Germie Bernard leads the Week 7 fantasy football waiver wire after his overtime winner in Tampa Bay, and Omar Cooper Jr., Kyler Murray and Kendre Miller headline a bidding week with the Bills, Jaguars, Chargers and Commanders on bye.
Philadelphia placed Jalen Hurts on injured reserve with a blood clot in his calf, the Giants pulled Jameis Winston and kept Cam Skattebo off the stat sheet, and Jeremiyah Love (ankle) and Kyle Monangai (toe) sat out Sunday.
My inclusion cutoff is 55% rostered on Yahoo.
MORE: Week 7 fantasy football PPR rankings: Josh Jacobs returns, Davante Adams in limbo
Which injuries shape Week 7 bids?
Hurts is out at least three more games, which keeps Tanner McKee under center for an Eagles team that has lost four straight. Arizona rookie Jeremiyah Love sat out the win in Los Angeles, and he said his snaps are managed because he’s “not able to go out there and do spectacular plays every single time.”
Chicago coach Ben Johnson called Monangai “still week-to-week” before Sunday, though the Bears kept him off injured reserve. Baltimore played without Lamar Jackson (ankle) for a second straight week, Indianapolis lost tight end Tyler Warren to a groin injury, and Pittsburgh still has Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson on injured reserve.
Free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) recommendations are based on a $100 budget. My bids are conservative, so bid higher if you want to be aggressive on a player.
Week 7 waiver wire quarterbacks
Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings
- Opponent: vs. Indianapolis, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: Bye (Week 5: at New Orleans, 229 yds, 1 TD; 10 car, 51 yds)
- Rostered: 51%
- FAAB: $8
Murray completed 24 of 30 passes and ran 10 times for 51 yards in the 23-13 win over the Saints, and Minnesota went into its bye at 5-0. His legs give him a weekly floor that most streamers don’t have. Coach Kevin O’Connell expects Jordan Addison and left tackle Christian Darrisaw back after the bye, and I rank Murray QB16 against the 2-4 Colts.
Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
- Opponent: vs. San Francisco, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: vs. Chicago, 225 yds, 3 TD
- Rostered: 15%
- FAAB: $6
Penix completed 19 of 33 passes in the 31-23 loss, and both of his fourth-quarter touchdowns went to Kyle Pitts after Atlanta fell behind 28-7. He also lost a fumble and visited the medical tent early, a week after a rib injury. The 2024 No. 8 overall pick has six touchdown passes in four starts, but the 5-0 49ers visit next, and I rank him QB19 as a two-quarterback option.
J.J. McCarthy, New York Giants
- Opponent: at Houston, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: vs. New Orleans, 243 yds, 1 TD (in relief)
- Rostered: 1%
- FAAB: $3
McCarthy replaced Winston with the Giants trailing 34-10 and threw for 243 yards in the fourth quarter, completing 11 of 21 passes. His 28-yard scramble set up the final drive, which ended on a fourth-down incompletion to Isaiah Likely in the end zone. Coach John Harbaugh said McCarthy did “a heck of a job given the circumstances,” but he didn’t name a starter for Houston. The former Vikings first-round pick is a superflex stash until Harbaugh does.
Tanner McKee, Philadelphia Eagles
- Opponent: vs. Dallas, 8:15 p.m. ET, Monday, Oct. 26
- Week 6: vs. Carolina, 215 yds, 1 TD
- Rostered:
- FAAB: $3
McKee completed 26 of 45 passes in the 25-14 loss, including a 19-yard touchdown to DeVonta Smith, while averaging 4.8 yards per attempt. Philadelphia ran for 35 yards and allowed three sacks, and McKee said afterward the Eagles “need me to be better.” He’ll start at least three more games, and I rank him QB18 as a bye-week fill-in with no rushing value.
Geno Smith, New York Jets
- Opponent: vs. Miami, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: at New England, 252 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Rostered: 7%
- FAAB: $1
Smith completed 20 of 30 passes in the 26-19 loss and threw his first interception of the season. The winless Dolphins come to MetLife next, and I rank him QB21 as a two-quarterback starter.
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals
- Opponent: vs. Denver, 4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: at Los Angeles Rams, 218 yds, 1 INT
- Rostered: 36%
- FAAB: $1
Brissett completed 24 of 35 passes in the 18-16 upset, and his final throw to Jalen Brooks set up the walk-off field goal. Arizona settled for six field goals, which caps his touchdown upside, and I rank him QB23.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
- Opponent: at Tennessee, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: vs. Baltimore, 164 yds; 8 car, 29 yds
- Rostered: 12%
- FAAB: $1
Watson threw for 164 yards without a touchdown or turnover in the 13-10 win, and 94 of those yards came in the fourth quarter. I rank him QB17 against the 1-5 Titans.
Widely rostered QBs: C.J. Stroud, Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers
Week 7 waiver wire running backs
Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
- Opponent: vs. Pittsburgh (Paris), 9:30 a.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: at New York Giants, 20 car, 70 yds; 2 rec, 0 yds
- Rostered: 34%
- FAAB: $6
Miller led New Orleans with 22 touches in the 34-27 win, but they produced 70 yards and no touchdowns. Alvin Kamara missed part of the first half and still scored on a catch, so the backfield isn’t Miller’s alone. Travis Etienne Jr. can’t return until after the Week 8 bye, and Pittsburgh has allowed the 14th-fewest half-PPR points to running backs. I rank Miller RB30, a volume flex with a low ceiling.
Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals
- Opponent: at Baltimore, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: Bye (Week 5: at Miami, 14 car, 68 yds; 2 rec, 10 yds, 1 TD)
- Rostered: 5%
- FAAB: $4
Perine out-carried Chase Brown 14 to 13 before the bye, and Brown averaged 3.0 yards per carry and lost a fumble in that game. Cincinnati’s offensive coordinator suggested Perine is a better fit for the shotgun run game the Bengals leaned on in Miami. Baltimore has allowed the eighth-fewest half-PPR points to backs, so I rank the 31-year-old RB52 this week, and he’s a longer-term stash whose value rises if the split holds.
Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos
- Opponent: at Arizona, 4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: Injured reserve (ankle)
- Rostered: 28%
- FAAB: $5
Coleman is eligible to come off injured reserve this week after a high ankle sprain cost him four games, and he was expected to return when first eligible. The fourth-round rookie from Washington scored in Week 2 and was Denver’s back of choice on the game-clinching drive against Jacksonville. J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey have split the work without much efficiency, so Coleman has a path to the lead role for the second half.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
- Opponent: at Houston, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: vs. New Orleans, 6 car, 18 yds, 1 TD; 2 rec, 27 yds, 1 TD
- Rostered: 4%
- FAAB: $3
Tracy scored on a 17-yard catch and a 5-yard run, but those were two of his eight touches for 45 yards. Najee Harris started, and Skattebo finished with zero touches after four fumbles in five games. Skattebo said of the Houston game, “I’m expecting the same thing until I’m told different.” I rank Tracy RB37, a bench add for managers betting on the rotation.
Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals
- Opponent: vs. Denver, 4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: at Los Angeles Rams, 15 car, 80 yds; 2 rec, 18 yds
- Rostered: ~0%
- FAAB: $5
Knight averaged 5.3 yards per carry while Tyler Allgeier needed 18 carries for 38 yards, and his 31-yard run was Arizona’s longest of the season. The Cardinals backup said it was “good to get back out there and pick up where I left off in the preseason.” Denver has allowed the ninth-most half-PPR points to backs, so Knight is a flex if Love sits and a handcuff if he returns.
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
- Opponent: vs. New England, 8:15 p.m. ET, Thursday, Oct. 22
- Week 6: at Atlanta, 13 car, 51 yds, 1 TD; 2 rec, 34 yds
- Rostered: 5%
- FAAB: $3
Johnson played 31 snaps to D’Andre Swift’s 45 in the 31-23 win and has 125 yards and a score over two games without Monangai. New England has allowed the 13th-fewest half-PPR points to backs, and a short week makes Monangai’s practice reports the deciding factor. I rank Johnson RB39 as a flex only if Monangai sits.
Brian Robinson Jr., Atlanta Falcons
- Opponent: vs. San Francisco, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: vs. Chicago, 2 car, 1 yd; 2 rec, 9 yds
- Rostered: 43%
- FAAB: $4
Robinson touched the ball four times for 10 yards after Atlanta fell behind by three touchdowns and abandoned the run. The former Alabama back has four rushing touchdowns this season as Bijan Robinson’s short-yardage partner, and a more competitive script could restore his carries against a 49ers defense that has allowed the 12th-most half-PPR points to backs. I rank him RB28, a touchdown-dependent flex with standalone value when Atlanta controls the game.
Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
- Opponent: Bye
- Week 6: at Kansas City, 7 car, 21 yds; 3 rec, 19 yds
- Rostered: 19%
- FAAB: $1
Vidal matched Omarion Hampton with seven carries and out-gained him on the ground in the 22-6 loss, but Hampton still had 11 touches to his 10. The Chargers are on bye, so he’s a deep-league stash.
Najee Harris, New York Giants
- Opponent: at Houston, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: vs. New Orleans, 4 car, 2 yds
- Rostered: 15%
- FAAB: $1
Harris started over Skattebo and managed 2 yards on four carries. His value depends on the Giants keeping Skattebo limited, and I rank him RB48.
Jawhar Jordan, Houston Texans
- Opponent: vs. New York Giants, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: at Jacksonville (London), 7 tch, 50 yds, 1 TD
- Rostered: ~0%
- FAAB: $2
Jordan was elevated from the practice squad for his season debut and scored on a 25-yard run with David Montgomery out with a groin injury. Woody Marks handled 17 touches, and the Giants have allowed the 13th-most half-PPR points to backs.
Corey Kiner, New England Patriots
- Opponent: at Chicago, 8:15 p.m. ET, Thursday, Oct. 22
- Week 6: vs. New York Jets, 11 car, 57 yds
- Rostered: 1%
- FAAB: $1
Kiner took all 11 of his carries in the final 16:30 as New England’s closer and led the team in rushing. TreVeyon Henderson fumbled while playing through a high ankle sprain, but Chicago has allowed the sixth-fewest half-PPR points to backs.
Widely rostered RBs: Jordan Mason, Dameon Pierce, Zach Charbonnet, Rachaad White
Week 7 waiver wire wide receivers
Germie Bernard, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Opponent: at New Orleans (Paris), 9:30 a.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: at Tampa Bay, 11 rec, 12 targ, 87 yds, 1 TD
- Rostered: 50%
- FAAB: $14
Bernard caught the 6-yard overtime winner in the 26-19 victory and ran 54 routes on Aaron Rodgers’ 56 dropbacks. Rodgers said, “A ton of targets for DK, a ton of targets for Germie, and we needed it to win today.” The Alabama rookie has 21 targets over two games, and New Orleans has allowed the 15th-most half-PPR points to receivers. I rank him WR29 with a WR3 floor while Pittman and Wilson are out.
Omar Cooper Jr., New York Jets
- Opponent: vs. Miami, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: at New England, 6 rec, 7 targ, 103 yds, 1 TD
- Rostered: 4%
- FAAB: $10
Cooper played his first game since a Week 1 high ankle sprain and scored on a 48-yard catch when New England blew a coverage. The No. 30 overall pick out of Indiana should hold the No. 2 role while Adonai Mitchell (finger) is out. Miami has allowed the second-fewest half-PPR points to receivers, so I rank Cooper WR34 this week and higher for the rest of the season.
Keenan Allen, Indianapolis Colts
- Opponent: at Minnesota, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: vs. Tennessee, 8 rec, 11 targ, 82 yds
- Rostered: 47%
- FAAB: $5
Allen set season highs in catches, targets and yards in the 26-20 loss with Warren inactive. The veteran is averaging 8.7 yards per catch, so his value comes from volume, and Warren’s return would cut into it. Minnesota has allowed the fifth-fewest half-PPR points to receivers, and I rank Allen WR35 as a PPR flex.
Ja’Kobi Lane, Baltimore Ravens
- Opponent: vs. Cincinnati, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: at Cleveland, 4 rec, 5 targ, 40 yds
- Rostered: 12%
- FAAB: $4
Lane returned from wrist surgery, and three of his catches converted third downs in the 13-10 loss. Tyler Huntley made his second straight start for Jackson, which limited the passing game. I rank the third-round rookie from USC WR52, so he’s a longer-term stash whose value climbs when Jackson returns.
Jaylin Noel, Houston Texans
- Opponent: vs. New York Giants, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: at Jacksonville (London), 4 rec, 4 targ, 107 yds, 1 TD
- Rostered: 7%
- FAAB: $4
Noel set a career high in yards with a 13-yard touchdown and a 50-yard catch in the 34-31 win and finished with 174 all-purpose yards. Marvin Harrison Jr. caught three passes for 34 yards in his Texans debut, and his role should grow, so Noel’s target volume may stay limited. The Giants have allowed the 18th-most half-PPR points to receivers, and I rank him WR36 as a boom-or-bust flex. I included him in last week’s WR start ’em, sit ’em.
Dontayvion Wicks, Philadelphia Eagles
- Opponent: vs. Dallas, 8:15 p.m. ET, Monday, Oct. 26
- Week 6: vs. Carolina, 2 rec, 4 targ, 24 yds
- Rostered: 33%
- FAAB: $3
Wicks left the 25-14 loss in the fourth quarter after being tripped up at the end of a 17-yard catch, so his practice status comes first this week. DeVonta Smith’s return from a hamstring injury cut into his targets, but Dallas has allowed the eighth-most half-PPR points to receivers. If Wicks is cleared, I rank the former Packers receiver WR30 with a boom-or-bust profile.
Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders
- Opponent: vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: vs. Buffalo, 5 rec, 97 yds, 2 TD
- Rostered: 45%
- FAAB: $4
Tucker scored from 11 yards and on a 44-yard catch with 1:32 left in the 33-30 loss, the third multi-touchdown game of his career. He led Las Vegas in receiving yards while Buffalo focused on Brock Bowers, though his weekly output has swung widely. The Rams have allowed the fourth-fewest half-PPR points to receivers, and I rank Tucker WR32 as a volatile flex.
Jordyn Tyson, New Orleans Saints
- Opponent: vs. Pittsburgh (Paris), 9:30 a.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: Injured reserve (hamstring)
- Rostered: 48%
- FAAB: $3
Tyson has been on injured reserve all season, and coach Kellen Moore said he’s “progressing well” without a practice return yet. The Week 8 bye makes Week 9 the likeliest debut for the first-round rookie.
DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots
- Opponent: at Chicago, 8:15 p.m. ET, Thursday, Oct. 22
- Week 6: vs. New York Jets, 7 rec, 8 targ, 86 yds, 1 TD
- Rostered: 8%
- FAAB: $2
Douglas has three touchdowns in two games, and A.J. Brown dropped back-to-back passes on third and fourth down in his return. Chicago has allowed the 14th-most half-PPR points to receivers, and I rank Douglas WR42.
Ryan Flournoy, Dallas Cowboys
- Opponent: at Philadelphia, 8:15 p.m. ET, Monday, Oct. 26
- Week 6: at Green Bay, 7 rec, 9 targ, 40 yds, 1 TD
- Rostered: 14%
- FAAB: $2
Flournoy scored on a 6-yard catch with 44 seconds left in the 23-13 loss, and his nine targets trailed only CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Philadelphia has allowed the fifth-most half-PPR points to receivers, and I rank him WR40 as Dallas’ No. 3 option.
Kendrick Bourne, Arizona Cardinals
- Opponent: vs. Denver, 4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: at Los Angeles Rams, 5 rec, 8 targ, 47 yds
- Rostered: 19%
- FAAB: $1
Bourne drew an end-zone target from the Rams’ 3-yard line but couldn’t hold it. Denver has allowed the 10th-fewest half-PPR points to receivers, and I rank him WR50.
Widely rostered WRs: Wan’Dale Robinson, KC Concepcion, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman
Week 7 waiver wire tight ends
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
- Opponent: vs. Indianapolis, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: Bye (Week 5: at New Orleans, 1 rec, 7 yds)
- Rostered: 31%
- FAAB: $6
Hockenson suffered a concussion on the second play of the Week 5 win, and O’Connell hoped he’d clear the protocol after the bye. The Iowa product entered that game as Minnesota’s leading receiver with 22 catches. Indianapolis has allowed the 16th-most half-PPR points to tight ends, and pending clearance, I rank Hockenson TE11, the top tight end on this list.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
- Opponent: at Chicago, 8:15 p.m. ET, Thursday, Oct. 22
- Week 6: vs. New York Jets, 4 rec, 48 yds, 1 TD
- Rostered: 51%
- FAAB: $3
Henry scored from 7 yards out for his second touchdown in two games, though he hasn’t drawn more than five targets in any game. Chicago has allowed the ninth-fewest half-PPR points to tight ends, and I rank him TE15 as a touchdown-dependent streamer.
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
- Opponent: at Las Vegas, 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: vs. Arizona, 4 rec, 4 targ, 22 yds
- Rostered: 35%
- FAAB: $4
Higbee caught every target in the 18-16 loss, but his fumble deep in Arizona territory with 7:47 left cost the Rams points. Colby Parkinson took the late touchdown, which splits the red-zone work. Las Vegas has allowed the sixth-most half-PPR points to tight ends, and I rank the Rams’ longest-tenured player TE13.
Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders
- Opponent: vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: vs. Buffalo, 7 rec, 9 targ, 95 yds
- Rostered: 8%
- FAAB: $2
Mayer led Las Vegas in catches while Buffalo focused on Brock Bowers. Klint Kubiak’s offense has produced a league-leading 64.6 points from tight ends over four weeks, but the Rams have allowed the second-fewest half-PPR points to the position. I rank Mayer TE25 as a bench add with weekly volatility.
Darnell Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Opponent: at New Orleans (Paris), 9:30 a.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: at Tampa Bay, 4 rec, 6 targ, 25 yds, 1 TD
- Rostered:
- FAAB: $2
Washington’s 5-yard touchdown started Pittsburgh’s fourth-quarter comeback, and his six targets doubled Pat Freiermuth’s total while Freiermuth played through a calf injury. The Saints have allowed the seventh-most half-PPR points to tight ends, and I rank the former Georgia tight end TE23.
Darren Waller, Carolina Panthers
- Opponent: vs. Tampa Bay, 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: at Philadelphia, 0 rec, 2 targ
- Rostered: 2%
- FAAB: $1
Waller managed a toe injury and played behind Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans in the 25-14 win. Tampa Bay has allowed the 10th-most half-PPR points to tight ends, and I rank him TE16.
Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams
- Opponent: at Las Vegas, 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 25
- Week 6: vs. Arizona, 5 rec, 6 targ, 31 yds, 1 TD
- Rostered: 1%
- FAAB: $1
Parkinson’s 6-yard touchdown with 47 seconds left was awarded on replay after he was ruled down at the 1. He’s a touchdown-or-bust option, and I rank him TE26.
Widely rostered TEs: Kyle Pitts, Brenton Strange, Pat Freiermuth
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