NFL Waiver Wire: Week 7 Pickups

Week 7 marks the first time there are four teams on bye this season, so the waiver wire should be more active than in past weeks. We've offered multiple recommendations at each position with owners scrambling for replacements. Weeks 9 and 11 six teams are on bye (four teams both Weeks 8 and 10), so looking at replacements now could save FAAB or headaches later.

If there are questions about the players mentioned or in general, feel free to hit up the comments section.
On bye: Green Bay, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Seattle



This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. 

QUARTERBACK

Secondary Targets

Baker Mayfield, CLE - Mayfield is 42 percent in Yahoo leagues, putting him as the top streaming option for the week, especially with four QBs on bye. Baker gets the worst pass defense in the league in Tampa Bay, which is at the bottom of the league in the following passing defensive categories: YPA (9.3), yards per game (356!), touchdowns (16) and passer rating (129.5). No wonder the Bucs fired defensive coordinator Mike Smith on Monday. Mayfield has thrown for 295 and 342 in two of his three starts and wisely has targeted David Njoku and Jarvis Landry a lot. Duke Johnson, one of the better pass-catching backs in football, got into the action Sunday (four catches, 73 yards), giving Mayfield another weapon in the passing attack. The schedule sets up well too after Tampa Bay with the Steelers, Chiefs, Falcons and then Bengals lined up. FAAB: $5-$10

Hail Mary

Brock Osweiler, MIA – In what was likely the biggest surprise of the weekend, Ryan Tannehill was inactive with a shoulder injury, paving the way for Osweiler to pull off an improbable upset of the Bears, who were coming off a bye. Osweiler finished with 380 passing yards and three scores but also threw two picks in an overtime win. Much of his yardage came from the talent of Albert Wilson, who scored two long touchdowns (43 and 75 yards) to help pad Brock's stats. His opponent this week, Detroit, is a good matchup for a quarterback, as it allows 8.1 YPA, fifth highest in the league. Tannehill hasn't been ruled out yet, however. FAAB: $1-$2

Nathan Peterman, Derek Anderson, BUF – Josh Allen has a torn UCL in his throwing elbow that will keep him out this week and likely longer. Peterman has relevance in two-quarterback/super-flex leagues, though the Bills could turn to Anderson, who was signed last week, sooner than later. Peterman has started two games over the last year. Watch to see if Anderson gets the nod this week, though it seems too soon for him to have the playbook down. FAAB for either: $1 or FCFS, adjust in two-QB/Super-flex leagues

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Marlon Mack, IND - The Colts may have found their lead option in the backfield now that Mack appears to be completely healthy again. Robert Turbin fumbled and hobbled off the field, Jordan Wilkins has been less than impressive and Nyheim Hines isn't built to run between the tackles on early downs. That leaves Mack, who carried 12 times for 89 yards (7.4 yards per carry) Sunday and should see his role expand (only 24 offensive snaps). The Colts have shown the ability to put up a lot of points (92 over their last three), so having the lead back in this offense could prove valuable the rest of the season. FAAB: $10-$20

Peyton Barber, TB - This recommendation comes with the realization that Barber has had one good game, against Atlanta, which has given up a plethora of fantasy points to running backs. Fact is, Ronald Jones is probably the most talented running back for the Bucs, but the coaching staff is going to stick with Barber who has more professional experience. Even after recording 13 carries for 82 yards Sunday (6.4 yards per carry), Barber only averages 3.7 yards per carry, which shows the bigger picture. FAAB: $4-$8

Secondary Targets

Ito Smith, ATL – Devonta Freeman has already been ruled out for this week, which gives him two weeks to get healthy with the Falcons on bye in Week 8. Smith has rushing touchdowns in three consecutive games, and with a banged up defense and potent offense Atlanta continues to play in high-scoring games. Smith had 13 touches to Tevin Coleman's 11 in a true timeshare in the backfield with Freeman out. Smith would warrant more FAAB money, but the impending bye and likely return of Freeman thereafter minimizes his upside. FAAB: $2-$4

Hail Mary

D'Onta Foreman, HOU – Foreman isn't quite ready to come off the PUP list and being 100 percent his old self coming off an Achilles' injury is legitimately questionable. The offensive line looks below average when it comes to run blockings (or pass blocking, for that matter) and the only silver lining is the path to playing time. Neither Lamar Miller (3.7 yards per carry this season and last season) or Alfred Blue (3.7 yards per carry last season, 3.4 this season) poses much of a threat to keep Foreman (4.2 yards per carry last season) off the field once he returns. FAAB: $1 or FCFS

WIDE RECEIVER

Primary Targets

Jermaine Kearse, Terrelle Pryor NYJ - New York got some pretty bad news Monday when it learned Quincy Enunwa's sprained ankle will keep him out 2-4 weeks. Unfortunately, it was reported that Pryor is dealing with an injury (groin) as well, the severity of which is unknown as of this writing. Kearse led the teams in targets (10) Sunday, and even if Pryor was healthy he'd be second to Kearse in terms of which player to go after. Look for Kearse to continue getting a good volume of targets while Enunwa (and possibly Pryor) are out. It helps that Sam Darnold has looked better than anticipated in his rookie campaign. FAAB: Kearse $4-$8; Pryor $2-$4

Taylor Gabriel, CHI - It appears coach Matt Nagy is committed to getting the ball into the hands of Grabriel, who has assumed the Tyreek Hill role for the Bears. However, he had three mediocre games to start the season and his two big performances in the last two were due to catching a perfect 12 passes on 12 targets. Look for Gabriel to be up and down the rest of the season based on matchups, but it's encouraging that the offense is utilizing his skill set. FAAB: $3-$6

Secondary Targets

Josh Reynolds, LAR - Cooper Kupp was diagnosed with a sprained MCL that could force him to miss time, especially if the Rams look at the big picture and play it conservatively with him. That would give Reynolds an opportunity to move up the depth chart, taking Kupp's place on the field. The Rams run a lot of three-WR sets, and Reynolds has already played 36 and 46 snaps the last two games. Adjust the bidding if a timetable comes out on Kupp. FAAB: $2-$4

TIGHT END

Primary Targets

O.J. Howard, TB - Howard barely makes this list as he's 54 percent owned in Yahoo fantasy leagues. Howard made a miraculous, early return Sunday to record 62 receiving yards and found the end zone as well. If there's anything problematic it's that there are a lot of mouths to feed in the passing game and Cameron Brate has been made more of an impact as the season has gone on. However, Howard is still the main tight end for Tampa Bay as far as fantasy goes, and Jameis Winston has shown a tendency to throw to the position, especially in the red zone. FAAB: $8-$12

C.J. Uzomah, CIN - It's been bad luck to be a tight end in Cincinnati with Tyler Eifert out for the season and his backup, Tyler Kroft, out for an extended period. By default Uzomah becomes the team's starter and didn't fare too badly against the Steelers. Uzomah finished Sunday with six catches for 54 yards but the seven targets are what stands out. Andy Dalton has always shown a preference to throw to his tight end and should have a rapport with him with this being Uzomah's fourth year on the team. FAAB: $5-$10

DEFENSE

Hail Mary

Indianapolis Colts vs BUF – This recommendation is the weekly "who's playing the Buffalo Bills." The above recommendation on Peterman (the likely starter) was not geared toward standard 12-team leagues. Peterman has been a turnover machine, throwing two interceptions (one a pick-six) in the closing minutes of Sunday's loss to Houston. The Colts have quietly been a decent fantasy defense this season with six interceptions, 19 sacks two fumbles and 3.7 yards per carry allowed, all top-10 this season. They're a good streaming option this week. FAAB: $1-$2

Editor's note: Josh Allen's injury status was updated after the article was posted.