NFL Week 7 waiver-wire targets

Did the NFL even play games if there aren’t new Philadelphia Eagles players slated to miss time in upcoming weeks? It seems like they have the injury bug worse than any other team in the league over the last couple of seasons. Injuries at the skill positions lead to waiver-wire pickups that we can use for at least the near future.

PPR waiver wire targets

1. JD McKissic (WSH RB) – I don’t think McKissic is the best option available but he does play the coveted running back position, which has become quite thin this year due to committees and injuries. If you are in need of running back help on waivers, McKissic is your guy in PPR formats. Over the last three games, he has split work with Antonio Gibson, and both guys have clearly outperformed Peyton Barber. McKissic tied Gibson with 14 opportunities in week 6. The good news in PPR formats is the majority of McKissic’s opportunities come in the pass game. He has 8, 8, and 6 targets in the last three games and has scored double-digit PPR points in his last two. Since the running back section of the waiver wire is pretty ugly, this is the best there is.

2. Boston Scott/Corey Clement (PHI RBs) – Miles Sanders is only slated to miss one or two weeks with a knee injury, making Scott or Clement less of a priority add for me unless you need the immediate short term help. Scott likely gets the nod for starting running back duties, as he did in week 1 when Sanders last missed a game. However, the snap share was close to a 60/40 split in favor of Scott over Clement. McKissic is a better add if you need a running back over the rest of the season, as his role is pretty locked in without injuries factored in.

3. Keelan Cole (JAX WR) – Keelan Cole is the starting slot receiver for a Jags offense that is constantly playing from behind in games. The Jacksonville defense is not good, directly contributing to Minshew’s solid fantasy season so far. Cole was tied for the team lead in targets at 28 going into week 6, where he turned in a 100+ yard performance against the Lions. Despite playing in an offense that spreads the ball around, Cole is locked in for solid value. He leads the team in targets and has produced double-digit PPR points in 4 out of 6 games, 15+ PPR points in 3 out of 6 games, and has yet to dip below 8 PPR points in a game.

4. Tim Patrick (DEN WR) – Patrick is starting to produce in a Denver offense that just got Drew Lock back this week. He has seen 7 and 8 targets in his last two games, and has turned those looks into two 100+ yard outings. By nature, though, Patrick is going to be boom or bust, as his average depth of target is a whopping 16.5 yards. The weeks he catches his targets, he will have success, but there will also be low weeks due to the lower likelihood of deep targets being caught. Patrick is second on the team in red zone targets with 3. 

5. Dallas Goedert/Richard Rodgers (PHI TEs) – If Dallas Goedert is trending toward a return this week, he is the top add of the week with Zach Ertz ruled out for at least the next month. There is a chance Goedert could be ready to play Thursday night against the Giants but, if it sounds like he is going to miss Thursday’s game, then Rodgers becomes the top tight end addition for the week. Keep in mind, Goedert would still be a great add in anticipation of his increased role with Ertz out the following 3+ weeks. The Eagles are really hurting in the pass-catching department, so either tight end will be heavily utilized.

Non-PPR waiver wire targets

As we know, touchdowns are much more valuable in non-PPR leagues, and the high volume pass-catchers are much less valuable. This fact will change around some of the rankings for our waiver-wire targets. This week’s non-PPR adds are going to be the same as the PPR adds due to injuries around the league. However, some guys get a slight boost or downgrade due to reliance on pass catching or TDs.

1. Dallas Goedert/Richard Rodgers (PHI TEs) – The tight ends are my top addition in non-PPR formats, as they would be the most likely to score TDs with Ertz on the sidelines.

2. Tim Patrick (DEN WR) – Tim Patrick gets the second spot in non-PPR rankings. His deep targets don’t require high volume for him to rack up yards and he is a big body receiver who is second on the team in red zone targets.

3. Keelan Cole (JAX WR) – Cole has a couple TDs on the year and leads the team in targets. This is a lower ceiling pickup in non-PPR, as his receptions help boost his value in PPR formats. There is still reason to like Cole, as the Jags continue to play each game from behind.

4. Boston Scott/Corey Clement (PHI RBs) – Both Scott and Clement can be utilized in the pass game and I wouldn’t be surprised to see both of them mix in near the goal line as well. This is a low priority add in non-PPR, though, as Miles Sanders should only miss one to two weeks. With Sanders out in week 1, the Eagles threw 3 red zone passes and had 0 red zone rushes with these running backs.

Top streaming QB options

1. Teddy Bridgewater (CAR) – I’m not sure why Teddy is still below the 40% rostered threshold, but he is. Teddy gets a revenge game this week against his most recent team, the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have been one of the league’s best run defenses but have given up a good amount of production through the air. They have allowed 264 yards and 4 TDs to rookie Justin Herbert, 206 yards and 3 TDs to Matt Stafford, 283 yards and 3 TDs to Aaron Rodgers, 284 yards and 3 TDs to Derek Carr, plus 239 yards and 2 TDs to Tom Brady. Teddy should be streamed in almost every 12 team league this week.

2. Kyle Allen (WAS) – If you need a streaming QB, do everything you can to get Teddy. However, if that isn’t possible, Kyle Allen would be my next choice. Allen faces the worst defense in the league in the Dallas Cowboys. He was on pace for a 15 fantasy point outing in his first start before leaving with an injury. Allen ended up at that 15 point mark in his second start last week against the Giants. Allen isn’t a great option, but Dallas’ defense has made every offense look better than they are.

Top streaming defense options

1. Kansas City Chiefs defense – The Chiefs have quietly had a good defense both last year and this year. This week, they go up against Drew Lock and the Denver Broncos. This Broncos offense is missing Courtland Sutton and Melvin Gordon has a recent DUI hanging over his head. I expect Denver to struggle to put up points most of the year, and the Chiefs should be able to hold them at bay this week, as they have allowed only one team to score more than 20 points against them all year.

2. Cleveland Browns defense – The Browns have one of the better pass rushes and run defenses in the NFL. Cleveland’s issue this year has been pass coverage, with 2+ sacks in all but one game. Getting pressure on a rookie quarterback in Joe Burrow could lead to turnovers. The Browns did give up 30 points to the Bengals in their first matchup this year, but they still finished with a few fantasy points. I like taking my chances on a defense that can generate pressure on a rookie quarterback.