With another wild football Sunday in the rearview mirror, it's time to assess the state of our fantasy teams and add (or cut) accordingly.
Week 7 brought a handful of unfortunate injuries:
- RB Breece Hall (NYJ) reportedly suffered a torn ACL and a meniscus injury.
- WR DK Metcalf (SEA) suffered a knee injury but does not need surgery, per head coach Pete Carroll.
- TE David Njoku (CLE) sustained a high ankle sprain but reportedly does not need surgery.
- QB Ryan Tannehill (TEN) injured his ankle and was seen in a walking boot after the game.
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET) exited early against Dallas. It was thought that it was due to a concussion; HC Dan Campbell stated on Monday that St. Brown wasn't concussed, but couldn't return due to new league rules.
- WR Mike Williams (LAC) suffered a high ankle sprain that will sideline him for weeks, per HC Brandon Staley.
Beyond injuries, the Chiefs and Chargers have Week 8 byes, meaning you will need to find one-week replacements for stars such as Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Travis Kelce, Gerald Everett, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Whether you need a player to replace dead weight on your roster, or just need a Week 8 streamer, make sure to check out Action Network's top targets at each position — all of which are available in at least 50% of Yahoo! leagues — that you should prioritize come Tuesday night.
Note: Yahoo! roster percentages are reflected in parentheses as of Monday and fantasy rankings are exclusive of the Monday Night Football game.
Fantasy Waiver Wire Pickups
Fantasy Waiver QBs to Target
Daniel Jones, Giants (30% rostered)
Jones had his best game of the season as the G-Men picked up their sixth win of the year after defeating the Jaguars 23-17. He completed 19-of-30 attempts for 202 yards and a touchdown and tacked on 11 rushes for 107 yards and a touchdown.
Jones is currently the QB3 heading into Monday Night Football and the QB9 on a per-game basis this season. He is averaging just shy of 50 rushing yards per game, which gives him a high floor for fantasy purposes.
I am mildly concerned about the loss of right tackle Evan Neal, who suffered a MCL sprain. The injury is not believed to be season-ending, though any attrition on the offensive line could be detrimental to Jones' fantasy value. The Giants' OL has been a perpetual pain point and ranks 25th in sacks allowed per game.
Jones is still a high-end streaming option for Mahomes or Herbert managers as he goes up against a Seattle defense that ranks 22nd in defensive DVOA, according to Football Outsiders.
Next three games: at Seahawks, BYE, vs. Texans
Taylor Heinicke, Commanders (5%)
Heinicke stepped in for an injured Carson Wentz and led the Commanders to a 23-21 upset win over the Packers. He completed 20-of-33 attempts for 201 yards, two touchdown and one interception. Also known to be a mobile quarterback who is typically involved in the ground game, Heinicke only rushed twice for four yards.
Heinicke is the QB12 with one game left to play, which is quite impressive considering he faced Green Bay's pass defense, which ranks ninth in pass DVOA.
He will quarterback the Commanders for at least another three weeks (potentially longer) as Wentz recovers from a finger injury. He should be considered a low-end streaming option against the Colts' and Vikings' middle-of-the-road pass defenses.
Next three games: at Colts, vs. Vikings, at Eagles
Andy Dalton, Saints (3%)
Squaring off against Kyler Murray, Dalton had the superior fantasy game in the Saints' 42-34 loss to the Cardinals on Thursday night. Dalton completed 30-of-47 attempts for 361 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed four times for 21 yards and is currently the QB2 behind only Joe Burrow.
This game was more of an anomaly than a pattern for Dalton, who has been the Saints' starter since Jameis Winston went down with a back injury in Week 3. Winston was active for the first time since then on Sunday as the team's third-string QB.
It is unclear what the Saints plan to do now that both Winston and Dalton are healthy. If they plan to keep rolling with Dalton, he could be an interesting deep-league streamer against the Raiders, who just allowed over 300 passing yards to Davis Mills.
Next three games: vs. Raiders, vs. Ravens, at Steelers
Other quarterbacks to consider: Mac Jones, Patriots (16%), P.J. Walker, Panthers (2%), Davis Mills, Texans (7%), Malik Willis, Titans (1%)
Fantasy Waiver RBs to Target
Gus Edwards, Ravens (43% rostered)
Edwards returned from a torn ACL in emphatic fashion in the Ravens' 23-20 win over the Browns.
Edwards carved up Cleveland's Swiss-cheese run defense and dominated the Baltimore backfield with J.K. Dobbins sidelined. Edwards recorded 16 carries for 66 yards and two touchdowns and is currently the RB7 with one game left to play, while Drake was a complete dud (11 rushes for five yards).
With Dobbins on injured reserve, Edwards will be valuable as the Ravens' RB1. I would not hesitate to use a premium waiver bid on Edwards, who should offer RB2 upside over the next few weeks. Given Dobbins' injury history, he could even have longer-term value.
Next three games: at Buccaneers, at Saints, BYE
D'Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (49% and 36%)
The Panthers are doing this tanking thing all wrong.
The team, which appeared to be in the midst of an early season fire sale after trading away both Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey (and parting ways with their head coach and defensive coordinator), trounced the Buccaneers to pick up their second win of the season. Much of their production came on the ground via the committee of Foreman and Hubbard.
It was reported in the wake of the McCaffrey deal that Foreman would lead the Panthers' backfield, but on Sunday morning, Hubbard was listed as the starter.
Foreman ended up with 15 carries for 118 yards and two catches for 27 yards, while Hubbard saw nine carries for 63 yards and a touchdown, plus two catches for 10 yards. Foreman slightly out-snapped Hubbard 27 to 23. The duo currently ranks as the RB13 and RB16 in half PPR, respectively, which is impressive given the Buccaneers' stout run defense.
Hubbard, however, sustained an ankle injury, though it is not believed to be serious.
I anticipate this will be a committee between the two, with a slight lean toward Foreman. He stepped up last season for the Titans when Derrick Henry went down and was the RB8 in half-PPR leagues after Tennessee's Week 13 bye.
Both are worth adding based on volume and matchups, as Carolina faces Atlanta twice in the next three weeks.
Next three games: at Falcons, at Bengals, vs. Falcons
Kyren Williams, Rams (31%)
Williams was the Rams’ fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. He missed the first six games of the season due to an ankle injury that required surgery, but he is expected to return from injured reserve soon. The rookie could be in line for a hefty workload right out of the gate, which seems to be the plan according to The Athletic.
Cam Akers, who was expected to be the starter this year, is sidelined amid friction with the coaching staff. He seems likely to be traded, and now that Christian McCaffrey is officially off the table, the Rams may have to make do with what they have already (though they may have their eye on Kareem Hunt).
With Akers sidelined, Darrell Henderson Jr. led the Rams’ backfield in Week 6. He saw 12 carries for 43 yards and scored a touchdown, and also caught two passes for nine yards. His health has waned throughout his career, however, which forced him to miss seven games in 2021.
This could be a split between Henderson and Williams (once activated), or Williams could be the No. 1 if Henderson were to ever be sidelined. He is worth an add in a backfield very much up for grabs.
Next three games: vs. 49ers, at Buccaneers, vs. Cardinals
Latavius Murray, Broncos (40%)
The Broncos have struggled on the ground since Javonte Williams went down with a torn ACL. Last week, Murray was dominant and out-touched Melvin Gordon III 16 to 3. He also out-snapped Gordon 27 to 9, which prompted speculation about Gordon's future with the team.
In Week 7, Gordon had the slight edge with 13 total touches for 50 all-purpose yards while Murray logged 10 touches for 23 scrimmage yards. Murray did find the end zone, however, and is currently the RB26 in half-PPR scoring.
Mike Boone was also involved and had four carries for 23 yards, but he was banged up during the game and will likely miss time. This prompted the Broncos to sign Marlon Mack from the 49ers' practice squad on Monday morning.
I do not expect Mack to play a significant role in the upcoming London game or moving forward. This should primarily be a split between Murray and Gordon, with Mack as the RB3 for depth. Murray is worth an add amid bye weeks and a matchup against the Jags.
Next three games: at Jaguars, BYE, at Titans
D’Ernest Johnson, Browns (1%)
Johnson has no rushing attempts all season, but he could end up being a valuable fantasy asset if the Browns move on from Kareem Hunt, who is reportedly on the trading block.
Hunt is the RB23 this season in half PPR and the clear No. 2 behind Nick Chubb. He is averaging 11.6 touches per game, which could be funneled to Johnson.
There are a number of RB-needy teams, including the Broncos, Bills, Rams and now the Jets in light of the Breece Hall injury. Johnson is worth a speculative add with the Trade Deadline right around the corner.
Next three games: vs. Bengals, BYE, at Dolphins
Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (40%)
Allgeier led the Falcons' backfield over Caleb Huntley in Atlanta's blowout 35-17 loss to Cincinnati. He rushed 16 times for 50 yards and a touchdown while Huntley saw six carries for 22 yards.
It's difficult to get excited about practically anyone on this Falcons team when Marcus Mariota is completing eight passes a game. That said, the Falcons have been leaning heavily on the run due to Mariota's struggles and Allgeier is averaging just shy of 12 carries per game in the six contests he has played this year.
I expect him to continue to be an integral piece of this offense (albeit a limited-upside one) rest-of-season.
Next three games: vs. Panthers, vs. Chargers, at Panthers
Other running backs to consider: Rachaad White, Buccaneers (29%), Keaontay Ingram, Cardinals (0%), Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs (8%)
Fantasy Waiver WRs to Target
Parris Campbell, Colts (4% rostered)
After earning QB2 honors in Week 6, Matt Ryan turned back into a pumpkin. As a result, the lone Indy player to log a solid fantasy game in the Colts' 19-10 loss to the Titans was Campbell, who has now strung together two consecutive quality games.
He reeled in 7-of-11 targets for 57 yards and a touchdown in Week 6 and then caught 10-of-12 targets for 70 yards and a touchdown in Week 7. Michael Pittman Jr. was held to six catches for 58 yards while Alec Pierce caught three passes for 37 yards.
Campbell, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, is currently the WR7 for the week in half-PPR scoring (with one game left to play). He could be inching into fantasy relevance, especially in PPR formats.
The big question mark will be his health, as Campbell has never played more than seven games in a season since entering the league in 2019. He'll also be playing with a new quarterback now that backup Sam Ehlinger is taking over for Ryan.
The Colts next face the Commanders, whose defense has been permeable against the pass.
Next three games: vs. Commanders, at Patriots, at Raiders
Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton, Giants (29% and 2%)
Robinson posted yet another solid fantasy day in the Giants' win over the Jaguars. He caught 3-of-4 targets for 37 yards and a touchdown in Week 6 and then reeled in 6-of-8 targets for 50 yards in Week 7.
Slayton also had a solid bounce back from an awful Week 6. He caught 3-of-6 targets for 58 yards and his first touchdown this year.
The Giants' receivers room has been hit hard by injuries this year, and as the healthiest pass-catchers on the team, I like both with the Seahawks' exploitable defense on tap.
Next three games: at Seahawks, BYE, vs. Texans
Kalif Raymond, Lions (0%)
The Lions struggled, as predicted, against the Cowboys and lost 24-6 in Week 7.
Jared Goff was uninspiring and the team lost Amon-Ra St. Brown early to concussion protocol. Raymond stepped up in St. Brown's absence and caught 5-of-6 targets for 75 yards. He was productive before the Lions' Week 6 bye and could be in line for a target bump if St. Brown can't clear protocol.
I have noticed anecdotally that players have been slower to return from concussions due to protocol changes that were made following the Tua Tagovailoa situation.
Raymond could be a nice one-week fill-in against the Dolphins, whose defense has struggled against the pass this year.
Next three games: vs. Dolphins, vs. Packers, at Bears
Ben Skowronek, Rams (2%)
Skowronek has quietly become the Rams' WR2 ahead of Allen Robinson II. He has an equal number of targets as Robinson and 51 more receiving yards.
The Notre Dame product was the WR15 in Week 6 after logging five catches for 40 yards and tacking on a 17-yard rushing touchdown against the Panthers.
I don't love his upcoming games against two of the top pass defenses (San Francisco, Tampa Bay), but he could end up being a valuable deep-league add for teams lean at receiver.
Next three games: vs. 49ers, at Buccaneers, vs. Cardinals
Elijah Moore, Jets (42%)
In spite of injuries and poor quarterback play, Moore had a good rookie season in 2021. He showed flashes of greatness over 11 games and caught 43-of-77 targets for 538 yards and five receiving touchdowns (WR44 in half PPR).
This season has not gone quite as well. Moore, who was viewed as a Year 2 breakout candidate, was mediocre when Joe Flacco was under center, surprising given how often the team was throwing the ball at the time. His stats, along with those of all the other Jets’ pass-catchers, have only worsened since Zach Wilson took over.
In Week 6, Moore laid a goose egg as he was not targeted once and saw a season-low 58% of snaps, all of which contributed toward his public frustrations with the team.
It was announced last Thursday that Moore had requested a trade due to lack of targets. The Jets remain steadfast that Moore will not be traded, but he did not play Week 7 against the Broncos either.
This is a developing situation, and regardless of what head coach Robert Saleh says, it’s not out of the question that Moore could be on the move with the Trade Deadline nearing.
Most teams would be an upgrade, at least in terms of quarterback, which could make him interesting in fantasy once again. He's a nice stash play in the hopes he ends up in the right spot (see: Kansas City, Baltimore, etc.).
Next three games: vs. Patriots, vs. Bills, BYE
Mecole Hardman and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chiefs (24% and 36%)
Numerous Kansas City players had good days for fantasy as the Chiefs demolished the 49ers 44-23.
JuJu Smith-Schuster led the attack with seven catches for 124 yards and a touchdown, followed by Valdes-Scantling, who had three catches for 111 yards. Hardman was also involved, both on the ground and through the air. The Georgia product tallied four catches for 32 yards and a touchdown and tacked on 28 rushing yards via two attempts, both of which resulted in touchdowns.
Consistency has never been Hardman's or Valdes-Scantling's forte. Both are high-upside options — with bust potential — in this Chiefs offense. They are bench stashes for now with Kansas City on bye for Week 8.
Next three games: BYE, vs. Titans, vs. Jaguars
Donovan Peoples-Jones and David Bell, Browns (20% and 1%)
Peoples-Jones has seen a steady target share for the most part this year. He caught all six of his targets in the Browns' Week 7 loss to the Ravens for 71 yards and finished as the WR36 in half PPR.
Bell only has 73 receiving yards this season, though both could be in line for a bump in targets with tight end David Njoku presumably out for at least a few weeks with a high ankle sprain.
Njoku is averaging nearly seven targets per game this year. I expect Harrison Bryant to step up, but for some targets to go to Peoples-Jones (my preferred add) as well as Bell.
Next three games: vs. Bengals, BYE, at Dolphins
Other wide receivers to consider: Marquise Goodwin, Seahawks (0%), Isaiah McKenzie, Bills (40%), Mack Hollins, Raiders (6%), DeAndre Carter, Chargers (5%), Zay Jones, Jaguars (18%), Marvin Jones Jr., Jaguars (5%), Tre'Quan Smith, Saints (1%)
Fantasy Waiver TEs to Target
Evan Engram, Jaguars (41% rostered)
Over the last three weeks, Engram is quietly averaging 7.7 targets per game and is the TE9 in half-PPR scoring. He has yet to find the end zone this year, but his targets have kept him very much afloat for fantasy.
Engram reeled in 4-of-7 targets for 67 yards and is currently the TE9 for the week (with one game left to play).
I do not love his upcoming matchup in Week 8 against the Broncos' top-notch pass defense, but he has been relatively consistent at a position known for its volatility. In Weeks 9 and 10, he faces the Raiders and Chiefs, which should easily vault him into the TE1 conversation.
Next three games: vs. Broncos, vs. Raiders, at Chiefs
Greg Dulcich, Broncos (11%)
Who is the Broncos’ best tight end and why is it Greg Dulcich?
I seriously spent more time than I would like to admit learning how to pronounce Albert Okwuegbunam’s name ahead of the season. That ended up being a complete waste, as Okwuegbunam has just 50 yards in four games (and no touchdowns) and has been a healthy scratch the last two weeks.
Levity aside, Dulcich could be everything we hoped Albert O would be. I spoke about him in my lookahead waiver wire column on Friday after he shined in his rookie debut.
He caught 2-of-3 passes for 44 yards and a touchdown, finishing as the TE9 for the week in half-PPR scoring against the Chargers. The impressive rookie followed that up with a strong Week 7 against the Jets (in spite of Brett Rypien starting) and caught 6-of-9 passes for 51 yards. Dulcich is currently the TE12 heading into Monday night and could be Denver's new TE1.
While that isn’t the most attractive prospect given how poorly the Broncos have played, Dulcich warrants attention, especially in deeper leagues, as this situation develops.
Next three games: at Jaguars, BYE, at Titans
Cade Otton, Buccaneers (14%)
Otton also made it into my lookahead waiver wire column as another standout rookie tight end. Veteran Cameron Brate suffered a neck injury against the Steelers in Week 6, which bumped Otton up to the TE1 slot.
To say that Tampa Bay struggled in Week 7 would be an understatement. The team scored just three points on a hapless Panthers team in the middle of a fire sale and dropped to 3-4 on the season.
Otton was one bright spot as he caught 4-of-5 targets for 65 yards. He is worth an add in deeper leagues and could be startable if this trend continues once Week 10 rolls around against the Seahawks.
Next three games: vs. Ravens, vs. Rams, vs. Seahawks.
Harrison Bryant, Browns (0%)
David Njoku has been a pleasant surprise this season as the TE6 in half-PPR scoring through seven weeks. He is currently the TE5 for the week after reeling in all seven of his targets for 71 yards against Baltimore.
Unfortunately, Njoku also suffered a high ankle sprain in that game and will undoubtedly miss time. Bryant is the next man up on the depth chart and could be in line for a nice bump in targets given quarterback Jacoby Brissett's affinity for his tight ends.
Next three games: Bengals, BYE, Dolphins
Juwan Johnson, Saints (3%)
Johnson had a stellar Week 7 against the Cardinals with both Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry out. He hauled in all five of his targets for 32 yards and a pair of touchdowns and finished as the TE2 in half-PPR behind only George Kittle for the week.
It's unclear if this is indicative of future usage given the injuries to the Saints' receiving corps, but Johnson could be worth a roster spot, especially with the Raiders' soft defense on deck in Week 8.
Next three games: vs. Raiders, vs. Ravens, at Steelers
Other tight ends to consider: Irv Smith Jr., Vikings (41%), Brock Wright, Lions (0%)
