Fantasy Football: 4 players off the waiver wire you can start if you're desperate in Week 7

Wide receivers with a 20+% target share to face Miami have averaged 17.8 PPR PPG. That bodes well for Garrett Wilson, who’s still at 6.5 looks per game. Kenyon Sadiq’s routes and targets have oscillated each week, but the spine of the Dolphins’ defense has given up the third-most PPR PPG to TEs.

In short, if we like the pass-catchers, the QB has to get some love, too. And it’s not like Smith has played poorly. He’s ahead of C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence and Patrick Mahomes in CPOE. Smith’s 0.02 EPA per dropback sits right below the league average. Along with a plus matchup, starting a Jets QB doesn’t sound too crazy.

Honorable Mention: Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns at Titans

Jonah Coleman, RB, Broncos at Cardinals (32% Rostered)

As of this writing, Jonah Coleman is still on IR. He’s practiced in full throughout the week and is eligible to return to the active roster before Sunday. And if you’re hesitant on what he can do with the ball in his hands, let’s go back to the last time we saw him on the field.

J.K. Dobbins has been the lead back through six weeks. Coleman is the only other Denver RB to force a carry split (both had 10 carries in Week 2). RJ Harvey needed six weeks to earn a goal-line touch. Coleman got one in his second game. Coupled with an 11% target share, the rookie RB’s usage had the makings of a starter. Besides, it’s not like his competition has put up highlight reels since he’s been out.

•  (Early Downs) Adj. Yards After Contact per Att.: 43rd (Dobbins), 44th (Harvey) [out of 61 qualifiers – min. 20 carries)

• Forced Missed Tackle Rate: 43rd, 61st 

Let’s say you believe that if the Broncos had a better running game, Bo Nix would play better. There’d be less pressure on him. More manageable third downs. Simply put, their ground attack is the problem. And you’d be partly right.

Their problems start on first and second down. Between Dobbins and Harvey, they have 96 carries to start a series. Less than a quarter have gone for five or more yards. Accordingly, Nix has had to go an average of 7.7 yards (league average is 7.6) on third down to keep drives alive. But there are other areas Coleman could help.

Dobbins has been the preferred short-yardage option, but converted just half of his attempts. Harvey’s played more snaps on third downs, but tied for allowing the 10th-most pressures of any rusher. So not only does Coleman have the chance to be an instant upgrade over his peers, but he’ll get to do it against a Cardinals’ defense surrendering the 16th-most yards to opposing RBs. 

Honorable Mention: Justice Hill, RB, Ravens vs. Bengals

Konata Mumpfield, WR, Rams at Raiders (7% Rostered)

Davante Adams is out. Puka Nacua’s check engine light is on. Terrance Ferguson needs more time to get right. I’m not worried about the Rams’ long-term outlook. But I’ve got my eyebrow raised. Regardless, they still have to get through the Raiders with one of the top pass-catchers out. Funny enough, the last time Nacua was hobbled, we saw who would step up for L.A. out of their ancillary crew.

The good news for anyone thinking of starting Konata Mumpfield is two-fold. First, his routes and targets spiked in the absence of Matthew Stafford’s primary options. A similar situation he finds himself in this weekend. Second, half of Mumpfield’s looks came on timing routes partly indicating some level of rapport with Stafford. However, as the clip indicates, their biggest connections came when using Mumpfield’s speed. But that works in his favor, too.

Las Vegas’ secondary has given up the seventh-most yards and 11th-most catches on throws of 20 air yards or more. They ran in the bottom 12 for explosive play rate allowed, too. The Raiders’ offense (sixth in PPG) has already shown their capable of keeping their opponents on a pass-friendly script. With the scoreboard, and their win-loss record likely on their minds, Mumpfield as a WR3 in one of the highest projected games of the weekend has its merits.

Honorable Mention: Christian Kirk, WR, 49ers at Falcons

Darnell Washington, TE, Steelers at Saints (3% Rostered)

I was the “Shaq, I was unfamiliar with your game” meme after digging into the Steelers’ offense earlier this week. Their pass rate is up. Aaron Rodgers is spinning it like he’s back in the MVP race. More importantly, at least for us, he can support multiple pass-catchers.

Of course, DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard will be the weekly headliners. But, remember, Rodgers is throwing more in every situation this season. Specifically, the red zone. He’s had the 10th-most attempts when in scoring position and the fourth-most from the goal-line. That’s where Darnell Washington comes into play as Pittsburgh takes on New Orleans in Paris.

• (Red Zone) Route Share (since Week 3): 71.9% (Washington), 59.4% (Freiermuth)

• Target Rate: 22.2%, 14.8%

• TPRR: 26.1%, 21.1%

The massive TE has become one of Rodgers’ favorite targets when close to the end zone. Pat Freiermuth’s calf injury didn’t stop him from being active, but his season-low 7% target rate paved the way for more work to the fourth-year TE. At worst, Washington’s 4.5 targets per game are enough for a viable floor in desperate situations. But if you’re swinging from the fences, Mount Washington has the potential for a ceiling to swing the week in your favor.

Honorable Mention: Literally Any Healthy Rams TE at Raiders