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.

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Week 7 byes

• Carolina Panthers
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Dallas Cowboys
• Houston Texans
• New York Jets
• Tennessee Titans

Quarterbacks

Sam Howell, Commanders

Am I actually leading the quarterback section with Howell for a third straight week?

Yes.

The Commanders passer has now finished as a QB13 or better in five of his six outings this year, including a three-touchdown performance in Sunday's win over the Falcons.

With six teams on bye in Week 7, there aren't a lot of quality streaming options - so spend up to get Howell.

Risky streaming options (if starter is out): Tyrod Taylor vs. WAS (2% rostered)

Risky streaming options (if healthy): Daniel Jones vs. WAS (44% rostered), Jimmy Garoppolo at CHI (16% rostered), Baker Mayfield vs. ATL (28% rostered)

Risky streaming options: Josh Dobbs at SEA (15% rostered), Derek Carr vs. JAX (25% rostered), Kenny Pickett at LAR (19% rostered), Desmond Ridder at TB (8% rostered)

Desperation streaming options (if starter is out): Aidan O'Connell vs. CHI (0% rostered), Tyson Bagent vs. LV (0% rostered)

Desperation streaming options: Mac Jones vs. BUF (0% rostered), Gardner Minshew vs. CLE (8% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes: Kyler Murray (23% rostered)

Bye-week stashes: Bryce Young (11% rostered), Zach Wilson (6% rostered), Malik Willis (0% rostered), Will Levis (0% rostered),

Long-term stashes: Taylor Heinicke (0% rostered), Malik Cunningham (1% rostered), Will Grier (1% rostered)

Running backs

Elijah Mitchell/Jordan Mason, 49ers

Christian McCaffrey was forced from Sunday's game with oblique and rib injuries and was undergoing an MRI when Kyle Shanahan spoke to the media on Monday.

That means we’ve yet to hear an update on his status for Week 7 and beyond, aside from Shanahan saying it wouldn't be long term.

Mitchell has been the No. 2 since McCaffrey arrived in San Francisco, but he just returned to the lineup after missing time with an injury of his own.

Before McCaffrey left this week's game, Mitchell was back to serving as the immediate backup. However, after McCaffrey left it was Mason who saw the bigger increase in snaps.

The Athletic's Matt Barrows asked Shanahan if he would trust Mason as the lead back during a possible McCaffrey absence, and the head coach shifted to highlighting Mitchell. it's not surprising given Mitchell has made starts for the Niners in past years.

The early indications suggest this won't be an extended absence for McCaffrey, and it's not out of the question he'll suit up Monday night. Unfortunately, we won't know that for sure until the MRI results are revealed.

For now, Mitchell and Mason should be rostered in that order. And if the starter is out, Mitchell would be the better play as a fantasy RB2.

Craig Reynolds, Lions

Lions head coach Dan Campbell announced David Montgomery will be out for "a little bit" with a rib cartilage issue.

Campbell also expressed optimism that rookie Jahmyr Gibbs will be able to return to the lineup after missing a game due to a hamstring injury suffered late last week in practice.

That's a short turnaround for a soft tissue injury, and if Gibbs does suit up in Week 7, it's hard to imagine the team would give him a significant workload so soon.

Enter Reynolds, who's two years removed from a pair of spot starts in which he racked up 216 yards from scrimmage on 40 touches.

Even in a below-average matchup with the Ravens, Reynolds would be a flex option if Gibbs is active. But he would vault into the low-end RB2 range if Gibbs remains out.

Zach Evans/Darrell Henderson/Myles Gaskin, Rams

Kyren Williams is expected to miss one-to-two weeks with an ankle injury, and backup Ronnie Rivers could be out four-to-five weeks with a knee issue. Sean McVay told reporters Monday that it'll be challenging for both guys in the immediate future.

That opens the door for Evans, who got the first regular-season touches of his career Sunday. The sixth-round rookie had an intriguing prospect profile and is now positioned to get at least one start in a competent Rams attack.

We could also see the team give some touches to Henderson or Gaskin, who L.A. added to the roster this week. Henderson is especially interesting for fantasy since he made starts during his last stint with the Rams.

Evans has the inside track at the moment on a high-volume role in a productive McVay offense, which could make him a high-end RB3 - if he can hold off the veteran additions. While that's worth chasing for fantasy, Henderson and Gaskin are smart stashes.

Roschon Johnson, Tyjae Spears, Zach Charbonnet, Jeff Wilson Jr., and Jaleel McLaughlin are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Kareem Hunt at IND (36% rostered), Justice Hill vs. DET (42% rostered), Keaontay Ingram at SEA (20% rostered)

Risky flex options: Ezekiel Elliott vs. BUF (43% rostered), Latavius Murray at NE (14% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Jerick McKinnon vs. LAC (44% rostered), Damien Williams at SEA (0% rostered), Kenneth Gainwell vs. MIA (42% rostered), Ke'Shawn Vaughn vs. ATL (0% rostered)

Other backups to roster: Tank Bigsby (17% rostered), Kendre Miller (17% rostered), Jamaal Williams (39% rostered), Josh Kelley (29% rostered), Salvon Ahmed (21% rostered), Samaje Perine (39% rostered), Zamir White (3% rostered), Matt Breida (15% rostered), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (12% rostered)

Bye-week stashes: Devin Singletary (13% rostered), Rico Dowdle (7% rostered)

Deep stashes: Trayveon Williams (0% rostered), Chris Rodriguez Jr. (0% rostered), D'Ernest Johnson (0% rostered), Keaton Mitchell (20% rostered), James Robinson (0% rostered), Leonard Fournette (2% rostered), Royce Freeman (0% rostered)

Wide receivers

Rashee Rice, Chiefs

If you weren't sold on Rice when I wrote him up last week in this section, perhaps his four-catch, 72-yard performance in Week 6 won you over.

The rookie was back up to 50% playing time in the win over the Broncos and his role should only grow from here.

He continues to lead the Chiefs' receivers in targets, receptions, yardage, and touchdowns. And he's earning those targets at an impressive rate given his part-time snap count.

If you waited to add him, you'll have to pay a little more, but I'd much rather have him on my roster than let one of the other managers in my league acquire him.

Curtis Samuel, Commanders

Samuel has scored touchdowns in three straight games and has topped 40 yards in all but one contest this year.

With teammate Jahan Dotson disappearing in his sophomore season, Samuel has capitalized and become a regular contributor for the Commanders.

While it feels hard to trust him in your lineup, Samuel has earned weekly fantasy flex status in an offense that has a favorable schedule over the next five weeks.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jameson Williams are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Josh Downs vs. CLE (33% rostered), Rashid Shaheed vs. JAX (32% rostered), Michael Wilson at SEA (23% rostered), Wan'Dale Robinson vs. WAS (18% rostered)

Flex options (if healthy): Zay Jones at NO (30% rostered),

Risky flex options: Kendrick Bourne vs. BUF (17% rostered), Josh Reynolds at BAL (49% rostered), Darius Slayton vs. WAS (2% rostered), Jalin Hyatt vs. WAS (5% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Marvin Mims vs. GB (25% rostered), Jayden Reed at DEN (20% rostered), Kadarius Toney vs. LAC (27% rostered), Rondale Moore at SEA (9% rostered), Darnell Mooney vs. LV (20% rostered), Odell Beckham Jr. vs. DET (31% rostered), Trey Palmer vs. ATL (0% rostered), Quentin Johnston at KC (32% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options (if starter is out): Jauan Jennings at MIN (0% rostered), Ray-Ray McCloud at MIN (0% rostered), Ronnie Bell at MIN (0% rostered)

Bye-week stashes: Jonathan Mingo (8% rostered), Brandin Cooks (43% rostered)

Deep stashes: Julio Jones (0% rostered), Tre Tucker (0% rostered)

Tight ends

Michael Mayer, Raiders

The stash section in Start, Sit, Stash, Quit continues to deliver with Mayer being one of the players highlighted last week.

The signs were there for a breakout game after he played a season-high 66% of the Raiders' offensive snaps in Week 5 and came away with 39 yards.

However, with star wideout Davante Adams playing through a shoulder injury and veteran tight end Austin Hooper's role declining, Mayer erupted in Week 7 with five catches and 75 yards on 81% of the snaps.

The Raiders desperately need a third option in the passing game, and Mayer can be that guy. If you're one of the many managers struggling to find a weekly starter at tight end, take a shot on the second-round rookie.

Risky streamer options: Luke Musgrave at DEN (18% rostered), Jonnu Smith at TB (10% rostered), Taysom Hill vs. JAX (7% rostered)

Risky streamer options (if starter is out): Mike Gesicki vs. BUF (3% rostered)

Dart-throw streamer options: Tre McBride at SEA (1% rostered), Cade Otton vs. ATL (3% rostered), Adam Trautman vs. GB (0% rostered)

Defenses

Week 7 streamers

Favorable upcoming schedules: Chargers DEF vs. CHI (7% rostered), Texans at CAR (11% rostered)