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Fantasy football: Top 10 waiver wire Week 7 pickups

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

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Whether injury or ineffectiveness has set your fantasy football team back or you just need a bye week boost, check out these top 10 waiver wire Week 7 pickups.

San Diego Chargers rookie tight end Hunter Henry (86) is one of the best widely available waiver wire week 7 pickups. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

We’re into the middle of the fantasy football regular season, and its time for you to separate yourself from the pretenders in your league. One of the keys to surviving the middle portion of the schedule is stocking your roster with as much depth as possible. Whether you’re trying to turn your tame around after a slow start or looking to run away with your regular season title, each week there are ways ways to improve your roster. To see who can give your team a boost through the upcoming bye weeks, check out my top targets from the waiver wire week 7 on the following slides.

Don’t let the upcoming bye weeks catch you off guard. While the Panthers and Cowboys are the only teams off this week, there are a massive six teams off each of the next two weeks. Take a look at your roster and plan ahead to have the depth you need to navigate Week 8 and Week 9. If you’re short an option at one of the key positions, scroll through the following slides to see who makes sense as an addition from the waiver wire week 7.

Every Tuesday in my weekly waiver wire post, I focus on the top ten options who are available in more than half of ESPN leagues. So far this season, players like Jordan Howard, Terrelle Pryor, Quincy Enunwa, Tevin Coleman, Tyrell Williams, and Matt Ryan were on my waiver wire pickup list when they were available in over 50% of leagues. Those players won’t be found in my waiver wire week 7 picks, though, since the ownership percentage is already over 50%.

Each week, I make sure to include players at each of the main fantasy football positions–quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, and team defense. The players are listed in the general order that I would target them, but be sure to take into account your league’s roster requirements and your team’s strength and weaknesses. I’ve included each player’s ownership percentage as of Tuesday morning at the top of their page. If you’re in deeper leagues or are looking for more options, check out the final slide of this post where I’ve listed some extra other options from the waiver wire week 7.

If you have any specific questions about your team or other players who may be available, you are welcome to drop them in the comments section at the bottom of the page or give me a shout out on Twitter.

To keep up with all our fantasy football coverage, also make sure to drop a bookmark on our fantasy football hub and follow us on Twitter @FansidedFantasy. I do my best to answer all questions to our Twitter feed, and you’ll even get a chance for your tweets to appear in one of our future posts.

After those opening remarks, it’s time to get rolling with my top 10 waiver wire week 7 pickups starting with a returning option from last week’s picks who looks like he’ll continue to be a top option moving forward.

Oct 16, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Cameron Meredith (81) dives with the ball against Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) during the first half at Soldier Field. The Jaguars won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Cameron Meredith-WR-Chicago Bears (47.1%)

In last week’s picks, I had Meredith second behind Sammie Coates. With Coates injury and Big Ben out, it looks like Meredith could turn out to be an even better option as he continues to shine for a Bears team dealing with multiple injuries at receiver.

Meredith is a converted-QB out of Illinois State who has come up huge the last two weeks and showed off a great connection with Brian Hoyer. In Week 5, Meredith broke out with nine catches for 130 yards and a touchdown against the Colts. He showed his big game wasn’t just a fluke with another monster performance in Week 6 as he hauled in 11 catches for 113 yards. Even without a touchdown Meredith was a great play, and he was a total stud in PPR formats (point-per-reception).

One of the great signs for Meredith moving forward is that he continues to draw a ton of targets. QB Brian Hoyer threw 15 passes his direction this week tying him for the most targets in the NFL Week 6 with DeAndre Hopkins. While the Bears may not always throw the ball as much as they did against the Jaguars, it’s clear that Meredith is getting plenty of opportunities to continue his development as a WR.

The Bears are on a quick turnaround this week as they play the Thursday Night Football game in Lambeau Field against the Packers. Green Bay’s secondary has been a mess lately, and Meredith is a solid WR2 with plenty of upside making him the top name to check for on your waiver wire Week 7.

Oct 16, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) carries the ball in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Mariota-QB-Tennessee Titans (41.0%)

If you’re hitting the waiver wire week 7 looking for a QB, the top name to check out is Titans’ sophomore starter Marcus Mariota. Just a few weeks ago, Mariota was sinking to the bottom of the QB rankings, but he has turned things around the last few weeks and carried his team to a surprisingly solid 3-3 record.

Each of the last two weeks, Mariota has thrown for three touchdowns. In Week 5, he finished with 163 passing yards against the Dolphins and improved to 284 passing yards in Week 6 against the Browns. Another aspect to Mariota’s game which helps his fantasy value is his ability to pick up yardage on the ground. He has run for at least 20 yards in four straight contests and 60 and 64 yards the last two weeks. In Week 5, he produced more fantasy points than any other player in the NFL (standard scoring), and he followed that up in Week 6 with another top-10 overall.

While there is definitely a case to be made that Mariota has taken advantage of favorable matchups, he has two more good ones to attack the next two weeks. Tennessee is at home in Week 7 as they host the struggling Colts, and then they host the Jaguars before heading to San Diego in Week 9.

If you lost Big Ben this week, or just need a QB upgrade, Mariota is a great option for the next three weeks and can be a short-term solution. He is thriving in the Tennessee offense, and his dual-threat ability makes him even more valuable in leagues where rushing TDs count more than passing TDs.

Oct 16, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) runs past Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) for a touchdown during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 30-15. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Jay Ajayi-RB-Miami Dolphins (42.5%)

Most fantasy football owners expected Ajayi to take a back seat in this game against the Steelers since Arian Foster returned to action. His ownership dropped back below 50% as a result of his struggles while Foster was out, but he showed how much potential he has with a monster game on Sunday as the Dolphins stunned the Steelers.

Ajayi out-carried Foster 25-6 and looked every bit the part of a feature-back with Foster as the change-of-pace option. Ajayi took his 25 carries for 204 yards and punched the ball into the end zone twice. He was already have a good day before his breakout 62-yard touchdown at the end of the game to put the exclamation point on the end of Miami’s big win.

It’s hard to say exactly how the Dolphins backfield rotation will play out moving forward with Kenyan Drake, Arian Foster, and Damien Williams all still in the mix for touches. However, coach Adam Gase has already said the committee approach was a “mistake” and that he’d like to have a featured back.

When Gase said that, Ajayi hadn’t shown this kind of breakout upside with just 117 yards on 31 carries before Sunday’s breakout. It’s not a lock that he’ll remain the go-to option, but he’s by far the best widely available option at RB on the waiver wire week 7.

Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt (18) runs the ball past Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) during the second half of a NFL game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Kenny Britt-WR-Los Angeles Rams (13.1%)

Kenny Britt’s athletic upside has long been a tease to fantasy football owners dating back to when he flashed with a few big games in his time with the Titans. The first-round pick out of Rutgers is finally healthy (so far) and having a quiet breakout season with the LA Rams.

In Week 6, Britt scored his first two touchdowns of the season as part of his seven-catch, 136-yard performance against a porous Lions’ secondary. He was one of the most productive WR of the week thanks to his big numbers, and he has clearly emerged as the Rams’ no. 1 target in the passing game.

Britt has at least 75 receiving yards in four of his last five games and is a low-risk play since he is so involved in the attack led by Case Keenum. In Week 7, Keenum, Britt, and the Rams are headed to London where they’ll face the Giants. Britt is a great depth addition since he could start for your fantasy team almost any week based on his potential work load. He’s one of the best wavier wire Week 7 adds, but make sure to take note that his bye week is Week 8. If you need a receiver to help you through that busy bye week (Rams, Ravens, Dolphins, Giants, Steelers, 49ers), you’ll need to look at a different option.

Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (86) is defended by Denver Broncos free safety Bradley Roby (29) during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Hunter Henry-TE-San Diego Chargers (49.3%)

The Chargers offense has had a rough year including losing receivers Keenan Allen and Stevie Johnson to season-ending injuries along with Danny Woodhead who was an active pass-catcher out of the backfield. An interesting thing happened to the Chargers, though, when All-Pro TE Antonio Gates also missed time. The Chargers found a great new weapon for their offense in rookie Hunter Henry.

Normally rookie tight ends don’t make much of an impact, but when the second-rounder from Arkansas got his chance he stepped up. In Week 3, he burst onto the scene with 72 yards on five catches, and has posted weeks of 61 yards, 74 yards, and 83 yards in the last three weeks while also getting into the end zone in each of those contests.

Henry has remained involved even after Gates return and is quickly becoming a go-to option for Philip Rivers who does a good job giving his playmakers opportunities to make plays. Henry is lined up for a big game again this week in a potential shootout in Atlanta against the high-scoring Falcons. Atlanta has been beaten badly by tight ends all season, and I see Henry as a definite starter this week in almost all formats. If he’s still out there on your wavier wire week 7, he’s the best solution to any TE problems you have in the coming weeks.

Oct 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) makes a pass to running back James White (28) during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

James White-RB-New England Patriots (49.3%)

When Tom Brady returned, the Patriots became a much more passing-focused offense which shifted the roles in the backfield. LeGarrette Blount is still the early-down, punishing runner he has always been, but New England is working James White into the mix more as a receiving option out of the backfield.

When Brady returned Week 5, White caught four passes for 63 yards and added 26 yards on five carries. He played an even bigger role this week against the Bengals hauling in eight passes for 47 yards and getting into the end zone on two short passing plays while adding 19 yards on seven carries.

White should continue to get plenty of opportunities to make plays next week against the Steelers defense which Jay Ajayi just shredded in Miami. His time as the team’s receiving back may be limited since Dion Lewis is expected to return in the coming weeks, but for now White is a key part of the Patriots passing game and a startable option in standard and PPR formats. New England faces the Steelers and Bills before their bye Week 9, so grab White off your waiver wire Week 7 if you need help at running back for the next few weeks.

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (87) catches a pass during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Texans 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

C.J. Fiedorowicz-TE-Houston Texans (1.1%)

If Hunter Henry is already gone from your waiver wire Week 7, there are still some great options to improve your fantasy team. Normally, I just include a single tight end in my weekly pickups, but this week there’s a second option deserving mention thanks to the breakout of C.J. Fiedorowicz of the Texans.

The third-year tight end out of Iowa has become a growing part of the Texans attack, and he has been heavily involved in each of the last three weeks. Fiedorowicz has totaled 14 catches in those three weeks for 194 yards and a pair of touchdowns. In Week 6, he scored the game-tying touchdown late against the Colts on his way to finishing with six catches for 85 yards.

Fiedorowicz is almost universally available and has a couple of good matchups before his bye Week 9. In Week 7, he’ll face the Broncos in Denver before coming home to take on a beatable Lions secondary in Week 8. He is getting enough targets and making enough plays to be a borderline starter every week as one of Brock Osweiler’s favorite targets.

Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker (23) is tackled by San Diego Chargers defensive back Casey Hayward (26) and cornerback Craig Mager (29) during the second half at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Devontae Booker-RB-Denver Broncos (29.9%)

The Broncos dropped two straight games in a span of five days losing to the Falcons on Sunday of Week 5 and the Chargers on Thursday of Week 6. Just because some time has past, though, don’t forget how good rookie Devontae Booker has looked for Denver as he threatens to eat into the workload of C.J. Anderson.

Booker was out-snapped by Anderson 57-15 against the Chargers and only had five carries compared to ten for Anders. However, Booker turned his five carries into 46 yards while Anderson only managed 37 on his ten carries. Booker also is a weapon in the passing game and has six catches for 43 yards in the last two contests.

Denver is one of the few run-first attacks left in the NFL, and Booker is a great fit for Gary Kubiak’s scheme. If he keeps performing so well, he could carve into Anderson’s workload and be a great running back option down the stretch.

In the short-term, Booker is a risky start, but he has the potential to be one of the most impactful pickups form the waiver wire Week 7 so stash him if there’s any way you can.

Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Ty Montgomery (88) carries the ball as Dallas Cowboys defensive back Anthony Brown (30) tackles in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Ty Montgomery-WR-Green Bay Packers (0.2%)

Coming out of Week 6, there is a ton of buzz around “What’s wrong in Green Bay?” While there are definitely issues to address, Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy have shown they can turn things around in the past. Part of their solution may have emerged in their Week 6 loss to Dallas.

Ty Montgomery actually led the team in targets with a dozen passes thrown his way and hauled in ten catches taken them for a solid total of 98 yards. He added six yards on his three carries as well. Montgomery is a hybrid option for the Packers since he lined up at both running back and wide receiver. He could see time at both again in the near future since James Starks and Eddie Lacy are battling injuries in the backfield and the Packers’ third-WR Davante Adams left Sunday’s game with a head injury.

It’ll be a short week for the Packers to recover since they play the Bears on Thursday Night Football. Chicago has been beatable by both receivers and running backs, and Montgomery showed enough upside in Green Bay’s loss to be worth a claim in most leagues from the waiver wire Week 7. Montgomery’s big game came out of nowhere which is why he is virtually un-owned, but he has a ton of potential since the Packers are having problems finding playmakers.

Oct 16, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Baltimore Ravens corner back Tavon Young (36) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens D/ST (46.5%)

For the second week in a row, the best team defense available in over half of ESPN leagues is the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore got shredded by Odell Beckham in the second half against New York this week, but they still managed to force multiple turnovers for the fourth time in five games.

Tavon young had the sick interception pictured above and Will Davis also picked off Eli Manning. The team only managed to sack Eli once, but they did also recover a fumble from Odell Beckham early in the contest. The pass rush and pass coverage broke down late for the Ravens, but I still think they’re a solid plug-and-play option this week.

The Ravens will be in a good matchup against the Jets who are playing in Monday Night Football and on a short week as they travel home to face Baltimore. The Ravens may be without Terrell Suggs who tore his biceps tendon, but its hard to say at this point since the veteran played through the injury back in 2012. Suggs is key to the Baltimore pass rush, so his loss would be a major blow.

Normally, I try to find a defense with lower ownership percentage so they are more of a true “streaming” option, butI felt the Ravens were the clear best option this week. If you are looking for other Team D options from the waiver wire Week 7, I’ve included three on the bottom of the next slide.

Other Waiver Wire Week 7 targets

These options are also available in over 50% of ESPN and make good pickups as well. They’re listed in the general order that I would target them if the top 10 aren’t available in your league.

QB: Sam Bradford-Minnesota Vikings, Joe Flacco-Baltimore Ravens, Brian Hoyer-Chicago Bears, Colin Kaepernick-San Francisco 49ers, Trevor Siemian-Denver Broncos

RB: Matt Asiata-Minnesota Vikings, Dion Lewis-New England Patriots (stash for when he returns), Justin Forsett-Detroit Lions, Dwayne Washington-Detroit Lions, Kenneth Dixon-Baltimore Ravens, Jacquizz Rodgers-Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Wendell Smallwood-Philadelphia Eagles

WR: Cole Beasley-Dallas Cowboys, Kendall Wright-Tennessee Titans, Cordarrelle Patterson-Minnesota Vikings , Robert Woods-Buffalo Bills, Jamison Crowder-Washington, Adam Thielen-Minnesota Vikings, Quinton Patton-San Francisco 49ers, Chris Hogan-New England Patriots, Anquan Boldin-Detroit Lions, Donte Moncrief (stash for his return),

TE: Cameron Brate-Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Charles Clay-Buffalo Bills, Vernon Davis-Washington, Ladarius Green-Pittsburgh Steelers (back soon), Virgil Green-Denver Broncos Jack Doyle-Indianapolis Colts,

D/ST: Buccaneers D/ST, Washington D/ST, Raiders D/ST