet below just further illustrates just how bad they've been. They've been arguably two of the worst receivers in the NFL. At some point, one has to figure that a team like the Chiefs with Super Bowl aspirations is going to have to switch things up.
That's where Toney comes in. Even though he's been mostly just a flash in the pan, Toney has at least flashed. In four out of six games this season, Toney has seen at least five targets. This is despite never having a snap share higher than 40% this season. Toney's playing time and number of routes run have been very limited. He's often played behind MVS, Moore, Justin Watson, and Rashee Rice. However, as already illustrated with MVS and Moore, they've both been terrible. Watson is currently hurt and will miss the next few weeks. If Toney gets a bigger role, he could hit. He's been an effective player with the Chiefs in a limited role.
Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots – 17% Rostered (DP, DL)
The New England passing attack has been virtually nonexistent in recent weeks and this past weekend there was a shakeup in their receiver utilization. Bourne played on 56 of the team's 60 snaps and ran 34 routes on 37 dropbacks. He operated as their top receiver in terms of snaps and routes.
That was followed up in targets with Bourne leading the team with 10. No other receiver or tight end had more than three. He finished with 10 receptions and 89 yards. Bourne's playing time has been a bit all over the place this season. He has three games with a snap share higher than 85% and three games with a snap share less than 55%. In Week 1 when Bourne played 91%, he finished with 11 targets, six receptions, 64 yards, and two touchdowns. Considering how productive he's been when he's played, it's fair to expect that utilization to continue.
Jonathan Mingo, Carolina Panthers – 8% Rostered (DL, DP)
Mingo has yet to have that one big game, but his snap share, route participation, and target total indicate that the game is coming. He left Week 3 early due to a concussion, but in Weeks 1-2 and Weeks 5-6 (he was inactive in Week 4), Mingo's route participation has been above 85% in all four games.
It has been over 95% in three of those four games, with the lone non-95% game coming in Week 5 in his first game back to action following his concussion. His snap share has been over 85% in all four games he was able to start and finish. Prior to Week 6, he had recorded at least five targets in each game except his Week 3 contest cut short by his concussion.
Mingo has the opportunity and through six weeks, he's on pace for 99 targets. While the production hasn't come yet, some of that is understandable. For starters, Mingo is a rookie and a rather raw one at that. Quarterback Bryce Young is also a rookie. Young also missed one game, which meant a quarterback change to veteran Andy Dalton. For a rookie getting this much opportunity and receiving that many targets, it's a reasonable bet to expect the production to come.
Others to consider: Robert Woods, Houston Texans – 17% Rostered, Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals – 23% Rostered, Josh Reynolds, Detroit Lions – 49% Rostered, Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys – 48% Rostered, Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints – 32% Rostered, D.J. Chark, Jr., Carolina Panthers – 14% Rostered, Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals – 9% Rostered, Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers – 20% Rostered
Tight Ends - Waiver Wire Options
Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders – 5% Rostered (MA, BC, WS)
It's about time. The Raiders finally took the training wheels off of their second-round rookie tight end. In the first five weeks of the season, the team had opted to use veteran Austin Hooper as their primary tight end. However, in Week 6, the Raiders finally gave that job to Mayer and he responded in a big way. He finished with six targets, five receptions, and 75 yards. In Weeks 1-5, Mayer had five targets, three receptions, and 41 yards.
The Raiders could use another weapon in the passing game since it's basically been Davante Adams or Jakobi Meyers. There's been no competent third option. That role could be filled by Mayer and if that ends up being the case, he should be a priority add for any fantasy managers struggling at tight end.
While his 67% route participation rate is still a tick lower than we'd like, the fact that it climbed that much in one week and the production that followed, it's completely reasonable to expect that number to continue climbing. He's a highly-drafted and elite-level prospect who was insanely productive in college and now his role is very quickly expanding.
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills – 50% Rostered (BC, DP)
Kincaid missed the team's Week 6 game against the Giants due to a concussion. Through Weeks 1-5, Kincaid has run 130 routes, and fellow tight end Dawson Knox has run 131. They are each averaging 3.8 targets per game. Kincaid has yet to score more than seven half-PPR points in any game this season, but adding him is done with the same thought process in mind as what we saw with Mayer this past weekend.
We're betting on talent. Kincaid was a first-round draft pick and profiled as an elite receiving tight end entering the pros. That hasn't happened yet, but if Kincaid ever separates himself from Knox, he could break out. It'll just take one big game and Kincaid will become a priority waiver wire add. It's hard to roster two tight ends, but stashing someone like Kincaid with the level of upside he has isn't the worst idea.
If he ever takes the reins as Buffalo's primary tight end, Kincaid could become a weekly starter. That isn't the case yet, but considering Knox just kind of is who he is, Kincaid could offer this elite offense even more firepower.
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans – 50% Rostered (WS)
Schultz got off to a very rough start. In the first three weeks of the season, he was held to under 10 receiving yards in two contests and never surpassed 35 yards. Over the past three weeks, however, Schultz has finished with more than 40 receiving yards in each contest. He's also found the end zone every week since Week 4. After averaging just 2.7 half-PPR PPG from Weeks 1-3, he's averaged 13.9 from Weeks 4-6.
In the last two weeks, Schultz has been much more involved, earning 17 targets over that timespan. Schultz is being incorporated into the offense more and quarterback C.J. Stroud has been looking his way much more frequently. Schultz has earned seven or more targets in three contests this season and has four or more receptions in three weeks. The Texans have a bye in Week 7 but return to action in Week 8 against the Panthers, who have allowed the 11th-most points to opposing tight ends this season.
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals – 1% Rostered (BC, WS)
Much like Mayer, it seemed like only a matter of time before McBride would get his chance as the team's top tight end. Zach Ertz is 32 years old and the Cardinals are clearly looking forward to 2024 and beyond. This is a rebuilding team so it makes complete sense to see what they have in their second-round tight end from 2022. This past weekend was the first time that McBride out-targeted (5-4) and out-snapped (44-35) Ertz.
While Ertz ended up running more routes (24-21), this was also the closest it's been all season. Like Mayer, McBride made the most of his opportunity. He led the team with four receptions and 62 receiving yards. Considering how heavily the team has used Ertz this season, if McBride is taking over as the team's top tight end, he has plenty of upside. If you're hurting at tight end and want to aim for upside, Mayer and McBride are your two best options.
Others to consider: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots – 49% Rostered, Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers – 18% Rostered, Tyler Conklin, New York Jets – 10% Rostered
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