Expect the unexpected. At this point that is the norm for the 2022 NFL season, and while it might be a low bar to surpass, we will take it. Dealing with underperformers, upsets, and stunning games (more in a bad way than a good way) is simply commonplace. This week we see a Carson Wentz injury boost Taylor Heinicke back to fantasy relevance and the Marquise Brown injury result in Robbie Anderson being traded to the Cardinals as top stories. Both of whom will be popular adds this week. Other than that it was a relatively quiet week from a fantasy football waiver wire perspective, but that does not mean there are no options such as Kenyan Drake and Chase Claypool to consider. Let us dig in at some fantasy football waiver wire options to consider in preparation for Week 7. 

 

 

 

 

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups Week 7

 

Waiver Wire Quarterbacks

 

Taylor Heinicke Washington Commanders;  FAAB Bid: 5-10%

Carson Wentz suffered a hand injury on Thursday that will force him to miss at least the next 4-to-6 weeks per some reports. With his injury we see Taylor Heinicke take over as the team's starting QB and that will make him an instant add in all Superflex formats this week. Heinicke was decent as a starting QB last year for the Commanders as he completed 65% of his passes and threw for 20 touchdowns. While his upside isn't great, in those two-QB formats he will be a priority add this week.

Matt Ryan Indianapolis Colts; FAAB Bid: 3%

We have gotten more good weeks than bad out of Ryan in his new home, and based on his performance last week, it might be safe to say that he has acclimated himself well to Indianapolis. Game flow was partly responsible here as it was a shootout with the Colts ultimately coming out on top against Jacksonville, and the credit for that goes to Ryan. The veteran hit Alec Pierce with his third touchdown pass of the day as time expired to close the books on a 42 completion, 389-yard effort. As Ryan shakes off last year’s struggles, there is still a fantasy relevant quarterback left here. 

Marcus Mariota Atlanta Falcons; FAAB Bid: 2%

The plan was never truly to replace Ryan with Mariota, but instead for the Falcons to look towards the future as the former looked old and struggled last season. Based on the supporting cast, the blame should fully sit with Ryan, but Mariota was never looked at as much more than a stop gap. That is not to say anything has changed here, but this is Mariota's fantasy value surpassing what he is truly doing on field; even if Atlanta is having success. The running aspect of Mariota’s game plays a large part in his fantasy success, and he was at his best last week against a tough San Francisco defense. Atlanta did not ask much from their quarterback, but he did complete 13 of 14 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns. What really boosted his value though, was 50 rushing yards and a touchdown on six carries giving him 206 yards and three touchdowns on the season. 

 

Waiver Wire Running Backs

 

Latavius Murray Denver Broncos; FAAB Bid: 10-15%

We saw on Monday night that Latavius Murray was being used as the lead running back for the Broncos, playing 47% of the team's offensive snaps and rushing for 66 yards on 15 carries. Melvin Gordon saw just 16% of the team's offensive snaps and had three carries for eight yards. Mike Boone saw 36% of the offensive snaps but had just one carry and one catch for a total of four yards. If Murray is going to be the lead guy in Denver he becomes a top add even if the Broncos offense struggles.

Kenyan Drake Baltimore Ravens; FAAB Bid: 5-10%

Between J.K. Dobbins exiting with a knee injury, Justice Hill sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Gus Edwards still on the PUP list, all that was left in the backfield for Baltimore was Drake on Sunday. Well Drake and Lamar Jackson. Whoever the running back is for the Ravens, they will always be competing with Jackson for carries, but we do have to take note of Drake’s performance against the Giants. The veteran had a 30-yard touchdown run among his 10 carries, but he also broke the 20-yard mark on three other runs on his way to a 119-yard day. It was the first real success we saw from Drake this season, and while we cannot bank on continued big plays, this is a situation to watch depending on the health of Baltimore’s other running backs this week. 

Caleb Huntley Atlanta Falcons; FAAB Bid: 1-2%

When looking at backfields, we have to follow the touches, and that brings us right to Huntley and his 16 carries on Sunday. Huntley turned that into 59 yards on Sunday against a difficult San Francisco run defense after gaining 90 yards on 18 carries in his two previous games. It is worth noting that Tyler Allgeier also had 15 carries for 51 yards but it is clear that Atlanta’s offense is going to be focused on the ground game and with Cordarrelle Patterson out with a knee injury, the opportunity is there. 

Mark Ingram New Orleans Saints; FAAB Bid: 1-2%

There is not much excitement here, but Ingram does have a steady role with Saints even if it is supporting in nature. Through the first six weeks of the season, Ingram has 190 yards and a touchdown on 47 carries and even with Alvin Kamara back on the field, he should still be good for about 10 touches a week. Even if that production is not going to jump off the page, there is safety and security in Ingram’s dependability even if it is without upside. 

 

 

Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

 

Robbie Anderson Arizona Cardinals; FAAB Bid: 5-10%

The injury to Marquise Brown and the sideline blowup of Robbie Anderson couldn't have come at a better time for both the Cardinals and the Panthers as the two teams quickly came together on a deal that will send Anderson to the Cardinals for a pair of late-round draft picks. After a strong first season in Carolina with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback things have been bad for Anderson with the Panthers thanks to poor coaching and QB play. He heads to Arizona where he will fill in for Marquise Brown. That said, a returning DeAndre Hopkins will figure to see a large target share, leaving Anderson as more of a field stretcher than someone we should expect to see the same target share that Brown was seeing prior to this injury.

Chase Claypool Pittsburgh Steelers; FAAB Bid: 5%

It is no secret that the Pittsburgh offense is limited at best, but Claypool is a talented receiver who should transcend that. Claypool had, by far, his best game of the season on Sunday after catching only two passes for 20 yards in the first half. After Kenny Pickett exited the game with a concussion (his status is unclear for this week), Claypool connected with Mitch Trubisky for five receptions, 76 yards, and a touchdown. Claypool’s performance came after his second-best week of the season as he caught five of 10 targets for 50 yards previously. This is a bet on the talent and momentum as Claypool is simply too good to be on the waiver wire. 

Wan’Dale Robinson New York Giants; FAAB Bid: 3%

Despite their success to begin the season, the Giants are not doing much of it through the air with the majority of their offense coming on the ground. Part of that has been a direct result of necessity as New York is not exactly flush with receiving options but it is possible that begins to change with a healthy Robinson. This past week was the first time we got to see what the rookie can do as he caught three of four targets for 37 yards and a touchdown and I would look for his role to continue expanding. Even if it is by default, Robinson is talented and there is a reason why he was drafted in the second round this past April. 

Ben Skowronek Los Angeles Rams; FAAB Bid: 1-2%

It is clear that Rams offense is missing at least one piece so far this season, and they won in spite of that against Carolina this past week. Skowronek carved out a solid role as he rushed for a 17-yard touchdown while also catching all five of his targets for 40 yards. This came on the heels of an eight target (six receptions for 41 yards) day, and the fact that the Rams have a bye next week helps to depress his price; although it also makes roster management a little more difficult. 

 

Waiver Wire Tight Ends

 

Greg Dulcich Denver Broncos; FAAB Bid: 5-10%

The rookie 3rd rounder made his NFL debut last night and immediately became the Broncos top tight end, playing 71% of the team's offensive snaps and finishing with two catches on three targets for 44 yards and a touchdown. Given the state of the tight end position Dulcich should become a prized waiver wire pickup this week.

Robert Tonyan Green Bay Packers; FAAB Bid: 5%

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense was a mess this past week, and to be honest, it has not been the best of seasons overall for them. Regardless of that, and especially if the Packers are going to be trailing, Rodgers has to throw the ball to someone, and last week it was Tonyan. He was targeted 12 times and the tight end translated it into 10 receptions for 90 yards and I would expect to see that trend continued as Rodgers locks into the veteran. 

Daniel Bellinger New York Giants; FAAB Bid: 1-2%

It seems odd to target two receiving options from the same team, let alone one that does not boast a prolific passing offense, but the Giants have keyed in on the rookie. At the tight end position that does not mean much, but there is a clear lack of other options in New York and Bellinger has developed a level of comfort with Daniel Jones. Bellinger had the best day of his young career on Sunday as he caught all five of his passes for 38 yards and the second touchdown of his career. 

 

 

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