Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 7

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Rostered percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are set off a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 60% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers

Bridgewater is coming off a tough matchup against the Bears' defense. However, there should be plenty of optimism around the Panthers starter in fantasy.

Through six weeks, Bridgewater has shown an ability to take advantage of weaker matchups and has begun using his legs more, rushing for over 30 yards in two of his last three appearances.

Next up is a revenge game of sorts against his former team in New Orleans. Fortunately for Teddy, the Saints' pass defense has fallen apart this year, allowing at least three total touchdowns to every quarterback they've faced in 2020.

Kyle Allen, Washington

It's not a great week for streaming options at quarterback, so Allen makes the list thanks to a favorable matchup against the Cowboys.

Dallas was allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing signal-callers entering its Monday night showdown with the Cardinals. Meanwhile, Allen completed 73.8% of his passes for 280 yards and two scores against the Giants in his first full game as Washington's starter.

If Allen can limit turnovers Sunday, he could be a high-end QB2 for fantasy managers in need of a one-week replacement.

Justin Herbert is around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

Long-term option: Tua Tagovailoa on Bye (5% rostered)

Risky streamer options: Andy Dalton at WAS (45% rostered), Nick Foles at LAR (10% rostered), Daniel Jones at PHI (31% rostered), Derek Carr vs. TB (25% rostered)

Running backs

Boston Scott, Eagles

With Miles Sanders ruled out for Thursday night's game against the Giants, Scott will step into the lead back role.

Though he let us down in a similar spot earlier this season, it's important to remember what Scott did down the stretch in 2019, including two games against the Giants. In the first contest, Scott turned 16 touches into 129 yards from scrimmage and a score. In the second meeting, he went off for 138 yards on 23 opportunities and found the end zone three times.

The 25-year-old has a high ceiling when volume is on his side, and with the Eagles on a bye in Week 9, it's possible the team elects to rest Sanders for the next two games to give him three weeks to heal.

For now, we'll view Scott as an RB2 in Week 7 with a chance to produce similar numbers the following week if Sanders is held out.

JaMycal Hasty, 49ers

Raheem Mostert left Sunday night's game with a sprained ankle, which head coach Kyle Shanahan said will "most likely" send him to injured reserve, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner.

In Mostert's absence, Hasty actually out-touched established backup Jerick McKinnon 9-8 and outgained him 37-28. While it's unclear what the split will be like moving forward, the undrafted rookie showed more than enough to remain involved for however long Mostert is out.

Until we find out more, treat Hasty like a flex option who could climb this depth chart in the same way Mostert did last year.

La'Mical Perine, Jets

Before we get too intrigued by Perine's potential, let's remember this is the Jets' offense. From what we've seen so far, there's little reason to have faith in this group as a whole.

That makes Perine a player to acquire at your own risk.

The fourth-round rookie did play on almost 58% of the team's snaps Sunday and generated 36 yards on his nine touches. The problem is Adam Gase's affinity for Frank Gore, which led to the 37-year-old veteran getting 15 touches in the game.

If the Jets ever decide to feature Perine, he might have a chance to return RB2 value. However, the reality is that his ceiling is likely capped, making him more of a stash than a Week 7 flex option.

Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley, Adrian Peterson, Damien Harris, and Zack Moss are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

High-upside backups like Tony Pollard (23% rostered), Brian Hill (17% rostered), and Giovani Bernard (6% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.

Risky flex options: Gus Edwards on Bye (3% rostered), J.D. McKissic vs. DAL (12% rostered), Frank Gore vs. BUF (31% rostered), Jamal Williams at HOU (24% rostered), D'Ernest Johnson at CIN (25% rostered), Malcolm Brown vs. CHI (31% rostered), Jeff Wilson Jr. at NE (5% rostered), Chris Thompson at LAC (13% rostered)

Other upside backups: Duke Johnson vs. GB (25% rostered), Matt Breida on Bye (24% rostered), Carlos Hyde at ARI (12% rostered), Jeremy McNichols vs. PIT (1% rostered), Rex Burkhead vs. SF (39% rostered), Benny Snell at TEN (9% rostered)

Injured reserve stash: Tevin Coleman (22% rostered), Rashaad Penny (4% rostered)

Long-term upside stashes: Anthony McFarland Jr. at TEN (2% rostered), Ke'Shawn Vaughn at LV (7% rostered), AJ Dillon at HOU (5% rostered)

Deeper stashes: Ty Johnson vs. BUF (0% rostered), Kerryon Johnson at ATL (18% rostered), Jalen Richard vs. TB (1% rostered), Devontae Booker vs. TB (0% rostered), Wayne Gallman at PHI (1% rostered), Darrel Williams at DEN (7% rostered), Royce Freeman vs. KC (2% rostered)

Wide receivers

Mike Williams, Chargers

Williams reminded everyone what he's capable of in Week 5 with a five-catch, 109-yard, two-touchdown night. Based on the low waiver wire claims on him last week, some fantasy managers may have missed that Monday night eruption or forgotten about it during his bye.

It's smart to load up on the pieces surrounding a young ascending quarterback like Herbert. Williams and Herbert could be a devastating duo for fantasy managers thanks to a soft remaining schedule, and both can still be picked up in around 50% of leagues.

If Williams stays healthy - he did land awkwardly on his final catch in the last game - the Charger could be a WR3 with WR2 upside for the remainder of 2020.

Henry Ruggs, Raiders

Ruggs entered his Week 6 bye fresh off a 118-yard, one-touchdown game in his return to the lineup after getting injured in the first two weeks.

He's a first-round pick who the team has clearly tried to feature whenever he's been on the field, a trend that should only increase as he gets healthier and more comfortable in the Raiders' offense.

As I said on a recent episode of the "RotoUnderworld" podcast, Ruggs has a chance to be a top-20 fantasy receiver in the second half of the year. This will likely be your last chance to pick him up.

Travis Fulgham, Eagles

Fulgham posted another quality fantasy performance this week and now has stat lines of 2-57-1, 10-157-1, and 6-75-1 over his last three games.

It's reasonable to doubt whether he maintains this type of target share once DeSean Jackson (24% rostered), Alshon Jeffery (16% rostered), and, eventually, Jalen Reagor (14% rostered) return to the lineup. But for now, Fulgham is the clear top option in Philly's receiving corps. At this rate, he might never leave the starting lineup.

The Eagles also lost tight end Zach Ertz on Sunday and aren't expected to get Dallas Goedert back for at least another week.

So, even in a challenging matchup with shadow corner James Bradberry, you can confidently start Fulgham as a WR3 in Week 7.

Chase Claypool, Tee Higgins, Brandin Cooks, Mecole Hardman, and Brandon Aiyuk are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

Flex options: Laviska Shenault Jr. at LAC (46% rostered), Preston Williams on Bye (25% rostered), Keelan Cole at LAC (29% rostered), Christian Kirk vs. SEA (39% rostered), Tim Patrick vs. KC (18% rostered)

Risky flex options: Cole Beasley at NYJ (34% rostered), Zach Pascal on Bye (6% rostered), Marcus Johnson on Bye (0% rostered), Marquez Valdes-Scantling at HOU (30% rostered), Randall Cobb vs. GB (17% rostered), Breshad Perriman vs. BUF (8% rostered), Russell Gage vs. DET (27% rostered), Demarcus Robinson at DEN (1% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Damiere Byrd vs. SF (4% rostered), N'Keal Harry vs. SF (29% rostered), Darnell Mooney at LAR (2% rostered), Hunter Renfrow vs. TB (24% rostered), Corey Davis vs. PIT 26% rostered), Adam Humphries vs. PIT (9% rostered), Scotty Miller at LV (19% rostered), Dontrelle Inman vs. DAL (0% rostered)

Injured reserve stash: Sterling Shepard (29% rostered)

Promising rookies: Gabriel Davis at NYJ (4% rostered), Devin Duvernay on Bye (1% rostered), Tyler Johnson at LV (0% rostered), Denzel Mims vs. BUF (3% rostered)

Deep bench stashes: Rashard Higgins at CIN (0% rostered), James Washington at TEN (10% rostered), Kendrick Bourne at NE (4% rostered), Josh Reynolds vs. CHI (1% rostered), Jakeem Grant on Bye (1% rostered), Andy Isabella vs. SEA (3% rostered), Jalen Guyton vs. JAX (1% rostered)

Tight ends

Trey Burton, Colts

Burton has averaged the 12th-most fantasy points among tight ends since returning from injury three weeks ago, as he continues to be a major part of the Colts' offense.

Against the Bengals, Burton caught four passes for 58 yards and a score while also adding another touchdown on the ground.

As T.Y. Hilton's effectiveness continues to wane, Burton appears to be a reliable target for Philip Rivers, who has always favored his tight ends.

The only problem is Burton is on a bye this week, so he's a long-term solution at the position, not a streamer.

Anthony Firkser, Titans

Jonnu Smith left Sunday's game with a sprained ankle, which allowed Firkser to assume the lead role and record eight receptions, 113 yards, and a touchdown.

Tennessee is calling Smith questionable for Week 7's date with the relentless Steelers defense, but we're expecting him to miss at least one game.

Even in a difficult matchup, Firkser will be a high-end TE2 and a quality streaming option on a team that's thrown 33% of its passes to tight ends this season.

Austin Hooper and Dalton Schultz are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

The usual streamer options: Jimmy Graham at LAR (5% rostered), Darren Fells vs. GB (5% rostered), Logan Thomas vs. DAL (15% rostered), Eric Ebron at TEN (54% rostered), Greg Olsen at ARI (21% rostered), Irv Smith Jr. on Bye (9% rostered)

Defenses

Week 7 streamers

Favorable upcoming schedules: Chargers DEF (29% rostered), Titans DEF (41% rostered), Lions DEF (3% rostered)