Pittsburgh Steelers

Fantasy Football Week 7: Waiver-Wire Pickups

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) runs between Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Preston Brown (52) and cornerback Ronald Darby (28) in the second half during the NFL game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The waiver wire is what will end up making or breaking your fantasy football season. Here are a few players that could help you off the wire in Week 7.

Aside from owners who will be without Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for at least a couple weeks, there aren’t any players who are must-starts off the fantasy football waiver-wire in Week 7.  However, there are a lot of speculative adds that could end up being the difference maker for your team down the road.

For these purposes, we will being using Yahoo! Fantasy Football as a guideline. Any player that is 50 percent owned or less is eligible.

Let’s dive into the players you should be targeting on the fantasy football waiver-wire for Week 7.

Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (86) catches a pass for a touchdown as he is tackled by Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) in the end zone during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

5. Hunter Henry, TE — San Diego Chargers (36% Owned)

When Antonio Gates missed a couple games with an injury, Henry dominated the tight ends snaps and was a productive fantasy contributor. There was was some speculation when Gates returned, he wouldn’t be as productive. Yet, that hasn’t been the case.

In the last two games (playing with teammate Antonio Gates), Henry has combined for nine receptions, 157 yards, and two touchdowns. He now has a touchdown reception in three-straight games.

Gates has admitted he has not fully recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 2. Considering Gates’ age (36), there are two scenarios that could play out. First, he never gets to 100 percent for the rest of the season. The other scenario is that he re-injures that hamstring and misses extended time once again. If that happens, Henry would undoubtedly be an every week TE1.

Even if those two situations don’t happen, Henry has shown he is capable of being productive playing alongside with Gates.

Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

4. Cole Beasley, WR — Dallas Cowboys (45% Owned)

It’s fair to wonder after Beasley’s two touchdown performance against the Green Bay Packers if people can honestly keep doubting him in fantasy land. Beasley and rookie quarterback Dak Prescott continue to hook up every week and in the process, keep making noise in fantasy football. It’s almost like they have a Tom Brady and Julian Edelman type of connection (before this year).

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Right now Beasley leads the Cowboys in targets (39), receptions (33), receiving yards (390), and receiving touchdowns (3). At his current pace, he will flirt with 90 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards for the season.

Some owners might be worried that his production will dip if/when Dez Bryant returns in Week 8 but they shouldn’t. Bryant has only had two productive weeks in 2016 and that came back in Weeks 2-3. He finished with a combined 18 targets, 10 receptions, 142 yards, and just one touchdown. During those two weeks Beasley combined for 13 targets, 12 receptions, 148 yards, and no touchdowns.

Keep in mind, Beasley is on a bye this week. He won’t be able to help you this Sunday. But he needs to be added especially in PPR leagues.

Oct 16, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) scores a touchdown while being pressured by Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23)during the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

3. Kenny Britt, WR — Los Angeles Rams (12% Owned)

Well, it’s finally happened. A Ram who is not named Todd Gurley has become fantasy football relevant for the 2016 season. I know, I can’t believe it either (nope, I’m not counting Tavon Austin, who is a better real life player than fantasy contributor)

In Week 6, Kenny Britt had his best game of the season when he finished with seven receptions, 136 yards, and two touchdowns. Don’t think this game was a fluke, because Britt has been trending in this direction for awhile now. It was only a matter of time before he broke out.

In each of the past three weeks Britt’s targets (4, 6, 8) and receptions (4, 5, 7) have increased. In four out of five games prior to Week 6’s big game, he never had fewer than four receptions and 67 yards receiving.

Britt is now averaging five receptions and 82 receiving yards per game in 2016. He leads the team in receptions (30) and receiving yards (492). He now has more receptions and receiving yards than legitimate fantasy starters like Alshon Jeffery and Kelvin Benjamin.

Britt should be treated as a WR3 who should be in owners starting lineups during upcoming bye weeks. In Weeks 9-11, there are at least four teams on a bye each week.

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

2. Brian Hoyer, QB — Chicago Bears (20% Owned)

This is a case where owners are putting too much stock into Hoyer’s name and not his production.

In four straight games Hoyer has thrown 300+ yards and zero interceptions. In three out of those four games he has thrown multiple touchdown passes. He has averaged 18+ fantasy points between Weeks 3-6.

This week, he plays against the Green Bay Packers who have given up multiple touchdown passes to opposing quarterbacks in three out of their last four games. Opposing quarterbacks are also averaging 287 passing yards per game against the Packers in 2016.

If you are an owner who is looking for quarterback help (especially Ben Roethlisberger owners), Hoyer is a solid fill in for Week 7. I can already tell you that he won’t be a recommended play in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings and then he has his bye week in Week 9. Yet, if Hoyer has another strong outing this Thursday night, there’s a good chance he remains the starting quarterback for the Bears coming out of their bye week.

After their bye, they will face defenses like the Buccaneers, 49ers, and Lions. Despite not starting the first two games of the season, Hoyer could finish the season as a top-12 fantasy football quarterback if he remains the starter for the rest of 2016.

Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) celebrates his game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Cleveland Browns at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jay Ajayi, RB — Miami Dolphins (32% Owned)

This shouldn’t come to a shock to owners if they payed any attention to Week 6. Ajayi went bonkers on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday when he finished with 25 carries, 204 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Coming into this game Ajayi was only averaging 3.77 yards per carry. He had an underwhelming preseason and first five weeks of the regular season. Some (me) started to wonder if he actually had a long-lasting future in the NFL. Not only did he prove me wrong as he rushed for the most yards in any game this season but he did in a game where running back Arian Foster was active.

Foster was signed to a one-year contract because the Dolphins running backs (especially Ajayi) were not performing well during training camp. However, Foster’s nagging groin injury opened the door for Ajayi and he finally took advantage of it. There’s a chance Foster may not regain his starting job for the rest of 2016.

As mentioned before, Foster was signed to a one-year contract. He was a short-term solution. No matter what kind of season he had this year, there was no guarantee he was going to be in Miami in 2017.

If the 23-year-old Ajayi can build off his Week 6 performance, why would they stop featuring him for a injury prone running back who won’t be back with the team next season? They won’t as long as Ajayi can prove this one game wasn’t a fluke.

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Eddie Royal (19) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Other Receiving Votes

Here are a few more names you want to consider when you go through your fantasy football waiver wire.

Chicago Bears WR Eddie Royal (45% Owned) – He is averaging six receptions and 69 receiving yards over the last three weeks. He’s a solid add in PPR leagues but he keep in mind he might not suit up for Thursday Night Football due to a nagging calf injury.

Denver Broncos RB Devontae Booker (27% Owned) – Over the last three weeks he’s averaged eight touches and 47 total yards. The Broncos coaching staff keeps talking about getting him more involved in the offense moving forward. There’s a chance he could turn this into a 60-40 timeshare at some point. For right now he’s not in starting lineups but he’s a good speculative add.

San Francisco 49ers WR Torrey Smith (25% Owned) – In quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s first start of the season, Smith finished with seven targets, three receptions, 76 yards, and one touchdown. In the three weeks before this game, Smith combined for seven targets, four receptions, and 38 yards. There’s a possibility Kaep makes Smith fantasy relevant.

Buffalo Bills TE Charles Clay (24% Owned) – Clay now has three straight games with five receptions and has averaged 57 yards during that span. He could be a decent streaming option in PPR leagues.

San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick (9% Owned) – In his first game as a starter he finished with 66 rushing yards and 17 fantasy points. He might not be a good real life quarterback, but as far as fantasy football goes, he could be a garbage time sensation.

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