Ready or not, Week 7 is here, and with injuries piling up and bye weeks in full swing, it is time to embrace the “next man up” mentality. This is not just about desperation plays and blind dart throws. It is about identifying those under-the-radar players who are primed to step into bigger roles and deliver for your fantasy team. Whether you are looking for short-term fixes or potential season-long contributors, the waiver wire is the key to keeping your team afloat. These pickups can help you weather the storm, stack wins, and keep your playoff hopes alive. Let’s dive into the next wave of players poised to make an immediate impact and help guide your team to the promised land.

Running Backs

Ray Davis, RB, Buffalo Bills – When word spread over the weekend that James Cook would most likely play despite a toe injury, the appeal of grabbing one of Buffalo’s backup running backs slightly diminished. But in a late twist, Cook was ruled out just about an hour before Monday night’s kickoff, leaving many teams scrambling to start either Ray Davis or Ty Johnson in his place. Although Johnson took the first snap of the game, it was the rookie Davis who stole the spotlight.

The impressive rookie carried the ball 20 times for 97 yards and caught all three of his targets for 55 yards, while the veteran Johnson managed just four carries for 34 yards. Even with limited touches, Johnson can be a speculative add in deeper leagues. Buffalo leaned on Davis as their featured back, and he played a key role in securing the win. With James Cook’s status still unclear due to his toe injury, Davis has shown enough potential to be the top waiver pickup of the week. If Cook misses more time, Davis is set to take over as the lead back for Buffalo in a Week 7 home matchup against the Titans.

Recommended FAAB: 5-25%.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants – When you are a late-round rookie running back playing behind an established veteran, every opportunity to showcase your potential is crucial. With Devin Singletary sidelined the last two games due to injury, rookie Tyrone Tracy has made the most of his chances, potentially earning himself a more prominent role moving forward. After rushing for over 120 yards in his first game as the Giants’ lead back in Week 5, Tracy followed it up with an even bigger fantasy performance in Week 6 against the Bengals. Under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football, Tracy logged 17 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown, while hauling in all six of his targets for 57 yards. As a converted wide receiver, this was the first time Tracy’s pass-catching ability truly stood out at the NFL level.

While it is still uncertain whether Singletary will return in Week 7, or if Tracy has earned the lead-back role regardless, he should be rostered in all leagues. Tracy is a priority pickup as the Giants prepare for a divisional showdown with the Eagles.

Recommended FAAB: 5-15%.

Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings – Despite finishing last season strong and playing a key role in many fantasy championship runs, Ty Chandler has had a slow start to 2024. The arrival of veteran Aaron Jones in Minnesota has significantly reduced his role. However, when Jones exited early with a hip injury during Week 5’s win over the Jets, Chandler stepped in as the lead back. Unfortunately, his 16 touches only amounted to 30 rushing yards on 14 carries, along with two catches for nine yards.

Though his performance was underwhelming, Chandler’s past flashes suggest he could be effective in a lead role. The undefeated Vikings are coming off their bye and could be without Jones in Week 7 against the Lions. While the Detroit defense is typically strong against running backs, Aidan Hutchinson’s absence could open things up for Minnesota’s ground game. With a potential starting opportunity ahead, Chandler becomes a priority pickup for RB-needy teams.

Recommended FAAB: 0-15%.

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons – Tyler Allgeier was highlighted in last week’s article amidst concerns that Bijan Robinson might be limited by a hamstring injury. While Robinson went on to have one of the best games of his young career, Allgeier was equally impressive on the ground. Leading the team in carries, Allgeier rushed 18 times for 105 yards and a touchdown, adding three yards on his lone reception. Despite Robinson’s stellar showing, Allgeier demonstrated a unique dimension of power and grit in the Falcons’ run game which should be featured regularly.

It is worth noting that Atlanta will not face the Carolina Panthers every week, and different game scripts could impact his workload. This was the first time all season he received double-digit carries. Still, Allgeier should be rostered in all leagues as one of the top insurance policies in fantasy football, with enough value in his current role to be a weekly flex option with upside in deeper leagues. He will look to build on this strong performance in a Week 7 matchup against the Seahawks.

Recommended FAAB: 0-15%.

Isaac Guerendo, RB, San Francisco 49ers – Few teams embody the “next man up” mentality better than the San Francisco 49ers. Over recent seasons, Kyle Shanahan’s run-friendly scheme and stout offensive line have allowed several unheralded running backs to shine, and Jordan Mason was the latest to step up with Christian McCaffrey sidelined. Unfortunately, after a strong first half in Week 6’s win over the Seahawks, Mason suffered a shoulder injury, keeping him out for most of the game. This opened the door for rookie Isaac Guerendo to step up and make an impact.

Known for his elite speed, posting the fastest 40-yard dash among running backs at the NFL combine (4.33), Guerendo flashed his playmaking ability with 10 carries for 99 yards. His highlight moment came on a 76-yard run, where he unselfishly chose not to score, instead going down to help run out the clock. While it is currently unclear if Mason will miss time, Guerendo is poised to step up again if needed, making him a key name to watch ahead of the 49ers’ Week 7 matchup against the Chiefs.

Recommended FAAB: 0-15%.

Kimani Vidal, RB, Los Angeles Chargers – If you picked up rookie Kimani Vidal during the Chargers’ bye week, your speculative gamble might have already paid off. Filling in for the injured Gus Edwards, Vidal flashed serious potential in Week 6’s win over the Broncos. While he managed just 11 yards on four carries, he made his mark as a receiver, catching both of his targets for 40 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown. Although most of his production came on that single play, it highlighted the explosive talent Vidal brings to the offense.

With Edwards sidelined for the foreseeable future, Vidal’s role should continue to grow, giving him a chance to exceed expectations. There is also always the possibility that injury-prone JK Dobbins could go down, potentially positioning Vidal as the lead back in a run-heavy offense. For now, Vidal is a speculative pickup that should not be started unless you are in a pinch. However, his evident upside makes him worth stashing. He will look to build on this momentum in a favorable Week 7 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

D’Ernest Johnson – While many anticipated Tank Bigsby would benefit most from Travis Etienne’s early exit due to a hamstring injury, it was D’Ernest Johnson who surprisingly saw the bulk of second-half opportunities in Jacksonville’s loss to Chicago in London. Johnson ran the ball six times for 28 yards and caught both of his targets for 16 yards, outpacing Bigsby in effectiveness despite having one fewer carry. Johnson led the team in rushing yards, and with Etienne’s status uncertain, both he and Bigsby are expected to play key roles in Week 7 against the New England Patriots. It is currently unclear who will see more work if Etienne is sidelined, but if you are in desperate need of a running back, Johnson feels worth a shot.

Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

Sean Tucker, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – After a disappointing rookie season, Sean Tucker had a breakout performance in Week 6’s win over the Saints. Filling in alongside fellow rookie Bucky Irving with Rachaad White sidelined, Tucker rushed 14 times for 136 yards and a touchdown, while also catching all three of his targets for 56 yards and another score. Tucker looked close to flawless, showing flashes of the form that made him a standout at Syracuse.

The primary challenge for Tucker moving forward is Irving, who was also impressive in the game. Irving is likely to retain the lead role when White is out and the primary backup spot when White is active. Tucker’s stellar outing could earn him more touches even when everyone is healthy, but this would create a three-headed backfield that is far from ideal for fantasy purposes. Due to this, Tucker is more of a speculative pickup in deeper leagues despite his remarkable RB1 finish in Week 6. His next opportunity to build on this momentum comes in a tough Week 7 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

Wide Receivers

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Christian Watson, WR, Green Packers – Christian Watson is a big play waiting to happen whenever he is on the field. The issue is, he rarely stays on the field for long before another injury sidelines him for an extended period of time. Even after missing time with his latest setback, Watson looked sharp in his return. In Week 6’s win over the Cardinals, he caught three of four targets for 68 yards and a touchdown, with his big-play ability on full display during a 44-yard score. With Jordan Love’s strong arm, these kinds of deep connections could become more routine than most offenses are capable of providing.

Right now, Watson is a volatile boom-or-bust flex option, but with injuries and bye weeks piling up, that upside might be exactly what some fantasy teams need. Likely originally selected in the higher rounds of fantasy drafts, he may have been dropped in some leagues due to his latest injury and inconsistent play. While there are definite red flags, Watson’s potential makes him worth picking up in most leagues. His next challenge, both to stay healthy and continue his resurgence, comes in a Week 7 matchup against the Texans.

Recommended FAAB: 5-15%.

JuJu Smith-Schuster – Once considered one of the league’s top wide receivers during his early years with the Steelers, JuJu Smith-Schuster’s career has been a roller coaster in recent seasons. From being cut by New England this offseason to several other underwhelming campaigns, it is easy to forget that in 2022, he caught 78 passes on 101 targets for 933 yards and three touchdowns with Kansas City. Despite his recent decline and knee issues that might rival those in a nursing home, Smith-Schuster is still somehow only 27 years old.

With Rashee Rice out for the season due to a knee injury, there were questions about who would step up in Kansas City’s passing game alongside Travis Kelce and rookie Xavier Worthy. In his first real chance to shine, Smith-Schuster delivered, putting up a vintage performance in Week 5’s win over the Saints, catching seven of nine targets for 130 yards. It is unlikely he will be this productive every week, but there is still reason to believe he could emerge as a top target for Patrick Mahomes in this offense. His strong performance made him an intriguing pickup last week, with the potential to build on this momentum after the team’s Week 6 bye. If he is still available in your league, he remains a priority pickup as he looks to keep the ball rolling against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7. 

Recommended FAAB: 5-15%.

Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers – Maybe every wide receiver off to a slow start this season should follow Romeo Doubs’ lead — skip practice, get suspended for a game, and come back swinging. For Doubs, the gamble certainly paid off. After his Week 5 suspension, he delivered his best performance of the season in Week 6’s dominant win over the Cardinals. Despite catching just three of his four targets, he turned them into 49 yards and two touchdowns. While the touchdowns made his stat line pop, without them, the outing would have been much less impactful for fantasy.

Still, Doubs has a solid connection with Jordan Love, and his outburst might have been the wake-up call he needed to remind the team of his value. With Christian Watson back from injury and Jayden Reed established as the team’s clear WR1, Doubs now finds himself competing for targets alongside Reed, Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, and tight end Tucker Kraft. This could lead to inconsistent opportunities, as we just witnessed with Kraft, who went quiet after a hot stretch. While Doubs is an intriguing fantasy addition, his volume may remain unpredictable moving forward. His next challenge comes in a Week 7 matchup against the Houston Texans, where he will look to continue to get his season back on track. 

Recommended FAAB: 5-15%.

DeMario Douglas, WR, New England Patriots – After an impressive rookie season, DeMario Douglas has had a slow start to 2024 but has still flashed his potential. To be fair, New England’s offense has struggled across the board, largely due to the inconsistent quarterback play of Jacoby Brissett. After weeks of mediocrity, the team made a much-needed change, turning to rookie Drake Maye to inject life into the offense. In just one game, Maye made an immediate impact, throwing more touchdowns (three) than Brissett had over the previous five weeks (two).

Douglas quickly became Maye’s favorite target in Week 6’s loss to the Texans, catching six of nine targets for 92 yards and a touchdown. He showed strong chemistry with the rookie and demonstrated his ability to pick up yards after the catch. This was the third time this season Douglas has recorded at least nine targets and 50+ receiving yards. While he is not a big touchdown threat most weeks, his high target share and the boost Maye has brought to the offense could make him a reliable flex option with upside. Douglas should be a priority pickup at wide receiver as he heads into a favorable Week 7 matchup against the Jaguars.

Recommended FAAB: 0-15%.

Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals – After a string of impressive performances that earned him a mention in last week’s article, Michael Wilson cooled off in Week 6’s loss to the Packers. The Arizona offense struggled throughout the game, and Wilson managed just two catches on four targets for 21 yards. Fortunately for fantasy managers, one of those receptions was Arizona’s only touchdown of the day.

Despite the quiet showing, Wilson had six or more targets in each of the three previous games and could be in line for a bigger role moving forward. Marvin Harrison Jr. suffered a concussion in Week 6, which may sideline him for the upcoming matchup against the Chargers. If Harrison Jr. is out, Wilson would have a strong chance to step up as the team’s WR1. He would profile as the second read in the offense to Trey McBride and ahead of Greg Dortch. For now, Wilson remains a speculative add, but if Harrison Jr. misses time, he could be a valuable flex option heading into Week 7.

Recommended FAAB: 0-10%.

Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens – Rashod Bateman is quietly putting together an impressive stretch of games, flashing the potential that once made him a high draft pick. While his weekly opportunities have been somewhat unpredictable, he has made the most of them when given the chance. In Week 6’s win over Washington, Bateman caught all four of his targets for 71 yards. Though he was unable to find the end zone in this outing, he has scored twice in the last four weeks, boosting his fantasy appeal.

Bateman may never fully live up to the expectations Baltimore had when they drafted him, but he has carved out the WR2 role alongside Zay Flowers. This role has gained value with Mark Andrews seeing a reduced target share this season. While expectations should remain tempered, Bateman has proven to be a reliable flex option, posting double-digit fantasy points in three of his last four games. His next opportunity comes in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what’s expected to be a high-scoring affair.

Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

Bub Means, WR, New Orleans Saints – Ordinarily, picking up a fifth-round rookie wide receiver with a fifth-round rookie quarterback throwing to him would not be advised, but desperate times call for desperate measures. The Saints, already without Derek Carr for a few weeks, now expect to be without Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee injury). If both sit out in Week 7, a large number of targets will be up for grabs. 

Spencer Rattler showed competence in his NFL debut, and a pleasant surprise was his immediate connection with fellow rookie Bub Means. Means had his first impactful performance of the season, catching five of eight targets for 45 yards and a touchdown. While skepticism about repeat performances is fair, the depleted New Orleans receiving corps gives him a genuine shot. If you are scrambling for a flex option in deep leagues, there are worse choices than the rookie named Bub. He will get another chance to prove himself in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos on Thursday night.

Recommended FAAB: 0-0%.

Tight Ends

Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders – At this stage in his career, Zach Ertz is reliable for a few things: piling up an absurd amount of targets, lacking the speed to score unless he is already in the end zone, and outplaying younger tight ends who will eventually be stars. While all of that may be true, it is his target share that stands out for fantasy purposes. Ertz continues to be a key part of Washington’s offense, often serving as the second read behind Terry McLaurin. This central role paid off in Week 6’s loss to the Ravens, where Ertz caught four of five targets for 68 yards, logging his highest snap count of the season (80%).

With 13 targets over the last two games, Ertz has solidified himself as a viable fantasy starter. While he has yet to find the end zone this season, limiting his fantasy ceiling, that could change very soon. In a favorable Week 7 matchup against the Panthers, he stands out as a dependable option for fantasy lineups.

Recommended FAAB: 0-5%.

Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The allure of star tight ends in fantasy football is not what it used to be. Now, we are just looking for reliable starters who can deliver a few catches on a consistent basis. While Cade Otton may not be a sexy pickup or bring excitement to your lineup, he has undeniably become a key part of Tampa Bay’s passing attack, which is currently firing on all cylinders. In Week 6’s win over the Saints, Otton struggled with efficiency but still managed to catch two of six targets for 15 yards and a touchdown. While the low yardage and lack of efficiency are not ideal, the volume of targets and his first touchdown of the season are encouraging.

Otton benefits from the defensive attention drawn by Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, averaging just under seven targets per game over the last four weeks. He is set to capitalize on a favorable schedule ahead, starting with a stout Baltimore defense that surprisingly gives up more points to tight ends than expected.

Recommended FAAB: 0-0%.

Quarterbacks

Team DEF/ST

Final Thoughts

Decision-making in fantasy football can be tricky. Do you stick with your studs despite a tough matchup, or roll the dice on a backup running back stepping into a starting role? Every lineup choice comes with its own risk-reward balance, and it is easy to second-guess yourself.

This week, I had a solid projected lead heading into Sunday Night Football and thought it might be smart to start Zack Moss over James Cook, given Cook’s questionable tag for Monday night. Moss ended up putting up a goose egg, making it clear I made the wrong call (Ray Davis or Ty Johnson would have secured my win), but the logic behind the decision was sound. Not every choice will pay off in fantasy football; there are too many factors outside our control. What we can control, however, is making informed decisions. Even when those decisions do not pan out, an educated and methodical process will usually win you more weeks than you lose. It is about winning the war, not just one battle. So, focus on making the best choices as you gear up for the battle of Week 7, starting with reinforcing your roster with the top waiver pickups available in your league.