Each Sunday night during the season, I’ll be bringing you early waiver wire suggestions to help you get a jump on the competition! Thanks for joining me as we hit the waiver wire looking for players who can help you out for Week 7 and beyond. This week offers a few more options than the bare-bones choices available in Week 6, including a former third-string Dolphins back, Dalvin Cook’s backup, and a popular preseason rookie selected by the Los Angeles Rams. Let’s get to it!
Note: All players have less than 30% ownership in Yahoo leagues.
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Running Back
Mark Walton (MIA): 4% owned
Week 6 stats: 6 carries, 32 rushing yards, 5 receptions, 43 receiving yards
Walton got the start in Week 6, totaling 75 total yards on just 11 touches. He saw fewer touches than Kenyan Drake (16), but he could eventually become the starter. On an offense with little to lose, Walton deserves a pickup this week as an upside running back who could see some heavy snaps for the rest of the season. He’s an excellent waiver wire addition ahead of Week 7.
Next three weeks: @BUF, @PIT, NYJ
Alexander Mattison (MIN): 22% owned
Week 6 stats: 14 carries, 63 rushing yards
Mattison actually led the Vikings in rushing yards in the Week 6 win over the Eagles, and he saw just two fewer carries than Dalvin Cook. With the Minnesota offense humming and the team leaning on the run game, Mattison remains an elite handcuff who is beginning to show some standalone value as a low-end flex. At only 22% owned, he should be plucked off of waivers where available.
Next three weeks: @DET, WAS, @KC
Darrell Henderson (LAR): 29% owned
Week 6 stats: 6 carries, 39 rushing yards, nine-yard reception
Henderson saw his biggest workload of the season in Week 6 with Todd Gurley (quad) sitting out. It’s unclear how serious Gurley’s injury is, but Henderson needs to be added now. In the event that Gurley misses any more time, Henderson and Malcolm Brown would handle running back duties.
Next three weeks: @ATL, CIN, BYE
Wide Receiver
Auden Tate (CIN): 23% owned
Week 6 stats: 5 receptions, 91 receiving yards
With A.J. Green still out and John Ross on IR, the top two receivers in Cincinnati are Tate and Tyler Boyd. Tate finished Sunday’s matchup with 12 targets, turning those into five receptions for 91 yards. The Bengals are sure to be chasing points in most games, and Tate should benefit from a pass-heavy scheme. Expect him to handle a similar workload next week against the Jaguars.
Next three weeks: JAC, @LAR, BYE
Jakobi Meyers (NE): 1% owned
Week 6 stats: 4 receptions, 54 receiving yards
Meyers was a big name in the preseason and has shown that he’s a reliable target for Tom Brady when given the opportunity. With Josh Gordon’s (knee) status for Week 7 an uncertainty, the rookie Meyers could be a savvy pickup for fantasy owners in need of wide receiver help.
Next three weeks: @NYJ, CLE, @BAL
Jaron Brown (SEA): 0% owned
Week 6 stats: 3 receptions, 29 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs
Brown hasn’t been heavily involved through the first five weeks of the season, as he’s logged just 112 yards on eight receptions. He came alive in Week 6 with a multi-score performance, and with Will Dissly (Achilles) likely out for an extended period of time, Brown could see a boost in targets moving forward. His favorable schedule helps his value, too.
Next three weeks: BAL, @ATL, TB
Quarterback
Daniel Jones (NYG): 29% owned
Week 6 stats: 161 passing yards, 2 carries, 8 rushing yards, passing TD, 3 INTs
Jones predictably struggled against a stout Patriots defense on Thursday Night Football, turning the ball over three times and failing to eclipse 200 yards passing. Still, he’s been a breath of fresh air for a flailing Giants team, and he needs to be owned in fantasy. He has a great matchup against the Cardinals in Week 7, and his fantasy schedule is beautiful, with games against the Eagles, Redskins, and Dolphins.
Next three weeks: ARI, @DET, DAL
Sam Darnold (NYJ): 16% owned
Week 6 stats: 338 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 2 carries, 5 rushing yards
Darnold shined in his first game back from a mono-related absence, and he’s set up for a fantastic rest-of-season outlook. Though he has to face a tough New England defense in Week 7, he faces Miami, the New York Giants, Washington, Oakland, Cincinnati, and Miami from Weeks 9 to 14 in a gorgeous stretch that may put his fantasy owners on a winning streak.
Next three weeks: NE, @JAX, @MIA
Tight End
Cameron Brate (TB): 1% owned
Week 6 stats: 2 receptions, 47 receiving yards, reception TD
Brate caught his second touchdown in three weeks in Sunday’s loss, and he looks to be the preferred option at tight end for the Buccaneers. Heading into the bye, he likely won’t be heavily targeted on the waiver wire, making him a nice addition.
Next three weeks: BYE, @TEN, @SEA
Darren Fells (HOU): 3% owned
Week 6 stats: 6 receptions, 69 receiving yards
After scoring twice in Week 5, Fells corralled six balls for 69 receiving yards in the Texans’ Week 6 win over the Chiefs. He’s trending in the right direction as a regular part of Houston’s passing attack. Add where needed.
Next three weeks: @IND, OAK, @JAC
D/ST
Kansas City Chiefs D/ST: 24% owned
The Chiefs have been a solid unit for most of the season, and a Week 7 matchup in Mile High should provide favorable returns. A struggling Denver offense mixed with a Kansas City team coming off back-to-back losses bodes well for the Chiefs’ defense in this one. This defense makes a quality streaming option next week.
Next three weeks: @DEN, @GB, MIN
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Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.